AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Looks like they set up motion sensors,” Donovan said with a nod. He looked around to find a plug but figured they were somehow battery-operated. “Genius, I’ll have to tell them over dinner tonight.”
“Looks like it’s just going to be the two of you, love,” said Mrs. Fitzhugh.
“What’s going on?”
“Didn’t you hear about the storm?” The elderly woman began walking toward the hallway. Light flashed through the windows at the end of the corridor.
Since Will left a text every hour on the hour about his deadline, Donovan had turned his phone off. He was still on vacation, damn it. “I smell dinner.”
Mrs. Fitzhugh nodded. “That’s our little Jessilyn. She’s quite the efficient chef. Everything is done.” They stopped at a linen closet and she opened the door and pointed. “She finished dinner and headed out early. I hope you don’t mind. Mr. Torres said for us to go home for the Thanksgiving break.”
Good thing Ramon hadn’t mentioned how Donovan had wanted them all to have extra pay for their time, as well, and he’d cover it. Otherwise it might be a bit awkward right now. “Sounds like a great guy,” he said.
“He is, and he’s even better with the new wife. There’s a softer side of him.”
Women did that to men. They made them soft. Look at how nervous he was at the thought of seeing British again after eight hours, thirty-three minutes and forty-five seconds. Donovan bent his elbow, twisted his wrist to take a nonchalant glance at his gold watch and tried to ignore the anxious feeling.
Mrs. Fitzhugh chuckled. Her body shook and her cheeks turned red. “You look like you’re fighting it.”
“Fighting what?”
“The softer side,” she explained and then tapped him on the arm. “How long have you been single?”
Donovan flashed the older woman a bright smile. “Are you flirting with me?” He reached out and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
“Child, I have panties older than you,” she said, shrugging him off. “Besides, you’re just a boy.” Any attempt to get him away from her was feeble. The two of them laughed long and loud. They didn’t hear anyone coming. Donovan liked Mrs. Fitzhugh and clearly she did not mind him.
“Be careful there, Mr. Ravens,” said a familiar voice at the bottom of the steps. “Mrs. Fitzhugh has a mean right hook. I’ve seen it.”
“Ah, there you are,” Mrs. Fitzhugh said soberly, though her face was still red with laughter.
Donovan’s heart slammed against his rib cage. British stood there with her arm propped up. She wore a formfitting blue gown that dipped into a V and exposed her full cleavage. Her curly hair hung loose and framed her face.
“I was just informing Mr. Ravens that everyone has taken leave for the night.”
British leaned against the banister, almost relieved. “Jessilyn, too?”
“I thought you two bonded over making fun of me?” Donovan asked her.
“Until I change her grade,” joked British, “I don’t want to be left alone with her.”
“But you are eating dinner with us tonight? Right?” Donovan asked eagerly—hopefully not too eagerly. “You’re all dressed up.”
“So are you,” she said, letting her eyes linger up and down his frame. Donovan puffed out his chest.
“Well,” Mrs. Fitzhugh said with a nervous headshake, “I’m afraid it’s going to be just the two of you for dinner. Everyone else has decided to head on out before the storm hits and the roads get undrivable.”
“What about you, Mrs. Fitzhugh?” British asked. “Aren’t you going to head out?”
“Oh yes, I don’t want to miss Black Friday shopping in town. I wanted to make sure you guys ate.”
“Oh please,” moaned Donovan. “We can fix ourselves something to eat, can’t we, British?”
“I don’t know about him, but I can handle the food for everyone.”
Mrs. Fitzhugh patted Donovan on the shoulder. “No, when I say everyone else left, everyone left. The van from the Brutti Hotel downtown just picked up a few guests who weren’t going to relatives’ for tomorrow. It’s just the two of you tonight.”
Lightning struck again. British reached out and touched Mrs. Fitzhugh’s hand. “I think you should stay here instead of trying to make the trip into town.”
