Downtime Read Online Free PDF Page A

the wood floor, followed by the sound of a match being struck. A lamp on the bedside table threw the room into soft illumination. Despite being nearly too tired to keep my eyes open, I looked around. Gleaming brass, plump pillows, and a quilt in shades of blue drew me like a magnet. Before I could drop onto it, Ezra turned me toward a window seat crowded with throw pillows and books, some of which he hastily moved aside so I could sit. “Take off your clothes, Mr. Nash.”
     

Chapter 3

     

     
    Now there was an invitation I seldom refused. Unfortunately, in this instance it meant trading what I was wearing for clothes I suspected would be far less comfortable. I allowed myself a rueful smile as he turned away. “What’s the plan if I don’t pass inspection?”
     
    “You needn’t worry.” Ezra took my jacket as I shuffled out of it. “Kathleen has a soft heart for strays. We’d better put your pistol away—”
     
    “I’ll hang on to it, thanks.” I removed the gun and holster, pulled off my sweater and shirt, and kicked off my shoes. Unbuttoning my jeans, I gave the bed a wistful glance. I would’ve given anything to hit the sheets. “We can’t just skip this? Forget about dinner. I’ve already eaten….” Though, oddly enough, I did feel hungry. “Just let me crawl into bed. Kath’ll never even know I’m here.”
     
    He turned from an open wardrobe. “She’ll know.”
     
    I snorted. “What, is she psychic?”
     
    “Concerning the state of things under her roof, yes, I think she is.” He draped a brown suit over the pile of books. “This should fit. I’ve no more than an inch over you and you’re perhaps a little broader in the shoulders….”
     
    He trailed off and I grinned to myself. It was always gratifying to get a reaction. Even if I didn’t have any real interest, piquing theirs was half the fun. I stole a look around, but the expression on his face was less animal lust and more puzzled curiosity. He invaded my space and hooked a finger in the waistband of my briefs, giving the elastic an experimental tug. “Remarkable. Are they as comfortable as they look?”
     
    So much for impressing the natives with my godlike physique. “As comfortable as briefs can get, I guess.” I plucked the dress shirt out of his hand and turned to the oval mirror.
     
    “Briefs? They’re certainly that.” I heard it in his muttered remark and caught it in his face as he watched me in the mirror: admiration. I’d take that. He handed me the pants with what I sensed was some reluctance and I hauled them on. The vest offered no challenge, but the tie was another matter. After I’d fumbled with it for a few minutes, Ezra sighed. “Derry will be in a corner by now, Mr. Nash. Let me help you.” He went to work on it with nimble fingers. “Men don’t wear ties in your time?” he asked, sparing me a good-humored glance.
     
    “They do. Just a little less complicated than this thing.” I tugged at it. “Jesus. Leave me a little breathing room, will you? The collar’s bad enough.”
     
    I heard the laugh he tried to choke back. It was in his voice as he spoke. “I do apologize for not having the requisite cowboy apparel at hand. Though you looked less the cowboy and more the crossing sweep when you first arrived.”
     
    He was having a little too much fun. I grimaced at the shoes—more like boots—that he handed me. They looked too small and they were, but not unbearably so. I smoothed down the vest and strapped my gun back where it belonged. The clothes were a little snug, but I didn’t look half bad. Derry came up while I combed my hair and, looking me over, let out a breath as if he’d been holding it for the past fifteen minutes. “You’ve got him turned out well, Ezra.”
     
    “Neat as ninepence.” Ezra handed me a hat and a pair of gloves. “What did you tell Kathleen?”
     
    “That Mr. Nash is a friend of yours who’s come to visit, not knowing you’ve left Mayfair behind