Chapter Three

 

Aubrey slipped her purse strap over her shoulder as she stepped out of her rental car. She 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 family, was built in the late eighteen hundreds. Later, it became a boarding house, a hotel, until finally a renowned bed-and-breakfast getaway. A lot of care went into the hand-picked wallpaper, antiqued furniture, and decorative quilts depicting an era of long ago. It wouldn't be difficult for couples to imagine magic played a role in their romance. Ambience was everything for a good story, and she could bet these walls had heard it all.