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Rosalie’seyebrows rose as her heart panged in her chest. “You’rea widow?” she asked softly.
Indynodded. “Yeah.Myhusband died of brain cancer about two years ago.”
“Oh.I’m…I’msorry,” saidRosalie, completely at a loss for what to say.She’dnever met a widow her own age before, and she was fromManhattan, where people didn’t really open up to strangers about personal stuff. “Thatmust be…hard.”Shefelt uncomfortable, not because of whatIndyhad shared, but because she had no idea what to say.
Indysighed. “Thanks.Honestly,I’veaccepted and made peace with it.It’ssuper unfair and it sucked enormous ass, but he’s gone.I’mstill here, but everyone in town walks on eggshells around me.Itmakes me feel…untouchable,Iguess.”Sheglanced over atRosalie, a smile pulling at her lips as two pink spots appeared on her cheeks. “Anyway, that’s enough oversharing.”Shelaughed self-consciously and shook her head. “You’rejust easy to talk to,Iguess.”
“Oh, well.Thanks.”
Changingthe subject, she pointed out a few shops and restaurants as they drove downMainagain, pastHemlockSquare, and up into a quieter, residential area.Rosalienoticed that all of the streets appeared to have tree-themed names:Oak,Pine,Cedar.
“Ihave a little place onPine,” saidIndyas she turned ontoCedar. “Andthe hotel is just up here at the end of the street.”
Rosalienodded, but then frowned. “ShouldIhave called first?”
“Nah.They’llhave a room.Andif they don’t, my guest room is yours if you need it.”
“Wow.Um, thank you.That’svery generous of you, and frankly, trusting.”WhenIndy’shead swung in her direction, she continued. “Imean, how do you knowI’mnot a crazed axe-wielding psycho?”
Indylaughed. “Nooffense, butIthinkIcould take you.”
Rosaliegrinned. “Fairpoint.”Rosaliewas barely over five feet and had exactly zero muscles.
Thehouses liningCedarwere colonial-style, many with warmly glowing windows.Itwas only about four-thirty, but it felt much later, thanks to the encroaching darkness of the storm.Indyturned down a large, winding drive at the end of the street, a sprawling mansion with gleaming lights shining like a beacon up ahead.Itsat on top of a gently sloping, snow-covered hill, and even through the streaming snow,Rosaliecould make out a gabled roof,Frenchwindows, and twin chimneys on either side of the mansion, each with a plume of smoke rising from it, promising the warmth of a fire.Nota simulated one, but a real, live, crackling one.
Yes, please.
Indycarefully pulled around the circular drive and under a porte cochere, sheltering them slightly from the falling snow.Cuttingthe ignition, she hopped out, clearly planning to come inside withRosalie.
Theystepped into the hotel, the front door falling closed behind them and shutting out the storm.Thehall they’d entered was wide, with gleaming wood floors and warm, soft lighting.Tothe left was a dark wood staircase with an elaborately carved banister.Asmall reception desk was tucked beneath it, and past the desk, at the end of the hallway, was a room that seemed to be made of nothing but windows.Itcurrently looked like a snow globe come to life, given the conditions outside.
Ayoung woman stood behind the reception desk, eyebrows raised as she spotted them.Shewas extremely pretty, with long, dark brown waves falling past her shoulders, sparkling blue eyes, and high cheekbones.
“Hey,Indy,” she started, then stopped when her gaze landed onRosalie.Shelooked her over slowly, a shrewd, assessing expression on her heart-shaped face.Shemuttered something under her breath, something that sounded like “interesting.”Then, a smile spread slowly, transforming her expression and only enhancing her delicate beauty. “Hi,I’mAutumnShephard, the manager,” she said, extending her hand across the desk toRosalie. “Welcometo theShephardInn.Iassume you’re looking for a room?”
Rosalienodded, a little surprised that this young woman was the manager, butIndycut in before she could say anything.
“She’spart ofCarrieClark’steam, here to check out the falls as a potential music video location.”
Autumn’smouth fell open as she stared atRosalie. “Oh, well.Inthat case.Letme double check that our best room is available.”
Rosalieheld up a hand. “Ireally don’t need anything fancy.It’sjust for tonight, until the storm passes.”
Autumnignored her completely, fingers flying across the keyboard.
“Ourtwo best rooms are available,” saidAutumn, nodding triumphantly. “Wouldyou like?—”
“I’lltake the smaller of the two,” saidRosaliequickly, feeling a little embarrassed at the fuss they were making over her.Normally, this was the kind of behavior reserved forCarrie, and she basked in it.Thenagain, she’d been world famous before finishing high school, so she was used to it.Rosalie, however, was not.Sheturned toIndy. “Thankyou so much for the ride to the hotel, and for taking me out to see the falls.I’mgoing to send everythingIhave toCarrieonceIget settled, and she’ll be making a decision soon.Ihave a feeling we’ll be in touch.”
“Great,” saidIndy, rocking back on her heels. “Youhave my contact info if you have any questions.Havea safe trip back to the city tomorrow, andIlook forward to hearing from you.”Sheturned toAutumn. “I’llsee you around, babe.”
“Yeah, let’s get coffee or something next week.”
“Soundsgood.Textme.”Indywaved and headed back out into the snow, a little flurry sneaking inside the hall as she stepped out.
“Okay, so,I’vegot you in room ten, which has an amazing view, and is personally one of my favorites,” saidAutumn, bringingRosalie’sattention back to the reception desk. “Doyou have any bags?” she asked, peering over the desk.
Rosalieshook her head, adjusting her large purse on her shoulder. “No.Iwas planning to head back to the city after the meeting, butIguessMotherNaturehad other ideas.”
