Death Takes a Holiday by Elisabeth Crabtree Read Free Book Online

white, faux fur throw.
    Between the beds sat a large dresser underneath a picture window currently showcasing the snowy forest flying past as the train made its way up the mountain. A beautiful crystal pitcher with matching goblets and a small silver-framed nursery rhyme sat on a silver serving tray on top of the dresser. And in the corner of the room, opposite the rich leather chair, were two doors: one to an ensuite bathroom and the other to a small closet.
    It was perfect , just as Kyle promised. The only thing marring the view were the suitcases strewn about the room. She counted eight, in addition to her three, piled around the beds. Grace picked up a suitcase and dragged it to the corner of the room. “Kyle, just how many suitcases did you bring?”
    “Oh, these aren’t mine.” He picked up a couple of bags and pushed them into the closet. Grace looked toward the steamer trunk she had seen him take out of his car an hour before. He grinned sheepishly. “Oh, well, not all of them are mine.”
    “Whose . . .” she began to ask as she picked up Kyle's brown leather suitcase only to promptly drop it back onto the floor. “What in the world do you have in here? I can barely pick it up.”
    “Just clothes.” He dragged a hand through his wavy blond hair. “Grace, it was crazy this morning. Once I got on the train, I just threw everything in here.” His eyebrows drew together. “I’m sorry. I really wanted this to be perfect.”
    Closing the distance between them, Grace reached up and cupped his cheek. “It’s perfect. I love it.”
    When she would have drawn her hand back down he reached up and pressed it to his face, while his other hand reached around her waist and pulled her closer. He gently laid his forehead against hers, taking a deep breath. “Grace—”
    “Hey, b abycakes, do I get some kind of turn down service here?”
    Grace looked toward the open door in time to see a scowling young woman wearing a shapeless charcoal gray uniform walk by. Must be one of the train attendants, Grace thought, just as Kyle pushed the door shut.
    Grace grinned. “Sounds like we have some friendly traveling companions.”
    Kyle gave a weak laugh. “Yeah. Should be an interesting trip. ”
    Grace cocked her head to the side. “Do you hear something?”
    “No. Nothing at all. Why, what do you hear?” he asked quickly.
    Smiling, she shrugged. “It’s gone n ow. I have an idea, why . . .” She stopped speaking and looked around the room. She could just make out the sound of something scratching at the walls. “There it is again. Don’t you hear that scratching noise?”
    Kyle sh ook his head. Opening the door part way, he looked out into the hallway. Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “Hey, I’ll be right back. I’m going to go to the lounge car—”
    Grace stopped searching for the source of the sound and took a step toward him. “Oh, okay. I’ll go with you.”
    Kyle shut the door. He grabbed her by the arms and led her to the edge of the bed. Gently pushing her down until she was seated. “Why don’t you sit here and relax? I won’t be gone long. I just have to get out of this room for a bit.”
    “ But—”
    “Thanks, but . . . ,” he said patting her arms gently, “I just need to be alone.”
    Grace nodded sympathetically as he turned and grabbed the door and held it partway open. She watched in fascination as he squeezed through the partially open door.
    She could just barely make out the same loudmouth down the passageway calling someone, “sweetcheeks” before Kyle closed the door behind him.
    Grace sat still on the bed for a few minutes debating what to do next when the sudden urge to explore her new surroundings came over her. Hopping to her feet, she walked over to the door and out into the hallway. Keeping her eyes on the snow covered trees just beyond the giant windows lining one side of the sleeping car, she trailed her hand along the railing underneath the windows until she came