Surprise!

R eva shivered at Grace’s words.

Could Rory really be on the other side of that door?

Daddy spent zillions to protect this place. Rory couldn’t possibly have gotten inside the grounds. And if he did, wouldn’t the dogs be barking?

Another knock.

Enough. Reva slid from the stool.

Grace grabbed her wrist. “You’re not going to open it are you?”

Reva stared at her. Her roommate’s eyes were wide with fright, and her teeth chattered.

She looks like a scared rabbit, Reva thought. “Get a grip, Grace. If Rory came to kill you, would he really knock on the door?”

Prying Grace’s icy fingers from her arm, Reva walked hesitantly to the door. She turned the lock, but left the security chain on. No sense being totally stupid, she thought.

She pulled the door open a crack.

Behind her, Grace gasped loudly as a man’s face rose into view.

Reva almost laughed. “Relax. It’s one of the security guards.”

The guard, a red-faced man in a dark blue uniform, nodded at Reva. “Sorry to disturb you, Miss.”

Reva frowned at him. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

The guard nodded again. “Sorry,” he repeated. “Something came up. I saw the lights on in here and thought I should check with you.”

Reva sighed. “Okay. What is it?”

“About ten minutes ago, a young man drove up.”

Grace gasped again. “It’s Rory. Shut the door, Reva! Quick!”

The guard gave her a curious glance, then turned to Reva again. “He says he knows you, Miss,” he told her. “He’s very insistent about seeing you.”

“Reva! Shut the door!” Grace insisted.

Reva rolled her eyes. Grace was really losing it. “Who is this guy?” she asked the guard.

Before he could answer, a tall, sandy-haired boy poked his head around the guard’s arm. “Hi, Reva.”

Reva stared at him. Daniel Powell. She’d dated him a few times at Smith. Nice enough, but not exactly a thrill a minute.

“Surprised you, didn’t I?” Daniel asked with a grin. “I hopped in my car and didn’t stop driving until I got here a few minutes ago. Glad to see me?”

Reva kept staring.

Daniel laughed. “You really are surprised, aren’t you? Listen—good news. I’m staying with a friend here in Shadyside for the entire vacation. We’ll be able to see a lot of each other.”

The guard cleared his throat. “As I said, Miss, I wanted to check with you before I called the police, since this young man says you know each other.” He peered at Reva. “Do you know him? Is it okay to let him in?”

Reva shook her head. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

“Huh?” Daniel’s voice shot up to a screech. “Hey, Reva, come on. You’re joking, right?”

“Wrong.” Reva glanced at the guard. “Take him away,” she ordered coolly.

“Yes, ma’am!” The guard clamped a big hand around Daniel’s arm. “Come on, kid. You heard her.”

“No, wait!” Daniel protested. “She’s joking. She has to be. We know each other at college.”

“Tell it to the police,” the guard said, dragging Daniel away.

“Reva, tell him!” Daniel pleaded over his shoulder. “Reva! Come on! Give me a break!”

Reva shut the door and locked it. Then she burst out laughing.

“Reva!” Grace stared at her in shock. “Why did you do that to Daniel?”

“Just for the look on his face!” Reva shook her head, gasping with laughter. “It was worth it for that. Did you see him? He came here for a surprise—and he got one!”

“But he drove through the night just to see you!” Grace reminded her.

Reva shrugged. “So? He saw me! Lighten up, Grace. It was funny!” Reva burst out laughing again.

A loud pounding interrupted her.

Startled, she spun around.

The door rattled violently as someone pounded against it.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20