The Letter(21)

Mr. Loud-Tie-and-not-so-helpful answered Gil. “It’s not for sale. It’s from the artist’s private collection. It’s on loan.”

Madeline’s heart beat faster. See, Paul did still care about Josephine. After all these years.

“I shouldn’t tell you this, but…” Mr. Loud Tie turned and glanced around the room.

She wasn’t sure who he was looking for because they were the only patrons at the gallery right now.

“What?” Madeline couldn’t help but feel a twinge of hope rushing through her.

“Mr. Clark is coming in sometime tomorrow to pick up that painting.”

“Really? We’ll be back first thing in the morning.” Madeline didn’t care if they had to wait all day tomorrow. She was going to meet Paul Clark and figure out how that letter got in her desk and why Josephine had never received it.

~ * ~

Night had fallen by the time they finished at the gallery. They stepped back out onto Royal Street and Gil paused outside the door, unsure of their next move.

“I could drive us back to Comfort Crossing and we could get up real early and head back here to New Orleans, but it would take quite a bit of time in rush-hour traffic, both ways. Or we could grab some rooms here in the French Quarter and spend the night.”

“But I didn’t bring anything along.”

“We could grab some toothbrushes, shaving things, whatever a woman needs for her hair and stuff.” He admitted he was totally clueless on what a woman would have to have for an impromptu night’s stay. He could get by with a toothbrush and a razor, and in a pinch, he could probably even skip the razor.

“Well, I guess that makes sense.”

Though, somehow he didn’t think she sounded very convinced.

“If you want me to drive us back and forth, I’m fine with that, too.”

“No, I don’t want you to have to do that. We’ll stay. That’s fine.”

“There’s an historic boutique hotel that I read just reopened under new management. It’s right down the street. We should probably be able to find rooms there in the middle of the week. Let’s try that.” He sure didn’t need that nice of a hotel, but he wasn’t going to bring her to the kind of motels that were his usual type if he needed to be out of town.

They walked down the street and pushed through the massive wooden doors to the hotel. As they walked into the lobby, he knew he’d made the right choice.

A faint gasp escaped from Madeline and her eyes grew wide with pleasure. “It’s lovely.”

He quickly hid a self-satisfied grin. He’d picked the right place to stay. “Let’s see if we can get two rooms.”

In short order the front desk clerk had given them two rooms on the same floor, and after he explained it was an unexpected overnight stay, the clerk provided them with toiletries for both of them and a hotel tee-shirt for Madeline to sleep in. Another problem solved.

They crossed the lobby and went up to their rooms. He used a key, opened the door and stepped back for Madeline to enter.

“Oh. So pretty.”

“Glad you like it. Let me drop off the stuff the front desk gave me and I’ll be back in like ten or fifteen minutes. Will that give you enough time to get ready for dinner?”

“I’ll be ready in five.”

That was impressive, a woman who could get ready in a snap. He would never have pegged her for a five-minute-get-ready woman. Kind of unusual since she was such a smart dresser with her never-looked-wrinkled attire. Women, he’d never figure them out.

“But you need to let me buy dinner.” Madeline eyed him expectantly.

“No need.”

“No, I insist. You’ve driven me all over and spent so much time helping me find the answers to the letter.”

“It’s really no bother.” It wasn’t a bother, he was enjoying trying to solve the mystery, and enjoying his time with Madeline. Just an easy-going friendship. Nothing complicated. He was almost glad they’d gotten stranded here in New Orleans overnight.





CHAPTER EIGHT





Madeline loved the hotel. It was quaint, charming, the staff was friendly and to be honest, she was a sucker for old hotels. This was just her type of hotel. It was probably a good idea to spend the night instead of spending hours and hours in traffic. Besides, she was enjoying seeing New Orleans. She ran a quick brush through her hair, did a bit of a touch up on her makeup from what she had in her purse. There. All ready to go.

Minutes later Gil knocked on her door. She grabbed her purse and opened the door.

“You ready?” Gil’s slight southern accent charmed her. No it didn’t. Yes it did. She mentally shook her head at herself. It was probably best just to answer him.