Turning the Page by Georgia Beers Read Free Book Online

years her senior didn't seem to bother her quite as much.
    Her thoughts shifted focus with a sudden jolt. Where the hel was Sam anyway? She'd been
    gone since the previous evening.
    Here it was, almost twenty-four hours later, and she had heard nothing. Not that it was
    unusual for Sam to disappear without telling anybody, but a little bit of goddamned
    consideration would be nice. I'm her guest, for crying out loud.
    She proceeded to put the food away, guessing where things should go. She had purchased a lot
    of fresh summer fruits; peaches, plums, and nectarines, and filled a big, round, wicker basket
    she found in one of the cupboards with the sweet-smelling delights, placing them in the middle
    of the tiny breakfast table. A loaf of bread and a package of English muffins on the counter
    and the kitchen almost looked lived-In. Certainly more lived-in than the kitchen she was used
    to.
    The sun had set a while ago and Melanie was changing into her sweats when the phone rang.
    She hesitated, not being one to answer the phone in somebody else's house. After four rings,
    the answering machine picked up, Samantha's flirty, sexy voice breathily asking the caller to
    leave a message at the beep.
    "Mellie? You there? Pick up," came the same voice as was on the tape.
    Melanie snatched up the receiver. "Sam? Where the hel are you?"
    "Hi, Mel ie. How's it going?"
    "Where are you?" she repeated. "Do you realize you've been gone for twenty-four hours?"
    "We're in Toronto. We just kept driving, ya know? This is where we ended up last night, but
    we're heading out again soon." The connection crackled, and Sam said something indiscernible
    to somebody close by.
    "Toronto? Sam, what the hell?" Melanie sighed her frustration. It was so like Sam to just go where the wind or a good-looking guy on a motorcycle took her. "When are you coming home?"
    "Oh, not for a few days, at least. Rob wants to drive through Canada for a bit. Everything's so cheap up here, Mellie. Our dollar is worth almost two of theirs. Their money looks fake." She
    giggled. It was obvious that she wasn't entirely sober.
    "A few days?" Melanie had trouble keeping the hurt out of her voice. " Sammi, I came to spend time with you."
    "Oh, I know, sweetie, and we'll do something fun when I get back. I promise. Just keep an eye
    on things for me, okay? I'l call again soon. Bye, Mel ie."
    "Bye." She said it even though Sam had already hung up. She hadn't even asked about the
    bookstore. Damn her. She was always pulling this shit. She was thirty-five years old. When was
    she ever going to grow up? And what the hel was Melanie supposed to do now? She sure as
    hell wasn't going to sit around and twiddle her thumbs, waiting for her cousin's return. For
    reasons she couldn't explain, she felt no desire to return to Chicago...at least not yet. Her
    thoughts shifted quickly to the bookstore.
    She could spend some more time there, she supposed. At least she knew how to get there now.
    Her eyes dropped to the bundle Taylor had left for her, the three tapes secured with a
    rubber band. She picked it up and noticed for the first time that there was a note attached.
    She smiled as she slid it out from under the band and unfolded it, noting Taylor's very smooth
    and beautiful handwriting.
    Hi, Melanie
    Are you ready for your enlightenment? As promised, here are some Xena tapes for you to
    start with. I recommend you watch Sins of the Past first, because that gives you the history
    behind Xena's background and how she first meets Gabriel e.
    Then, I suggest Altared States and then Is There A Doctor In the House. There are three
    other episodes, feel free to watch them or don't, but if you like these, let me know. There are
    many others. I'l stop by tomorrow to see what you think.
    Enjoy!
    Taylor
    Melanie smiled warmly, feeling an unfamiliar flush in her body. What was it about Taylor that
    affected her in such a weird way? It was something she couldn't quite put a finger on.
    Attraction, maybe?