For Love of Livvy Read Online Free PDF

heart thumped against my ribs. Now what could he want?
    "Just stopped by when I saw the lights on up here. Have you rented the place out yet?"
    "No, are you interested?” It was a joke and he seemed to know it. Well, maybe it wasn't a joke.
    "I have a place already thanks.” He smiled. “You won't have any difficulty finding a tenant. The village is very popular. How long did your aunt live here?"
    "I'm sure you know the answer to that question, but I'll tell you anyway. She lived here for over twenty years.” I was bowled over by the change in his features when he smiled. He looked so approachable, I said, “As a matter of fact, someone came by today and asked to rent this unit.” My curiosity and other things were aroused by this trooper which made me wonder what he really wanted.
    Giving the screw driver one last turn, I clambered down the ladder, tossing the tools onto the pile of debris. Paint tray and roller in hand, I marched through the dining room into the kitchen with Marcus on my heels. I filled the tray with water and started to clean it.
    "How do you like it here?” he asked.
    "It's great except when people leave strange packages outside the front door.” I smiled at him and dirty water splashed over my clothes.
    A slight grin crossed his features as he stepped clear and watched my pathetic effort to clean up the new mess I'd created. I glanced toward him as the spark of humor entered his eyes. I guessed I was the source of it.
    "Are you worried about that package business?” he asked.
    "I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me a bit, but I'm not too concerned. If it happens again, then yeah, I'll be worried."
    "Your aunt was a trader on the stock exchange, right?"
    "She was. A damned good one, too. She made a nice living and had since she graduated college, I guess. She'd gotten a windfall somewhere along the line and started with that.” I paused in my cleanup efforts and glanced at him. “Livvy had a good head for business. She started a gift shop in Providence and when it took off, she opened two more, one in Newport and one in Wickford. But I'm sure you're aware of all that, aren't you, Trooper Richmond?” I didn't ask why he enquired because he'd only evade the question. He was on an information fishing expedition of some sort.
    A ragged towel lay next to the sink. I wiped my hands and clothes with it while I turned to the handsome face with the tight body. Whew, that was nice to look at. I licked my lips while my mouth went dry.
    "Want some coffee or a drink? I'm headed downstairs.” Uneasy at his intense gaze, I sauntered from the kitchen and switched the lights off as I left the apartment by the front staircase. Richmond wasn't far behind, but hadn't answered the question.
    We got to the first floor and I strode into the living room, where soft lights glowed with a flick of the switch. The space was large and hardwood floors gleamed. An ornate fireplace nestled against the eastbound wall. Long windows with interior shutters faced the street with northern exposure on the adjacent wall. Tall built-in bookcases straddled both sides of the fireplace while an overstuffed chair sat to the right of it. The sofa hugged the back wall and faced the street while a sculpted lion stood on a nearby pedestal.
    An antique library table settled against the interior wall with a few first edition books clustered atop it. Several pictures of me and Livvy sat next to one of me and my twin. I passed them and moved toward the kitchen.
    Richmond followed behind, but when I glanced over my shoulder, he'd stopped to study the photos and artwork with interest. Watercolors covered the walls, along with Livvy's sculptured wood lion. Stained the color of warm oak, it stood near the door to the dining room.
    "The lion is magnificent,” he called, as I wandered ahead of him.
    "Yes, isn't it? Aunt Livvy sculpted him about five years ago. He radiates such warmth in color, it's my favorite piece."
    I switched the ready and