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Книга дельная. Без воды, приводятся реальные кейсы и способы их разрешения. Много практичных полезных советов и методик. Кое-что уже испробовала в дел...
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Ultimate Cedar Cove Collection
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Год написания книги
2019
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“Yes,” Zach countered, nearly shouting in his anger. His eyes were as cold as she’d ever seen them.
Rosie didn’t care; she wasn’t backing down.
He was being contradictory on purpose, trying to create more havoc and discord than he already had.
“I don’t want to argue in front of the children,” Rosie said pointedly.
“You started this and we’re going to finish it right here and now.” He slammed his hand down on the table, rattling the silverware.
“Mom? Dad?” Eddie stood beside his sister.
Rosie turned and said, “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Go wash your hands.”
Both children stayed where they were.
“Do as your mother says,” Zach ordered.
Reluctantly they left the kitchen. Rosie heard them talking as they left. Although she couldn’t make out what was being said, the word divorce was clear.
“Is this really what you want?” Zach asked.
“Is this what you want? To throw your family away for your assistant?”
He ignored the comment. “A separation might not be such a bad idea. I don’t want my children subjected to your paranoia.”
Rosie tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
“If you want this so badly, then I suggest you consult an attorney,” he muttered.
“I will,” she tossed back at him. Her heart felt numb and the sensation was spreading. Staring sightlessly ahead, she gripped the chair so hard her nails cut into the wood.
Zach stood there a moment longer, then turned and reached for his briefcase and walked toward the door leading to the garage.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
He hesitated only a second. “If we’re planning to separate, then I’ll need an apartment.” With that he stalked out.
Rosie remained where she was, hardly able to breathe, hardly able to believe that her marriage had come to this.
Eleven
The wind howled and rain pounded the house as Bob and Peggy Beldon prepared for bed. The winter months were slow at the bed-and-breakfast. It was three days since their last guest had departed. This business was their retirement project, but right now Bob didn’t object to the scarcity of paying guests. It gave Peggy and him a welcome break and the opportunity to enjoy their home and each other.
The wind rattled the winter-bare branches against the windows as Bob turned off the television after watching the eleven o’clock news. The lights flickered. “Looks like we’re in for quite a night,” he said. “Better have some flashlights handy.”
Peggy nodded, picking up their coffee mugs and moving into the kitchen.
Bob was about to head up the back stairs when he noticed a pair of headlights. A car had turned into their driveway. “We aren’t expecting any guests, are we?” Although he knew the answer, he asked in case Peggy had booked someone and then forgotten to mention it.
“Not until the weekend.” Peggy stuck the two mugs in the dishwasher.
“Looks like someone might be coming.”
His wife parted the drape and stared out the window over the sink. “It isn’t anyone we know, is it?”
“Hard to tell in this rain, but I don’t recognize the car.” Bob was halfway to the front door when the bell rang. He turned on the porch light and unfastened the lock. A man stood on the other side, wearing a raincoat and slouch hat. He held a small suitcase in one hand. His head was lowered, shadowed, making it impossible to see his face clearly.
“I saw the sign from the road. Do you have a room available for the night?” he asked in a low, husky voice.
“We do,” Bob told him and took a moment to size up the stranger. The man was in his mid-fifties, he guessed, but it was difficult to be sure. He kept his shoulders hunched forward as he stepped into the house. Yet Bob thought he looked vaguely familiar.
Always warm and welcoming, Peggy ushered their guest into the kitchen, where the registration forms were kept. The man glanced at the form Peggy handed him. “I’ll pay you now,” he said, withdrawing cash from his pocket.
“We need you to fill out the information card,” Bob said. He had a funny feeling about this guy, although he couldn’t place him.
“I’m Bob Beldon,” he said. “This might seem like an odd question, but have we ever met?”
The stranger didn’t answer.
“Honey, don’t delay our guest with questions,” Peggy whispered.
Irritated, Bob frowned slightly. He couldn’t help wondering why the stranger had chosen a relatively remote bed-and-breakfast rather than one of the more convenient motels off the freeway.
“Can I get you something warm to drink?” Peggy asked.
“No, thanks.” His response was gruff, almost unfriendly.
“What brings you out here on a night like this?” Bob pressed. “We aren’t exactly on the beaten path.”
“None of that’s important just now,” Peggy said, glaring at Bob. He could tell she was annoyed by his attitude, but he definitely felt a little uneasy.
The stranger ignored his question. “If you’d show me to my room, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Peggy led the way down the long hallway off the kitchen. “You have your choice. We have the Goldfinch room and the—”
“The first one is fine.” He seemed impatient to be about his business, whatever that might be. “I’ll have the registration card filled out for you in the morning.” He opened the door and set his case inside, then with his back to them, said, “I hope you won’t mind if I turn in. It’s been a long day.”
Bob was about to tell him the paperwork had to be completed first, but Peggy cut him off. “Breakfast is served between eight and ten. Sleep well.”
“Thank you.” He closed the door hard and they heard the lock snap into place.
Bob waited until they were upstairs before he spoke. “I don’t like the looks of him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Peggy said as she went into the master bathroom to remove her makeup. “He’s a paying guest. You don’t have to like him. My guess is he’ll be gone early in the morning and that’ll be the end of it.”
“Maybe,” Bob muttered, but he had the sinking feeling that wouldn’t be the case.
The storm continued to rage, and Bob stood at the bedroom window that overlooked the inky waters of the Cove. The lighthouse on the point could be seen in the distance, warning ships of danger ahead. An eerie sensation came over him. More than once, he’d wondered about this business of allowing strangers into their home. He didn’t like the man in the room downstairs, although he couldn’t say exactly why. All he knew was that his gut instinct told him the stranger was trouble.
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Книга дельная. Без воды, приводятся реальные кейсы и способы их разрешения. Много практичных полезных советов и методик. Кое-что уже испробовала в дел...
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