Mr. O'Grady's Magic Box Read Free Page A

gazed up at the
cheerful blue and white Victorian mansion displaying its antiquity
with a grand elegance. Dramatically located on a bluff overlooking
Dana Point in lovely Southern California, couples flocked to the
bed and breakfast to relax, renew their love, or reaffirm it,
whichever the case may be.
    Nelson had packed his bags intending to join
her, but at the last moment, he bailed because he had too much work
to do. It was perfectly fine with her. Business and pleasure were
never a good combination anyway.
    Loretta's I told you so still rankled
her, though. "Romance would have gotten in the way," she mumbled
under her breath as if Loretta could hear her.
    Gathering what she could manage, she headed
up the carefully-tended walk and into the inn itself. The lobby's
hardwood floors gleamed with polished perfections. The
cream-colored walls were adorned with framed seascapes and
lighthouses. The large bay window allowed the natural light to
brighten the already cheery room.
    Her gaze landed on the man seated behind the
counter. He was beyond his prime with his thinning, gray hair, and
spectacles. His vested suit had to be left over from the Victorian
era, but he wore it with a certain charm. As she neared, his mouth
spread into a grin and his Atlantic blue eyes twinkled with genuine
welcome.
    Now here was a man who loved his job or,
at the very least, put on a good show. Aubrey returned the
gesture with smile of her own.
    "Well, aren't you a wonder for my sore
eyes." He spoke with a slight lilt to his voice, giving it a
musical quality.
    The man was a flatterer as well. "Hello, I have a reservation. It should be listed under, Unbelievable Finds , the magazine I work for."
    He adjusted his glasses and looked at the
computer screen. "So you do. The best room we have to offer, don't
you know. Ah," he sighed. "You'll be able to see the sunset over
the ocean. It's a wonder." He looked at the computer screen again.
"Oh—this couldn't be so."
    "What is it?" She hoped there wasn't a
problem with the reservation.
    "It says here you're alone. Surely, this
isn't the case. You being the prettiest lass I ever did see." His
blue eyes were luminous and mischievous as he stared at her. She
bet in his prime, those baby blues charmed the ladies.
    "This isn't a romantic getaway. I'm here to
see Mr. O'Grady's magic box." She tried to remain serious, but
sometimes what she was sent out to investigate teetered on the
ridiculous. "You wouldn't by chance be Mr. O'Grady?" The thought
occurred to her only seconds before she asked.
    "Aye, and you must be Miss Jules. Will you
be starting the interview tonight, then?"
    "The sooner the better so I can write the
piece and have it drawn up for next month's issue."
    He lowered his glasses to study her. She
squirmed under his blue-eyed stare, wondering what he was searching
for, but before she could ask, he sighed with a shake of his head.
"You're a nonbeliever then. I can see the doubt in your eyes as
plain as if you shouted it out."
    Her brows drew together. "I wouldn't
say—"
    "No matter." He waved his hand in dismissal.
"Some must be shown to believe. After you settle in, I'll show you
the box and you'll be seeing the truth for yourself. Will you be
needing help with your luggage? My grandson's around here somewhere
and will be glad to lend a hand."
    "No thank you, I can manage."
    "Well then, we'll be seeing you later on for
tea and scones."
    "I don't think—"
    "Oh sure, you'll be needing to relax and
could use a bit of nourishment before you become all business-like.
I wouldn't have it any other way."
    She had a hunch he'd make it difficult to
refuse, and she needed him to cooperate. "All right. Tea and
scones, it is."
    Mr. O'Grady slid the key card over to her.
"Just take the stair behind you to the second floor."
    "Thank you."
    As Aubrey made her way up the stairs, she
admired the rosewood handrail with its lovely ornate carvings.
She'd done her homework. The hotel, originally a home for the
O'Grady