Thunder in the Night (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free Page B

by way of farewell.
    Slipping my room card from my purse, I mentally recited the odd message from his phone then jotted it down on the hotel notepad almost before I turned on the lights in my room.
    After a quick, warm shower, I sat on the bed with my cotton nightgown tucked around my feet, braiding my damp hair and reading. The message was a mystery. From the look on Clark’s face, it had not been good news, but it was all Greek to me. Eventually, I filed the slip of paper away and spent a few minutes looking over our itinerary for the next day. Then, I made notes for my first blog entry and sent the pictures from my camera to my online account. I wanted every megabyte available to me tomorrow, at the ruins. And, if I were being honest, I didn’t want anyone else to see the shots of Clark in the parking lot. Dan may or may not have already. Jen definitely had.
    The photos probably didn’t mean anything sinister. Maybe Clark was just paying off a taxi, or arranging for one later. Later, when he wasn’t along on our trip to the sanctuary.
    The ding of the elevator sounded faintly from down the hall. I could hear the low drone of two people talking, their voices growing more distinct as they approached. From the room next to mine came the muffled closing of a door. One male voice, one female, laughing now.
    My mind instantly conjured up an image of Mart and that woman. Could it be? I wondered then shook my head. None of my business, that’s what that was!
    Snapping off the light, I settled back against the pillows. The hum of conversation continued faintly from next door, but within minutes, I was dead to the world and dreaming. Dreaming of placid pools of water where crocodiles swam just beneath the surface and monkeys shouted from the trees along the bank and Dan Underwood said, “Young men sometimes do foolish things.”

Chapter Five
    The dining room was a hubbub of excitement when I arrived there early the next morning and looked for an empty seat.
    Breakfast was served smorgasbord-style and several folks passed me with laden plates as I ambled along, my eyes sweeping left and right. I was just about to give up and eat leaning against a wall when I spotted Mart tucked at a tiny table off in one corner. He had dishes spread all around him, like everyone else, and was concentrating on a stack of papers.
    The chair across from him was vacant and inviting. If he was hard at work, preparing his speech on the rain forest, say, I could just sit silently and read my guidebook. I marched over.
    “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” I inquired, lowering my backpack onto the chair.
    He looked up, a scowl creasing his forehead. In an instant, though, it cleared away. “Oh, hi, Allison. Go ahead. I’ll clear some of these dishes away.”
    He stacked some plates and gave them a shove off to one side. “There.”
    “Thanks.” Glancing over at the buffet, I realized I hadn’t eaten in ages.
    I’d only taken a few steps in that direction when Mart’s voice called out. “Wait a minute!” When I turned, he smiled, his cheeks dimpling in quite an attractive way. “Would you please bring me a few more slices of fruit?”
    I nodded. “Sure.”
    Hotel staff kept the buffet well stocked with standard breakfast cuisine, although a few unusual items were also on offer. Taking a tray, I was happy to see pancakes, a bit rubbery-looking from the heat lamp. I added a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice then put together an assortment of fruits.
    Mart looked surprised when I returned, as if he’d forgotten about me.
    I slid the tray onto the cleared spot of the table and smiled. “I brought a whole bowl of fruit,” I said, gesturing at the colorful, juicy display.
    He nodded. “Thanks. It looks great.”
    This morning, he wore an ivory camp shirt, open at the throat to reveal a patch of dark hair. Long, khaki shorts came to his knees and he’d paired them with hiking boots. His socks were scrunched down over the tops.
    “So, have