Read Online Two Weeks in August by Nat Burns - Free Book Online Page B

envisioned a lot of white furnishings in this room with maybe an occasional touch of light pink. Her Grandmother Christie’s white lace bedspread came to mind. It would look fabulous on a big four-poster bed in this room.
    Hands clasped her from behind as she stood musing and a firm body pressed against her from shoulder to knees. Warm lips pressed into the curve of her neck and a sudden startling image of Hazy Duncan filled her mind.
    Whipping around she was actually surprised to see Mander.
    “Mander,” she gasped, her face flushed and heart pounding.
    Mander spread her hands and frowned in confusion. “Who’d you think it would be? Lon Chaney? Count Dracula?”
    Nina smiled weakly. “No, no, of course not. You just startled me sneaking up like that. You should be ashamed, scaring poor defenseless girls.”
    Mander indicated the paint roller Nina still held upraised in a threatening stance. “I wouldn’t say defenseless.”
    “Oh, sorry,” she said sheepishly as she lowered it.
    “I just wanted a little snuggle, that’s all.” She took Nina in her arms again, kissing her kerchief-covered forehead. “Wanna go grab a bite with me? I’m done for today and you should be too.”
    Angered by the unwelcome familiarity, especially after their previous discussion, she nevertheless tried to avoid being too harsh. “Yeah, I am done. What do you think?” She pulled away to spread her arms and rotate slowly. “I did a good job, huh?”
    Mander squinted and strode over to examine one wall. “Yep, sure did. Couldn’t have done better myself. Now, how about dinner. You hungry?”
    Nina chewed her bottom lip, raising uncertain eyes to meet Mander’s. She felt like such a coward and didn’t understand why she couldn’t be more forthright. “I don’t know, Mander. I’m really not too hungry. My…my stomach’s been a little upset today. I think I’d rather go home, take a long, hot shower and pop right into bed.”
    Mander looked at her dubiously, then finally said quietly, “Yeah, probably too much seafood the other night. It affects a lot of people that way.”

Chapter 13
    Nina showered for a long time, scrubbing the paint from her body and washing her sweat-dampened hair. The hot water lifted her spirits and, feeling refreshed, she reached to turn off the water.
    The cold water knob came off in her hand when she’d turned it about half the way closed.
    She sighed wearily and pressed her palm to her cheek. She supposed she’d have to get someone to fix it so it wouldn’t run all night.
    After drying and pulling on clean jeans and a shirt, she walked across the drive and, to her dismay, found the office closed. A small hand-lettered sign directed after-hours visitors to the back door. Searching around the back of the cottage, Nina finally paused in front of a blue wooden door with flowers planted at each side. The door was on a ninety-degree angle to the dock so she took a minute to take a breath and gain strength from the rocking ocean.

From inside she could hear soft music and, as she listened, the station was changed to one that played lilting flute music. How she hated to bother Hazy and her family this way.
    After wiping her suddenly damp palms on denim-covered thighs, she lightly rapped on the wooden door. Immediately the music stopped and she could hear a board creak as someone approached. The door opened.
    Hazy was barefoot and clad in a T-shirt and a pair of loose cotton shorts. Her blond hair was tousled and her eyes warmer than Nina had ever seen them, except maybe when she was playing with her little girl.
    “Ms. Duncan,” began Nina, nervously twisting her hands together. “I’m afraid my shower has broken. The knob came off in my hand and the water is running.”
    Hazy surprised Nina by grinning openly—it was a real smile, no sarcasm. “Yeah, cottage eight. It’s happened before and I told Manny it needed to be changed out. Cold water, eh?”
    When Nina nodded, Hazy laughed softly and