Page 16 of Savior
“Well we have customers in the other room. You can’t be throwing things about in here, now. We’ll take a look at the other rooms and see what we can do.”
“Of course. You’re right, but sometimes a body just needs to let off a little steam.”
I hear Rose laugh. “Next time you need to blow off a little steam, why don’t you just take a dip in the lake. It’s right cold enough to cool that temper of yours.”
“I may take you up on that offer,” Diane says. “If I don’t, I may drown that damn woman.”
“Language, Diane. We have a guest in the kitchen.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?”
“What do you think I’m doing here?”
The sound of shuffling feet jerks me from my eavesdropping, and I snatch up a menu from the counter and pretend to study it. It offers a variety of light meals that I’d find in a gourmet café. Soups and sandwiches. A selection of coffees and fresh salads, plus the aforementioned fish, probably freshly caught.
I glance up as they enter the kitchen and have to blink twice at the sight. The women could have been identical were it not for the marked age difference. They both have the same heavily lidded tawny eyes and smooth cocoa-and-cream skin. The same slashing cheekbones and Cupid’s bow lips. The younger woman, presumably Diane, has a thick mane of hair so brown it is almost black and looks to be in her forties. She is easily one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
She offers me a warm smile as she crosses the kitchen to the sink where she grabs a dishrag to run under the cold water in the sink. “Welcome to Nassau Bed and Breakfast. I hope we didn’t bother you. Bit of a complication came up.”
“No problem at all.” I indicate the menu and hope that my stomach doesn’t growl. “This all looks so great.”
“Thank you.” She rinses her hands in the sink. “What can we get you today?”
“Rose mentioned a cappuccino? That sounds perfect, thank you.”
Diane moves across the small bar to the cappuccino machine. Her gait is easy, confident, and her movements as she prepares the drink are efficient and capable.
She hands me a steaming mug with a complimentary pastry. “So what brings you to Nassau? Vacation?” Diane nods toward the duffle bags at my feet.
I take a moment to blow on the drink and sip before answering. “Of sorts. More like a fresh start. I’m—” I have to pause and remember I use my middle name now. It helps with the questions. As the death toll rose, so did the coverage of the case—especially when I made it out of it alive. Even now, years later, I still tense up when I say my name, expecting someone to recognize it. “My name is Sienna.”
“Nice to meet you.” Rose pours her own cup of coffee and takes a seat next to me. “I know what you mean. I felt the same way about sixty years ago and haven’t been able to leave yet. Fresh starts around here turn into lifetimes. You just don’t ever want to leave.”
“Why would you? It seems so peaceful.”
“That it does.”
I gather my courage, hoping to hell that my hands aren’t shaking. “Actually, I couldn’t help but to overhear your conversation. If you need a hand, I can take a look at the sink to see if I can fix it. My last name’s Davenport. Sienna Davenport. Chloe said she talked to you about maybe giving me a job.”
They share a look. Finally, Diane exclaims. “Thank goodness! Now, I’m going to throw you to the wolves straight off to deal with a little problem because Lord have mercy, we could use some help around here.”
My mouth drops open and I remember to shut it after a few seconds of stunned silence. “Really?”
“Normally, I wouldn’t ask you to help just off the street like this, but I’m desperate. Mom and I have been trying to find someone to help out around here for months with no luck. If you want, we can go up to the office to discuss hours and pay.”
My heart beats a little faster. “Actually, I’ll be staying in Nassau for the foreseeable future. You wouldn’t happen to know of anyone renting out any rooms do you?”
Rose is pulling cookies from the oven and the smell overwhelms the room, reminding me the pastry was delicious, but small, and I can’t remember the last time I’d eaten before that. My mother had never been very skilled in the kitchen, but there is something about the smell of baking that makes me feel at home.
Diane perches on one of the bar chairs and nabs a cookie, juggling it around as it cools. “Chloe mentioned how handy you are, and based on the resume she forwarded, my mother and I could use you around here. There’s always something that needs to be fixed or some errand to run. We also manage the bungalows across the street. The ones that you liked so much. Same goes for our tenants there. I’m assuming you have experience?”
“Believe it or not, I was raised by a general contractor. I can do just about anything that you need doing. My father insisted on it. In addition, I’ve also done just about every job under the sun. Waitress, secretary, cook, maid.”
“Have you ever been fired or committed any crimes?”
My mind flashes back to that night a year ago, but I force myself not to let it show on my face. “No, I haven't.”
She studies me for another minute before grabbing another cookie and indicating for me to follow. She leads me through the hallway and out the bedroom adjoining the bath I’d just repaired. From there we exit a solarium that opens out to a side road with a fence on either side.