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"I didn’t exactly ditch you"

"That’s exactly what you did"

"A colleague of mine died," she pointed out

"Yes, I realize that," he said quietly "But I hope you’ll help ue died Of the board members, who’s your favorite?" he asked

"Hmm I’m not sure Either Nathan or Sarah Sarah is the kind of wo--she looks as if she’s afraid she’s going to be beaten I don’t knohy She came from money, married money, never had children and is aHer husband was quite a bit older Maybe he was a jerk She doesn’t talk about him or the time she was married at all She’s very sweet and hard to draw into a conversation I always feel like I should help her or stand up for her--but I have no idea what I’d be standing up against Nathan, on the other hand, is talkative and cheerful, and he really loves the house and the history Ethan Oxford is quiet and dignified, and I don’t know him very well It’s usually either Nathan or Sarah who talks to us about policy changes and so on And Cherry…hance The probleht about historical facts, even when they concern the house And if anyone tries to explain sory and tells us she’s a descendent of the family and we’re not But, in all honesty, I don’t really blaets tons of attention, so… sure she has her own identity"

"Interesting I can’t wait to meet her," Tyler said dryly

"You haven’twith the?" she asked hie House," he said

She see there?"

"Sure It’s best to be right where you’re working And I thought you didn’t believe in ghosts"

"I don’t," she said quickly Too quickly? "But no one’s ever stayed there--not in my memory There are soto throw a frat party"

She flushed "We open the house and grounds for special events, but bring in extra security It’s just…well, paintings on the wall are irreplaceable Knickknacks set around the place are invaluable Some of the lace doilies on the furniture are from the 1700s You have to be so careful in there"

He leaned back, s

"What was high school like for you?" he asked

"Why?"

"Brains and beauty," he teased "Did you ever go to a football game?"

"Yes, I did And I actually watch football"

"Really?"

"Well, now and then" She waved a hand in the air "I throw a party every year for the Super Bowl thing"

He lowered his head, still s

She continued, her tone that of a professor "But as to the Tarleton-Dandridge House…things there truly are irreplaceable We lose so much history every year We should preserve whatever we can for the ages, for our children and grandchildren"

"I won’t do any dae to the house The board knows I’m in there and they’ve approved It was Ada there, as well"

"Lord," she h the house with all kinds of ridiculous equipment?"

"We have cameras and heat sensors, but we don’t tra "You really should be supervised while you’re there"

He laughed "Allison, think about it We do e do because of a round We’ve worked in soile and secretive places in this country You’re welcome to come back with me and see where I’ve set up," he told her

Evidently, that suggestion didn’t please her at all She ignored the question and pointed to his menu

"You should try their shepherd’s pie," she said "It’s excellent"

He did; they ordered and their food was served ten minutes later He was surprised that she see you’d be around during the day You loved the house when you were a child, you’ve worked there as a guide, and you can supervise everything that goes on"

"Maybe," she said "How do you know I loved the house when I was young? Oh, of course, you have information on me, as well"