Tin Angel (17 page)

He started when Ally came up behind him. She peered over his shoulder. Her hair brushed his neck, and her warm breath tickled his ear. A fire shot through him as hot as the oven, and it disgusted him that he still had such a hard time resisting her. After discovering the statue missing last night, he’d dialed the police three times but had hung up each time before getting an answer. He had no proof that she’d done anything wrong, so what would he say? That he suspected she was a grifter? Where was the evidence? He couldn’t prove that she’d stolen the tin angel and the statue. He couldn’t prove that Alice wasn’t staying in upstate New York. All he could do for now was stay on guard, watch her closely, and hope that she would make a mistake that would give him the proof he needed. As long as his emotions didn’t get the best of him.

“We should be ready to eat in about an hour.” He closed the oven door and turned to face her.

She tugged on the apron. “I like this on you. You look cute.”

Her choice of words made him raise his brows in surprise. If he didn’t know better, he’d think it was Alice here in the kitchen with him. “Thank you. Alice always thought so too.”

She looked away, and a warning signal shot through him. Had she done something she regretted?

“You should stick around here after Alice gets back. Get to know her better.” He kissed the side of her neck, inhaling the citrus aroma of her perfume. “Get to know me better.”

“That I’d like, but I’m afraid I’ll have to get home. Work and all…” She still avoided his gaze.

There was more to her not wanting to extend her stay here than she was letting on. “Something’s been bothering me since last night,” he said, watching her closely.

Her cheeks reddened. “Obviously. You left just as we were about to make love…”

A painful knot twisted inside him. He’d hurt her…and owed her an explanation, but what was he going to say?
Last night I didn’t want to break your heart. Now I’m willing to do whatever’s necessary for Alice’s sake.
Instead, he draped his arm across her shoulders and simply said, “I’m sorry. That’ll never happen again.”

He walked with her into the foyer, stopping at the marble table. “Alice kept a statue of Venus, right here.” He pointed to the spot where the statue used to sit. “And now it’s gone. Do you know what might have happened to it?”

“No.” The color drained from her face, and her eyes glazed with tears.

A heaviness centered in his chest. She’d taken it, just as he’d feared. Guilt was written all over her, and the tears were because she’d been caught. He needed to press her. Get her to confess. “What do you suppose happened to it? It was here just the other day.”

“I know. I don’t know how it could be gone.” Her lips trembled.

His instinct was to take her in his arms, but he couldn’t do that. He had to remain detached. “Where could it be, then?”

She shrugged. “I have no idea. I need to find it, though. It was a gift from my moth—Alice’s mother.”

She ran into the parlor and stood in front of the Christmas tree, mumbling under her breath. Something weird was going on. She’d almost said it was a gift from her mother, before correcting herself and saying Alice’s. And not too long ago, she’d almost referred to Jasper as her cat. On top of everything else, could she be delusional too?

He put his arms around her, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. “It’s okay,” he whispered against her hair. “Relax. We’ll find it. A statue can’t just disappear into thin air.” He would deal with the missing Venus later. This obviously wasn’t the time to press her.

She sucked in a deep breath, then said, “You’re right. It’s got to be around here somewhere. Besides, I’m not going to let it spoil the holiday.” A slight smile curved her luscious lips as she left his arms and reached under the Christmas tree for a small red foil box, then pressed it into his palm.

She had to have gotten it at Miller’s, where he’d gotten hers, and that could mean only one thing. Expensive. “Ally, you really shouldn’t have—”

“Don’t be silly,” she interrupted. “As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to get it for you. Besides, we’re friends, and friends exchange Christmas gifts.”

He tore open the wrapping. Inside he found a black velvet box similar to the one he’d given her, only this one was larger, quite a bit so. He sighed inwardly. Just how much money had she spent? He opened the box. A glistening gold key chain with a treble clef charm shone brightly against the black satin lining.

For a moment he didn’t know what to say. This had to have cost a lot more than the charm he’d given to her. It was so much larger. Guilt pressed hard against his chest. You didn’t just give a gift like this unless the person meant something special. She really did care for him. But where did she get the money for such a gift? Was fashion merchandising that lucrative? Or maybe she’d come into money by some other means…by stealing from the unsuspecting elderly.

Oh no, Alice please don’t tell me you kept your life’s savings stuffed in shoeboxes in your
closet.
When she’d told him a few months ago that was where she hid her money, he’d made her promise to consider putting it in the bank, but he knew how stubborn she could be. Ally was watching him closely, so he forced a smile.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” she asked

“No, no. I love it. It’s beautiful, but way too expensive. I can’t accept it.” He held it out to her.

Her lovely gray eyes clouded over and turned dark with disappointment. She pushed his hand away. “Nonsense. Money doesn’t matter to me. Besides, I haven’t got much else to spend it on anyway.”

What an odd thing to say! Especially coming from a beautiful young woman with a keen eye for fashion. She must have noticed his furrowed brow, for she offered up an explanation.

“I live at home with my parents, remember. I have very little in expenses, so I can be extravagant sometimes. Please don’t make me feel bad about this.”

