I Love You Again by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online

the way so we can start this weekend off with a bang,” Helen said cheerfully. “Do I need to get up?”
    Kit glared. “No, stay right where you are.”
    “There’s no need to sound so threatening,” Helen said.
    When Kit turned to Roz, her hands shook. What a nightmare, Bess thought as she looked at Dale; though she smiled happily, she looked confused, which might have been her natural state, the poor child.
    “This place is wicked…” Dale exclaimed as she looked around.
    She had no clue what was happening, and how could she? Bess realized there was a fine line between comedy and tragedy, but this was bordering on ludicrous. What were the odds? Whatever they were, and as rotten as they would be, she still wanted to strangle Helen.
    Dale whispered to Kit, who stared straight ahead. “Are you okay?”
    “Fine,” Kit said, trying to smile.
    “Are you glad to see me?” Dale smiled impishly.
    “Of course,” Kit said, avoiding Roz.
    Roz turned the check-in register around to Dale. “Miss Caldwell, I presume?”
    “Well, she ain’t Dr. Livingstone,” Helen mumbled. She held her hands up when Kit glared her warning.
    “That’s me,” Dale said.
    “Nice to meet you. I just need your ID. And a credit card, please, and you can sign in.”
    “Oh, sure,” Dale said, taking out her driver’s license.
    Roz took it and looked; her eyes widened and a smug grin flashed across her face. She looked at Kit, while handing it back to Dale. Kit’s expression dared Roz to say something.
    “Thanks,” Roz said to Dale. “Here’s your key.”
    Dale leaned in toward Roz and whispered, “The champagne?”
    “And that answers that question,” Helen said.
    Bess cautiously watched Kit, and for a moment, it didn’t register. But when the realization hit Kit right between the eyes just who the champagne was for, her rosy complexion returned; it now burned bright red. Bess leaned back when Kit’s big blue eyes widened. And again, Kit avoided Roz. Bess didn’t think they’d acknowledged each other since the initial bombshell when Kit walked in. What a nightmare, Bess thought.
    “Are you old enough?” Roz said with a smirk.
    Dale blushed. “You saw my license. But that was sweet.”
    Oh, dear Lord above, she’s flirting with Roz. Helen and Bess exchanged jaw-dropping glances. Bess honestly thought she saw steam coming out of Kit’s ears.
    “Yes. I have it for you. It’s been on ice for about, oh, I’d say two years now,” Roz said, smiling sweetly at Kit.
    Bess winced as the sarcasm seemed to ooze from every pore in Roz’s body. From her perch, she heard Helen’s amused chuckle. Bess wouldn’t be surprised to see Helen doing a little happy dance behind her.
    Dale didn’t get the joke—how could she—but she laughed. “Well, I think it’s cold enough.”
    “Practically freezing,” Helen called out.
    Roz hid her grin. “I’ll have it brought up to your room when you’re ready,” Roz said, still grinning.
    “No time like the present,” Dale said happily.
    “That’s the spirit,” Helen said, tapping her cane on the floor with enthusiasm. “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
    “And the dead don’t speak.” Kit’s eyes blazed with anger.
    “You made that up...”
    Bess saw Kit’s cheek muscles clench and closed her eyes. Good God, what else?
    In walked Mark, who noticed only one thing—Bess; he had tunnel vision as he tripped over Helen’s luggage. With a grunt, he stumbled into Dale, driving her into the front desk.
    “Mark,” Roz said through clenched teeth as she reached to steady the vase of flowers that teetered on the counter.
    “Oh, geez. Sorry,” he said with a nervous laugh.
    “Easy there, young man. That’s Louis Vuitton you’ve trampled,” Helen said dryly.
    “No need for you to check in, Kit.” Roz looked past her and glared at Helen. “I’ll check you in myself, Helen.”
    “And I look forward to it,” Helen said with a smile.
    “C’mon, Kit. Let’s see my