Wildflower

by Lynda Bailey

  “Are you in charge here?”

  When Eldon shook his head, Mr. Personality drew a hand down his face with a long-suffering sigh. “Could one of you please tell me who is in charge here?”

  Eldon hiked his thumb in her direction. “She is.”

  ****

  Kane glanced at the woman behind the desk. Her arms were crossed, a smirk on her face. “You’re in charge?”

  With her green eyes and wicked grin, she looked positively feline. “That’s right. I’m the Dawson in Dawson Repo. Now, like I said, how can I help you?”

  Kane struggled to regain some degree of professionalism in the face of his gaffe. “The Corvette outside has something very important in the glove box.”

  “Really, Mr…” She snatched a paper off the cluttered desk. “Solomon. Perhaps you should have paid your past-due lease payments before putting something so important in the glove box.”

  He stepped forward. “But I’m not Ty Solomon. My name is Kane Williams. Ty is a friend and I borrowed his car—”

  “It’s not his car,” she pointed out. “The bank owns it.”

  Kane fought to remain calm. He couldn’t afford to insult this woman more than he already had. “All right. I borrowed the ‘Vette and, as I said, left something valuable inside.”

  “So you have the keys?”

  “Of course.”

  “Give me the keys and I’ll get what you left inside.” She lifted a shoulder at his hesitation. “If I have to break in, I won’t be so accommodating.”

  “Fine.” He dug the key ring from his pocket.

  “What’s inside?”

  “An engagement ring.”

  “Describe it please.”

  “Two-carat, marquise-cut diamond with rubies and emeralds.”

  “Sounds like a frigging Christmas tree.”

  In spite of the circumstances, Kane’s mouth hitched up in a small grin. Alexia did so adore ostentatious jewelry.

  The woman tossed the keys to the Paiute, who was almost as wide as he was tall. “Go check it out, Eldon.”

  “You got it, boss.”

  She picked up another paper from the desk and sat down, effectively dismissing him. An awkward hush descended. Guilt pricked Kane’s neck.

  He’d been so unbelievably rude. Though retrieving Alexia’s ring was his top priority, that did not excuse his attitude. A woman running a repo business might be unusual, but he knew better than to make assumptions. His late father would be very disappointed. “Look,” he said. “About before, I’m—”

  “Forget it.”

  Her words slapped his face, a deserved sting. “I didn’t realize you owned this business.”

  She sat back, her chair squeaking, a haughty, half-smile on her lips. “Do you talk to everybody like they’re idiots, or is it just me?”

  Damn. She was right. His father had taught him never to be arrogant or judgmental. Those two qualities were restricted to Kane’s grandfather. He moved to stand in front of her desk. Her feline eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  “I was a pompous ass,” he admitted. “Please accept my sincere apology, Ms. Dawson.”

  The corners of her rosebud mouth twitched then lifted. She was quite attractive, he decided, with auburn hair and unique eyes that had hazel flecks swimming in a sea of green.

  “Consider it accepted.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets with a grin. “Good.”

  Another silence fell. Her eyes darkened to a rich moss color then darted down his body, almost too quick to be noticed. An unexpected heat simmered through him and he stepped back.

  Eldon returned, breaking the tension in the room. He handed the black velvet ring box to her. “It was in the glove box, just like he said.”

  “Thanks.” She placed the box on her desk. “Do you have the sales receipt, Mr. Williams?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll need to see it and your driver’s license.”

  “Why?”

  She looked at him, her expression both humorous and sympathetic. “For proof of sale. Something this expensive was no doubt charged to a credit card. If the name on the receipt matches the name on your license, you go home with the ring. If not,” she tapped a pen against her palm, “you’ll have to wait until the lender who issued the repo returns your property.”

  In the face of such flawless logic, Kane pulled out his wallet. He handed over both the receipt and his license.

  She gave them cursory glances before handing them back, along with the ring box. If she was impressed by the eleven thousand dollar price tag, she didn’t let on. Neither did she peek at the “Christmas tree.”

  “Everything seems to be in order,” she said, shuffling through some papers. “Sorry for the trouble. Tell your friend that First Federal will be contacting him.”

  “Right.” Kane stuffed his wallet into his pocket and headed for the door. “Thank you for your time.” Outside, he climbed into the waiting cab and nodded to the driver. “American National on Ryland.” Settling in for the ride, he pulled out his cell phone and punched the speed dial. “It’s me,” he said when E.J. answered.

  “Did you get it back?”

  Kane patted the bulge in his pocket. “Yeah. Thanks again for calling me about the Corvette, bro.”

  “Guess the next time that high-priced ride of yours goes in for repairs, you’ll take the bus, huh?”

  “I definitely won’t be borrowing Solomon’s car, that’s for damn sure.”

  E.J. chuckled. “Glad you got the ring back, man. Now all you have to do is propose, right?”

  Kane smiled at his friend’s good-natured rib. “I’m taking care of that detail this Thursday. It’s Alexia’s birthday.”

  “Good luck, bro. As I’ve said, you’re a better man than me for taking the dive. Or maybe dumber.”

  Kane grinned wider as he disconnected the call.