NorthangerAlibiInterior Read Free

read one of the books, I found something new—something I’d missed before.
    And then it hit me.
    I’m going to Washington.
    I’m really, really, really going.
    Honestly, can life get any better than this?

Two
    Seattle or Bust!
    Three and a half weeks later, I asked myself the same question repeatedly: Can life get any better than this? I thought as I collected my luggage and took it down to the car. I thought it as I hugged and kissed my mom and dad goodbye, promising to say my prayers every night. Yeah. Say my prayers that I meet Edward. And then I asked it out loud as we boarded the plane.
    By the time we landed, I was in that complete nervous-slash-excited state of mind you get when you’re ready for your amazing adventure to begin. I didn’t realize how excited I was until I noticed I was practically running down the long ramp to get to the terminal.
    Cassidy finally caught up. “Why are you walking so fast, girl? The place isn’t on fire!” She panted next to me as she tried to match my long strides.
    “Not yet, it isn’t. If you give me a couple of minutes, I’m sure I can cause enough friction with these shoes to start a fire.”
    She giggled. “The way you were moving, I don’t doubt it.”
    Cassidy and I walked out into the open terminal, then stepped aside and stood near a pillar to wait for Roger and Darlene. I felt a momentary stab of guilt when I realized my actions could’ve been considered rude, running ahead of the group like that. But all my fears were soon put to rest when the Hadleys came bounding down the ramp.
    “Well, there they are!” Darlene exclaimed loud enough to be heard by everyone around us. “I’m so glad to see such eagerness. You girls are going to keep me on my toes, I can tell. It’s about time, too.” She walked over and put an arm through each of ours, and we all followed Roger as he carried their carry-on luggage.
    After a happy squeeze and a giggle, Darlene asked, “So, are you two ready for your first real adventure?”
    “Yes!” Cassidy and I chorused back, laughing. I had never been more ready for anything in my entire life.
    Move over, Seattle. Claire Hart just landed, and I plan on taking you by storm!
    ***
    So, my storm had to be patient as we unpacked and moved into the small cottage Roger had rented for the summer. Cassidy and I shared a pretty yellow room with two twin beds. There was a tiny closet tucked into the corner, and a long, white French-style dresser for our clothes. Each bed had a charming little white nightstand that matched the dresser, with a cute reading lamp and a personal alarm clock. I chose the bed closest to the window.
    Cassidy opened a narrow door she’d found once she closed our bedroom door. She gasped. “What’s this?”
    Probably another closet, I thought. Unconcerned, I dumped my carry-on on the bed and set my wheeled suitcase next to it.
    “Claire, you’ve got to see this,” exclaimed Cassidy in a muffled voice. “You’re never going to believe it!”
    I looked up and couldn’t see her anywhere. The small door was wide open. “Cass?”
    “In here! Hurry!”
    What in the world ? I quickly dropped my camera and purse on the bed and went to the door. When I peered inside, my gasp echoed Cassidy’s just moments before. “No way. This is amazing.” I actually had to blink twice before I fully comprehended what I was seeing. It was the largest, most decadent bathroom I’d ever seen—at least the size of our room, if not bigger. It was beautiful and bright, with shades of cheerful yellow and pink and white bouncing off the walls and the soft, plush rugs beneath our feet.
    Just then, Darlene knocked and then peeked into the bathroom. “This place is great, isn’t it?”
    I was about to go off about the awesomeness of the claw-footed bathtub, but she went on. “So, girls, Roger’s classes don’t start until Monday, and since it’s only Friday, what do you say we do a bit of sightseeing while we’re