Heiress of Collinwood (2016) by Parker Lara

Author:Parker, Lara [Parker, Lara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

On the Greyhound bus from Collinsport to the Port Authority on Forty-Second Street, I endured eleven endless hours of restless dozing in a cramped and uncomfortable seat that left me stiff and aching. Unable to face another night in the ghost-inhabited mansion that was supposed to become mine, I had driven, on Longstreet’s advice, to the train station only to discover that the bus to New York City was due to stop there within the hour. It seemed a propitious sign, a suggestion that more fortunate possibilities lay ahead, and I bought a ticket with my last twenty dollars. I locked the Jaguar and left it in the parking lot behind the Collinsport Inn, hoping it would be safe until I returned the following night.

The diner was closed, but digging some coins out of the bottom of my purse, I invested them all in the automatic candy dispenser and pulled out three packages of peanut butter cheese crackers along with a Dr Pepper. I had to smile at my disapproval of Longstreet, of his Cokes and candy bars, when the snacks I had chosen were just as unhealthy.

Then I noticed a light in the back of the diner, perhaps from the kitchen, and a body moving about. I tapped lightly, and when a girl crossed in the dark, peered through the glass, and shook her head, I saw that it was Maggie.

“We’re closed.”

“Maggie, it’s Vicki—Victoria Winters.”

She undid the chain and opened the door a crack. “Yeah?”

“I just wanted to tell you that I parked my car behind the hotel, and I thought I might give you the keys. I’m taking the bus to New York and I’ll be gone for a day or so.”

“Can’t you leave them at the desk?”

“Yes, I could do that, I guess, but my bus will be here any minute, and—”

“Okay, come on in.”

I entered, and after she looked out at the deserted street, she shut the door behind me, locked it, and pulled down the shade. She took the keys. “Want some coffee? There’s some left in the pot.”

“Oh, I wish, but I don’t have much money. I just spent my last twenty dollars on a bus ticket.”

“Forget it.” She looked at the package of crackers in my hand. “That your dinner?”

I shrugged and gave a helpless little laugh. “I’m afraid so.” It was something of a relief to be standing there talking to a girl my age, and I had a sudden hope that she and I might become friends again.

“Hold on.” She took off for the kitchen and I waited, watching out the big window for the lights of my bus. I was afraid the driver wouldn’t stop unless he could see me standing next to the sign. Maggie returned with a roast beef sandwich and a bag of potato chips.

“It’s on the house,” she said, and motioned for me to sit down. Sensing my nervousness, she reassured me. “Don’t worry. I’ll get the driver to wait if he shows up. He’s usually ten minutes or so behind schedule.

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