After Caroline Read Online Free PDF Page A

whether it was resolved. “You run along and help Scott with his current problem. I should probably conserve my strength anyway. It’s a long drive to Portland.”
    Holly turned away and took two steps before stopping.
Damn, damn, damn
. Hating herself, she turned back. “Are you staying long in Portland? I mean—will I see you tomorrow?”
    “I’ll probably be back late tonight,” he said.
    She waited for an instant, until it became obvious that was all he was going to say. Then, reaching for dignity, she nodded. “Have a good trip. Drive carefully.”
    Those brilliant green eyes softened just a little, and he nodded. “We’ll none of us ever be quite so nonchalant about driving as we were three months ago, I suppose. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
    It was harder, this time, to turn away from him, but she did it and left the veranda briskly. She felt his eyes on her until she was inside, but she didn’t look back or evenpause. She had a job to do, after all, she reminded herself. She worked for Scott McKenna, who owned The Inn as well as various other properties and businesses in Cliffside, and if he needed her help in planning the new wing for the town’s clinic, well, then she’d help him.
    She could feel the rift between her and Cain widening.
    Holly was halfway across the quiet lobby when the front doors opened. She heard one of the bellmen outside saying something about bags and parking a car, and then a blond woman came in. Holly stopped dead in her tracks, vaguely aware that her mouth had dropped open, that she was staring incredulously, but she was so surprised she couldn’t seem to do anything about it.
    The blonde came several steps into the lobby, saw Holly, and stopped a bit uncertainly. She was about Holly’s own height, an average five-six, with lovely honey-gold hair pulled back off her face in a simple style, and her casual slacks and sweater showed off a slender, almost delicate figure. Her face was more heart shaped than oval, her unusual tawny eyes large and dark-fringed, and she had a sensitive, vulnerable mouth.
    Before Holly could gather her wits, the woman gave an uneasy little laugh and asked a question in a soft voice with a strong Southern accent.
    “Was it something I said?”
    Holly blinked. How strange to hear such an alien voice come out of a mouth that was all too familiar, she thought.
    “Oh—no. God, I’m sorry. It’s just that you look an awful lot like someone I used to know.”
    “Used to?”
    “She died a few months ago.”
    “Now
I’m
sorry.”
    “It’s all right. We weren’t … close.” Holly smiled and stepped forward, holding out her hand. “I’m Holly Drummond, manager of The Inn. Please call me Holly.”
    The blonde shook hands, her grip firm. “Nice to meet you, Holly. I’m Joanna. Joanna Flynn.”
    “Well, Joanna, welcome. If there’s any way I can helpmake your stay with us more enjoyable, I hope you’ll let me know.” The words were conventional and professional, but Holly always meant them, and that sincerity came through.
    “I will, thanks.” Joanna Flynn smiled. “What I mostly want now is to settle in, unpack, and get the kinks out of my legs from the drive. Maybe I’ll see you around later?”
    “I’m usually around,” Holly told her with a laugh. She watched Joanna head for the front desk, and after an instant continued on her own way. It was a fairly short walk, just a couple of blocks to City Hall, and Holly needed both the exercise and the air—to clear her head. And to figure out how to warn Scott. Hell, how to warn the town.
    Hey, guess what? There’s a new guest at The Inn, and if you colored her hair dark and put in blue contact lenses, she’d be Caroline! How about that
…
    “Dammit,” Holly barely heard herself whisper, “what’ll he think when he sees you, Joanna Flynn? What’ll he feel … ?”

    The fourth-floor suite was lovely; it was composed of a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bath, and it was