Deadly Affair: SCVC Taskforce World Novella (SCVC Taskforce Romantic Suspense Series Book 5) Read Free Page A

family of four came out from one of the rooms. Two kids, a boy and a girl, sprinted by them, ear-to-ear grins and talking about what they were going to order for dinner.
    Father Lopez paused, appearing to calculate the years in his head. “Twenty-one years since I said my vows and joined the brotherhood.”
    Celina startled at the number. “Twenty-one years? Can I ask how old you are?”
    The monk chuckled, obviously amused. “Of course. I recently turned thirty-eight.”
    Celina somehow managed to keep her jaw from dropping. Thirty-eight? The same age as Cooper. Judging by his baby smooth skin, she had him pegged for much younger.
    Cooper, however, was less conservative than she was, letting out a low whistle. “Impressive, I never would have guessed that.”
    “I get that a lot,” he agreed, as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. “Joining the brotherhood was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do with my life; it was God’s will. When I came to visit the monastery and met Father Bailey, I knew this was to be my calling, here, with him.”
    They came to a large wooden, arched door with a metal lock that looked straight out of the eighteenth century. Celina leaned against the wall outside the door. “What is it that you do here?”
    “I aid Father Bailey by overseeing the grape crops. There are only eleven monks residing in this monastery, and we all work in the vineyard between hours of prayer. Father Bailey is the senior monk here at the Abbey.”
    “And how long has Father Bailey been here?”
    “Father Bailey has been here for over thirty years. His love of this monastery, the vineyard and all who visit, is what drew me here. It truly is a peaceful house to do God’s work in.”
    He motioned at the door. “This is the Harvest Room. I apologize that we do not have an elevator, but you will find two staircases. The one we used takes you to the front desk, the other down the hall and around to the right, leads to the rear of the building and out to the grounds.”
    Cooper took the iron key the monk held out. “Thanks, Father. We appreciate the help.”
    “Not at all. We are pleased to have you here, and hope you enjoy your stay. I should tell you there has been a lot of rain in this area of late, and guests have reported mudslides in the nearby woods, so we do ask that you be careful should you venture that far. If there’s anything else you need, just pull the bell rope in your room and someone will see to your needs.”
    Odd, Celina thought, flashing a smile as Cooper as Father Lopez left them. What place has a bell rope in their room?
    A moment later, she understood why. “There’s no phone, no TV, no…anything.”
    Though sparsely furnished, the suite boasted a comfortable-looking king size bed, with a white down comforter tucked over the top and a cedar chest resting at the foot. There was a freestanding armoire on the far side of the room, its rich, cherry finish gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine streaming through a beautiful bay window.
    The only other furnishings were a matching dresser and a bedside table with a reading lamp. A doorway led into an attached bathroom, which, Celina was happy to see, didn’t look like they had to share with any other guests. Score one for The Beast.
    Cooper set their suitcases on the cedar chest, glancing around the room. “Dyer said it was old school. I suppose keeping electronics out of the rooms gives it a more authentic touch.”
    “I guess.” Celina chewed her bottom lip. “What did you think of Father Bailey?”
    Cooper shrugged. Unzipping his suitcase, he began unpacking items. “Nice guy, obviously organized, and a whiz at painting. Too bad he gave it up. He seemed pretty disappointed over that.”
    Celina plopped down on the bed, stretching herself out over the comforter. Cooper hesitated at the dresser, his eyes darkening as his gaze swept her body.
    Knowing what it did to him, she wiggled around on the bed, a coy smile curving her