Cypress Nights by Stella Cameron Read Free Book Online

very quiet. Make your heart calm.”
    When she nodded, her nose pressed into his chest even harder.
    â€œI’d like a promise if you can spare me one,” he told her.
    Once more, she nodded.
    â€œBe very careful, my friend. Don’t be alone after dark in any of the buildings here. Think before you go wandering. Just ask me, and I’ll go with you as soon as I can. Rosebank is a big, secluded place, too. Once you’re in your rooms for the night, stay there. And always, at any time, call me if you’re worried about something.” After a pause, he finished, “Call me, even if you just need a friend to talk to.”
    So, he had taken several steps backward from the distance he’d promised to put between them. He was only human.
    Madge kept her face close to his chest, but looked upward at him.
    She held her heart in her eyes, and there was longing, but also acceptance in the gentle way she remained close.
    There was no decision; he kissed her forehead lightly, softly, asking nothing of her, but desperate to give her some peace.
    Her eyes closed.
    Millie barked sharply.
    Cyrus and Madge sprang apart.
    The dog barked louder. She jumped and turned circles at the same time. And she quivered before she ran to hide in an open cupboard.
    Madge gave a weak smile. “That’s our big, bad watchdog. Someone must be coming to the door.”
    Before she’d even finished, the front doorbell rang.
    Running her fingers through her short curls, Madge visibly pulled herself together. She took a tissue and blotted her eyes. A final sniff and she stood very upright. Cyrus admired her strength. He had no tears to wipe away, but he hurt where no one could see.
    Dodging around him, Madge left the office and went to open the door. In moments, she was back, a beautifully wrapped package in her hands. “It’s for you, darn it. Must be from one of your legion of admirers.”
    He smiled at the expression on her face. “Women like presents, don’t they?” he said.
    â€œYes, of course they do. We’re shallow things.”
    â€œYou’d do me a big favor if you’d open that for me. I always make a horrible mess with the paper and ribbons.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    â€œYes.”
    She put the box on the desk and undid a scarlet ribbon with a bow so large and intricate it covered the top. After this, she lifted away pieces of tape without tearing the shiny white paper scattered with red roses.
    â€œHmm.” She looked at him and her lips were pursed. “It’s from an admirer all right. Look at the way it’s wrapped.”
    He sighed and did his best to look abashed.
    The lid on the box inside had also been taped shut. Madge used her fingernails, ran them under the box rim to free the lid.
    Holding the box aloft, she removed the lid with a flourish.
    A cloud of dust rose from inside. It billowed. Madge coughed and Cyrus’s eyes stung.
    â€œDrop it and get back,” he shouted. Madge dropped it on the floor between them. He grabbed her and pushed her behind him.
    Small pieces of burned paper floated up from the box. Black, oily-looking, they drifted down to settle everywhere, including on Cyrus and Madge.
    â€œA silly joke,” Madge said, picking bits out of her hair.
    Cyrus took up the phone, called Spike but got his second-in-command, Marty Brock. “If you think we need the fire department, call ’em,” Cyrus explained to him, after giving him the general rundown on what had happened. “I don’t smell anything much except old smoke.”
    â€œSpike’s tied up, but Marty’s on his way over,” Cyrus told Madge. “Stay where you are.”
    He made his way around the perimeter of the room until he had a clear view of the open box. Dust was settling. Dust and ash. He wrinkled his nose at the acrid scent. Slowly, he went closer. “Someone stuffed the box with burned books,” he told Madge,