Tin Angel (19 page)

Jack was staring at him with a smug look of satisfaction, almost as if he had the same thought.

“I’m so sorry,” Ally said.

Damn. It looked like he was about to spend the rest of the holiday in a jail cell.

“I had no idea you had a sister,” she continued. “I feel so bad that Taryn wasn’t invited to dinner. But at least she’s in time for dessert.”

His relief that he wasn’t about to be taken away in handcuffs soon turned to rage. He gripped the table as he stood, his knuckles turning white. “Where is she?”

“She’s in the foyer. I asked her to come back here, but she said she needed to speak with you in private first.”

“Excuse me.” He ground his teeth as he walked. This was turning into a nightmare. How dare Cassie not follow his orders?

When he reached the foyer, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her outside. “What’s wrong with you? You could have blown everything by coming here.”

“Is that all you care about, another scam? I thought I was important to you. It’s Christmas, and I’ve been alone long enough.” She swayed and grabbed the post on the front porch to steady herself.

“You’ve been drinking,” he hissed.

“No kidding.”

“Don’t push me, Cass, or you’ll regret it.”

“I’m so tired of you telling me what I can and can’t do. I’m here because I missed you.” Her full lips turned down in a pout, and her shoulders sagged against the pole.

He shouldn’t have left her alone. “Look, I know it’s tough on you. I’m sorry.” He tilted her chin up so that she met his gaze. “Am I forgiven?”

A small tight smile began to form on her mouth. “I guess.”

“Why don’t you come inside and have some dessert?”

Cassie shrugged. “You sure?”

“Yeah, just promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Be on your best behavior. I mean it. No messing up,” he said sternly.

She looked up at him, her gorgeous eyes wide. “I promise.”

“And one more thing,” he went on.

“What is it?”

“Ally has another dinner guest over. That tenant. I need you to turn on the charm. Keep him preoccupied so I can get her alone, or this will have been a waste of time.”

Cassie groaned. “Oh no. I don’t want to do that.”

“Come on, baby. You said you’d do anything. And it’s not like I asked you to sleep with him. I just want you to flirt a little. You can do it. I know you can. Think of the payoff. Imagine that beautiful glittering diamond on your finger.” He turned away from her without waiting for a reply and opened the front door.

She came up behind him and whispered, “The things I have to do for you.”

“For us,” he corrected. “Now come on. Act happy.”

* * *

Alice had been trying to make light conversation with Jack while Ross was gone, but it hadn’t been easy. He was still upset with her for inviting Ross over, and now he was going to have to contend with Ross’s sister as well. No doubt that was adding to his displeasure. This day had turned into a disaster, and she couldn’t wait for it to end. She wanted them all to leave so that she could be alone. Yesterday, she couldn’t have imagined ever wanting that, as she’d spent most of her adult life alone. However, the way she felt now, it would be a huge relief. But she had to finish playing hostess first.

“Are you looking forward to the rummage sale tomorrow?” she asked Jack, again trying to engage him in small talk.

It took a moment for him to respond. “Actually I am. It’s for a good cause. I think you’ll enjoy it too.”

“I’m a little nervous. All those strange people. I hope I don’t feel out of place.”

He leaned back in his chair and looked at her quizzically. “You sounded just like Alice—afraid to go out in public and meet new people.”

She shrugged. “I guess we have more in common than I knew.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

That’s exactly what she feared—that he’d parade her around. She’d have to explain a million times that she was Alice’s niece and deal with all those skeptical glances.

She was grateful when Ross and his sister entered the dining room, until Taryn sat across from Jack. The way she smiled at him and batted her eyelashes spiked Alice’s blood pressure.

“I could use some help in the kitchen.” She took hold of Jack’s hand and pulled him to his feet. After they left the room, she said, “Taryn’s awfully pretty, don’t you think?”

“If you like that kind of woman.”

She’d hoped he’d say something like that. “Not your type?”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

He tugged on her hair. “You’re my type.”

Her cheeks warmed. Jack could be such a charmer. She just hoped he really meant that. She didn’t need to compete with another woman for his affection. Her time to find love was so limited. “I hope so,” she said under her breath.

He pulled her into his arms. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”

She looked up into his clear blue eyes and saw that he was telling the truth. A big weight lifted from her heart. Perhaps she would find love in time, after all. To answer him, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. When their lips parted she said, “Thank you. I’m glad you’re not mad at me anymore.”

“If you want to thank me, get rid of those two.”

She laughed and handed him a stack of plates from the cabinet. She grabbed the apple pie. “I’ll do my best. After dessert, I’ll show them the door.”

“You better, or I’ll tell them we have business to attend to…in the bedroom.”

Alice threw a towel at him. “I’ll handle the guests.”

