Canyon Road Read Online Free

pulled out the square invitation.
    "So what's the occasion?"
    Michael looked at the curlicued script. "it's a 'no-occasion dress party.' "
    "Oh, come on!" Millie challenged.
    "That's what it says." Michael handed her the invitation.
    "Yeah, that's what it says." Millie gave the invitation back to him. "Anyway, it sounds like fun," she added wistfully.
    "I almost stopped by to see my great uncle last night. I went for a drive on the Canyon Road, but my carburetor gave me so much trouble I passed him by in order to hurry home. I drove a couple miles further and there was a limo stretched across the whole road."
    "What?" Millie returned from fantasizing about a no-occasion dress party. "What was across the road?"
    "A limousine was stretched across the road."
    "See, that's what I thought you said! What was it doing there?"
    "Not the back stroke."
    "Corny, Michael."
    "Sorry! Turns out the driver was a woman. Apparently a motorcycle gang had been harassing her, trying to get the limo in the ditch when I came along and scared them off."
    "Not much of a driver, huh?"
    "My thought exactly. In fact, everything about her was pretty curious."
    "Such as?" Millie prompted.
    "Well, she was driving the limo but she was the most unlikely limo driver I ever saw. Of course, here in southern California...."
    "So she was beautiful...."
    "Quite stunning, quite, yes."
    "Ugh," Millie said, leaning against the closed door. "I already don't like this story."
    "Silly Millie! So let's say she's a limo driver."
    "Yes, let's."
    "But she walked into the house – I mean, mansion – as though she owned it."
    "Into the house? You did make progress!"
    Michael smiled. "You little conclusion jumper! She was so discombobulated that she asked me if I'd drive the limo up to the house."
    "If someone as wonderful as you came out of the night and rescued me, I guess I'd be discombobulated, too! I'm discombobulated, just bringing your mail." Millie perched on the uncomfortable arm of the office chair. "There are times when you get more than one piece of mail, that I think of keeping a piece back, just in case you don't get any mail the next day so I can bring you something every day. Just, you know, the junk mail. Of course, I haven't ever really done it, but I have thought about it."
    "What a wit!" Michael chuckled.
    "Without beauty, I have to make up where I can. Maybe that's an edge I've got over the beauty you met?"
    "Look Millie, you don't have to take a back seat to anybody! You're great, you're funny, and you're a good friend."
    "Oh, well," Millie answered philosophically, "better friend than foe."
    "Indeed." Michael paused, then went on, "that's another interesting aspect about this woman. After getting over being terrified, she had this light, easy-going nature. Not at all spoiled or even self-centered."
    "I hear wedding bells."
    "That's just your head ringing from too much romanticizing. I'll never see her again. Anyway, back to this business," Michael pointed at the invitation, "I suppose I'll have to go, although I hate the thought. Maybe you'd like to go? You can help keep me from getting bored, you'll get some incredible food and drink, and who knows, you might even enjoy yourself."
    "Really? Seriously? Oh boy! With you I'd enjoy shoveling out a pig pen. Not to compare the two events. I'd love to go – as if I didn't already drop a broad enough hint."
    "It's semi-formal are you okay with that?"
    "I'm okay with that, I've got stuff. The preparation is not the problem. Getting the event to occur has been the problem."
    "It's nice of you to be so enthusiastic. I hope you won't be disappointed by how very boring it's likely to be."
    "I'll try and disguise my yawns. Really Michael, this is wonderful. You've made my day!"
    "You're too easy, Millie."
    "Not as a rule. Well, I suppose we'd both better pretend like we work for a while, huh?"
    "True. I've got some pretty serious pretending to do."
    Millie gave a little wave as she slid her petite body through the