Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (i am reading a book txt) 📗

"I'm a librarian. I'm always telling people to whisper." She countered.

A big, long cobweb draped over her and she fought with it, bumping into him. "I don't know. It just seems you should whisper in here, is all."

At that rationale Alec laughed out loud and promptly bumped his head on a swinging light bulb.

"Ow, here's the light fixture, such as it is. If it wasn't broken then it probably is now. Let me check it, hand me a light bulb."

Maddy gave him a new bulb and heard the twisting sound as the old one went out and the replacement went in. Suddenly light filled the room and Alec snapped his flashlight off. He looked quite pleased with himself.

"There. That's better. Just a burned out bulb is all. Add a new light bulb and it's as good as new."

"No thanks to your hard head, deputy." She moved past him and looked around. Everything was dusty. A dirty window covered by an even dirtier curtain stood high up on the peak of the roof, filtering any sunlight that tried to get in. Gingerly Maddy pushed the curtain aside, but could see little.

Old furniture, boxes and two big steamer trunks caught her eye. A full-length mirror on a swivel stared back at them. A dress form stood silently with other old attic regulars. A wire birdcage and empty picture frames hung haphazardly around.

"See anything interesting?" Alec dusted off his hands.

"Check the bureau first and see if anything is in the drawers like papers or books. Otherwise, this just looks like a dusty old attic to me." She went to the steamer trunk.

Alec saluted and opened the top drawer, "As you wish." Rummaging through old clothes he called out after a few minutes. "Maddy, I found something. A book, I think. It looks old. Do you want it?"

"Yes." Maddy stumbled over boxes to get at it. "Look. It says Diary on the front. That's great. Is there anything more?"

Frowning, he handed the book to her and rummaged through the rest of the drawers. "No. That's it for the dresser. The diary is locked. Do you want me to pry it open?"

"No, there's a whole bunch of keys I found downstairs, we'll try them first before we break it. What a find."

Eyes sparkling she clutched the book to her chest and looked excitedly at Alec. "This would make good reading curled up in front of the fire this winter, if I could wait that long to read it, which I can't."

"That sounds like you are serious about staying. Nebraska winters can be pretty long." Alec dropped the last of the rotten clothes in a trash bag and turned to look at Maddy. She stood in the swaying light of the naked light bulb, her face smudged, and a cobweb in her shiny copper-colored hair. The genuine happy look she gave him, her face turned up to him so sweetly, full, red lips, eyes the color of emeralds. At that moment it took his breath away.

"Are you kidding? I live in Chicago. Now that's a tough winter place. I know what winter is like. I told you I was serious, but you're so hardheaded about one showing of the house, you don't even notice how serious I am." Leaning against the old bureau, she nodded smugly.

"So then, I don't have to lock you up here to keep you from going back to Chicago?" He grinned mischievously and leaned on the opposite side of the bureau, staring intently at her.

"No. Unless Leland gets a big offer I can't refuse." Returning the teasing she rested her chin on her hand.

"You know where Leland can go as far as I'm concerned. All I need is something to eat once in a while, a little rest now and then, and a beautiful woman to kiss."

Edging around the bureau, he stepped carefully to avoid the garbage bags full of junk, keeping a wary eye on Maddy who tempted him by just being around him.

"You want it in that order?" She shook her head. "Now Alec, we're not done up here, yet. Come on. Don't goof around." Laughing and giggling, they put all arguments aside and faced each other until Maddy tripped and they collapsed on the old fainting couch. A puff of dust went up around them and instead of kisses, they came up coughing. He threw back his head and laughed as they dusted each other off.

"Oh, brother," she sputtered, "if you're not allergic to dust before, you will be now. This is awful."

"It's awful fun." He quipped, wiping a cobweb from her hair. He dusted down her arms and let his hands settle on her waist, pulling her close.

"I'm going to feel this grit until I take a shower. And you’re even worse."

"I can't seem to get enough of you, Madeline Morris. I don't think, no, I'm quite sure I've never felt like this before, unless it was fifteen years ago when I kissed you right after the Homecoming Dance."

"It's probably the dust, Alec. I feel a little strange myself." Maddy's hands gripped his upper arms with a strength she didn't know she had. His muscles tightened in response and refused to relax.

"Alec, don't say that. Not yet. It takes time, and I don't want you to say what you think I want to hear. Not yet, I don't know where this is going to lead us."

"I know where I hope it leads us." He said and kissed her again, his breath caressing her face tenderly, his fingers running through her silky hair.

"I hate it when the situation calls for 'understanding,' it usually means 'waiting.'" Groaning, he closed his eyes and buried his face in her hair.

"If being understanding will keep you here, then I'll do it. But, it's not going to be easy, I'm sure."

That wasn't much for him to ask, she thought. Her heart gave a little lurch. Larry would never have reacted like that. Alec's unselfishness lifted