Ross and Taryn were talking softly when they entered the dining room. Alice couldn’t make out their words, but it seemed like whatever they were discussing was serious since neither one was smiling. They changed their facial expressions, however, when they realized they were no longer alone. She wondered why Ross hadn’t mentioned that his sister was traveling with him.

As if sensing her concern, he said, “Taryn’s my business partner. We had a little work emergency, but everything’s fine now.”

“Yes, I’m sorry to have barged in on you,” Taryn apologized.

“That’s quite all right. I’m glad you’re here.” Alice cut and served the pie. There was a long silence while they ate.

Taryn set down her fork and directed her attention to Jack. “So did you grow up in town?”

He shook his head. “No. My work brought me here. I teach music over at the elementary school.”

“Really? I sing a little myself.”

“My passion’s the piano,” Jack replied.

“Didn’t I see one in the parlor?” Ross chimed in. “Maybe you two could offer up some entertainment?”

“That’s a great idea.” Taryn jumped out of her chair. “What do you say, Jack? Come on, let’s give it a shot.”

Alice expected Jack to resist, but he went along easily, and a second later, she was alone with Ross. “Your sister seems nice.”

“Talented too. Wait until you hear her sing.”

Wonderful. If Jack wasn’t attracted to her before, he would be now. “I can hardly wait,” she said, trying to put on a happy face.

“Your aunt has a lovely home,” Ross said, changing the subject. “Did she grow up here?”

“Yes. It’s the only home she’s lived in.”

“There must be lots of memories here.”

Her mind drifted back to when she was young and engaged to Tom. The sense of loss brought a heaviness to her chest, and despair seared her heart. She closed her eyes, trying to hide her misery from his probing stare.

“Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

Alice opened her eyes and answered him thickly. “No, no. It’s okay. I was just thinking back, and it made me a little sentimental. That’s all.”

“Are you her only niece?”

“Yes. We don’t have much family left. She’s ninety, and I’m pretty much all she has. I mean, other than my dad—her brother.” Alice hated to tell another lie.

Ross glanced around the room. “This place is historic. I love it. And all those antiques must be worth a small fortune. I sure hope she has them insured.”

Alice shrugged. Her belongings weren’t insured. She was an old woman who was going to die soon, and she had no relatives to leave them to. So what did it matter?

“I could write up a small policy for her. Wouldn’t cost much per month, but she’ll be well protected. That is if she doesn’t already have one. Maybe you could check?”

Alice stared at him. She didn’t like all his probing. She needed to think of a quick response, but before she could come up with one, he was asking more questions.

“Do you know where she might keep her paperwork? A safe, maybe?”

This conversation had headed in the wrong direction. Thankfully, Jack began to play the piano—just the diversion she needed. “We should join the others.”

When they entered the parlor, Alice noticed that Jack shared the piano bench with Taryn. And she was sitting way too close to him. She flipped the music sheet and began to sing. Ross had been right. Taryn did have a beautiful voice.

Alice listened while they performed two more songs together, then pasted on a pretend smile. “That was lovely.”

The gorgeous redhead looked at her through veiled lashes. “Thanks. My mom always thought I should be a singer. But fate had something different in mind.” She shifted her gaze over to Ross. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yeah, but you’ve done okay for yourself…so far.”

Something was going on between those two that she couldn’t quite put her finger on, and it made her uneasy.

Taryn ignored Ross’s remark and asked Alice, “Would you mind if I use your bathroom?”

“Not at all,” she replied. “Go down the hall; first door on the right.”

After Taryn left, Alice sat on the bench beside Jack. “Play Rachmaninoff for me.”

He looked at her and grinned, letting his fingers fly effortlessly over the keys.

Ross settled into the big overstuffed armchair and stared at the Christmas tree, but every now and then his gaze would scan the room, giving Alice the impression he was taking note of her belongings. She hoped he wasn’t going to put more pressure on her to take out an insurance policy.

* * *

Cassandra looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her pale skin had a yellowish cast. She hadn’t felt well since eating dessert. She leaned over the sink and splashed her face with cool water. She wanted to go back to the hotel. Daryn could scope out the house another time. He didn’t need to do it tonight. She would tell him they needed to leave. He might be angry, but he’d get over it.

She dried her face and hands, then left the bathroom. She walked down the hall, stopping when she came to the bedroom. A lovely canopy bed covered in a rich tapestry bedspread was too inviting to resist. What could it hurt to lie down for just a minute?

As she sank into the soft down mattress, she noticed the dressing table across the room. It held a lavish jewelry box. Her fingers itched to go through it. Common sense told her it would be insane do so. Ally could come in at any time. But the temptation was too great, and she gave in to her desire.