Page 99 of Drive
“Mrs. Gilchrist, get a hold of yourself,” he whispered again, mockscolding.
But this time, instead of tipping her further into hysterics, his words quelled the storm. Hearing him call her Mrs. Gilchrist in that seductive whisper left her weak-kneed for an entirely differentreason.
“Here we are,” Dottie chirped. “Get close to the fire while I get your paperworksorted.”
She left them, and Archie, recognizing a warm and comfortable spot, immediately ran up to the hearthrug, turned two quick three-sixties and flopped down with gratefulgroan.
The fire was warm, and Rainey concentrated on absorbing its heat instead of glancing up at the irresistible, incomparable man by herside.
It’s going to hurt like hell when heleaves.
Fifteen minutes later — after Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Gilchrist were officially registered guests at The Copper House Bed & Breakfast, Dottie’s husband Willard led them upstairs to their room. When they saw that plate on their door readBluegrass Roomand the one next door readDerby Room,Jacques mimed wiping sweat off his brow, and Rainey found herself fighting giggles all overagain.
Their host opened the door and revealed gleaming wood floors, a dark wood four-poster bed, and tucked into one corner, a Ben Franklin fireplace with a blaze already banked. The room, painted a robin’s egg blue with cream trim, was appointed with all the period furnishings and accessories that would make the officials at the National Register of Historic Places fairly quiver withglee.
“Wow,” she uttered, breathless. White-haired Willard carried in their bags, and as he did, Rainey leaned into Jacques and whispered, “This placecouldn’tbe the same price as the BestWestern.”
Jacques just shrugged as he moved past her. “Closeenough.”
Before she could utter a word of protest, Dottie bustled in behind her carrying a silver tray. “Here you go, dears. Mint Juleps,” she said, thrusting the tray at Rainey. “We normally serve these in the parlor, but seeing as you’re probably ready to get out of those wet clothes, I thought I’d bring them uphere.”
“Thank… you,” Rainey said, quite certain now that The Copper House was far beyond Best Western’s price point. But she couldn’t put up a fight now, and obviously Jacques knew what he was doing. She could always find a way to pay him back later. She picked up one of the pewter glasses full of amber liquid, crushed ice, and sprigs of mint. “Here you go, honey,” Rainey said, batting her eyelashes atJacques.
She meant, of course, to make him laugh, but she watched his eyes blaze, his chest expand, and his Adam’s apple bob before he took the glass from her, muttering his thanks. Rainey realized the endearment left him clearly affected. A wave of tenderness rose insideher.
And it struck Rainey then that she’d been remarkably selfish over the last fourweeks.
Her eyes followed Jacques as if she were seeing him anew. And not with the eyes of someone who was crippled with fear. But as someone who cared deeply forhim.
Rainey grabbed the remaining cocktail off the tray and took a healthy swallow. The drink was cold. And strong. Strong enough to set herchoking.
“Careful,” Jacques cautioned, stepping closer and patting her on the back. “That’s pretty much straightBourbon.”
“Straight from Bourbon County,” Dottie added withpride.
“Haaghh!” Rainey rasped, breathingfire.
Jacques’s mouth twitched and his eyes lost their look of concern. He clinked his glass against hers. “Cheers, baby.” And then she watched him take a sip, his gaze never leavinghers.
To keep from staring at him, Rainey took another sip. This one more tempered, and she managed to swallow withoutcoughing.
“Well,” Willard announced, striding toward his wife. He claimed the empty tray from her before turning to face them. “If y’all have everything you need, we’ll wish you a goodevenin’.”
Next to him, Dottie nodded. “There’s fresh towels and his and hers bathrobes in the lavatory, and when you get hungry, you’ll find plenty places right on this street where you can get some good eats,” she said brightly. Then she clasped her hands together, her eyes twinkling. “Breakfast is at seven. Tomorrow, it’s strawberry pancakes, eggs any way you like, breakfast potatoes, and a melonmedley.”
Rainey’s eyes rounded at this heavenly piece of news. “Really?” she gushed. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Jacques suppress achuckle.
Dottie gave her a slight frown. “And coffee and tea, of course,” sheadded.
Rainey nodded. “Of course. That sounds… that soundswonderful.”
Their hostess’s face split with a smile. “Best meal of the day!” shesang.
Beside her, Jacques definitelysnickered.
“Well, goodnight then,” Willard boomed, grabbing his wife by the elbow. “C’mon, Dot. Let’s leave the young people alone.” And with that, the older couple bustled out of the room, closing the door behindthem.
For an awkward moment, Rainey kept her eyes on that closed door because she was sure if she turned around, her gaze would whip like a magnet to the four-poster bed. To stall, she took another sip of her potentdrink.
