Читать книгу The Memory House - Linda Goodnight - Страница 12

6

Peach Orchard Inn Present Day

Valery was late coming down to work, which could mean two things, neither of them good, both of them probable.

Julia served breakfast by herself, relieved they had only four guests this morning. Mr. Oliver came back from his Good Samaritan trip about the time the first couple was leaving the dining room. He slid into place next to a window overlooking the back lawn. Someday she’d have a garden there, and the old carriage house would be a pretty sight instead of a reminder of all that remained unfinished at Peach Orchard Inn. Unfinished. Incomplete. Like her life.

“Did you get the man’s car started?” She delivered Bob’s breakfast plate and a fresh carafe of coffee.

“Fixed him right up. Brought back your cup. I’m afraid the other fellow must have forgotten about his.”

Julia made a face. That’s what she got for noticing the man’s good looks instead of remembering he was a stranger. “I wonder where he was headed. He seemed sort of lost.”

“Said he was going in to Honey Ridge.”

“Really? Does he have family here?”

“I wouldn’t know. He was polite enough and grateful as a pup but tight-lipped and watchful, too, as though he couldn’t believe I was lending a hand.”

“I’ll have to ask Mama. She knows everything that happens in Honey Ridge, usually before it happens.” She smiled at her own joke. “She and the good old boys at the miniature-golf club.”

“You keep telling me about that place. I’m going to have to stop in there sometime.” He dipped a fork into his casserole. “My wife made an appearance yet?”

“Not yet.”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Save her some of this casserole, will you?”

“Like always, I’ll leave a plate in the warmer.” She bussed the other couple’s table while they talked, all the while casting a worried eye toward the entrance. Where was Valery? “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“No, no. You go on and do what you need to. I know my way around if I want something.”

Julia carried the used dishes into the kitchen and set about putting things in order. Once done, she went back for Bob’s plate and found the dining room empty. Still, Valery hadn’t made an appearance. With a beleaguered sigh, Julia gathered fresh linens for a vacated room and stopped by Valery’s room in the private area of the house.

“Valery.” She tapped at the door. “Valery, wake up.”

She heard a grumble and the thump of feet hitting the floor before the door cracked open. “What?”

Her sister’s brown hair was wild and her eyes bloodshot. Julia’s heart sank. “Oh, Val, not again.”

Valery shut the door in her face. Julia pecked with a little more force, though not enough to disturb their guests upstairs. “I’ll bring coffee. Be out of that bed when I get back.”

Without waiting for a reply, she went for the promised coffee, the only way to flush out the booze Valery must have consumed last night. No wonder she’d forgotten to bring in the flag.

When she returned with the carafe, Julia let herself in with the master key. Valery sat on the side of the bed, holding her head.

“You look like something the cat vomited. Did you see Jed last night?”

“Don’t be grouchy, Julia. We were celebrating our reunion.”

“I thought the two of you were finished.”

“He loves me.”

“He’s not good enough for you.”

“You never liked him. Give me that coffee. I’m croaking of thirst.”

“I don’t like him because he’s not a nice man.” The creep knew Valery had trouble stopping at a couple of drinks. “Here. Take this. I’ve got work to do.”

She softened a bit when Valery’s hands shook, reminding her of the dark stranger—Eli—whose hands had also trembled. Had he been on a binge last night, too? “The guests in the Blueberry Room checked out right after breakfast—which is already over, by the way.”

Valery groaned and pushed up from the bedside. “I’ll get showered and be right up.”

Julia had started toward the door when Valery said, “Julia.”

“What?”

“I only had a couple of drinks.”

Right. “I’ll be in the Blueberry Room.”