Читать книгу A Place Called Paradise - Honey Perkel - Страница 16

Iva Bacon stepped into the office of The Gull Cottage Motel. She was hopeful, as she was each morning, asking the same question.

“Is there a message for George and me?”

And she was always given the same answer. “No, Iva. No message.”

There were days when she went to the motel office more than once. Sometimes getting word from Bernard was all she could think about during her day. There were times when Molly wasn’t behind the desk. When either Laura or Kathy was on duty, instead. Iva preferred to ask Molly her question, as she always received a sympathetic look from her. The other women didn’t seem to care if she got a message or not.

Iva could’ve picked up the telephone in her cottage and made the call, but it felt good to get out of the motel room. To smell the fresh sea air, to watch the kites and seagulls flying in tandem overhead, and to hear the pounding surf. Even though the added exertion on her legs proved painful, it was worth it.

But this morning was different. Iva felt something as she carefully dressed in her white cotton slacks and blue t-shirt. She felt it as she hurried through breakfast and washed and dried the dirty dishes. And she felt it as she crossed the parking lot with the aid of her cane.

Now Iva was standing at the motel desk asking Molly Spencer once more if there were any messages for her and George. With a look of anxiety, Molly handed Iva a crisp white envelope.

Relieved and maybe a little frightened, Iva Bacon took the envelope and pressed it to her trembling lips. A sudden charge of energy surged through her like a static shock. Was it Bernard’s energy coming through?

She quickly thanked Molly and steadying herself, made her way back to cottage number one.

George was waiting for her, sitting pensively in his chair by the window. His features appeared pinched, his shoulders more bent than they’d been in the last few days.

Iva sat in the chair opposite him, and opened the envelope. The handwriting was neat and simple.

George and Iva Bacon,

Thank you for coming to Seaside.

Meet me today at 3 o’clock p.m. in cottage #3.

Your servant,

Bernard Bowersox

She handed George the note. After reading it himself, he dropped it into his lap. With shaky hands reaching for the buttons of his shirt, he gave a slight gasp. His face had turned beet red.

“George, are you all right? Is it your heart?”

He mumbled something she couldn’t understand.

“Just sit there, darling. I’ll get your medicine.” She hastened out of the room and returned moments later with a bottle of nitroglycerin.

“Here. Open your mouth,” Iva pressed the pill beneath his tongue.

She sat there waiting until the normal color of George’s face returned.

“Are you okay?”

George nodded.

Iva thought about the uncertainty of this operation. Of the dangers that awaited them and what the strain might do to him.

“Do you think you can continue with this?” she asked.

“We’ve waited seven years, Iva. Neither one of us can quit now. We have to see this through.”

He slowly got up from his chair. Reaching for her as she stood up to meet him, George took Iva into his arms. “This is for Jill,” he murmured.