No Red Roses

Nine

Promptly at eight the next morning she met Rex in the lobby of the hotel. He greeted her tersely and escorted her directly to the car, and they got underway immediately. By the look of the shadows under his eyes he'd had just as little sleep as she, she thought with fleeting satisfaction.

She herself had not gotten to sleep until almost dawn, but the restless night had accomplished one thing. It had formed a hard shell against the hurt and humiliation of Rex's desertion, and even produced a bit of anger to bolster the pride that had been submerged beneath her love and pain.

She carelessly tossed into the back seat the neatly folded, cream satin bundle she'd been carrying. "It's really a lovely robe," she said coolly. "It's a pity I had nothing else to wear or you could get your money back."

He glared at her furiously. "You know damn well I don't want that back," he grated between clenched teeth. "It belongs to you."

"Then you might as well give it to Goodwill," she said. "I certainly don't want to see it again."

He glowered at her. "I see you're in your usual sweet good humor. I'd suggest you temper that sarcasm a bit. I had a helluva night and you'll find I'm as testy as a bear with a sore tooth."

He had a bad night! "I can't tell you how sorry that makes me," she retorted in a saccharine tone of voice.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he gave the appearance of counting silently. "Look, I'd really prefer not to pull the car over and break that lovely neck of yours," he said in a conversational tone. "So will you please shut up!"

She gave him a lethal glare and turned huffily away to stare blindly out the window. There was an icy silence for the remainder of the trip.

When they arrived at the apartment, Tamara stalked regally to the guest room and slammed the door decisively. She leaned wearily against it for a moment before walking stiffly to the center of the room and unzipping the crimson gown. It looked sadly garish in the bright morning sunlight. She wished she could just climb into that lovely, turquoise-covered bed and bury her head beneath the covers, as she'd done when something had upset her as a small child.

Sometimes it was a wearisome task to act the civilized adult and do what was expected. At the moment she wanted nothing less than to change and show up at breakfast with Je

Well, she couldn't offend a hostess as gracious and friendly as Je

Rex, Scotty, and Je

Je

"Coffee, please," she answered, casting a wary glance at Brody and Oliver, who were engaged in a low-voiced exchange. She accepted the coffee Je

Je

"I'd like that," Tamara answered slowly. Not only would she like to get to know Je

"Good!" Je

Oliver looked up abruptly, breaking off his conversation with Rex. "You received a letter yesterday in care of Rex," he said to Tamara, pulling an envelope out of his pocket. "I meant to give it to you, but I didn't get the chance."

"Thank you," Tamara said absently. "It must be from Aunt Elizabeth." But when she opened the envelope, there was an engraved invitation inside. A puzzled frown creased her brow and then she started to chuckle. "It's got to be some kind of joke," she murmured, shaking her head ruefully.

"What is it?" Je

"I'm officially invited to be a guest of honor at a meeting of a witches' coven," Tamara said, gri

"How exciting!" Je

Tamara looked down at the invitation. "Lucky Creek. What a peculiar name."

"I adore ghost towns," Je

There was a glint of tenderness in Rex's eyes as he gazed at Je

Tamara felt a twinge of envy at the gentleness in Rex's voice. It seemed a long time since she'd been the recipient of anything but scowls and sarcasm from him.

She put down the invitation. "Well, it's obviously someone's idea of a practical joke," she said carelessly. She helped herself to a piece of toast from a serving tray.

"I'm not so sure," Je

"But why me?"

"Why, that newspaper story, of course," Je

Rex muttered something under his breath that sounded like a shocking obscenity.

"What newspaper story?" Tamara asked carefully.

"Haven't you seen it? I picked up a copy at a drugstore in San Francisco yesterday. I usually don't buy those scandal sheets, but I saw Rex's name and thought I'd see what was up." Je

Tamara glared at Rex and Oliver, who both looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I gather this is no surprise to either of you?" she asked.

Oliver shook his head. "We saw it day before yesterday. Rex decided it would just upset you so we didn't show it to you."

"How considerate of Rex," she said between clenched teeth.

"The article was already on the streets and there was nothing anyone could do about it," Rex said, scowling. "Your seeing it would have accomplished nothing."

Je

Tamara sca

"I've got to phone Aunt Elizabeth," she said, scrambling to her feet.

"There's an extension in the hall," Je

There was no answer at Aunt Elizabeth's, which only increased her worry. When she resumed her seat at the breakfast table, she distractedly pushed back her plate. "There's no answer," she said briefly, as she picked up her coffee cup. "I'll have to try later."