Deceit Read Online Free Page A

tree in our backyard in Des Moines that I couldn’t resist climbing. Unfortunately there’s that silly law about what goes up must come down. I came down a lot.”
    Caitlin nodded solemnly. “I’m familiar with that law. SwanSea has some great trees.”
    Liana grinned, feeling some of her tension fade. Caitlin, who had more money than Liana was ever likely to see in her lifetime, was one of the most down-to-earth people she’d ever met. “But the urge to climb that tree was nothing in comparison to my fervent desire to learn to roller skate. I spent hours on my skates out in front of our house. You know, I don’t think I ever skated the full length of our sidewalk without falling.” Caitlin laughed. “Well, I’m relieved you weren’t hurt more seriously. You could have been so easily, you know. I was very concerned last night when I heard about your fall, but I thought it would be best if I didn’t bother you. But when I saw Clay Phillips downstairs this morning, having breakfast with one of his assistants, the lovely redheaded girl—?”
    “Sara.”
    “Yes, and you weren’t with them, so I decided to come up.”
    “I’m glad you did. It gives me the opportunity to tell you how beautiful your hotel is.”
    A strange expression came over Caitlin’s face. “Hotel—yes, I guess it is." She grimaced. “I’ve spent months working to that end, but it’s funny, I still don’t see SwanSea as a hotel. I wonder if I’ll ever get over the mind-set that this is my home and the people who’ve come here are my personal guests.”
    “Why should you get over it? I understand that SwanSea was your home. Besides, that attitude is exactly why you’ll have a great success. Believe me. I’ve stayed in some of the finest hotels all over the world, but I’ve never been in one with more warmth and character than SwanSea. ”
    Caitlin clapped her hands together with delight. “Wonderful. You’ve boosted my confidence a hundred percent, and I needed that. You wouldn’t believe the problems that have cropped up in the last few days.”
    She’d believe the problems, Liana thought, but she didn’t believe that Caitlin needed a boost of confidence. She radiated a strength and a happiness and a feeling that she could handle anything. Liana envied her.
    Caitlin shrugged lightly. “Oh, well, I expected as much for the opening. And as long as my guests don’t suffer, I don’t mind. ” She clasped her hands together and eyed Liana intently. "Now, do you have everything you need?”
    “Everything. Your staff is wonderful. ”
    “I’m glad to hear it, but I don’t want you to hesitate to call if you should need anything at all. If we don’t have it, we will do our best to get it.” “I’ll remember that,” Liana said with a smile.
    By late that afternoon, Liana was wondering if Caitlin could send out for a bottle of energy for her. She’d spent hours under the sun and hot lights in first one evening gown and then another. As they’d moved from one outdoor location to another, it had seemed to her that Clay had been unusually demanding. She understood, though. This was the first major assignment he’d done on his own without the supervision of Jean-Paul, and he wanted everything to be perfect.
    But she longed for Jean-Paul. Together they had always made a certain magic on film, and they had an unspoken communication between them that had made any photo assignment pleasurable. Richard had been right in that at least.
    “Hell, we’ve lost our light.” Clay plowed his fingers through his hair, the lines of his body set with displeasure and tension. “All right,” he said with a sigh. “That’s it for today. I’ll let everyone know the shooting schedule for tomorrow. ”
    Liana retreated inside an aluminum-framed tent and slipped out of the green beaded gown she’d worn for the last series of shots.
    Sara joined her and took the gown. “You were wonderful, Liana.”
    "Thanks,” she said, giving the girl a