AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Elizabeth looked off at the fire again and said, “Palmer, if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to be done answering questions for the day.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean that as a reporter. I was just–”
“I know; off the record. I’m just tired, I think.”
Palmer nodded, taking the hint that it was time for her to go.
“Okay. I’ll let you get some rest. I just need to call for a car to pick me up,” she said.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean you have to go. I–”
“No, it’s fine. Ishouldgo. I’ve monopolized far too much of your time off today. I hadn’t planned on staying this long anyway. I should be getting back to the hotel.” Palmer reached for her phone and dialed the number she had for the car service. “Hello. I’d like to get a car right now to pick me up.” She gave the man the address down the street as her pick-up spot and hung up the phone. “They’ll be there in fifteen minutes. It’ll take me ten to walk there, so I should get going.”
“You don’t have to go, Palmer. I’m sorry. We were having a conversation, and I was rude to you.”
“You weren’t.” Palmer stood. “I should get back and transcribe my notes anyway. I have to give my editor an update, and I could use some rest myself.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want,” the woman replied, standing up, too.
“I just need to put on my coat, shoes, gloves, hat, and scarf. That should take about thirty minutes.” Palmer laughed at herself to try to lighten the tension that had just entered the room that had been so relaxed only minutes ago.
“I’m sorry for the walk in the cold.” Elizabeth followed her to the door.
“It’s okay. It’ll help me get acclimated, I guess.”
“Why is that important? You’ll be going home soon, right?” she asked.
Palmer turned to look at her and said, “I don’t know. I guess I was just trying to find the positive in trudging through the snow and ice for the next ten minutes.”
She slid on and tied her shoes, put her coat on, zipped and buttoned it, wrapped the scarf around her face, and reached for her hat. Elizabeth grabbed it before she could, though, and slid it over Palmer’s head, pulling it down to cover her ears.
“Make sure to pull your hood up, too,” Elizabeth told her.
“I will,” Palmer managed out, swallowing. She then put on her gloves, reached for the doorknob, and added, “I’ll see you soon?”
“Yes, soon,” Elizabeth replied.
???
“Ma’am, I have a message for you,” the bellhop said through the door.
“Message?” Palmer asked, opening the door to him.
“Yes, the front desk received this for you a few minutes ago. I was instructed to bring it to your room.” He handed her an envelope. “Have a nice evening.”
“Let me go grab you–”
“Not necessary, Ma’am, but thank you,” he replied and walked off down the hall.
“I need to start remembering to grab the moneybeforeI walk to the door,” she muttered to herself as she walked toward the bed with the envelope in hand.
She opened it, revealing a one-page letter inside. Setting the envelope on the bed, she read the letter.
Miss Honeycutt,
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my rudeness earlier. I’m finding it difficult, I’m afraid, to keep things straight in my head where you’re concerned. One moment, you’re a reporter, asking me questions for an article. The next, you’re a new friend, trying to get to know me. This is a position I have never found myself in, and I didn’t respond well this afternoon when you asked about Alexander and Teagan. For that, I apologize. I hope that it does not make you think poorly of me. I also hope you don’t rush off back to New York and remain in St. Rais so that we may speak again. I will help you finalize your article however I can, but I’d also like it if you’d join me in at least one day where we aren’t reporter and source but two friends getting to know one another. If you would be amenable, I’d like to arrange for something for the day after tomorrow. You may feel free to call or email Rebecca with your response at your earliest convenience. If your answer is no, I will understand, but I would be remiss if I didn’t try.
Sincerely Yours,
