Diamonds and Dreams Read Online Free PDF

sincerity.
    “We could take in a movie at the Palace Theatre.”   She forgot her earlier plans to keep her
distance from him.
    “I thought the Palace was only used for stage shows and
operas since it’s been restored.”
    “Mostly it is, but classic movies are also shown there.”
    “What’s playing today?” he inquired.
    “An old Humphrey Bogart film.   Would you like to go?”
    He looked sideways at her and forced the corner of his mouth
to twitch.   “Sure thing,
sweetheart.”
    “Bravo!”   She clapped
her hands as he held the car door open for her and she slid onto her seat.   “You sounded just like Bogart.   I see you have other talents besides radio.”
    “Yes, and I’d love to show you all of them sometime.”
    Lindsay chatted easily with Brant as they drove toward West
Broad Street where the ornately decorated Palace Theatre was located in the
tall Leveque Tower.   After parking his
Jaguar in an adjoining lot, Brant led Lindsay into the Palace’s mezzanine salon
where she waited as he purchased tickets.   A statue of a girl drinking from a shell graced an elaborate fountain
that trickled with water and the expression of the lass’ stone face smiled
almost knowingly at Lindsay.
    “Want some popcorn or a soft drink?” Brant asked when he
returned.
    “No, thanks.”
    He offered his arm to her.   “Then come, my queen.”
    Arm-in-arm, they strolled toward the regal sweep of the
grand white statuary marble staircase carpeted in a rich red tone.   When they reached the upper promenade,
Lindsay paused to admire the fabulous art treasures that hung on the
walls.   Built during the Great
Depression, the spacious Palace had been created to fulfill the public’s
yearning for fantasy and illusion.
    “Choose your throne, fair lady.”   Brant pointed at the many rows of plush
seats.
    “Let’s sit on the balcony.”
    “As you wish, your majesty.”
    “You’d better stop teasing me,” she scolded gently.   “People are starting to stare.”
    “Let them.”   He
climbed the steps behind her.   “They’re
probably envious since I’m with the most beautiful woman in Columbus.”
    He thinks I’m
beautiful!   Pleased, Lindsay
exhilarated over his comment that left her with a new boost of confidence.   Sitting down, she gazed intently at the huge,
main ceiling chandelier, affectionately known as “Romulus.”   Sparkling strands of crystal fanned out from
the center and draped gracefully surrounding the sconces.
    Noticing the object of her attention, Brant, too, looked up
at the masterpiece.   “It’s exquisite,
isn’t it?   I read in one of the programs
the usher handed out that the frame weight is approximately 450 pounds with
1,250 pounds of crystal.”
    “Wow!”   She was awed
by the Palace’s magnificent luxury.   “I
love this place.   No matter how many
times I visit here, I always see something different which I never noticed
previously.   Sometimes I wish I could
live here and have the Palace all to myself.”
    “Ha!”   He covered her
hand with his.   “You’d probably have this
place looking like a disaster within a week.   You’re not exactly the world’s best housekeeper.”
    She giggled.   “Right.   It’s probably
better if I just come here as a guest and someone else cleans the Palace.”
    The lights grew dimmer as darkness gradually invaded the
area.   Slowly the curtain opened and the
show began as music filled the theatre.   Soon Brant and Lindsay, like two teenagers on their first date, turned
their attention from the screen to each other.   In the shadows she saw the hard line of his jaw, the chiseled features
of his lean face and the flashing eyes that glistened like the mien of an
animal at night.   It seemed only natural
when Brant closed the distance between them by placing his warm lips over her
mouth while she savored the sweet taste of his kiss that sent her senses
reeling.   A peculiar, but pleasant aura
of contentment, of