Free Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz

she had taken the job at Robbins' Nest Inn. Trisha and Benjy had been drawn together from the moment they had met. Cleo knew they had a lot in common. Too much, perhaps. Both came from badly mangled, nonsupportive families. They had become close friends within the framework of Cleo's extended clan. About six months ago, Cleo knew, they had become lovers.
    Cleo had watched the inevitable romance spring up between Trisha and Benjy with some misgivings. She was not at all certain that either of them could cope with the responsibilities of a committed relationship, yet she knew that was exactly what both desperately wanted. There had been an odd sense of fate about the pair. It was as if they were two lost waifs clinging to each other in a storm.
    Cleo stopped in front of Trisha's door and knocked softly. “Trisha? It's me, Cleo.”
    “Cleo?” Trisha's voice was muffled. “I'm in bed. Please go away.”
    “Trisha, you know I can't do that. Sammy says you've been crying. Let me in. We'll talk.”
    “I don't want to talk.”
    “Not even about Benjy?”
    “Especially not about Benjy.” Trisha suddenly burst into wracking sobs.
    Cleo couldn't stand it any longer. “Let me in, Trisha, or I'll use the master key.”
    There was a moment of painful silence. Then the door opened slowly to reveal Trisha's tear-blotched face.
    “Oh, Trisha,” Cleo whispered. She opened her arms.
    “I know why he left,” Trisha wailed. She flung herself into Cleo's comforting arms. “It was because of me.”
    “Of course it wasn't because of you.” Cleo patted Trisha's shoulder. “Benjy's got problems of his own, you know that. He's got a lot to deal with.”
    “I know,” Trisha sobbed. “And I gave him one problem too many.”
    “Trisha, it's not your fault that Benjy left.”
    “Yes, it is,” Trisha said in a choked voice. “I'm pregnant.”
    Cleo closed her eyes briefly, her worst fears confirmed. “Oh, Lord.”
    “I told Benjy, and he couldn't handle it. That's why he left. Cleo, what am I going to do? I'm so scared.”
    “It's all right,” Cleo said quietly. “Everything's going to be all right. You've got family now, remember? You're not alone.”
     
    It was nearly midnight before Cleo wearily made her way to the tower room on the third floor. She had chosen her small sanctuary with care immediately after she had moved in to the inn.
    Her private quarters were tucked away out of sight of the guests' rooms. Her small suite in the tower afforded privacy and a view of the sea. There were times when Cleo badly needed both. Being surrounded by family and inn guests was all very well most of the time, but there were occasions when Cleo needed the protective solitude of her own rooms.
    She unlocked the door, her mind still on Trisha's unhappy situation, and let herself into the lovingly overstuffed domicile. It was furnished, as was the rest of the inn, in the most flowery expression of Victorian style. Every item, from the chintz wallpaper and the canopied bed to the ceramic clock on the table, had been carefully chosen by Cleo.
    She flipped the switch on the wall, leaving the door still open behind her. The bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the frilly white pillows arranged on the bed.
    The light revealed something else on the bed: a length of red satin ribbon curled like a scarlet snake on one pillow.
    Cleo stared at the ribbon in stunned shock. She suddenly felt light-headed. Her fingers, still clutching the doorknob, started to shake.
    “Cleo?” Max materialized behind her in the open doorway, looming over her. “I've been looking for you. I wanted to talk to you before you went to bed.”
    “Not now,” she got out in a hoarse whisper. She could not take her eyes off the red satin ribbon.
    “What the hell?” Without apology, Max shouldered his way past her into the room. He swept the surroundings with a single glance and then swung around to face her. “What's wrong?”
    “Please,” she whispered. “Go