The Ghost Who Loved Diamonds Read Online Free PDF Page B

rattle off the list
of things that needed to be done before the open house on the fourth. He’d
hoped she’d join him for a walk along the beach, but he doubted that was going
to happen this afternoon. She was dressed more for cleaning house—wearing her
strawberry print apron and tattered denims and t-shirt—than for a leisurely
stroll along the seashore.
    He wasn’t paying close
attention to what she was saying, and hoped there wouldn’t be a quiz when she
was done. But he enjoyed watching her talk and move—she was a bundle of sexy
enthusiasm. She’d secured her red hair into a casual side ponytail and he
resisted his temptation to remove the rubber band and watch the hair tumble
down. 
      Sadie lay curled up
on the floor by his feet. She’d already lifted her head a few times since they
had arrived, and had let out little whimpers, seeking permission to dart from
the room and up the stairs to the attic. He didn’t know why Sadie acted this
way at Marlow House—she had always been so obedient. Ian wondered if perhaps
there were mice in the attic. That might explain why she found the top floor of
Marlow House so fascinating.
    Reaching down to give
Sadie a reassuring pat, Ian noticed something tucked under the sofa next to his
foot. He leaned down and reached for the item, picking it up. It was a hot pink
stiletto high heeled shoe. The moment Lily noticed what was in his hand she
stopped talking and faced him.
    Smirking, Ian turned
the shoe over in his hand, inspecting it. By its size, it was obviously not
Lily’s. It was much too large. However, Ian would love to see Lily wearing a
pair of these—in her size of course. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the
color.
    “Danielle surprises
me,” Ian said with a chuckle.
    “Danielle?” Lily asked.
    “Well these are
obviously not yours.” Ian glanced down at Lily’s small dainty feet.
    “Oh, my shoes! I forgot
I left them in here!” Cheryl stood at the parlor doorway staring at Ian.
    “This is Cheryl,
Danielle’s cousin. She just arrived today. The shoes are hers.” Lily walked to
Ian and reached down, snatching the shoe from his grasp. In the next instant
she retrieved the second shoe from under the sofa and then tossed the pair at
Cheryl who was not prepared for the missiles hurled in her direction.
    Cheryl’s straw purse
fell to the floor as she fumbled with the shoes, catching one while the second
shoe hit her in the shoulder before falling to the floor. Glaring at Lily, she
leaned down and picked up the fallen shoe and purse.
    Ian stood up and
glanced from Lily to the new arrival, a curious frown on his face.
    “Are you okay?” he
asked Cheryl.
    “I think so.” Cheryl’s
instantaneous transformation from brassy to timid did not go unnoticed by Lily.
“I’m Dani’s cousin, Cheryl. And you are?” Cheryl flashed Ian a beguiling smile
as she walked into the parlor. Ignoring Lily, she set the purse and shoes on a
table by the sofa and put out her hand to Ian, who accepted it
     “Nice to meet you,
Cheryl. I’m Ian, Ian Bartley. I’m renting the house across the street for the
summer. I didn’t know Danielle’s family had come for a visit.” Instead of a
handshake, Cheryl gently squeezed Ian’s hand, lingering a moment before finally
releasing her hold.
    “Actually, I’m
Danielle’s only family.” Cheryl moved a little closer to Ian, looking up into
his face. She gave him her entire attention.
    Lily silently observed
the pair, annoyed at the dopey smile plastered on Ian’s face as his gaze
drifted from Cheryl’s eyes, down to her prominent bust line. Its cleavage
peaked provocatively from the low cut neckline of the cotton shift. Instead of
being insulted by Ian’s wandering gaze, Cheryl stood a little straighter,
arching her back to give him a better view. Lily resisted the temptation to
reach over and give Cheryl a good smack and Ian a kick in the shins.
    While focusing all of
her attention on Ian, Cheryl failed to notice the dog