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meant she didn’t have to work as hard to maintain the relationship
as she did before their marriage. And the children and their needs took a lot
of her time. Had she neglected her husband and his wants in the process?
    A lot of years had passed since then. She’d never considered
remarrying. In one sense the divorce broke her heart, and in another it was
almost a relief to have it over. Toward the end they went through the motions
of a marriage without the passion. Having it over with meant she no longer was
required to examine the things that might be lurking inside her—the unfulfilled
fantasies that were only now rising to the surface.
    Maybe it was time to unleash shadow Helen and let her feel,
let her experience life. Good Helen had realized all her goals, raised her
children, and invested well enough to secure her future. Didn’t she deserve a
little time off to examine what more life might have to offer her?
    The trips to Vegas were small spurts of rebellion against a
life that suddenly seemed to be weighing her down. She didn’t like the
emptiness that existed inside her recently. There was some sense of purpose
missing and she wanted to find that spark or zest for life again.
    Is that what mid-life crisis was all about? She had achieved
one set of goals and now, wasn’t it time to re-evaluate and find another?
Paying an escort such as Fallon allowed her to play with fire and maybe not get
burned—at least too badly. Committing to a man in marriage was a whole
different thing. She didn’t want that. She liked her freedom. She just wanted
to explore a little before being required to settle into a matronly existence.
She didn’t feel old, and she didn’t feel like she wanted to retire from life—not
just yet.
    Fallon.
    Young—not too young—but younger than her—maybe thirty-five,
thirty-six. It was a nice age for a male companion. Intelligent, sexy, a
pleasure to be with. And he apparently was gifted with the ability of seeing
into a person’s soul. It must serve him well in his profession.
    He’d said he didn’t sell plain sex. She thought that was
what an escort did though—if the client wanted it. Was that what drew her to
him in some way? That air of standing apart, yet not. Oh, yes, he definitely
intrigued her. Like a handcrafted sensual work of art—one of a kind.
    Having made the calls, it was like a weight was raised from
her shoulders and suddenly her spirits lifted. She wasn’t looking forward to
her meeting with the Town Supervisor, but if the time could tick by faster,
bringing her closer to the weekend, then bring it on.

CHAPTER NINE
     
     
     
    The inn looked more like a bed and breakfast with a quaint,
gingerbread trim all around the outside. Located on a quiet, tree-lined street,
it had a comfortable, traditional look and blended in with the surrounding
houses. Helen parked her car in the small parking lot adjacent to the structure
and then went inside and gave the name Hannah Smith to the attendant.
    With a bland look the desk clerk found the name listed in
her ledger and handed Helen a regular brass key.
    “Your room is on the second floor. When you reach the top of
the stairs, turn left. You shouldn’t have any difficulty locating it. I hope
you enjoy your stay.”
    Helen picked up her overnight bag and mounted the carpeted
staircase. Indeed, she had little trouble locating her room at the end of the
hall. As she stepped inside, she marveled at the attention to detail. The plush
carpet was pale blue, there was a large four-poster, canopied bed that
dominated the room, and a cherry dresser and dressing table matching the wood
of the bed.
    The more she saw of the place, the more confused she became.
Why would Fallon want her to come here? She walked toward the dresser and only
then noticed a white placard resting there. Setting down her bag, she picked up
the card. Eleven o’clock. I’ll come for you. Fallon . That was it. It was
a bold, black scrawl.
    Scenting the fresh