Grand Passion

expression firmly in place. Her eyes were still very lovely, but they were no longer as clear and readable as they had been a few seconds earlier. The lady had stepped back behind her veil, and Max had himself under control once more.
    “We'll be right with you, sir,” she said to Max. “As you can see, we're a little busy at the moment.”
    “He's a friend of Uncle Jason's,” Sammy volunteered.
    Cleo's eyes widened. The professional politeness in her expression disappeared. It was replaced by a brilliant, welcoming warmth that made Max's insides tighten.
    “You're a friend of Jason's?” Cleo asked eagerly.
    “Yes.”
    “That's wonderful . Don't worry, I'm sure we can find room for you. Make yourself comfortable while Sylvia and I finish the check-in. I didn't catch your name.”
    “Max Fortune.”
    “Right. Sammy, show him into the solarium. He can wait there.”
    “Okay.” Sammy looked up at Jason. “You can follow me.”
    Max kept his eyes on Cleo. “If you don't mind, I believe I'll wait here. I wanted to speak with you.”
    “Of course,” Cleo said easily. “Just as soon as I have a free minute.” She glanced down at Sammy. “Honey, do you know where Benjy is?”
    “Benjy's gone.”
    Cleo was clearly nonplussed. “Gone?”
    Sammy nodded. “That's what Trisha says.”
    “She must have meant he was busy,” Cleo said.
    “Nope.” Sammy shook his head with grave certainty. “He's gone.”
    “Good grief. He can't be gone,” Cleo said. “He's supposed to be here tonight. He knew we had this group arriving.”
    “Cleo? Where are you?” A young woman who appeared to be no more than nineteen or twenty approached with a stack of towels in her arms. She, too, was wearing jeans. She also had on a loose-fitting plaid flannel shirt. Her light brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her attractive features were marked with fine lines of tension.
    “Right here.” Cleo frowned in concern. “Are you okay, Trisha?”
    “Sure, just real busy.”
    “Where's Benjy?”
    “I don't know.” Trisha's eyes slid away from Cleo's. “We've got a problem in two-ten. The toilet's stopped up.”
    “Just what I needed,” Cleo muttered. “Benjy's the master plumber around here. Where is he when I need him?”
    “Want me to work on it?” Trisha asked.
    “No, you finish making up the rooms. I'll get someone else on it.” Cleo swung back around and pinned Max with a hopeful look. “What did you say your name was?”
    “Max Fortune.”
    “And you were a friend of Jason's?”
    “Yes.”
    “A good friend?”
    “Yes.”
    Cleo gave him a dazzling smile. “Then that makes you practically one of the family, doesn't it?”
    “I don't know,” Max said. “Does it?”
    “Of course it does. Jason would never have sent you out here to meet us unless he considered you family. At times like this, family pitches in around here. Jason always did his share when he was staying with us. Do you mind?”
    “I'm afraid I don't quite follow, Ms. Robbins.”
    “No problem. I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough. This way.”
    “Ms. Robbins, I'm here to talk to you.”
    “Later. Like I said, I'm really swamped right now.” Cleo led the way down a short hall.
    A strange sense of disorientation gripped Max. “Ms. Robbins, if you don't mind, I'd rather wait out here.”
    “Everyone helps,” Sammy said. He took his thumb out of his mouth again and grabbed a fistful of Max's Italian-designed, hand-tailored jacket. The fine silk-and-wool-blend fabric crumpled beneath the devastating assault of the little fingers.
    Max gave up trying to argue and allowed himself to be tugged down the hall. Cleo was already well ahead of him. She had a closet door open at the end of a corridor and was peering inside.
    “Aha. Here we go.” She reached into the closet, hauled out a plunger, and held it triumphantly aloft. “Trisha said it was room number two-ten. Sammy can show you the way, can't you, Sammy?”
    “Okay,” Sammy said happily.
    Max eyed the plunger. It dawned on him just what was expected of him. “I think there is a misunderstanding here, Ms. Robbins.”
    She gave him an inquiring look. “You did say you were a friend of Jason's, didn't you?”
    “That's what I said.” Max eyed the plunger grimly.
    “Jason was always terrific about lending a hand when one was needed,” Cleo said encouragingly.
    Max looked at her. He didn't know what to make of Jason's mistress, but he knew that until he found the five