Dreams of Fire (Maple Hill Chronicles Book 1) by Elizabeth Alix Page A

dressed fashionably as always. In spite of her nearly ninety years, she hugged Marianne with the strength of a younger woman.
    “Let me have a look at you.” Selene stood back and gazed critically at her granddaughter’s pale face framed by dark wavy hair. She said with concern, “You look peaked, dear. Has that wretched man been harassing you again?”  
    Marianne shrugged and gave a half smile. “I think I made a clean getaway. No one knows I’m up here except you and Mom. So, I’m really hoping he won’t think to look here and won’t find me for a long time, if ever.”
    “Well, we can hope,” Selene replied doubtfully. “Would you like to have some iced tea? I just made some.”
    “I’d love that,” Marianne said gratefully.  
    “Stay here, and I’ll get it.”
    Marianne breathed a deep sigh and relaxed a little. The wide vertical wood paneling was warm and comfortingly familiar. Landscapes, ships, and painted family portraits adorned the walls like old friends all around the room. She sat in her favorite spot on the blue and cream couch in front of the fireplace and listened to the sounds of glassware and liquid.  
    A few minutes later Grandma Selene emerged with a tray of cookies, a pitcher with ice cubes suspended in perfect amber liquid, sugar cubes, and two glasses. Marianne stood and took the tray, so she could place it on the table. Bending with heavy trays was on her grandmother’s list of no-nos.  
    They held their ritual of pouring tea for each other and choosing cookies. It was a ceremony they’d been doing for each other since Marianne was four, and she loved all the well-worn movements and murmured words. It made her feel that everything was right with the world.
    At last Marianne sat back and said, “Thank you so much, Grandma, for finding a place for me to live. I thought I might camp out in your guest room for a couple of weeks at most, and instead, you found me a whole house!”
    Selene sipped her tea. “I’m glad you like it. Lily has been beside herself worrying about that empty house for the last year, so I’m glad you will be taking care of it for her. How is it?”
    “It’s in decent shape, just dusty and old feeling. Mrs. Thomas gave me permission to paint the inside, thank goodness, so that’s what I’m doing now. My stuff is still in boxes in the meantime, but I’ll get unpacked eventually and have you over.”
    “I’d like that very much. Are you doing everything yourself?”
    Marianne nodded. “I don’t mind. I don’t have any research projects right now, though I’m hoping to contact a friend in the history department at NYU and see if they need anyone to teach a class this fall or in January.”
    Grandma Selene smiled warmly. “Oh, that sounds like fun! You always enjoyed tutoring when you had a chance.”
    They talked for another hour until Grandma said regretfully, “I have to finish packing, Lovie. I promised my friend Margaret a month ago that I’d visit her, and she’s not been in good health so I daren’t put it off. I’ll be gone for a few days, but I promise to call you when I get back and see how you’re settling in. It’s wonderful to catch up with you, and I’m so glad you’re right down the road.”
    They hugged each other and Marianne headed back down the drive in the late evening shadows. Belatedly, she realized she had not mentioned the strange feelings of being watched.  

    Ruari Allen wearily slammed the door of his white truck and started the engine. It had been another long day of mindless repairs to things he’d fixed many times before. At least he wasn’t on the housekeeping staff. Sometimes renters left behind the most godawful messes. His personal favorite had been the story about melted popsicles, soda, and beer coating the inside of a freezer. It had coalesced into a dense, gooey layer that had taken a couple of hours to remove. He’d sympathized heartily with Michaela and her cleaning crew.  
    Nevertheless, Talmadge