Penthouse Suite Read Online Free Page A

proving to be more difficult than she’d anticipated. She couldn’t get leverage on the helpless old woman.
    “How did you plan to get out?”
    “I never plan. Of course, I’ve never used any of this bubble bath before, either. How was I to know it would make the sides slippery? If I hadn’t brought my portable phone along, I’d probably be a prune by the time anybody found me.”
    Just as Kate thought she was making progress, her foot hit a cake of soap, and down she went, skidding into a startled Mrs. Jarrett. Water sloshed over the sides. Mrs. Jarrett was hit by a tidal wave of foam, and Kate went under like the
Titanic
.
    Kate came up sputtering. As the absurdity of the scene flashed through her mind, she began to laugh. Mascara ran down Dorothea’s face in wavy black lines. The older woman lifted eyelids heavy with false eyelashes and glared for a moment atKate before a choked-back giggle emerged like a giant hiccup.
    “If this isn’t a fine kettle of fish,” Mrs. Jarrett said with a chuckle.
    “Let me try sitting on the edge of the tub,” Kate said. “I’ll pull you up the side.”
    It worked. At least, Kate got her up the edge. Though Mrs. Jarrett was fairly light, it took lots of effort on Kate’s part to get the woman into a chair.
    “If you’ll just hand me a towel and my robe, I’ll manage. You did that rather well, considering how small you are, Kate,” Mrs. Jarrett complimented her.
    “I’ve had some experience in lifting people. My mother was an invalid for almost six years, and she had to be moved around.”
    “Was?”
    Dorothea’s question was a normal one, Kate thought, and her answer came easily for the first time. “She died two years ago.”
    “I’m sorry, Kate. What brought you to Florida?” Dorothea wrapped herself in the towel and began drying her face.
    “Well, you remember those television commercials the temporary employment services used to run about working your way across the country? I decided if a typist could do it, so could I—three months at a time.”
    “Why just three months?”
    “I don’t want to get tied down. After twenty-four years of being in one place, I made up my mind that I would fill my life with grand adventures. By setting a time limit, I don’t—won’t—stay too long.”
    “But don’t you get lonely?”
    “Lonely is when you don’t have friends. I havefriends everywhere. Each new job is a challenge, and I love it. Of course, my life isn’t without its little problems—take my car for example. But I don’t mind. You have to expect a little sour with the sweet.”
    “If life sends you lemons, you make lemonade. I like that philosophy. How do you like the Carnival Strip so far?”
    “So far I’ve found it a bit wet, but once I learn my way around, I’m sure that I’m going to enjoy it.”
    Kate slid her hands down the legs of her coveralls, squeezing the water over the tub. She reached for a towel to blot her face as she slipped her feet back into her loafers.
    “I like you, Kate Weston. I truly do. And I think I have the perfect idea.”
    “I’m afraid to ask.” Kate gave her hair one more vigorous rub as she waited to hear Mrs. Jarrett’s newest plan.
    “I’m going to have the hotel manager let me borrow you for this evening. I like a person who uses lemons to make lemonade.” Dorothea slapped her thigh in glee. “Yes sir-ree! I’m going to help you learn your way around. We’ll have some fun. Oh, dear, you did get rather wet, didn’t you?”
    Kate used the wet towels to soak up the water that had spilled over the tub edge and then threw them into the hamper. “Yes, rather.” Kate laughed. “But that seems to go with the job. We’re both a mess. What else can I do to help you?”
    “You can start by pushing me to my bed. I need to get some sleep. Don’t know why I stay up so late,” she said as she removed the pink shower cap and fluffed her silver hair.
    Kate steadied the chair as Dorothea stood, grimaced,and