Iced Read Online Free PDF Page B

protested.
    “In three pieces in a cardboard box,” Regan said. “With the screws rattling around at the bottom. Dad, you’re a regular Paul Bunyon.”
    “It’s the thought that counts,” Nora said.
    “I love the view, but I can’t wait till we’re on the ground,” Kendra remarked. “The approach here always makes me nervous.”
    “We are way, way, way above sea level, yes, sir,” Sam said. He turned to Luke and Nora. “You’ve got to take it easy on your first day here. No matter what kind of shape you’re in, the lack of oxygen at this high altitude can cause problems. Light-headedness. Fainting. An occasional heart attack. And that’s before you hit the slopes.”
    “Sam, please.” Kendra winced.
    “Sorry, honey. Besides, I don’t need to tell these folks. They’ve been skiing before.”
    “Maybe so, but I hope there’s a bunny hill,” Nora commented.
    “It doesn’t look like it from here,” Regan said. “But you’ll do fine.”
    “Ever since she dislocated her shoulder on an icy slope in New Jersey, Nora’s been a little nervous in the wintertime,” Luke explained to the Wood family.
    “That’sa shame,” Kendra said sympathetically. “Which ski area was that?”
    “Reilly’s Lodge.” Regan chuckled. “That icy slope was our driveway.”
    A few minutes later they landed amid a sea of private planes. There was no sign of Eben, so their luggage was brought inside the tiny airport.
    Kendra looked around expectantly. “He’s always so prompt,” she murmured.
    Sam shook his head. “A real Johnny-on-the-spot.”
    Kendra hurried over to one of the pay phones and dialed the house. She stood tapping her foot as the connection went through, glancing at her watch. “It’s four-fifteen. I can’t believe he’s not here. It’s the machine . . . Eben, it’s Kendra. We’re here at the airport, and I was wondering where you were. We’ll be waiting out front.”
    “Eben’s bound to be along any second,” Sam assured Kendra. He turned to the Reillys. “This guy is really good. You couldn’t find a caretaker like him in a million years. Treats the place like it was his own. Always a smile. He’s a pretty good cook and even knows how to serve a dinner party. He used to be a waiter.”
    Regan had heard the story from Louis about the night Eben the waiter tried to separate the police commissioner’s wife from her necklace.
    Fifteen minutes later, Sam pronounced, “It’s time to make an executive decision here. Let’s all pile into a couple of taxis.”
    After negotiating the baggage into two vehicles, Kendra got into the first cab with Regan, Nora, and Luke. Sam and the boys followed.
    “What a glorious place this is,” Nora said as they drove along, admiring the views of the mountains from both sides of the cab. The sky was darkening and they headed up into the hills, passing stately homes along the way.
    “I always have so much energy when I’m here,” Kendra said. “There’s something in the air.” She leaned forward and instructed the driver to make a right at the private bridge.
    After the turn, the narrow gravel road they traveled was surrounded by snow-covered spruce and pines. “It feels like the forest primeval,” Nora breathed. “It’s wonderful.”
    But when they approached the sprawling log house nestled against the mountain side, Kendra was shocked to see that it was completely dark. No welcoming lights. No signs of life. “I don’t understand it,” she murmured. “I hope nothing happened to him.” She dashed out of the cab, keys in hand.
    Nora, Luke, and Regan scrambled to follow her.
    Kendra quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open. “The alarm isn’t on.”
    Not a good sign, Regan thought.
    The side door led into the open area that encompassed both kitchen and family room. Kendra flipped on the light. The kitchen was in perfect order except for a few dishes in the sink, a personalized cereal bowl that said EBEN in big orange letters and a