Page 33 of Code Name: Michelangelo

“Some are mine. I kept quite a few from my grandmother’s collection.”

“Tell me about her.”

“She was just as you’d imagine, being in this place. She was fine.”

I picked up a photo from one of the shelves. It was of her and her sister, taken by a professional photographer when they were in their late teens. “My grandfather adored her. Said it was love at first sight when he met her.”

I picked up another of the two of them together on their wedding day. “I barely remember him. The smell of tobacco always makes me think of him, though. It seemed he was never without his pipe.”

Brand stood beside me. “You look just like her.”

“Do I? I don’t see it.”

He took the photo from my hand and led me to the window. “Look at your reflection.”

“Wow,” I murmured. “I guess I kind of do.”

“You have the same taste in men as well.”

I looked from Brand’s reflection to my grandfather. They did resemble each other. Even though the photograph was in black and white, I knew my grandfather had sandy-blond hair, like Brand did. They also had vivid gray-green eyes. Physically, Brand was a bit taller and far more muscular, but I could see the similarities.

He handed the frame back to me. “I suppose I shouldn’t have said that.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “It’s true.”

He returned to the bookcase, and when I saw what he pulled out, I smiled.

“The Agony and the Ecstasy,” he said.

“One of my favorites. Then again, Michelangelo always has been.” I winked. “Shall we continue on? You’re welcome to spend as much time here as you’d like, of course.”

“Right. You said something about choosing a room.”

“There are two nearly identical ones on the third floor. They each have en-suite baths, walk-in closets, and big fluffy beds.”

He raised a brow.

“I used to jump on them when I was a kid.”

“But not anymore?”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Sometimes, when the tribe visits.”

“What’s on the fourth floor?” he asked.

“The primary bedroom suite.”

“The entire floor?”

“My grandmother wanted what she wanted, and my grandfather made sure she got it. Would you, um, like to see it?”

“Very much so, but not tonight. And the fifth floor?”

“It was originally for live-in staff, but it makes great guest quarters. There are two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and two full bathrooms.”

We were standing in the hallway between the two third-floor rooms. Brand reached out and ran his hand over the painted wood panels that lined the walls.

“Push,” I told him, and he did.

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