Free Wine & Roses by Susan R. Hughes Page A

wasn’t. The windows were closed. You may be a skeptic, but you don’t spend as much time here as I do. There’s something off here.”
    Wrapping her arms about herself, Abby blinked at him, considering whether to take him seriously. It was hard not to; she saw no hint of jest in his expression. Besides, he wasn’t the only one who’d reported strange events. Something was going on, supernatural or not. “You’re scared?”
    He smiled grimly. “I’m still here. There’s been nothing frightening, really. Even the guests don’t seem to mind having her around.”
    Abby glanced up at the ceiling, holding her breath a moment, as though expecting to hear the eerie creaking of floorboards or the rattling of chains. But there was no way she was going to find out what was happening at the inn during the night by dropping by on occasion.
    “You’re right, I don’t spend enough time here,” she told Oscar. “I’m going to stay overnight as soon as there’s a room free, and see for myself.”

     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    Through the glass patio doors, Abby stared out at the swimming pool, its unlit depths black as the night enveloping it. She was happy enough to be inside with Jason, cozy in his warmly lit living room with soft music setting a relaxed mood.
    “Dinner was satisfactory?” he asked behind her. Turning to find him holding two glasses of red wine, she accepted one from him.
    “Are you kidding? It was the best beef stroganoff I’ve ever had. You’ve impressed me again, Jason Brinleigh. Not only a wine connoisseur, but also a master chef.”
    His lips curved into a sexy smile that roused her feminine senses. “Out of necessity. Living alone, forced to fend for myself, it wouldn’t do to serve my wines with hot dogs and beans. Though this isn’t actually one of my wines. It’s a Californian Merlot—the most sensual of wines. Pairs perfectly with the chocolate mousse we have for dessert.”
    “Mmm, you spoil me. Keep it up.”
    “Just try to stop me.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Care for a swim?”
    Delighting in the solid warmth of him, Abby settled against his broad chest, resting her forehead against his cheek. His question evoked instant memories of their first evening together: the toe-tingling kiss and the intimate embrace they had shared, and how close they had come to yielding to the firestorm of desire that had ignited so swiftly between them.
    “I don’t think so. It’s a little chilly tonight.”
    “Right.” Jason pressed several slow kisses to her ear that sent a delightful shiver through her. “I’d rather stay inside and keep you warm.”
    “This has been the best weekend I’ve had in a long time. I can’t believe how much we packed in,” Abby remarked, before taking a sip from her glass. The last two days had been almost magical, tempting her to believe it was possible to bring fairy tales into the realm of reality. Yesterday, after a morning of horseback riding, they had shared a long picnic lunch by the lake and then took in a play at the Shaw Festival Theatre. Today had been spent mainly at Jason’s country club, where Abby had enjoyed her first eighteen holes of golf. The weather had been clear and beautiful, reflecting the warm sense of contentment settling in her heart. Spending time with Jason made her feel younger and more vibrant than she had in years, and when they weren’t together he was constantly on her mind. She didn’t want to think about the fact that she had to leave on a book signing tour in a few days’ time, or that shortly thereafter he’d be leaving on an extended business trip to Europe.
    “Me, too.” The backs of Jason’s fingers gently stroked her arm. “But it’s not over yet. For that matter, who says we can’t extend the weekend into Monday?”
    “That reminds me, I’m planning on staying over at the inn tomorrow night.”
    “To check out the ghostly occurrences going on there?”
    “Yes.” Abby hadn’t