Free Freeing Reese (Tremont Lodge Series Book 3) by Marcy Blesy Page A

police officer looks up as they pass right on by. They get three or four doors away. Finn hands a coffee to Tinley who bobbles the drink and pours it all over her very expensive Fendi winter jacket. I’d seen the label when I’d hugged her. That is true love right there. There appears to be a very heated argument between the two of them. Sure enough, the police officer gets up from her post to address the loves of my life.
    “Okay, it’s go time. Come with me.” Murphy grabs hold of my hand and pulls me briskly down the hall toward Ted’s room. We slip into the room as Tinley is screaming at Finn about hot coffee, and the police officer is trying to pull her off of him. I can’t help but smile.
    “I kind of have to stay, too,” whispers Murphy, “or you might be busted when I walk out of the room.”
    I nod my head in agreement while Murphy slinks to the corner of the room. Ted is awake, watching Sports Center. That’s a good sign. He smiles when he sees me. Another good sign. “Hello.” What a brilliant opening. Ugh.
    “Come here, Reese.” His voice is weak, but he’s not shaking. In fact, he looks great. He points to a chair next to the bed.
    I sit down and pull it closer to him. “How are you?” I ask. “I’ve been…worried.”
    “Thank you. That is kind. The funny thing is, I feel better than I have in months.”
    “I guess that is odd considering—uh, that, you know, someone tried to—”
    “Poison me,” Ted says.
    “Kind of surreal, don’t you think?” I say.
    “Yes. That’s exactly how I think of it, too.” An awkward pause fills the space between us. “Reese, look at me.” I lean forward, taking in the tired eyes and worry wrinkles that cover his forehead. “I know you had nothing to do with this. Never— never once —did I think you would harm me.”
    “I’m relieved to hear that, but tell it to the police officer guarding your door or the two cops that interrogated Finn and me.”
    “How did you get past Officer Cutie?” His twinkling eyes warm my heart.
    “Let’s just say I had some accomplices,” I say.
    He waves at Murphy who is trying very hard to blend into the room. “I take it your partner in crime is visiting,” he says.
    “Oh, yes. I forgot you know Tinley’s father,” I say.
    “That is true, but you might think I’m unaware of all of the shenanigans that happened up on the mountain last summer, but I’m not as out-of-touch as you might think. I do believe that young man over there nearly burnt down my forest proposing to that girl.”
    I laugh as I watch Murphy wiggling closer to the door. “S…sorry about that, Sir.”
    Ted laughs, too. “Well, it all turned out now, didn’t it?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “I assume she said yes. ”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “True love is hard to find. You hold on tight and do whatever you have to do to keep the romance alive, even when you’re tired…or sick. Do whatever you have to do to keep her happy.”
    “Yes, Sir. Thanks for the advice,” says Murphy.
    “That goes for you, too. Finn’s been a loyal employee for many years. I hope he’s making you happy, yes?”
    “Yes, Ted. He makes me very happy.”
    “Good. Then I won’t hold it against you when you leave in the spring to follow him on his next journey. Just please stay in touch.” He grabs my hand. “And you are always welcome back at the lodge, doing whatever makes you happy. I know I put you on administrative leave, but it was really just to appease the blasted City Council of Tremont City who got their panties in a bunch after the falling out at the Christmas ball.”
    “Oh, I guess that makes sense.” For the first time since I’ve been here, Ted’s eyes glass over with wetness.
    “Was that the first time you knew—”
    “About Georgia?” he asks. “I had suspicions, but I didn’t know Lawson was involved.” He looks past me and out the hospital window.
    “Ted, for what it’s worth, I don’t believe that Lawson would have done anything