Read Online Laura's Big Win by Michelle Tschantre' - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michelle Tschantre'
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Laura
couldn’t make out very much along the side of the road, but it did
appear the houses were farther apart now, more of a rural area. Her
apprehension was just beginning to nip at her a little again when
they came to a driveway blocked by an impressive iron gate. The
word “Windmere” in gold letters stood out in the headlights, but
one touch of a remote in the SUV and the gate slid silently back,
reclosing smoothly behind them as they entered. Laura recalled the
words of the administrator at the shelter: ‘I would pay a lot of
money just to see the inside of Windmere’. Well, they were in, she
thought to herself, but she still didn’t know much about these
people and what the morning would bring. Still, she and her
children were out of the shelter, well fed, now behind a large
security gate, and in a vehicle that could probably stop bullets.
Indeed, the SUV could stop bullets if need arose.
Dennis stopped at the back guest
entrance since it was closer to their rooms than the main entrance
to the great room. With Alice in the lead, the troop entered the
building and quickly came to Suite A. Mag carding the door lock
brought on the lights and adjusted the thermostat for occupancy; it
would operate that way so long as the sensors recorded movement
every few hours. The Nessing family followed her inside, and
although the children were just grateful for the space, the room
exceeded what Laura expected from her conversation with the shelter
night super. The understated elegance said “You’re worth it;
enjoy”. Clearly, this was no chain hotel, or even a high end place
for travelers, but rather than creating an unease at the luxury, it
was at once warm and inviting. Quickly, Alice showed Laura around,
the fully appointed kitchenette, the large bedroom, and the
bathroom with its spa tub and adjacent walk-in triple headed
shower. The large bed looked like a field of flowers with the
beautiful spread in place, matching the other items of décor in the
room. Probably enough room for four people on there, Laura mused,
and they wouldn’t even have to be friends. Plus, her two small
children could have their own section to sleep in. Sensing what
Laura was thinking, Alice pressed a nearly invisible button in the
wood paneled wall, and two bunks folded down from the wall, showing
spreads matching the large bed.
“We don’t have much call for these, but
now and then guests bring small children and we do like to think of
everything anyone could want. And by the way, the consumables in
the kitchenette are for your use. You’ll find some familiar snacks;
please feel free to use them if you like. I have a few things to do
early in the morning, so I’ll come collect you about, say, 8 AM?
That should give you enough time for a good night’s sleep; we have
a lot to do tomorrow, but please don’t concern yourself about a
thing for now. Windmere is a little bit like a fortress for
security, and besides, I think Dennis likes the kids; they couldn’t
find a better protector.” The big man smiled at her reference. “If
for any reason something goes wrong, or you just feel uneasy about
something, press zero on the phone and I’ll respond. This card is
the door key; the other way in is the voice command, which we
address in the morning, or to have facility computer code access;
that system pretty much controls everything, but don’t concern
yourself about it for now. “Warmer” and “Cooler” on the suite
control panel mean exactly that, one degree per button push. Now,
is there anything else I can do for you?”
Laura just wanted to cry, these people
had done so much for her in so short a time, but she managed a “No,
thank you. You’ve done so much already I don’t know how to thank
you. The kids seem to like Dennis equally well; for now they’ve had
a long day already and I think bedtime calls. Thank you again; I’m
sure we’ll be fine.”
With that, Alice and Dennis departed,
leaving Laura and her children to
couldn’t make out very much along the side of the road, but it did
appear the houses were farther apart now, more of a rural area. Her
apprehension was just beginning to nip at her a little again when
they came to a driveway blocked by an impressive iron gate. The
word “Windmere” in gold letters stood out in the headlights, but
one touch of a remote in the SUV and the gate slid silently back,
reclosing smoothly behind them as they entered. Laura recalled the
words of the administrator at the shelter: ‘I would pay a lot of
money just to see the inside of Windmere’. Well, they were in, she
thought to herself, but she still didn’t know much about these
people and what the morning would bring. Still, she and her
children were out of the shelter, well fed, now behind a large
security gate, and in a vehicle that could probably stop bullets.
Indeed, the SUV could stop bullets if need arose.
Dennis stopped at the back guest
entrance since it was closer to their rooms than the main entrance
to the great room. With Alice in the lead, the troop entered the
building and quickly came to Suite A. Mag carding the door lock
brought on the lights and adjusted the thermostat for occupancy; it
would operate that way so long as the sensors recorded movement
every few hours. The Nessing family followed her inside, and
although the children were just grateful for the space, the room
exceeded what Laura expected from her conversation with the shelter
night super. The understated elegance said “You’re worth it;
enjoy”. Clearly, this was no chain hotel, or even a high end place
for travelers, but rather than creating an unease at the luxury, it
was at once warm and inviting. Quickly, Alice showed Laura around,
the fully appointed kitchenette, the large bedroom, and the
bathroom with its spa tub and adjacent walk-in triple headed
shower. The large bed looked like a field of flowers with the
beautiful spread in place, matching the other items of décor in the
room. Probably enough room for four people on there, Laura mused,
and they wouldn’t even have to be friends. Plus, her two small
children could have their own section to sleep in. Sensing what
Laura was thinking, Alice pressed a nearly invisible button in the
wood paneled wall, and two bunks folded down from the wall, showing
spreads matching the large bed.
“We don’t have much call for these, but
now and then guests bring small children and we do like to think of
everything anyone could want. And by the way, the consumables in
the kitchenette are for your use. You’ll find some familiar snacks;
please feel free to use them if you like. I have a few things to do
early in the morning, so I’ll come collect you about, say, 8 AM?
That should give you enough time for a good night’s sleep; we have
a lot to do tomorrow, but please don’t concern yourself about a
thing for now. Windmere is a little bit like a fortress for
security, and besides, I think Dennis likes the kids; they couldn’t
find a better protector.” The big man smiled at her reference. “If
for any reason something goes wrong, or you just feel uneasy about
something, press zero on the phone and I’ll respond. This card is
the door key; the other way in is the voice command, which we
address in the morning, or to have facility computer code access;
that system pretty much controls everything, but don’t concern
yourself about it for now. “Warmer” and “Cooler” on the suite
control panel mean exactly that, one degree per button push. Now,
is there anything else I can do for you?”
Laura just wanted to cry, these people
had done so much for her in so short a time, but she managed a “No,
thank you. You’ve done so much already I don’t know how to thank
you. The kids seem to like Dennis equally well; for now they’ve had
a long day already and I think bedtime calls. Thank you again; I’m
sure we’ll be fine.”
With that, Alice and Dennis departed,
leaving Laura and her children to
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