Tin Angel Page 7

  Jasper let out a long wail, then sat in front of Jack, staring up at him with large golden eyes. “Well, I guess I better feed the beast.”

  Ally planted her hands firmly on her hips. “My ca—my aunt’s cat is not a beast.”

  He quirked a brow at her. She’d almost called Jasper her cat. She looked away but not before he caught a glimpse of the heated flush that stole up her face. Why would she think of the cat as hers? She sure was a mystery.

  Jack skirted around her, following the cat into the kitchen. “Care for some breakfast? I make a mean omelet,” he called over his shoulder.

  “No thanks. I don’t usually eat first thing in the morning. But you go ahead. I’m going to take a shower.”

  He studied her back as she padded down the hall. He wasn’t so sure of her reason for not wanting breakfast. More likely she wanted some time away from him so he wouldn’t question her about the cat slip-up. Though little did she know, he wasn’t about to forget. Oh no, he’d simply put it on his list of things that didn’t add up.

  * * *

  Alice let the hot water pummel the back of her neck, hoping the shower’s pulsating spray would loosen her stress-tightened muscles. Jack had to be wondering why she’d almost called Jasper her cat. Even though he didn’t acknowledge her mistake, his expression told her what she needed to know. He still didn’t trust her. And this flub only confirmed that he had good reason not to. She had to be more careful. She couldn’t afford any more slips of the tongue. Jack was no dummy. For all she knew, he could be pretending to be interested in her just to gather information to use against her. What she didn’t need was for him to contact the police because he suspected she was some sort of criminal. That thought made her shudder.

  She wanted so badly to tell Jack the truth, but she couldn’t until she was sure he had real feelings for her. Lord knew she was falling for him. Only then did she have a small chance that he might believe her story. But if she kept messing up… She slathered her body with soap, trying to wash away her anger and stupidity. She’d best hurry and join Jack, lest he think she was avoiding him.

  When Alice entered the parlor, Jack was standing by the window staring out at the snow-covered lawn, seemingly deep in thought. He’d gotten dressed, had even managed to get his boots on.

  She crossed the room to stand beside him. “How’s your ankle?”

  He shifted his weight onto his injury and gritted his teeth. “It’ll be fine.”

  “You really should have Doc Brooks check it out,” Alice advised.

  “A couple more days and I’ll be good as new.” But he leaned against the cane for support. “I suppose I should get going. Don’t want to outstay my welcome.”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re not.” Her mind scrambled for a reason to keep him from leaving. When would she see him again? “The stairs… I don’t think you’re ready to climb—”

  “Nonsense,” he interrupted. “You’re acting like a nervous mother hen. I’ll be fine, but do you mind if I use the cane for a bit longer?”

  She shook her head. “Of course not. Use it as long as you need.” Her palms started to sweat. This wasn’t working. He was leaving. What to do now? Think…think of something…don’t let him leave without plans to see him again.

  “Jack,” Alice tried to keep the desperation out of her voice, “remember that offer you made…the one about spending the holiday—”

  “With me,” he said, finishing her sentence. A little grin curved his lips. “Yes, I remember, but I was beginning to think you’d forgotten.”

  A tingle of excitement ran through her. “If the offer’s still open, I’d love to.”

  There was no mistaking the delight that swept over his face. “I’ll come get you around seven. We’ll go see the Christmas lights on the green.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” She hadn’t viewed the lights in years. Her arthritis had kept her from doing so many things.

  It wasn’t until after Jack left that she remembered her snow boots didn’t fit. Looked like she’d have to go shopping again.

  * * *

  Daryn sat across from Cassie at a table by the front window of the Ginger House, the hotel restaurant, and watched her spread butter on her bagel with precision. He was itching for them to be on their way. They’d spent way too long in Silvercreek. Not that he’d minded spending a day and a half in bed with her. “After breakfast, we should check out,” he said. “It finally stopped snowing. The roads should be clear.”

  She leaned back in her chair and leveled her gaze at him. “I need to do a little shopping first.”

