The Private Eye

covers. He glanced at the clock beside the bed. “It's six-thirty.”
    “So what? We were up late last night.” She reached for him, urging him back to bed.
    His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her. “So the Colonel, Odessa and Shirley will alt be getting up soon. The last thing I want is for you to run into one of them out in the hall on your way back to your own room.”
    “Don't worry about it. Josh.” She smiled coaxingly up at him. “I'll be careful.”
    “Darn right, you're going to be careful. You're going to hop straight out of that bed, put on your robe and get your little tush back to your own room.”
    Maggie sat up slowly, a little surprised by his tone. She wrapped her arms around updrawn knees and tilted her head to one side to study him. “Are you really that concerned about the Colonel and the others finding out we spent the night together?”
    “It would be embarrassing for you and for them.”
    Josh got out of bed. He reached down to tug back the covers.
    When he did so, Maggie was left sitting stark naked in the center of the white sheet. She smiled brilliantly up at him. “I think I can handle any embarrassment that I might experience.”
    Josh stared down at her, his eyes warm as he took in the sexy, inviting picture she made. “Well, you're not going to handle it as long as I have anything to say about it. It's my job to protect you, remember? Let's go, Maggie.”
    “I’m not a kid. Josh.”
    “Yeah. Well, you're not exactly an experienced woman of the world, either.” He jerked on his jeans. “I think I resent that remark. May I remind you that I was the one who took the initiative last night?”
    She fixed him with a proud grin. “If we'd waited for you to make a move I'd still be alone in my own room.”
    “We'll argue about who takes the initiative in this relationship some other time.” He reached down to catch hold of her wrist and yanked her gently up off the bed.
    Maggie sighed and gave up the battle. She stood meekly while Josh tossed her nightgown over her head and fastened her robe.
    “Are you always this grouchy in the mornings?” she asked as he tugged her toward the door.
    “It varies.” He turned, his hand on the doorknob, and kissed her soundly. “Sometimes I'm in a really terrific mood. Unfortunately, this morning isn't one of those days,”
    “Just my bad luck, I suppose.”
    “Right.” He opened the door and gave her a little shove that sent her out into the hall.
    The first person Maggie saw there was Odessa. The older woman was poised at the top of the stairs,
    preparing to descend. She was gazing straight at Josh's door as it opened.
    “Good morning, dear,” Odessa called in a cheery tone. She looked totally unfazed by the sight of Maggie emerging from Josh's room. “Sleep well?”
    Maggie heard Josh groan on the other side of the door. In spite of her bold words to him a moment earlier, she felt herself blushing. She tried to plaster a nonchalant smile on her face.
    “Good morning, Odessa. I slept quite well, thank you.” The thing to do, Maggie decided, was to act as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring. “How about you?”
    “I got quite chilled in the middle of the night. The Colonel must have set the thermostat too low. But it's warm and cozy this morning, isn't it? And how is Josh today?”
    “Josh,” said Josh, emerging from the bedroom with a grimly determined expression, “is just fine this morning.”
    Odessa started to say something else but before she could speak, Shirley's door opened. “Hi, everyone,” Shirley pushed her rhinestone-studded glasses firmly onto her nose. She beamed at Maggie and Josh. “So you two have decided to take the big step, eh? Congratulations. Knew it was just a matter of time. We'll have to have an engagement party, won't we, Odessa?”
    “Engagement party?” Maggie felt her stomach turn over. Behind her she was aware of Josh lounging in the doorway.
    “Of course,” Odessa responded. “I'm sure we have some champagne left down in the basement.”
    She turned as the Colonel appeared from his bedroom.
    “Don't we have some champagne left. Colonel?”
    “I expect we do. What are we celebrating?” The Colonel looked down the length of the hall and saw Maggie silhouetted in Josh's bedroom doorway. He gave a great start of surprise. “Ah. I think I get the picture now. I take it we have something important to announce here?”
    “Don't they make a darling couple?” Shirley asked