Surrender to Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

Briscoe, housekeeper and cook, but you can call me Sally or Mrs. B. How long did you say you plan to stay?”
    “My flight leaves on Friday, two weeks from tomorrow. And, please, call me Nikki.”
    “Nikki it is.” Mrs. B chuckled and took Nikki’s arm. “Come on to the kitchen and have something to drink. You must be thirsty after your journey.” Mrs. B pushed a door. “Perhaps a tall glass of lemonade?”
    “That would be nice. Thank you.” Nikki gave the door Fitzgerald had disappeared through one last glance before following the older woman and Winston into the kitchen.
    The mixture of spices and wood wax enveloped Nikki, and she inhaled. Her eyes fell on the half hexagon cherry cabinet and counter with the granite top. Curving from the sink and the cupboards and offering a surface for a group of up to five to sit and eat comfortably, it was a work of art, and anyone who loved to cook would appreciate the width and accessibility. In the center was the kitchen island with a large bowl of fresh fruit. The kitchen boasted a large grill and two ovens, and at the corner were a commercial size stainless steel refrigerator and freezer. Ladder-back stools with fluffy rusty-colored cushions were placed strategically around the counter.
    To the right were a striped brown and burnt-orange couch and two matching chairs facing a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. The TV was on with the volume turned down. That sitting area had a rusty colored carpet, but the rest of the kitchen had wooden flooring like the foyer. Nikki spied cooking paraphernalia through the glass doors of the cherry cabinets.
    Nikki’s eyes smarted as thoughts of Dee zipped through her head. Her sister would be in seventh heaven here. The room was a cook’s dream kitchen.
    Mrs. B was holding her heavy bosom and laughing at something the foreman had said until she caught Nikki’s expression. “There’s no need to look like that, child,” she said, hurrying to Nikki’s side and taking her arm. “You’ve won. Ever since the accident, we’ve let that young man get away with everything. I’m afraid we’ve spoilt him dreadfully. But your presence here is goin’ to bring some very interesting changes. Oh yes, very interesting changes indeed.” The housekeeper chuckled.
    “Explain to me how I’ve won, Mrs. B?” Nikki asked.
    Mrs. B pulled out a chair for Nikki while grinning. “Because you’re not goin’ anywhere and Chase knows it. He was just venting his frustrations. C’mon, sit down, and I’ll get you that tall glass of lemonade.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” said Nikki.
    “Just Mrs. B or Sally.” Mrs. B glanced up at Nikki and grinned. “Where’s your luggage?”
    “In the Land Rover,” Nikki said.
    “Can I bring them inside, Sally?” Winston asked.
    “Yes, dear. Put them in the yellow room, and then come back for lemonade and a piece of pie.” They exchanged a smile that was both intimate and sweet. “Would you like a piece of pie too, dear?” Mrs. B asked as Winston left the room.
    “Just the lemonade, thank you.” Nikki hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast, but she didn’t think she could hold anything down. She was too tense.
    Mrs. B carried a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses, which she placed on the counter, and proceeded to fill up one. “Drink, child. I’ll go make sure Winston puts your bags in the right bedroom. Then I’ll show you around.” The woman patted Nikki’s shoulder and left the room.
    Nikki sipped the lemonade and tried to calm her nerves, but she couldn’t sit still. The exchange between her and Fitzgerald had left her jittery. Was he kicking her out or letting her stay? How the hell was she going to convince the guy to talk to her when he didn’t want her in his home? She hated situations she couldn’t control.
    Walking to the window, she studied the view and chewed on her lip. She could see the two barns, one white and the other red, and paddocks. A guy was rubbing down a horse.
    Nikki