  A muscle flicked angrily at his jaw. “Do what? Why? What could you possibly need?”

  She narrowed her eyes to slits. “Don’t talk to me like that, as if I’m some kind of shallow, empty-headed nitwit.”

  He took a long sip of coffee. Cassie was many things, but a shallow, empty-headed nitwit wasn’t one of them. She was sharp-tongued, sly as a fox, and an expert at falsifying documents. Why, if she hadn’t forged Marie Brenner’s will, they wouldn’t have been able to steal money from her estate. They were partners. Equal partners. Well, almost. He needed her. Couldn’t do what he did without her. When his mother died, he’d thought his days of grifting were over. He’d been a month away from his thirtieth birthday and had nothing to show for his age but a wallet full of hundred-dollar bills. He’d been in some bar in a city somewhere drowning his sorrows in vodka and grapefruit juice when Cassie entered his life by trying to pick his pocket. The memory of that day made him smile as he looked over at her. “You have no idea how much I adore you.”

  She smiled back at him and reached across the table to squeeze his hand.

  “If you need to go shopping, fine, but only if you can keep it to one store and be done by noon. I don’t want to miss the hotel’s checkout,” he said.

  “Absolutely. I promise. There’s the cutest boutique across the street. See?” She pointed to a brick-front building with a pine-green awning with the name Tres Belle written in gold script across the front. It looked expensive. No doubt Cassie’s shopping spree would wind up costing him a pretty penny. “It shouldn’t take me long at all,” she went on.

  He took the last sip of his coffee, then signaled the waitress for the bill. As he waited for her to bring it, he stared out the window. A strikingly beautiful brunette crossed the street. Her gleaming chestnut hair swung in rhythm to her stride. And what a stride! Her faded jeans accentuated the soft curve of her hips and the slender outline of her long legs. Just because he was in a relationship with Cass didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate a hot woman. And boy, was she hot. He watched her enter Miller’s, a department store next to Tres Belle. He’d love to see her up close and maybe partake in a little harmless flirting.

  The waitress plopped down the bill, and he quickly pulled out a fifty from his wallet, but before he could hand it to her, she walked away.

  “Whoa, miss” he said, waving the money in the air, but he might as well have saved his breath. The waitress had slipped inside the kitchen.

  Cassie looked at him with raised brows. “What’s the big hurry?” She checked her watch for the time. “We’ve got more than two hours before the noon checkout.”

  “I know. I know.” He dropped the fifty on top of the bill, then pushed out his chair and stood. “But knowing you as I do, that’s probably not near enough time to shop.” He couldn’t tell Cassie the real reason for the rush was so he could check out another woman.

  He shoved his wallet into his pocket. “Ready?” He took hold of her hand and helped her to her feet.

  “What about the change?” She glanced down at the bill. “The total’s only twenty-seven dollars.”

  “Do you think the waitress will complain about such a large tip? It’ll make her day.”

  Cassie stared at him, her lovely eyes searching his face as if seeing him for the first time. “You never cease to amaze me. I hadn’t known you to be generous to strangers.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed h
is cheek. “Just one more reason to love you, I guess.”

  Daryn should have felt some guilt at deceiving her, but he didn’t. His lies were a means to an end—attaining whatever he desired. “I love you too, babe.”

  He draped his arm across her shoulders, then gently led her out of the restaurant and across the street. When they reached Tres Belle, he went back into his wallet and pulled out four hundred dollars. “Here, go buy yourself something nice.”

  “Aren’t you coming with me?” she asked, her brow furrowing into a ridge.

  “Don’t scowl; you’ll make a wrinkle,” he joked.

  She didn’t laugh. Instead, she persisted with her questions. “Where are you going, and why aren’t you coming with me?”

  He had to come up with what she’d consider an adequate response, or she’d never let up. “Hon, do I really need to?” He pointed next door to Miller’s. “I thought I’d wander around the men’s section. Maybe find some sexy cologne you’ll find irresistible on me.”

  Her frown turned into a smile. She took the money from him and slipped it into her purse. “Have fun.”

