Love With A Stranger Read Free

island, though neighbors were rarely present in their hugely expensive “winter homes” and “vacation cottages.” She knew she hadn’t done anything to cause Tom disappointment or to diminish his love for her. She was convinced he had sensed her travel weariness and settled her here out of love and concern. He had called almost daily and sent flowers or gifts at least once a week during his absences. When he was home, they were together constantly, in bed or out of it.
    For many reasons, she hadn’t slept with Tom while dating him, and he had never pressured her to do so. Thomas Grantham had known how to romance and to pleasure a woman with skill, generosity, and stamina. She was going to miss those splendid bouts of lovemaking.
    It hadn’t been that way with her first husband, though Brad’s lovemaking had been pleasant. She had been forced to admit she wasn’t enough for Brad; he also needed other women. But she wouldn’t allow Bradley Stillman to steal into her thoughts tonight. She’d divorced him at twenty-four and had never looked back in regret because Brad had destroyed all of her love and respect for him. She was glad they’d had no children to keep a tie between them, though she had remained friends with his sister, Kristy, after the divorce.
    Cass grasped the edge of the counter to steady herself when a wave of dizziness suddenly assailed her. She felt weak, as ifher body were turning to warm honey which could spread across the rose-colored Florida tiled floor at any moment if she didn’t lie down. She glanced at the mirror above the floral sink and noticed her cheeks were flushed though the rest of her face was pale and her pupils seemed dilated and strange. She concluded she was more fatigued than she had realized or the wine was having a delayed reaction on her depleted system. She spread the washcloth over the edge of the sink, flipped off the bathroom light, and walked in a near wobble to the king-size Rice bed. She yanked the covers aside, absently wondering why Inez had not prepared the bed as usual before leaving tonight, and climbed between cool and colorful sheets. She turned off the Tiffany lamp, her fingers trailing down the Goddess Diana base and knocking the Valium bottle to the floor. She heard it fall, but made no attempt to retrieve it. She rolled to her right side and stretched out a hand to the empty spot beside her. Despite his tiny flaws, she thought, Thomas Grantham had been a good man, and a wonderful husband; fate had been cruel to snuff out his life so prematurely and in such a horrible manner. She closed her eyes and wept until she was released from her anguish by merciful slumber.
    Cass opened her eyes, stretched, and yawned. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand to discover it was nine in the morning. Since she normally arose around seven, she was surprised she had slept so late. She heard the faint cries of seagulls and waves lapping at the beach beyond their property. Sunlight streamed through the windows and doors to the veranda, as she’d forgotten to close the drapes last night. It was going to be a beautiful spring day, she decided with a smile as her stomach announced its hunger with several growls. The moment she wondered what she was going to do after breakfast, the grim reality of her husband’s death crashed in on her. She grimaced and tears blurred her vision.
    Someone knocked on the bedroom door and Cass realized Inez was there and must have closed the door after her arrival. “Come in,” she responded, but the door was already opening.
    “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Grantham, but the police are here and insist on speaking with you.”
    Cass sat up and stared at Inez, wondering if the doorbell might have been what had awakened her. “The police?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I told them you were still in bed and in mourning and to return later, but they refused. They’re waiting in the living room.”
    A mystified Cass looked at Inez but the older woman