Innkeeping with Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

minus his scholarship
and without enough money to finish his degree. A lesser man might
have spent his time dreaming of the glory and the paychecks that
could have been, but Mor was the happiest man Alex knew.
    Alex said, “I don’t have to show you the way,
do I? I’d like to talk to Doc a bit longer.”
    Mor retrieved his tool kit and slapped Alex
on the back. “You mean you’re not going to watch? Jeez, buddy, in
that case I can give you a price break if I don’t have to work with
an audience.” Without another word, the big man walked through the
doors toward the complex’s utility room.
    Less than a minute later, Alex saw the police
cruiser return up the driveway. He could clearly see Irene sitting
in front, her red beehive hairdo at least forty years behind the
times. From where Alex stood, there appeared to be a strange woman
in back of the car.
    Armstrong popped out of the cruiser and
smiled. “I’ve got somebody who says she’s got a job out here.
Claims Marisa Danton sent her.” Heading up the lighthouse stairs,
Armstrong, Irene, and Drake left the two of them alone.
    Alex had forgotten all about Marisa’s cousin.
The last thing he wanted was to saddle himself with another Danton,
but he really didn’t have any choice. It was barely possible for
two people to run the inn. He knew he couldn’t manage without help.
Alex just hoped this particular cousin didn’t have the same tearful
tendencies Marisa had.
    As she got out of the car, Alex was surprised
to see that the girl was extraordinarily attractive. Long, lustrous
chestnut hair hung past her shoulders, highlighting her gentle
green eyes. Unlike Marisa, this woman possessed a fullness to her
figure that Alex had always preferred over the gaunt, underfed
type. Her ample curves were well defined in her blue jeans and
burgundy short-sleeved T-shirt. As pretty as she was, Alex figured
this little beauty probably wouldn’t lower herself to scrub the
toilets or make beds. Still, it wasn’t like he had many options.
Gamely, he went over to greet her as she pulled a single, well-worn
suitcase from the cruiser’s backseat.
    Alex introduced himself. “I’m Alex Winston,
owner and proprietor of Hatteras West.”
    She smiled softly as she took his hand. “I’m
Elise Danton, it’s nice to meet you. Marisa told me you were
looking for someone, and I’d like to apply for the job.”
    Still shaking the girl’s hand, Alex said,
“You’re hired.”
    Elise pulled her hand back abruptly. “You’re
not some kind of wolf, are you?”
    Alex spread his open hands out in a show of
innocence. “We won’t know that until the next full moon, will we?
You should be perfectly safe until then.”
    Elise wasn’t buying it for a second. “Then
why are you hiring me so quickly?”
    It was obvious she was immune to his attempt
at charm as he explained, “Well, it’s not that tough a job, so I
don’t doubt you can do it. Plus, you’re Marisa’s cousin, so I don’t
have to check your references, and finally, you’re the only one
applying for the job.” He shrugged. “What can I say. I’m
desperate.”
    “That I understand. Let’s get started.” She
was all business.
    He asked, “Would you like a tour of the place
first?”
    Elise shook her head. “I can find everything
I need on my own. Just show me the cleaning supplies, and I’ll take
it from there. I understand you’ve got quite a lot on your plate as
it is today.”
    Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Elise already
impressed him more than Marisa ever had. There was an air of
competence about her, a familiarity, that made Alex feel hopeful
for the first time in quite a while that things at Hatteras West
had a chance of improving.

Chapter 4

    It took Alex less than ten minutes to get
Elise settled into her new job. That was remarkable in itself,
based on how long it had taken Marisa to get acclimated. His new
maid, armed with a set of keys and a cart full of supplies, headed
off to clean the first room