The guard nodded again. “Sorry,” he repeated. “Something came up. I saw the lights on in here and thought I should check with you.”
Reva sighed. “Okay. What is it?”
“About ten minutes ago, a young man drove up.”
Grace gasped again. “It’s Rory. Shut the door, Reva! Quick!”
The guard gave her a curious glance, then turned to Reva again. “He says he knows you, Miss,” he told her. “He’s very insistent about seeing you.”
“Reva! Shut the door!” Grace insisted.
Reva rolled her eyes. Grace was really losing it. “Who is this guy?” she asked the guard.
Before he could answer, a tall, sandy-haired boy poked his head around the guard’s arm. “Hi, Reva.”
Reva stared at him. Daniel Powell. She’d dated him a few times at Smith. Nice enough, but not exactly a thrill a minute.
“Surprised you, didn’t I?” Daniel asked with a grin. “I hopped in my car and didn’t stop driving until I got here a few minutes ago. Glad to see me?”
Reva kept staring.
Daniel laughed. “You really are surprised, aren’t you? Listen—good news. I’m staying with a friend here in Shadyside for the entire vacation. We’ll be able to see a lot of each other.”
The guard cleared his throat. “As I said, Miss, I wanted to check with you before I called the police, since this young man says you know each other.” He peered at Reva. “Do you know him? Is it okay to let him in?”
Reva shook her head. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”
“Huh?” Daniel’s voice shot up to a screech. “Hey, Reva, come on. You’re joking, right?”
“Wrong.” Reva glanced at the guard. “Take him away,” she ordered coolly.
“Yes, ma’am!” The guard clamped a big hand around Daniel’s arm. “Come on, kid. You heard her.”
“No, wait!” Daniel protested. “She’s joking. She has to be. We know each other at college.”
“Tell it to the police,” the guard said, dragging Daniel away.
“Reva, tell him!” Daniel pleaded over his shoulder. “Reva! Come on! Give me a break!”
Reva shut the door and locked it. Then she burst out laughing.
“Reva!” Grace stared at her in shock. “Why did you do that to Daniel?”
“Just for the look on his face!” Reva shook her head, gasping with laughter. “It was worth it for that. Did you see him? He came here for a surprise—and he got one!”
“But he drove through the night just to see you!” Grace reminded her.
Reva shrugged. “So? He saw me! Lighten up, Grace. It was funny!” Reva burst out laughing again.
A loud pounding interrupted her.
Startled, she spun around.
The door rattled violently as someone pounded against it.
Chapter 8
BAD NEWS
“It’s Rory! This time I know it is!” Grace cried. “He must have been hiding in the bushes or something!”
Reva ignored her and strode to the door.
Grace clamped her hands over her mouth.
Reva pulled the door open.
The security guard stood outside.
Reva scowled at him. “What now?”
He shook his head. “I just wanted to let you know that I turned the young man over to my partner, who’s calling the police. You won’t be bothered by him again.” The guard shifted a little nervously. “I apologize for letting him get to the door like that.”
He’s afraid I’ll tell Daddy and get him fired, Reva thought. That might be fun. But maybe I’ll save it for another time.
“Don’t let it happen again,” she told the guard, giving him an icy stare.
“No, Miss. You can count on it.” Looking relieved, the guard hurried away.
Reva shut the door again and locked it. Then she yawned. “It’s way too early to be up,” she grumbled. “I’m going back to bed.”
“I guess I will, too,” Grace said. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep, though.” She started to mop up the spilled tea with her napkin.
“Leave that for the maid,” Reva told her impatiently. “And why shouldn’t you be able to sleep? Rory didn’t come, so you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Not tonight, maybe,” Grace admitted. She glanced at the door with a worried expression. “But I know Rory—he said he was coming and he will.”
“As I said—let him!” Annoyed, Reva snapped off the light and swept out of the kitchen. Inviting Grace had definitely been a big mistake. If I wanted a soap opera, she thought, I’d turn on the TV!