And maybe she was simply tired and needed to rest. She jumped out of the truck. Holding her coat over her head, she ran across the lawn to the front steps.
The bell chimed brightly as she closed the door. Maddie grimaced and shook out her coat. On nights like this, when her imagination seemed to be taking a walk on the wild side, she'd rather keep to herself. Especially if the person she had to talk to was a night manager with weird brown eyes. Warmth surrounded her as she headed quietly towards the stairs. A woman talked softly in the parlor to her right, her voice mellow and deep, but beyond that, there was no other sound.
The sudden shattering of glass made her stop and glance upwards. Had a tree branch gone through one of the windows upstairs?
Footsteps sounded behind her. She looked around. The night manager stopped in the parlor doorway and leaned casually against the doorframe.
"Hello again. Enjoy the drive?"
"Yes, thanks," she said.
Though his voice held nothing beyond polite interest, there was still something about him that made her uneasy. Maybe it was just the smug half-smile that touched his thin lips, or the way his gaze roamed down her body. He raised his coffee cup. "Coffee's just brewed, if you'd like a cup." The urge to run was almost overwhelming. What in hell was wrong with her tonight? He hadn't threatened her in any way, only offered her coffee.
"I'd love to but-" She hesitated, then shrugged. The best excuse was usually the truth. "It's been a long day. Thanks for the offer, though." He pushed away from the doorframe and took several steps toward her. "Thought I heard something break as you came in."
Again, though his voice was conversational, his dark eyes were intense, watchful.
Something odd was going on.
She licked suddenly dry lips. "Like what?"
"Sounded like glass breaking."
She raised an eyebrow, trying to sound calm. "I really didn't hear anything like that." And if he had, why didn't he mention it the moment he came out?
"Really?" He took a sip of his coffee, then glanced up the stairs. "Maybe I should check your room before you go up there. Make sure it's safe." The last place she wanted this man was in her room. She shook her head and tried to smile. "I'll be all right. If anything's broken, I'll give you a call." But not until morning, when there's more light and a lot more people around.
"I'll be up in a moment to check the other rooms, so I'll be nearby if you need me." He hesitated, then raised his cup. '"Night." She watched him disappear into the parlor, then turned and almost ran up the stairs. Her hands were shaking so much it took several tries before she could get the door open. She locked it behind her, then sagged against it and took a deep breath.
What was it about that man that made her so afraid? Or was Jayne right? Had she locked herself away for so long, she'd simply forgotten how to interact with people?
Maddie rubbed her eyes, then walked across the room towards the bedroom. She kicked off her shoes near the bed, then pulled off her socks. A cold breeze ran around her ankles and she glanced towards the bathroom.
Had a window broken? She hesitated, then cursed herself for doing so. What was she afraid of? Broken glass?
Opening the bathroom door, she switched on the light and looked in. Jon lay sprawled on the floor, wet, bleeding and surrounded by glass. Four
He was alive, she could tell that much from the rise and fall of his chest. But his color was appalling—he was so pale he could very easily have passed for a ghost. She quickly knelt down and felt his forehead. His skin burned, despite his color. "Jon?" She ran her hand down his stubble-lined cheek and lightly pinched his chin, trying to get some sort of reaction from him. He groaned and opened his eyes. The power of his vivid blue gaze pierced her heart.
"Madeline." His voice was little more than a harsh whisper, yet she heard surprise in it. "I'm sorry."
Sorry for what? Sorry for being such a bastard back in the forest, or for landing in a bloody mess on the floor of her bathroom? And just how had he managed to get back here so quickly?
"We need to get you out of these wet clothes," she said, in an effort to organize her scattered thoughts.
He nodded weakly and closed his eyes. "I've got dry clothes inside." Inside? What was he talking about? She frowned and wondered if, in his delirium, he'd wandered into the wrong room. Yet that didn't explain the broken window or the fact he'd somehow got past her locked door.
"Let's get you off this floor," she said, deciding to tackle one problem at a time.
He nodded weakly, obviously hanging onto consciousness by a thread.
"Stay with me Jon," she said softly.
Again he nodded. Was he fully aware of what she was saying or merely nodding every time she finished speaking?
"Okay, you've got to help me here." She shuffled around to his feet, then reached forward and took his hands. His fingers were long and strong and very cold. "One, two, three."
She rose, pulling back as hard as she could. He lurched forward, teeth gritted, eyes blue slits of pain as he struggled upright. At his nod, she let go of his hands. He caught the edge of the shower door, using it to balance himself.