Tin Angel (11 page)

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 that 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.

Cassie’s head was tipped down as she fingered through some garments, so she didn’t see him approach her. He reached around her waist from behind and squeezed her to him. When she nearly dropped her bags in surprise, he kissed the side of her neck, then whispered, “I hope you bought something with me in mind.”

“I guess you’ll find out later, won’t you?” She wriggled free from his grasp to pull a forest-green sweater off the rack. She held it up to her chest and asked, “What do you think of this color? Does it look good with my eyes?”

“Everything looks good on you, babe.” He saw a wrinkle start to form between her brows, so he continued, “But that green makes your eyes look incredible, so buy it, and let’s get out of here.” Before she could protest, he took hold of her arm and led her to the checkout counter. He paid the cashier, then ushered her out of the store.

“What’s the hurry?” she said, looking at her watch. “I’m not late. It’s only eleven-thirty. We’ve plenty of time before the hotel checkout.”

He only hesitated for a second before answering. “We’re not leaving.”

“What? Why?” Her voice rose in pitch. “But we were going to spend the holidays in Jersey.”

Daryn had to convince her quickly, before she worked herself into a panic. “I know. I know, babe. But something’s come up that’s more important than Christmas in Atlantic City.”

She rolled her eyes, and he knew she was on to him. It would come as no surprise when he told her it was a scam.

“What’s it this time, hon? Another nice elderly couple that we’re going to swindle out of their savings?”

Her sarcasm wasn’t wasted on him. “Now don’t tell me you’re going soft on me,” he shot back.

“Of course not. I just thought we’d take a little break.”

He shook her shopping bags. “A break? How can we take a break when you’re always doing this?”

Tears welled in her big eyes. Oh shit. He hadn’t wanted to upset her. “Baby, calm down.” He draped his arm over her shoulders and walked with her across the street. “Let’s not do this out here.”

“Do what? Make a spectacle? Attract attention?” Her voice rose at least an octave or two.

“I mean it, Cass,” he said icily. “Don’t push me.”

“Are you threatening me?” She stopped in front of the hotel.

“Damn it, woman. Of course not. I just don’t want to wind up in jail.” He took her by the elbow and herded her inside. “Now just hold on, at least until we’re back in the room,” he said under his breath. When they reached the reservation desk, he pasted on a smile. “Hello. My sister and I have decided to extend our stay in town through the holidays. We won’t be checking out now after all. We’ll be here until the first of the year.”