The sincerity in her voice struck him. Boy, she was good. Much better than he’d thought. She could lie without batting an eye. Well, there was only one thing for him to do—up his game.

“Thank you.” He spun her into his arms, crushing her to him, then he pressed his mouth to hers. Last night he’d gone home before things went too far, but he wasn’t going to think twice about making love to her today. He wasn’t above using sex as a weapon, if that would get her to tell him the truth. However, the loud buzz of the kitchen timer indicated it wasn’t going to be now.

* * *

Alice stood in the parlor and stared at the Christmas tree while Jack put the finishing touches on dinner. She didn’t doubt that he was very attracted to her, but he was still suspicious of her—probably even more so since discovering her Venus statue missing. And rightly so. What in the world could have happened to it?

“I’m only waiting on you.”

She spun around at the sound of his voice. He took hold of her hand and led her from the room. The aromas coming from the kitchen made her mouth water, but he pulled her past, stopping at the dining room.

“I hope you don’t mind eating in here.”

The table was set with her finest china. A bottle of wine served as the centerpiece, and, adding to the ambiance, “White Christmas” played on the stereo.

“Mind? You’re amazing, Jack. I love it.”

“Good. I did it all for you.”

He took her in his arms and danced with her. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, moving effortlessly to his lead. The telephone’s ringing broke the magic.

“Maybe it’s Alice calling to say Merry Christmas.” There was no mistaking the hopeful gleam in his eyes.

“Maybe.” She headed for the foyer with a feeling of dread. Whoever it was would no doubt put a damper on her day.

She lifted the receiver reluctantly, wishing she could just let the phone keep ringing. “Hello.”

“Is this Alice’s niece?”

She knew the caller immediately. Pastor Riley! Her heart thundered against the wall of her chest. “Yes.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner, but I’ve been meaning to call, and it keeps slipping my mind, so I figured I’d better do it now before I forget again. How’s Alice? Is she enjoying New York?”

“Yes.”

“Good to hear… Good to hear… Every year she volunteers at our rummage sale at the church. It’s the one time she gets out with people, and since she’s not here, I was hoping you’d fill in.”

Alice squeezed her eyes shut. They always held the rummage sale the Saturday after Christmas. That was tomorrow. No, no, no. She couldn’t. Everyone at church knew her.

“I know it’s short notice,” the pastor continued, “but even just an hour or two would help us tremendously. We’re shorthanded.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think—”

“Now don’t say no. You’re probably afraid you’ll feel awkward not knowing anyone, but that’s not the case. Jack’ll be there. He signed up a while back.”

“Jack?”

“What about me?” He came up from behind her and put his arms around her waist.

She wondered how long he’d been standing there. She hadn’t heard him approach.

“Is that Alice?” he asked, putting his ear next to the phone. “Merry Christmas.”

Alice clamped her hand over the receiver. “It’s not Alice. It’s Pastor Riley. He’s calling about the rummage sale.”

“Oh, that’s right. It’s tomorrow. You’ve got to come. It’ll be fun, and you’ll get to meet lots of great people.”

“I-I wouldn’t know what to do. I’d feel out of place.”

“Don’t be silly. I won’t take no for an answer.” He slipped the phone out of her hand and spoke into the mouthpiece. “Merry Christmas, Pastor. Ally will be there. She’s coming with me.”

Jack hung up the phone and spun her around to face him. “Good thing the pastor called. I’d forgotten I was scheduled to work. Guess I had other things on my mind.” He grinned and kissed her cheek.

In spite of her misery, she forced a smile. It would only make matters worse if Jack knew how much she dreaded going. She wouldn’t worry about the rummage sale now. She’d push those thoughts to the back of her mind and try to concentrate on having a wonderful day with Jack. She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She brought her mouth up to meet his, letting his intoxicating kisses erase her worry. She lost herself in his embrace and relaxed against him, savoring the feel of his strong arms around her waist and his thigh against hers. He undid the buttons on her blouse, and the soft material fell open, exposing her bra. He ran his fingers over the lacy material, and her nipples hardened at his touch. Forget dinner. And forget her hurt and anger from last night. She wouldn’t mind at all if he wanted to make love to her right now.

As if reading her mind, he slipped her shirt off her shoulders. Goose bumps covered her skin as he let it drop to the floor. With trembling fingers, she undid his shirt, exposing his muscular chest. He pulled her closer so that she could feel the beating of his heart.

She ran her hands over his skin. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she let out a soft moan as he kissed the base of her neck, then moved his mouth down to the curve of her breasts. When the doorbell rang, she wanted to scream.

Jack leveled his gaze to meet hers. “Are you expecting someone?” he asked, his eyes full of disappointment.

Oh Lord! She’d lost all track of time. It must be Ross. “I’m so sorry,” she said as she slipped on her blouse. “I meant to tell you earlier. I invited a friend over for dinner.”

* * *

Jack could barely believe what he’d just heard. Ally had invited someone over for dinner? On Christmas. And she’d forgotten to tell him. Who could it possibly be? He didn’t think she even knew anyone in Silvercreek. While he buttoned up his shirt, he tried to read her expression. There was no doubt she was embarrassed, but he wondered if there was more to it than just her omission of another dinner guest.