charmingly ancient house。 〃Any luck？〃 she asked when he reached the car。
〃There's good news and bad news。〃 He was leaning down to talk through
the window again。
〃Give me the good news first；〃 Chloe said。 She needed that； needed it
bad。
He grinned。 〃The good news is that you have the penthouse。〃
She looked up the inn's facade to the very top； the third floor。
Assuming the attic was clean and had a bed； it would do。 〃The penthouse
is fine。〃 She scrunched up her face。 〃What's the bad news？〃
He opened the door with a flourish。 〃The bad news is that no one serves
food at this hour。 The night manager here says we can raid his
refrigerator； though。〃 He paused； staring down at her for a minute
before offering his hand to help her out。 〃The service won't be fancy。
We'll be on our own。〃 The warning note in his voice jarred her。 He was
remembering the old Chloe。 That Chloe had been spoiled。 She hadn't known
how to cook； having had everything done for her for the entire eighteen
years of her life。 But her lifestyle had changed drastically since then。
She rose from the car。 〃That's fine。 I think we can manage。〃 Oh； yes；
she could certainly manage to put together a meal。 She was actually a
fine cook now。 But it occurred to her that she and Ross would be alone。
She wasn't so sure about managing that。
A frown creased her brow as she entered the inn with Ross by her side。
He left his overnight case at the front desk with the night manager； who
cheerfully directed them into the kitchen； a decidedly old room into
which every modern convenience had been crammed。 Chloe made herself at
home。 Only after she had place