The Ghost of Valentine Past Read Online Free

why he had to buy something. I thought he was going to rent. He could’ve been out by now.”
    Danielle stretched out in the chair. “Oh come on Walt, admit it. You like Chris. You enjoy having another man around to talk to.”
    Walt let out a grunt. “I was doing just fine before he showed up.”
    Danielle smiled. “Well, I know Chris likes you.”
    â€œWe know who Chris really likes.”
    â€œYou didn’t bring me to this lovely beach just to snipe at me, did you?”
    â€œI suppose not. And if I’m being honest, I’d have to say if I had my choice between Chris or Heather leaving first, I’d vote for Heather.”
    Danielle chuckled. “You aren’t fond of that particular guest, are you?”
    â€œAdmit it, she’s getting on your nerves too.”
    â€œI know Lily will be relieved when Heather moves back to her own house. But she did save our lives. We could have burned up in Presley House if it wasn’t for her.”
    â€œIf her great-grandfather hadn’t been a murderer and a thief, there would have been no reason for her to rescue you. Maybe when Chris moves out he can take Heather with him.”
    Danielle laughed at the idea. “I don’t see that happening.”
    â€œOne can hope.”
    â€œSo, what do you think of our Valentine’s Day guests? The lovebirds, David and Arlene?”
    Walt brushed his knuckles over the bottom of his chin as he stared out to sea. “I find it fascinating how open unmarried couples are about checking into an inn together.”
    â€œAhh, you mean shacking up together.” Danielle giggled.
    â€œShacking up?”
    â€œAccording to my mother, that’s what they called it in her day, when unmarried people lived together. I assumed the term was around when you were alive.”
    â€œI’ve heard the term, but back then, it didn’t have anything to do with cohabitation without the benefit of marriage. Are you saying the behavior wasn’t accepted when your parents were young adults? These loose morals are more a product of your generation?”
    â€œOh please, we’ve been over this before. Yours was the era of flappers, moonshine, and speakeasies. I suppose my generation is just less hypocritical. As for my mother’s, it wasn’t as scandalous as it was in your time; but I remember my mother telling me that her father was pretty old fashioned and would have had a fit had she and Dad lived together. Today, well, it’s pretty common for people to live together without marriage. Although, there are still those who don’t approve. I assume primarily for religious reasons.”
    â€œWhat about you, Danielle? Did you and Lucas live together before you were married?”
    â€œI thought the topic was our new guests? You never told me what you thought about them, aside from the fact that they’re unmarried.”
    â€œI haven’t had much of an opportunity to observe them. They seem all right, nothing noteworthy, aside from how openly they flaunt their living situation.”
    â€œIt’s a different world today.” Danielle wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.
    Walt sat up in his chair and reached toward Danielle, touching her knee. “Are you all right?”
    â€œIt’s just so darn cold here.” Danielle looked up to the sun. “Why isn’t it warmer? The sun is bright enough.”
    â€œYou forget, the sun isn’t real. I bet you’ve kicked your blankets off again.”
    â€œI need to do something about that heater. It gets so cold in the house, especially this time of year. I’m surprised the guests aren’t complaining.” Danielle shivered again.
    â€œTry pulling the blankets up over you,” Walt suggested.
    Danielle glanced down at her chair and at the beach surrounding her. “And just how am I supposed to do that? I don’t have a blanket.”
    â€œI’m not