The Sweethearts of Truffle Manor chapter two

Valentine Serial 2016

The Sweethearts of Truffle Manor

Chapter Two by Terri Reed

            Adette Dunkleman stared at the hunk of man wearing a red flannel shirt and jeans standing near the closet in the master bedroom of Truffle Manor. Her grandparents’  house. Her grandparents' bedroom. Grandfather had passed on but Grandma was still alive and this-- this thief was pilfering Grandma’s house.  How dare he?  “Stay right where you are,” she demanded with a huff. “I’m calling the police.”

            She wouldn’t let him steal that ring he held in his hand or anything else for that matter.

            “You do that,” the man said with a mocking tone that grated on her nerves. “You’ll be the one arrested for trespassing.”
            “What are you talking about? You’re the one trespassing!”  This house, with all of its memories, would belong to her one day.

            Sadness cramped her chest.  According to the Nougat Peak assisted living director, Grandma wasn’t doing well. Adette had taken the first flight she could catch after her last performance of The Two Gentlemen of Verona in an off-off Broadway theatre. Adette hadn’t even taken time to stop at her studio apartment to change out of her costume.  The flowing red dressed swirled about her legs as she turned and hurried downstairs where she’d left her purse with her phone inside.

            Heavy footsteps echoed behind her, spurring her to move faster.  Her red high-heeled shoe slipped off the last step, her ankle buckled and her arms windmilled as the floor rushed up to meet her. She landed with a thud and yelp of pain. She clutched her ankle. “Now, see what you did,” she accused. Blinking rapidly to keep the tears of pain at bay, she glared the man looming over her.

            “I didn’t touch you.” He crouched beside her.

            His musky scent filled her senses. He had light colored hair and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.  He had a strong jaw and a well-shaped mouth pulled into a frown.  

            “Let me see your ankle,” he said softly, reaching for her.

            Her breath caught. Her heart leapt. She scooted away. “No, way. Don’t you dare touch me or I’ll scream.”