Cupid's Treasure - Mystery of the Golden Arrow by Barbara Ivie Green Read Free Book Online

over. As soon as the mattresses went up, the blanket floated down.
    “Did you get her?” Jonathan asked, still holding the bed up.
    “I am not certain.” Jacques waited to see where the blanket bulged.
    “What would make you more certain?” Jonathan asked as Jacques followed the running bulge.
    “Ye- ow!” Jacques yowled, threw another blanket down, and came away with something that looked like the laundry. “Got her,” he said triumphantly.
    “Maybe we don’t need the shot.”
    The blankets growled and hissed as a white paw poked out the side. “Ow,” Jacques said as her claws dug into him. “Get a pillow case.”
    “I’ll do one better, I’ll get the needle,” Jonathan said. “Hold her tight now,” he said as she squirmed out.
    “Non!” Jacques said, and as she slipped away, the needle stuck in his palm.”
    “Sorry,” Jonathan said apologetically. “I thought I had her.”
    Jacques pulled it out and read the side label. Handing it back to him he said disgustedly, “It says it’s for equine use only.”
    Jonathan looked at it. “I guess it’s a good thing I missed the kitty then, isn’t it?” he asked, slipping it into his pocket as the cat darted into the bathroom.
    Jacques shook his head slightly.
    “Are you okay?” Jonathan asked. “I thought tranqs didn’t affect you.”
    “That was before I became flesh and blood again.”
    “A horse would have been out by now, so I guess you’re good,” Jonathan said matter-of-factly as he walked toward the bathroom door. “I’m going in,” he said, closing the door behind him.
    Jacques waited a moment, listening to what sounded like World War III going on in the bathroom. Jonathan emerged smiling with what looked like a kitty wrapped in a breakfast burrito.
    “Here.” He held the cat out.
    “Oh, non! ” Jacques picked up the keys. “This time you hold the kitty.”
    ~*~
    Amber luxuriated in the bubbles of the old fashioned claw foot tub. Her toes peeped above the rim on the other side. Her red toenails glistened in the soft light. . . . It was the one thing she dared to indulge in and the only area on her body she allowed to be beautiful. Anything else was inviting trouble!
    She leaned her head against the back rest and closed her eyes, letting the warm water soothe her. Her mind drifted to a beautiful beach where the ocean’s waves slowly rolled. She imagined squishing her feet in the sand, stepping along the shore until she was running joyously right into the water. She was totally immersed in the fantasy when her imagination threw a hard muscled physique into the waves with her. Their bodies were entwined on the sand, the water lapping at their limbs. She looked up into the face above hers. . . . It was him!
    Amber’s eyes flew open. It had been so vivid. She shook her head with a shaky sigh, deciding bath time was over.
    ~*~
    Jonathan slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor. He certainly didn’t want to agitate the hellcat in his arms. It was no doubt amusing Jacques who felt he had something coming to him since he’d been the one to put the needle in his hand.
    The drive home had been nerve-wracking to say the least. What with the fuss ball of furry on his lap and his unlicensed grandpa driving, he was more than ready to pass this hot potato to the next player.
    “I still say we should have used the pillow case,” Jacques said from down below.
    “Shhh. She’ll hear you,” Jonathan whispered as he looked through the banister at him. Jacques, who was still a little woozy from the tranquilizer, crashed into the bureau as he carried the suitcase.
    “Be careful with that,” Jonathan said as he slowly made his way to the Betty Boop suite.
    “Why?” Jacques asked, looking at the shredded luggage in question. “Are you afraid I might damage it?”
    “Good point,” Jonathan said as he stood outside the door to the Betty Boop suite. “Amber,” he called. He thought he heard her soft footsteps pause before the door on