  “I’ll come find you in a bit.” He kissed her lightly and sent her on her way.

  When Cassie was out of sight, he entered the store. It didn’t take him long to search out the statuesque brunette beauty. She browsed the shoe department, totally unaware that he watched her.

  * * *

  Alice picked up a pair of brown leather boots with a soft fleece lining and nearly choked when she saw the price tag—two hundred dollars. She’d spent a bundle on her last shopping spree. Although money wasn’t a problem since she’d acquired quite a nest egg when she sold the family theater and the block of property that went along with it, she’d always been frugal. Why buy something expensive when more than likely you could find another item close to it for considerably less? She eyed the sale rack in the corner, but the boot’s butter-soft calfskin nearly melted between her fingertips as if saying, Buy me, buy me.

  Oh, what the heck. It was only money, and, besides, she couldn’t bring it with her to where she was going in another seven days. As long as there was enough cash after she was gone to keep Jasper comfortable, she might as well have fun with the rest of it.

  Alice made her purchase and actually felt good about spending the money. She had a spring in her step as she strolled through Miller’s. She’d only been in there once before. When she was a young girl, her mother had insisted they look for a dress for a special holiday performance at the theater. Miller’s had been around for generations and was known for its fine-quality merchandise as well as its high price tags.

  She stopped at a glass display case filled with leather gloves and spotted a pair that would match perfectly with her new boots.

  “Beautiful, aren’t they,” the sales clerk gushed.

  The girl couldn’t be more than sixteen or seventeen, even though it was clear she worked hard at trying to appear older. She wore her hair slicked back in a twist. Her lips were painted with a deep red lipstick the color of blood, and her eyes were encircled with smoldering charcoal shadow that instead of making her look grown-up only accentuated her baby face. This must be her first job, Alice thought kindly, remembering the days she’d worked at the theater.

  “Those gloves will keep your fingers toasty during an early morning walk,” the clerk said.

  “Or an evening stroll on the green.” Butterflies began to flutter her stomach as she thought of tonight’s date with Jack.

  “Oh, you’re going to see the lights? I went last night.” The clerk pulled out a tray and set it on the counter in front of Alice. “It’s so romantic. All those twinkling white lights make being in love even more wonderful.” A dreamy look came over her face, and Alice knew she was thinking of some young man she was smitten with.

  Alice took out the pair of gloves she’d been admiring and ran them over the back of her hand. They were just as soft as she’d expected. “I’ll take these,” she said, handing them to the clerk.

  “Is your husband taking you tonight?” the girl asked.

  Alice felt the heat rise up to her cheeks at the thought of Jack as her husband. “Oh no…no, I’m not married.”

  “Boyfriend, then?” The clerk moved over to the next counter and took out a tray of gleaming key chains. “Have you gotten him anything for Christmas yet? These are gorgeous. Fourteen-karat gold.”

  “No, no I don’t think—” She bit back her words when she spotted the treble clef sign. Jack would love that. She imagined his look of surprise when she gave it to him. “I’ll take that one,” she said, pointing to the key chain with the beautifully scripted G dangling from it.

  The clerk nodded. “Ah, he’s a music lover. Good choice.” She handed the large chunk of gold to Alice.

  It was heavier than she’d expected. Cold, smooth, and expensive. “Very nice,” she said, handing it back. “Would you gift wrap it, please?”

  “Of course.”

  The clerk disappeared behind a huge perfume display, returning a few minutes later with an elegant red foil box. “Your total is four hundred fifty-five dollars.” She seemed extremely pleased with herself, and Alice wondered if she was being paid on commission.

  Alice reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. She carefully counted out the cash and handed the clerk five hundred dollars.

  “I’ll be right back with your change,” she said with a smile.

  Alice studied Jack’s gift. This Christmas—most likely her last Christmas—looked like it was going to be one of the best she’d ever had.

  “Excuse me. I believe this is yours.”

  Alice turned to her right. Beside her stood an extremely handsome man with a fifty-dollar bill in his hand.

  “You dropped this,” he said and placed it in her palm.

