Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series) by Tracie Ingersoll Loy Read Free Book Online Page A

“Are those paintings by Sashay?”
    “A fan!” He clapped his hands together.
    “Not exactly,” she mumbled.
    “Wonderful eye. Extraordinary taste, darling. Not everyone recognizes her talent. She will be the next Picasso. I’m certain. In fact, what are you doing this evening?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “To start off the gala weekend, we are hosting a cocktail hour with the luscious Sashay. She’ll be mingling with her fans. And oh, that wonderful ruffian Russian of hers is coming too. Oh, I just wish…I just wish he wasn’t so darn straight.” His eyes glowed with a savage inner fire.
    It took every ounce of self-control to remain calm and not bolt out of the gallery. After the initial shock, her sense of humor took over.
    “Are you sure? Are you one hundred percent positive he’s straight? I think you should just go for it. It’s obvious to me you care very deeply about the wonderful ruffian Russian. So often in life we never have the opportunity to let someone know exactly how we feel. You have this chance tonight. I say let him know what you’re really feeling. There is no time like the present.”
    “Oh, merci.”
    “Oui.” Cassie looked at her watch. “Ah, I must go. Let me get back to you about this evening.” She walked straight out the door, kept her head down, and hurried down the street.
    So much for spending another night.

Chapter Six
    "M a’am, you’ve got to move this truck. You’re blocking traffic. I gotta load this ferry.”
    “I don’t know what to do. It won’t start.”
    Cassie turned the key again. Nothing. Not even a whir or a gurgle. She had been waiting for two hours in Anacortes for the ferry to Hartz Island. Not every ferry leaving Anacortes, Washington, stopped at the island. The next one wouldn’t be until four, pulling into Hartz at six p.m.
    “You’re going to have to move this thing. Put it in neutral, we will give you a push. Let it roll over to the side over there. You’ll be out of the way. We’ll deal with this after the ferry departs.”
    Obviously, she wasn’t getting on this ferry. Her heart sank. Like Alexa had said, the truck was old. Maybe the trip had been too much.
    “Come on, Blue, don’t let me down now.”
    She put the truck in neutral. Between the gentle slope and the men pushing, Cassie steered it to the area the man had pointed. Completely out of everyone’s way, she heaved a sigh of relief and then collapsed against the steering wheel, staring out the window. Exhausted and emotionally spent, she just wanted to cry. Instead, she blinked away the tears.
    Tired from sitting, Cassie got out of the pick-up. She leaned against the door, watching the vehicles stream onto the ferry. A couple of the cars slowed, with the drivers staring. Some had sympathetic looks. A dark SUV with tinted windows almost stopped, but then the car behind it tapped its horn. Her nerves tensed. What the hell was that all about , she wondered?
    The gray misty day set the tone for how she felt. The water was dark and murky. Had she made an error coming back? The weather alone might drive her insane. She reminded herself it wasn’t forever, just for now.
    With the last car on, the ferry pulled away. Just like the man had said, he’d deal with it after the ferry departed. He walked briskly toward her.
    “Okay, let’s see if we can get you started. Were you having any problems when you pulled in?”
    “No, not that I can think of.”
    “Unlatch the hood, and let me take a look. You wouldn’t have something simple like a dead battery would you?” He frowned when Cassie turned on the headlights.
    She joined him and peered under the hood. He wiggled a few wires, pushed a few hoses, and then pulled out the oil stick. He snorted, his mouth turned down.
    “Do you have something I can wipe this thing off with? I need to check it.”
    She went in search of something and came back with an old oil stained rag she’d found stuffed behind the seat. José had mentioned