A Dream Weekend: A Tale From Blythe Cove Manor Read Online Free Page A

and pour us a couple of glasses.”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    Paige nodded and got out of the car, while Alex restarted the engine. She paused for a moment to listen to the tires crunch the gravel before entering the lobby. The reception desk was empty, with no sign of the other guests or their hostess, but as promised a decorative crystal carafe of sherry and two delicately etched glasses stood on a silver tray, as though awaiting them.
    Paige settled onto the big leather couch, uncapped the bottle and poured. She’d just finished the task when Alex arrived. He took off his light jacket before taking the chair to her right. A flash of disappointment coursed through her. For a moment she’d thought he might actually perch next to her, but then he was probably afraid to do so—in case his actions spoiled the unspoken truce they seemed to have called.
    Paige picked up her glass. It felt like she should offer a toast, but she didn’t want to do that and hoped Alex would resist the temptation as well.
    He did, picking up his glass and taking a sip. “Not bad.” He studied his glass.
    Paige sank further back into the couch and sipped her sherry. Maybe she should have offered a toast. And what would it have been? To happier times?
    Suddenly Alex hoisted his glass, looking straight for her. “To happier times.”
    Paige blinked. “What did you say?”
    “To happier times. For both of us.” He scrutinized her face. “Why do you have such an odd expression?”
    Paige shook her head, rather disconcerted. “It’s just that … I was thinking the same thing.” She just hadn’t been about to voice it.
    Alex shrugged. “It’s nice to know we still have the same mindset on something .”
    Paige bit her lip to keep from commenting. She didn’t want to spoil what had been the most pleasant evening she’d had in a very long time. And yet, at the same time, she wondered why. Earlier in the day she’d made up her mind to end the terrible existence that had been her life, but now doubt began to creep in.
    Paige looked over at her husband. When they married, she thought it was forever. Her forever, however, would come to an end at fifteen years. Alex smiled. True, it bore little resemblance to his smiles of the past—perhaps more wistful—but it was a smile.
    This time, Paige managed to give him the shadow of one in return.
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    A lex was the first to get ready for bed that night. He’d bought a guide to Martha’s Vineyard at the bookstore, and had made a considerable a dent in it when Paige finally changed into a nightgown and crawled into bed.
    “I’ll turn the light off,” Alex said.
    “You don’t have to,” she said diffidently. “It doesn’t bother me. I thought I might watch the fire until I feel drowsy enough to fall asleep.”
    “It’s nice having a fireplace in the bedroom.” He wanted to say romantic, but he didn’t want to put a damper on what had been the best evening they’d shared in a very long time.
    “I suppose it’ll be too warm for a fire in another week or so. I wonder what the inn looks like at Christmastime.”
    We could visit and see , Alex thought about saying, but decided against it. He was supposed to be signing a lease for one of the Windsor Complex’s apartments next week. They would have to talk about what to do with the house. He didn’t think Paige would want to live there all alone—not with all the memories they’d made there. The Christmases, birthdays, hot summer nights spent stargazing—while slapping mosquitoes—and all the other wonderful celebrations. It was a shame all those memories had to be shelved. And what would they do with all the furniture, bric-a-brac, and photographs? Splitting the photos would be the hardest. Then again, he could just scan them all and let her keep the prints. There always seemed to be a sanitary solution to most of their problems … if they cared to go to the trouble.
    Alex set his book aside and switched off the bedside lamp. The