Read The Inn at Angel Island for Free Online Page B

Store said you might have a fax machine I could use?”
    Daisy looked suddenly and deeply concerned. Her smooth brow wrinkled. “A facsimile machine? Yes, I know what you mean. I do have one that I use occasionally. To send my poems to my editor,” she added, catching Liza’s eye. “But it’s not working right now. Something is . . . funny. I have to get it fixed. Otherwise, I’d be happy to let you use it, Miss—?”
    “Liza Martin. That’s okay. I’ll try to find one someplace else.” Liza tried to keep the desperate note from her voice.
    “I’m so sorry, Ms. Martin,” Daisy Winkler said sincerely. “You might try the environmental office down the way. I think Mr. Hatcher has a fax machine.”
    “I took a look before coming here. The office is closed right now.”
    “What a pity. You’ll need to go into town then, I suppose. There’s a drugstore on Main Street in Cape Light. They might have a fax machine,” she added.
    Liza wasn’t sure how reliable this tip was. Daisy looked a little . . . out there.
    “Thank you. I’ll check before I drive over,” Liza said, backing away from the door.
    Daisy started to follow her. “Good idea. Call and check. Please come back when you have a few minutes to spare and browse the bookshelves . . . Wait!”
    She stared at Liza in alarm, and Liza stood stone still, wondering what the crisis could be. Daisy quickly riffled through her pad, tore off a sheet of paper, and stuffed it in Liza’s front pocket.
    “Here’s a poem for you. I hope it helps.”
    A poem? How could a poem help? Liza decided the woman must be batty.
    “Uh, thank you. Thanks for your help. Sorry, but I have to run.”
    “Any time. That’s what neighbors are for,” Daisy called after her, and waved from the doorway. “See you soon, Liza Martin.”
    Liza waved back but didn’t answer. She quickly crossed the street, jumped in her car, and headed down the road the way she had come. She would drive into Cape Light and try her luck. The fax machine in the drugstore might be working. If not, someone there would surely know where she could go.
    She passed the goat farm and rounded the next curve. The inn came into view, and she noticed a dark blue car parked in front. A woman stood on the porch. She had been peeking into the front parlor window, Liza noticed, but now took a cell phone from her bag and held it to her ear.
    Fran Tulley! The real estate agent.
    In the midst of her emergency, Liza had forgotten all about their appointment. That was not good . . .
    Liza wasn’t sure what to do. She had an impulse to hit the gas and speed past the inn, so she wouldn’t have to waste time e xplaining her dilemma to some chatty real estate woman.
    But she knew that was not very polite and a poor way to start off a business relationship. She quickly slowed the car and then drove up to the inn. She heard her cell phone go off and realized who Fran was calling.
    Liza got out of her SUV and trotted up to the porch.
    “Ms. Tulley? I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Liza Martin.”
    “Oh, there you are. I was just trying to call you,” Fran said cheerfully. “Don’t worry, I haven’t been here long. I just wondered if there was some miscommunication.”
    “To tell you the truth, I’m in the middle of a work emergency. I’m not sure we can meet right now.”
    “What’s the matter? Can I help you at all?”
    Liza explained the situation and Fran nodded. “Don’t worry, we have a fax and a scanner at my office. I can send the sketches for you.”
    “Would you?” Liza felt as if some superhero had just swooped out of the sky to save her. “That is so generous of you to help me like this—”
    “No big deal.” Fran patted Liza’s arm. “It’s different around here. We all sort of look out for one another. You’ll do me a favor sometime, I’m sure.”
    Liza wasn’t so sure about that. Unless Fran needed a big favor in the next two weeks.
    “When did you say your office needs