Free Snagged by Carol Higgins Clark

really like books. I’m sure I’d like your books.” Nick realized he was digging himself into a hole. “But come to think of it, my mother’s a big fan of yours. She loves to read. Reading is important.”
    “That’s what my publisher says,” Nora said with a smile.
    “Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?” Maria asked Nora.
    “No, thank you. This should just take a minute.”
    “Please sit down,” Nick urged as Maria exited the room shaking her head.
    “You have a lovely hotel,” Nora began.
    “Oh, thank you. We aim to please. Is everything okay with your room?”
    “Oh, yes,” Nora answered. “My husband and I are down here for the funeral convention.”
    “Really?” Nick tried to sound excited. “With his line of work, he must be able to give you a lot of plots for your books.”
    “He’s got some good stories,” Nora agreed.
    “You know,” Nick continued with enthusiasm, “I’ve often wondered what it would be like to wake up in the funeral parlor, you know, before they started working on you.” Nick laughed. “Would your family get their deposit back?”
    Nora looked at him. “Well, I don’t know. Everybody who’s come through my husband’s place has been dead on arrival.”
    “Right, right, right,” Nick chuckled. “Maybe they’d just hit you with a pickup charge. Like I said, that had just occurred to me once or twice. I don’t know why. Something to think about, I guess . . .” My God, he thought, I’m babbling, and it’s only nine-fifteen in the morning.
    “Well, what I’d like to talk about . . .” Nora began.
    “Shoot,” Nick laughed. “Of course I don’t want you to really shoot me, it’s just an expression I use . . .”
    “I wouldn’t dream of shooting you,” Nora assured him, “except maybe in a book.”
    “That’d be great! Name one of your characters Nick and make him a handsome devil and I’ll be sure to buy it.”
    “You’ve got a deal. Now what I wanted to ask you is about the availability of rooms for a cocktail party tomorrow afternoon.”
    Nick whistled and tried to look stern. He liked to do that when something big was happening. It made him feel important.
    “I know it’s late notice, but something has come up and it’s rather important . . .”
    Nick assumed the role of captain of the ship as he pulled out his room chart and spread it out on the desk. “You know we have a lot going on this weekend and all my conference rooms and party rooms are booked, booked, booked. I don’t know what to say . . .”
    “That is a shame,” Nora sighed. “And to think that Richie has all the models lined up . . .”
    Nick’s ears perked up faster than a dog’s at the first sound of a howling coyote. He almost leaned his head against his shoulder and whimpered. He tried to sound calm as he asked, “What is the occasion for your party?”
    “A friend of ours has a special panty hose he wants to show off. As a matter of fact, I’m wearing a pair right now . . .”
    “They’re lovely.”
    “Thank you. Oh—his niece is having her wedding reception here on Sunday. Maura Durkin.”
    “Of course. That’s going to be a big one. They’ve ordered everything from soup to nuts. Now getting back to your party . . .”
    “Oh, yes. Well, this friend, Richie Blossom, has this panty hose and he’s asked several of the models from South Beach to be in an informal fashion show. We wanted to have a cocktail party for the panty-hose executives and the models beforehand, but I guess we’ll have to figure something else out.”
    “Hmmmm.” Nick didn’t want to seem too anxious, but he could barely contain himself. “I hate to let you down, seeing as the family is having the wedding here. Now I’ve never done this before, but I’d really like to help you out. I live in a big penthouse suite upstairs, which is just perfect for parties. I’d be happy to let you use it. Of course I’ll be on hand to help out.”
    “That sounds like the best place of all