Strangers in Paradise Read Online Free PDF

could shout incredibly loudly, Alexi thought.
    â€œThe key doesn’t work!” Alexi shouted back.
    There was a long sigh on the other end. “The key works, Alexi. You have to twist it in the lock. It’s old. Old things have to be worked as carefully as old people. They’re temperamental.”
    Rex Morrow stretched out a hand to her, palm up. “Give me the key.”
    â€œYou go find it!” she hissed. “It’s in my purse that you were tearing up!”
    â€œNow what’s going on?” Gene asked.
    â€œYour wonder boy is going to go check it,” Alexi said sweetly.
    â€œWell, it works—you’ll see,” Gene said, mollified. “Now, you get someone in there right away to fix that window. You hear me?”
    â€œFirst thing tomorrow, Gene,” Alexi promised. “Hey!” she protested. Rex had dumped the contents of her purse onto the sofa to find the single key.
    â€œFound it,” he assured her.
    â€œOh, Lord,” she groaned.
    â€œWhat’s wrong now?” Gene demanded.
    â€œNothing. Everything is wonderful. Just super,” she muttered.
    Rex Morrow was on his way back to the hallway and the front door. “Really, Gene. I’m here and I’m fine, and you just take care of yourself, okay?”
    â€œMaybe you should get a dog, Alexi. A great big German shepherd or a Doberman. I’d feel better—”
    â€œGene, why ever would I need a dog when you left me a prowling cat?” she asked innocently.
    Her great-grandfather started to say something, but he paused instead. She could see him in her mind’s eye, scratching his white head in consternation.
    â€œI’ll keep in touch,” Alexi promised hastily. “I’m excited to be here; it’s a wonderful old place. I promise I’ll fix it up with lots of love and tenderness. Love you. Bye!”
    She hung up before he could say anything else. Then she stared at the phone for a moment, a nostalgic smile on her lips. She adored him. She was very lucky to have him, she knew. In the midst of pain, chaos and loneliness, he had always been there for her.
    â€œThe key works fine,” Rex announced.
    He was back in the room, extending the key to her. She took it in silence, compressing her lips as he stared at her.
    â€œYou have to pull the door while you turn it,” he said. “Want to try it while I’m still here?”
    â€œNo. Oh, all right—yes. Thank you.”
    Stiffly she preceded him down the hallway to the door. She thought that maybe she’d rather lock herself out and use the window again than falter in front of him, but really, why should she care?
    She opened the door and threw the bolt from the inside. She slid the key in and twisted it, and it worked like a dream. Disgusted, Alexi thought it was a sad day when one couldn’t even trust a piece of metal.
    â€œI guess I’ve got it,” she murmured.
    Arms crossed over his chest, he shook his head. “Step outside and lock the door and try it. That’s when you have the problem.”
    She stepped outside, but before she closed the door she asked him, “How did you get in?”
    â€œI have my own key.” He closed the door for her.
    Alexi slipped her key into the lock. With the door closed, it was frightfully dark again. She could barely find the hole, and then she couldn’t begin to get the damn thing to twist.
    â€œPull! Pull on the knob!”
    She did. After a few more fumbles she got the key to twist, and the door opened.
    She walked in, a smile of satisfaction brightening her eyes.
    â€œGot it.” She gritted her teeth. “Thank you.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be quite so pleased. It took you long enough.” Arms still casually crossed, he stared down at her, shaking his head. “And you’re going to take on the task of reconstruction?”
    â€œI’m a whiz at electricity.”
    â€œAre