This application just had to work. Annabelle and her family deserved some answers. It wouldn’t bring back Annabelle’s mother, but it might give them all a little peace.
“Well, come on,” she said before she alighted from the car.
Grayson opened the car door and with the necessary supplies in hand, he called out, “Hey, wait for me.”
She did and then they headed inside. Annabelle agreed to retrieve the note from her hiding spot and meet him in his room. He had a feeling that the weathered paper wouldn’t hold up much longer so they had to get it right this time.
When the lock on his door snicked shut, he noticed how Annabelle fidgeted with the hem of her top. Was she nervous about being alone with him? Was she secretly hoping more would happen than revealing the contents of the note?
Maybe a little diversion would help them both relax. His gaze moved to Annabelle’s full, glossy lips. He took a step closer to her. What would it hurt to indulge their desires?
“Don’t even think about it.” And then a little softer, she said, “We don’t have time.”
Not exactly a rejection—more like a delay of the game. He smiled. He could work with that.
His gaze met hers. “There’s always time.”
She crossed her arms and arched a brow, letting him know that she meant business.
He sighed, thinking of the delicious moment they’d missed out on. But then he recalled the ball that evening and his mood buoyed. Soft music, Annabelle in his arms and the twinkling stars overhead. Oh, yeah. This was going to be a great night.
“You’re right.” He moved to the desk near the window. “Let’s get to work.”
While Annabelle peered over his shoulder, he applied the solution. All the while, he willed it to work.
At first, there was nothing and then there were the faintest letters. Together they worked, making out the wording of the note. Thankfully the person had used the same key, making decoding it quite simple.
“We did it!” Annabelle beamed.
“Yes, but what does ‘Placard. Two. Three.’ mean?”
The smile slipped from her face. “I have no idea.”
He studied the note making sure he hadn’t made a mistake. “What do you think we’ll find this time?”
When Annabelle didn’t respond, Grayson glanced up at her. Lines had formed between her brows and her lips were drawn down into a frown. Oh, no. There was a problem.
“Annabelle?” She didn’t respond as though lost in her thoughts. He cleared his throat and said a little louder, “Annabelle, did you remember something? Do you know what this note is referencing?”
This time her gaze met his and she shook her head. “I haven’t a clue.”
“But something’s bothering you.”
She glanced away. “It’s just the not knowing. It’s starting to get to me.”
Was that it? Or was she having second thoughts about unearthing the past? He needed to give her an out. “If you’ve changed your mind, we can put the note away and forget that we found it—”
“No. I can’t. My mother deserves better than that.”
But it wasn’t her mother he was worried about right now. “You have time to think about it. We can do whatever you want.” He consulted his wristwatch. “And now it’s time to get ready for the ball.”
“I’m not going.” She stated it as though it were nonnegotiable.
She might be stubborn, but he was even more so. “You have to.” When her gaze met his, he said, “You’re my date. And I’ve never been to a masquerade ball. Look,” he walked over to the bed and picked up his black mask, “I’m
all set to be your mystery man.”
That elicited a slight smile from her, but she was quiet. Too quiet.