The Only Gold (47 page)

Jonah considered that, as well. “I’m not sure I care to be referred to as an adventure.”

“Fair enough. I’ll go back to referring to you as a challenge.”

Jonah shifted nearer and buried his arms under Reid’s coat. “You know, if they haven’t enough work for you here in New York, we’re in need of a new watchman at the bank.”

Reid’s narrowed gaze didn’t conceal his amusement. “I forgot to tell you. I paid a visit to Liam this morning.”

“No words for me, I hope.”

“Just one.” Reid fished a crumpled square of paper from his coat and handed it over. “He did say there was more to you than he thought.”

Jonah took the paper, to find a single word written in a shaky hand. It was a communication that eased his conscience somewhat regarding Liam Abbott. “There’s more to him than I thought,” he admitted, pocketing the paper. “Do you think he’ll be locked away for long?”

“I hope not,” Reid said in all seriousness. “He needs to fetch Gil and take him someplace as far from New York as they can get.”

Jonah smiled. “You noticed it too, then. What spell did he cast over her?”

“He risked his life to save hers.” Reid brushed a tender hand over Jonah’s brow. “It tends to make quite the impression.”

His emphasis was not lost on Jonah. “You wouldn’t consider coming back to the bank?” he asked, a sudden wistfulness overtaking him. “Mr. Hook will retire shortly, and I know you’d prove a fearsome discount clerk.”

Reid laughed. “I’ll have plenty of work. This is New York. Besides, now that you’re cashier, you’ll be putting your own single-minded stamp on the place. I’m not sure I could survive it.”

“I might keep your innovations.” Jonah smiled. “Most of them.”

Reid pulled Jonah’s tie loose from his waistcoat. “Tell me you’ll keep this one,” he whispered.

“Fancy the man beneath the blue striped tie, do you?”

Reid tossed aside the scrap of silk and pressed Jonah into the cushions to kiss him in a most thorough fashion. When they broke apart, Jonah breathed a laugh. “I’ll have to count myself fortunate it doesn’t require board approval.”

Reid grinned. “That settles the matter of work. Now what about this place? Feel like home?”

Jonah, still breathless, glanced out at the wintry world barred by plate glass and a discreet fall of flowered brocade. The dim parlor, furnished rather piecemeal but cozily so, felt safe and sheltered. More importantly….

Jonah turned to find Reid watching him fondly. If he was still susceptible to stumbling confessions, on this occasion he had no difficulty being succinct. “You’re here.”

Judging by the kiss that followed, it was answer enough.

Tamara Allen
lives in the piney woods north of Houston, Texas with her husband Eric and son Nicholas. She spends her time on administrative work for her husband’s law practice, taking care of her family, and writing when she gets the chance.

She especially likes penning historical romances for the fun of dwelling briefly in other interesting time periods. She is the 2009 winner of the Rainbow Award for best historical novel and co-winner for best novel overall.

Visit her at her web site at http://www.tamara-allen.net and at Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/tamara_allen. You can contact her at writer.mara @gmail.com.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com