High Intensity by Dara Joy Read Free Book Online

style of the house seemed to be reflective of the owner's eclectic taste in cooking. Many different periods were melded together, but rather than being discordant, the decor was homey… with a splash of weirdness. Tyber and Zanita loved it.
    Todd began showing them around the first level, taking them through the dining room, then the attached greenhouse—fragrant with the many fresh herbs he used in his cooking—and then to the large, professionally equipped kitchen.
    Blooey stopped along the way to pick a few lids off the steaming pots. He inhaled appreciatively. " 'Tis a fine concoction yer brewing here, mate."
    "Thanks, Blooey. Somehow, after we spoke on the phone, I had feeling you'd be a kindred spirit." Tyber and Zanita covertly glanced at each other. Kindred spirit? They doubted Todd had ever put one toe on a pirate ship, especially while solving a set sequence. As far as they knew, neither involved figs.
    "I'll show you to your room" Todd went on. "We'll all be gathering in the parlor at seven for drinks. That way everyone can get acquainted before dinner."
    "All?" Tyber asked as he glanced out the window facing the back of the inn. Rolling land, lightly dusted with snow, led to a pine forest in the distance. A hundred-year-old stone wall separated the meadow from the woods and seemed to delineate the far perimeter of the land. It was already becoming dark outside. He noted a taller hill some distance from the house, partially hidden by a copse of trees.
    "Nice, isn't it?" Todd came up behind him. "It's not an ocean view but I love it."
    "I was thinking it's very similar to the property around my house."
    "Good old New England vistas. By the way, Gramercy Hubble arrived earlier this afternoon, and Calendula Brite came in just before you. They're freshening up now."
    Todd opened a narrow door in the kitchen which led to a well-stocked pantry. Another door at the other end of the pantry led to a fruit cellar.
    "So is your mother down there?" Tyber had the nerve to grin.
    Todd chuckled. "No, but something else is. On occasion all of the fruits are scattered about. And some of them have gone from pre-peak to rot in just a few hours, for no reason I can tell. The air turns foul, too."
    "No other entrances down there, I presume?"
    Todd shook his head. "None. And I lock the door when I go up at night. Can't figure it out."
    "That's why we're here." Tyber spoke softly.
    "Yeah, and I appreciate it, believe me. My business is starting to suffer, and I've worked very hard to make this place a success."
    Zanita put her hand on his arm. "We'll straighten it out; don't worry."
    Todd patted her hand. "C'mon, let me show you to your rooms. I heard you were newlyweds so I saved the best suite for you. Its got a sunken whirlpool tub and a private veranda overlooking the backyard." He winked at them.
    "You're my new best friend, buddy." Zanita punched Tyber's arm.
    The room was a testament to sybaritic pleasure.
    A mahogany canopy tester bed—not too large, Zanita noticed—faced a free-standing stone fireplace. It was a bed made for close cuddling on cool winter nights.
    "Now, don't you go hogging the bed tonight, baby," Tyber drawled.
    Zanita smiled. They both knew who it was that sprawled unchecked across a bed. Like a pirate captain.
    They walked around the fireplace, noticing that the other side of the grate faced the sunken tub. The outside wall facing the whirlpool was almost all glass and overlooked the back end of the veranda—complete with ornate hammock. It was already dark outside; pale moonlight glanced off the thin blanket of snow on the meadows.
    As they both watched, several new flakes began to fall. Along with the temperature.
    Zanita knew what that meant. "Oh-oh."
    Tyber ran his hand down the back of her neck to massage the tender skin there. "Uh-huh. The channel might ice up. We might have to fly back, but don't tell Hambone."
    "He hates flying, huh?"
    "Hell, no. The rogue loves it. Last time, he snuck into the