  “I did? Thank you. I’m not usually that careless.”

  “I’m just glad I was here to find it for you.” His dark blond hair fell boyishly over one eye, and he brushed it back with obviously manicured fingers.

  She studied him without trying to appear rude. He was tall. Over six feet, she guessed, as he stood a good inch above her. He wore jeans and a black leather jacket that fit him perfectly and added to his sexiness.

  “You have exquisite taste. Your husband is going to love his gift.”

  Alice shifted her weight from foot to foot nervously. Why did everyone assume she had a husband? “I’m not married.”

  “Really? How is that possible? Someone so lovely… Well, I’m sure your boyfriend will be thrilled with it.”

  Alice couldn’t keep from blushing. There was no doubt that this man was flirting with her. And she couldn’t help herself. She liked it. “He’s not really my boyfriend. Just a good friend.”

  “Ah, in that case, perhaps we could meet for coffee sometime?”

  She didn’t know what to say. The old Alice never would have considered such a proposal. She’d never been out alone before with a stranger. But the tin angel’s words ran through her mind. She was running out of time. If she didn’t find true love soon…well, she never would. She looked at him shyly through her lashes. He was awfully handsome. And what harm could come from meeting him for coffee? Besides, maybe he was the one—her soul mate. Things weren’t going well with Jack and his suspicions about her.

  “Why not?” she said softly.

  “Good.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small notepad and pen and set them on the counter. “I’m here for the holidays. I’m staying at the Wayside Inn. Would you mind if I give you a call?”

  “How can I say no? You did save me fifty dollars.” She scribbled her name and number on the paper while he watched her write.

  “Thanks, Ally.” He put the pad and pen back in his pocket. “I’m Ross Saunders. And you will hear from me soon.”

  “It was nice to meet you. And thanks again for this.” She waved the fifty-dollar bill at his back as he walked away, then took a quick sharp breath in disbelief t
hat she’d made a date with him. When she looked up, she realized the sales clerk had returned with her change. She wondered how long she’d been standing there. By the look of disapproval on her face, it must have been long enough to have witnessed her giving out her name and number.

  She stuffed Jack’s gift in her handbag and tucked her other purchases snugly under her arm before receiving her change from the clerk. Alice avoided her eyes. Guilt tugged at her heart. Don’t be ridiculous, she thought. You’ve done nothing wrong. Yet, she felt as if she’d deceived Jack. She knew she was being silly. He wasn’t her boyfriend, and he probably didn’t even like her all that much.

  She left the store and hailed a cab. For the entire ride home, she was at odds with herself. Part of her was happy that a new man had entered her life, and part of her thought she might have just made a huge mistake. To ward off those misgivings, she tried to convince herself that Ross most likely would never call, so she had nothing to worry about.

  * * *

  Daryn whistled happily as he left Miller’s. He may have just hit the jackpot. Ally had to be loaded. After all, she had a wallet full of cash. And she fell easily for his you-dropped-your-money scam. Oh yeah. She would be an easy mark. There was no doubt of that. And boy, would he enjoy playing her. The woman was gorgeous. All he had to do now was convince Cass to spend the holidays in Silvercreek.

  He entered the boutique and spotted her right away by a rack of cashmere sweaters. It would have been impossible not to notice her with her fiery red hair. A pain squeezed his chest as he thought of all the times he’d cheated. He wished he knew why. It wasn’t because she didn’t satisfy him. She did. And it wasn’t because he didn’t love her. He did. At least as much as he was capable of loving someone. So why wasn’t that enough? He’d had these same thoughts many times. Usually after he’d been with another woman. But now it seemed just the anticipation of deceiving Cassie triggered them. Maybe it was because he was terrified of losing her? Yet, if that was the case, wouldn’t it make sense that he’d stop these useless affairs with women he could care less about? The problem wasn’t common sense, however. It was his libido. Therefore, the only option he had was to remain cunning. Cassie had warned that if she ever caught him with another woman, she would leave him. And he didn’t doubt her. He had to make her believe he had no interest in Ally, other than to steal her money.