The Village of Gerard's Cliff Read Online Free PDF Page B

decision on Allie's part after all. Tilda cleaned up the
kitchen, and went over her planned breakfast menus for the next
week with Allie, although they discovered, after checking out the
pantry, that she would be short a few provisions. Knowing that
Allie was a good cook, she had no problem leaving the breakfasts to
her for a week, and truth be told, she was anxious to see if this
temporary job she had been offered might become another venue for
her to show off her cooking skills. Giving Allie a warm hug, Tilda
wished her well, and headed out the kitchen door.
    Allie had the rest of the
day to herself, now that the cooking and cleaning were taken care
of. She needed to go over the books, and work on her budget and
to-do lists for the upcoming holidays. The last weeks of November,
and December looked promising so far, with eight guests staying
during Thanksgiving, which, Allie realized, was just two short
weeks away. Tilda always outdid herself each Thanksgiving at The
Colborne Inn by cooking a massive gourmet dinner. December looked
even better, with the last three weeks booked solid. Christmas and
New Year's Eve were something special, and their guests always
seemed to have a wonderful time. One of Allie's favorite tasks was
decorating the inn, and she was anxious to get out her many boxes
of ornaments and white lights that were in storage.
    She knew nothing of her
one remaining guest's plans, and didn't care to. A week would go by
quickly, she reasoned, and then things would return to normal. She
could handle Connor's...Mr. Garrison's strange mood swings...after
all, if she planned it right, she would only have to see him at
breakfast. She was beginning to feel her self-control returning.
She was a strong woman. She was also a grieving widow who bravely
ran a thriving business on her own, and she would not let a
handsome stranger come in and unravel her carefully laid
plans.
    Good - no rain yet. Allie
peered out the kitchen window a few hours later, then returned to
checking over the list Tilda had left her. Unfortunately, as Tilda
had said, she was missing several items necessary for the next
week's menu. She would have to go into the village today and get
what she needed.
    No time like the present,
she sighed, heading to the parlor to grab her jacket. As she lifted
it from the knob, she realized that she had left the grocery list
on the kitchen island. She sighed again, threw her jacket over one
arm, and retraced her steps to the kitchen. As she walked quickly
back toward the parlor, looking over her list, she ran smack into
Connor. He was descending the last stair hurriedly, his head down,
apparently absorbed in a notebook. "Oh!" Allie took a step back. "I
didn't see you," she stammered. "I thought you had
left."
    "My fault, entirely."
Connor, smiled, lowering the notebook to his side. His other hand
went to her shoulder, as he bent toward her. "Are you okay?" He
seemed genuinely concerned.
    Connor - she'd forgotten he was in the inn. Drat! Now she couldn't
leave.
    "I'm fine, thank you."
Allie felt the warmth from his hand penetrate the fabric of her
pullover, radiating through her shoulder. She blinked and tried not
to look at him, annoyed with herself.
    "Are you heading out?" To
Allie's immense relief, Connor transferred his hand from her
shoulder to his jean pocket. He was eyeing her jacket.
    "Well, actually, I was
going to the village to pick up some supplies." Allie began. "But,
since you are here, I can go another time. There's really no
hurry," she added. She glanced up quickly, noticing for the first
time that he was wearing his jacket. She lowered her eyes to
rearrange her jacket to another position over her arm.
    "What a coincidence."
Connor was thoughtful. "I'm heading to the village as well. Can I
give you a lift?" He looked at her pleasantly, his eyebrows raised.
"It's a dreary day to drive alone, don't you think?"
    Allie was stymied at the
request. She was hoping to have the day to herself, and here a
guest