Read Online Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) by Ruthie Henrick - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ruthie Henrick
Tags: Contemporary
Ads: Link
Towering saguaros stood resolute, their barrels pocked, arms reaching in surrender toward the swirling patches of high clouds. “No, it’s fine. We both have so much to do.”
“Maybe you need to dial it down. You’ll make yourself sick if you keep up this pace.
“You’re right. But there’s so much. Lesson plans, meetings, the house. Where are we going, by the way?” They’d passed several road signs along the way. It had to be somewhere nearby.
Ben stretched his arm toward her and flicked a curl. “I was trying to be mysterious.” He returned his hand to the steering wheel, flexed his fingers and rolled his neck. “I found a bed and breakfast in Sedona that’s supposed to be pretty. Hopefully you’ll feel better by the time the weekend’s over.”
She let a smile tug at her lips as she faced Ben and swept her gaze over his familiar features. Inside she glowed knowing that he was concerned about her, that he’d made the effort to plan this trip. She reached for his hand, laced their fingers together. “You’re a great guy, you know that? I just might keep you.”
Her attention was diverted as they left the interstate and travelled the highway into the quaint town nestled charmingly in a red rock valley. Through the dusky twilight brightly hued blossoms lined the bumpy gravel drive that led to the inn’s guest lot.
A Victorian two-story stood before them—its pale yellow clapboards highlighted with mustard and colonial blue trim and pristine-white gingerbread, the steep rooflines covered in mottled gray slate. The front light was as welcoming as a lighthouse beacon. She mounted the wide painted steps to stand beside Ben on the wooden porch, and waited for Mr. and Mrs. Lange, the owners of the property, to answer their knock
“Come on in.” The friendly couple was probably in their mid-sixties. Ben trailed her as they were ushered through the front door and into the foyer. “We’re so glad you made it. Make yourselves right at home.
Allie followed Mrs. Lange while the men carried their bags upstairs. She poked her head into room after room as the innkeeper chattered about the history of the house, the furnishings, the sights in the area, and ended in the dining room, which was painstakingly reproduced, comfortable and inviting.
“Breakfast is here on the sideboard starting at eight. High tea at four. Come. I’ll show you up.”
The rooms at this inn were named instead of numbered, she found. Allie walked through the doorway to the Grand Canyon room and was immediately enchanted. The ice-blue beadboards and off-white crown moldings would wash the room with soothing cheer in the light of day. A tall, lace-covered window overlooked an expanse of lawn and into the pines, and there was a small stone-covered fireplace on the opposite wall, A fire was laid, ready for the strike of a match to ward off the chill of the autumn evening.
Buzzing with anticipation she looked forward to snuggling with Ben on the chintz setee stationed before the hearth. But after removing the delicate antique quilt and tossing the mounds of fluffy pillows to the floor, it was the decadence of the king sized poster bed she longed to fall into with her husband.
“Town or Oak Creek Canyon?” She could barely understand him through the blueberry muffin he’d confiscated from the buffet on his way upstairs. “Which do you want to explore first?”
He’d been for a run. Sweat trickled down his neck and into his t-shirt. She yawned and stretched beneath the covers. “Canyon.”
“Up and at’em.” He grabbed her toes through the sheet and gave them a wiggle. “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.
She held his hand as they strolled aimlessly through the rustling trees. “Luxury accommodations.” Her sigh was pure pleasure. “Majestic red rock country. The maroon and gold of autumn leaves –” She drew to a stop, drew in her eyebrows as Ben simply slanted back and chuckled.
“I’m sorry.” He snickered
“Maybe you need to dial it down. You’ll make yourself sick if you keep up this pace.
“You’re right. But there’s so much. Lesson plans, meetings, the house. Where are we going, by the way?” They’d passed several road signs along the way. It had to be somewhere nearby.
Ben stretched his arm toward her and flicked a curl. “I was trying to be mysterious.” He returned his hand to the steering wheel, flexed his fingers and rolled his neck. “I found a bed and breakfast in Sedona that’s supposed to be pretty. Hopefully you’ll feel better by the time the weekend’s over.”
She let a smile tug at her lips as she faced Ben and swept her gaze over his familiar features. Inside she glowed knowing that he was concerned about her, that he’d made the effort to plan this trip. She reached for his hand, laced their fingers together. “You’re a great guy, you know that? I just might keep you.”
Her attention was diverted as they left the interstate and travelled the highway into the quaint town nestled charmingly in a red rock valley. Through the dusky twilight brightly hued blossoms lined the bumpy gravel drive that led to the inn’s guest lot.
A Victorian two-story stood before them—its pale yellow clapboards highlighted with mustard and colonial blue trim and pristine-white gingerbread, the steep rooflines covered in mottled gray slate. The front light was as welcoming as a lighthouse beacon. She mounted the wide painted steps to stand beside Ben on the wooden porch, and waited for Mr. and Mrs. Lange, the owners of the property, to answer their knock
“Come on in.” The friendly couple was probably in their mid-sixties. Ben trailed her as they were ushered through the front door and into the foyer. “We’re so glad you made it. Make yourselves right at home.
Allie followed Mrs. Lange while the men carried their bags upstairs. She poked her head into room after room as the innkeeper chattered about the history of the house, the furnishings, the sights in the area, and ended in the dining room, which was painstakingly reproduced, comfortable and inviting.
“Breakfast is here on the sideboard starting at eight. High tea at four. Come. I’ll show you up.”
The rooms at this inn were named instead of numbered, she found. Allie walked through the doorway to the Grand Canyon room and was immediately enchanted. The ice-blue beadboards and off-white crown moldings would wash the room with soothing cheer in the light of day. A tall, lace-covered window overlooked an expanse of lawn and into the pines, and there was a small stone-covered fireplace on the opposite wall, A fire was laid, ready for the strike of a match to ward off the chill of the autumn evening.
Buzzing with anticipation she looked forward to snuggling with Ben on the chintz setee stationed before the hearth. But after removing the delicate antique quilt and tossing the mounds of fluffy pillows to the floor, it was the decadence of the king sized poster bed she longed to fall into with her husband.
“Town or Oak Creek Canyon?” She could barely understand him through the blueberry muffin he’d confiscated from the buffet on his way upstairs. “Which do you want to explore first?”
He’d been for a run. Sweat trickled down his neck and into his t-shirt. She yawned and stretched beneath the covers. “Canyon.”
“Up and at’em.” He grabbed her toes through the sheet and gave them a wiggle. “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.
She held his hand as they strolled aimlessly through the rustling trees. “Luxury accommodations.” Her sigh was pure pleasure. “Majestic red rock country. The maroon and gold of autumn leaves –” She drew to a stop, drew in her eyebrows as Ben simply slanted back and chuckled.
“I’m sorry.” He snickered
Similar Books
