Angels on Zebras, (Forever Friends, Book 4 of 4)

by Webb, Peggy

  The shoes were hers.

  “You are Rick McGill, aren’t you?”

  “At your service.” He inclined his head with just the right amount of acknowledgment but absolutely no deference. His reputation had been built on arrogance and daring. He wanted to keep it that way. “What can I do for you, Miss...”

  “Mrs.” She watched his face fall. Too bad, she thought. It was such an interesting face, lean and craggy and full of humor. The way her luck ran, though, he’d turn out to be a thief like her ex-husband or a scoundrel like her last boyfriend. Altogether, it was best if she pretended to be married. “Mrs. Lucky O’Grady.” She used her sister’s title without a twinge of conscience. It was all for a good cause.

  “Lucky?”

  “That’s his real name. Honest to goodness.”

  “And you are…”

  “I’ve told you my name.”

  “No. You’ve told me your husband’s name. If I take you as a client, I’ll need to know yours.”

  “Why?”

  “Saves time. If we get into a tight situation, I can hardly take the time to say, ‘Duck, Mrs. Lucky O’Grady,’ now can I? By the time I got all that out of my mouth you could be dead.”

  She briefly considered using her sister’s name, but decided she might forget to answer to it. “My name is Martha Ann, but I can tell you, Mr. McGill—”

  “Rick.”

  “—Lucky is hardly the type of man who goes around carrying a gun.”

  “You never know.”

  He stared boldly at her in a way that would have insulted her if he’d been an ordinary man. But she’d long since decided this Rick McGill was no ordinary man. He was the dangerous type who could say or do anything and make a woman like it. Men like that had always attracted her. It was a darned good thing she’d decided on this charade.

  “Not Lucky. All I want to do is find him, not get into a shoot-out with him.”

  “You’ve already proved my point.”

  “What point?”

  “That you never know about people. If this Lucky O’Grady was fool enough to leave a woman like you, he’d do anything.”

  “I suppose I should say thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Will you take my case?”

  “It depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On whether I’m interested and whether you can pay my exorbitant fee.”

  Martha Ann had only two weeks to find Lucky, and then she had to be back at school. If she couldn’t hire Rick McGill, she didn’t know where she would turn. Anyhow, she wanted him and no one else. She’d done some checking before coming to Tupelo to see him. He was a flamboyant adventurer, an oil field fire fighter turned private investigator who selected his cases the way a jeweler would a fine diamond. Although his life-style was extravagant, he took very few cases. Talk was that he had a private source of income. Some people said it was Texas oil, others said Colombian emeralds, and a few even said gambling casinos and whorehouses.

  He was just the kind of man she wanted. Finding her sister’s husband was her primary concern, but she planned to have a grand adventure while she was searching. She figured if she was going to spend the money she’d saved for her trip to Europe on finding Lucky, she might as well have a blast.

  She leaned forward and provocatively wet her lips. At the same time she made sure her borrowed skirt inched a little higher up her legs. She wasn’t above flirtation to get what she wanted. And she wanted Rick McGill. Professionally speaking, of course.

  “How can I make you interested, Rick?”

  “By pulling down your skirt, for starters. I don’t fool around with married women.”

  She stood up so fast, her hat slid down over one ear. “Good day, Mr. McGill.”

  “Not so fast.”

  She heard his chair bang to the floor as she marched toward the door. She was almost through it when he caught her shoulders and spun her back around.

  “Just a minute, Miss High-and-Mighty O’Grady. We have unfinished business.”

  “We have no business, Mr. McGill.”

  “You came to me, remember?”

  The face she’d thought so full of humor had changed. He looked like a fierce hawk as he stared down at her.

  “A decision I sincerely regret.”

  “What about Lucky?”

  He had her there. She’d just have to swallow her pride.

  “Does that mean you’re taking the case?”

  “Any woman who can fill out a silk suit the way you can has my undivided attention.”

  She gave him a triumphant smile. “I thought you didn’t fool around with married women.”

  “I don’t. But that doesn’t keep me from enjoying the view.”

  “You can turn loose my shoulders now.”

  “You won’t try to flee?”

  She tipped her head back, righting her dashing little hat as it threatened to slide off her head.

  “I never make promises, Rick.”

  “Then we understand each other. Neither do I.”

  He let go of her and went back to his battered desk.

  She followed him into the room and sat back down in her chair.

  “I assume money is no object with you, Martha Ann.”

  That’s precisely what she had wanted him to assume.

  “No,” she lied.

  “Good. Now that the fee is out of the way...”

  “Could you give me a ballpark figure?” His eyebrows went up. “My CPA, you know. He’s a stickler for this sort of thing. Has to know the exact price tag on every little old diamond I buy.”

  “Five thousand a week, plus expenses. Half is refundable if I don’t deliver.”

  She wanted to die right there in the chair, just scoot down to the floor and expire in mortification. Ten thousand dollars for two weeks, plus expenses. He probably ate steak and lobster every day and charged it to the account.

  She bought time by carefully rearranging her hat. There was no backing out now. Evelyn had to have her husband. Anyway, she’d be along to make sure Rick McGill didn’t have hundred-dollar dinners and put them on the tab. And there was always Las Vegas. She’d planned to supplement her savings by playing the tables. The fee he’d named was more than she’d counted on having to win, but if her luck held, she could do it.

  “It’s a deal,” she said.

  “Good. Now tell me about Lucky.”

  “Don’t we have to sign contracts or something first?”

  “I work only with verbal agreements. My word is my bond.”

  “I don’t know. I expected a contract.”

  “If you prefer, we can seal the bargain.”

  “Seal the bargain?”

  Rick chuckled. “Not the way you’re thinking.”

  “How do you know what I’m thinking?”

  “I can tell when a woman wants to be kissed. And Mrs. Lucky O’Grady, you want to be kissed.”

  “You are the most arrogant man I’ve ever met.”

  “I try. It brings in business.” He stood up and came swiftly toward her. “Don’t worry, Mrs. O’Grady. I’m not going to kiss you.”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. McGill, I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”

  He roared with laughter. “I like you, Martha Ann.” Reaching down, he took her hand. “This is the way well seal the bargain—with a handshake.”

  “A gentleman’s agreement, Rick McGill?”

  “Precisely, Martha Ann O’Grady.”

  His handshake was strong and powerful and warm and refreshingly different from all the wimpy handshakes she’d endured at college receptions. She was sorry when he let go.

  This time, he didn’t move back to his chair. He perched on the edge of his desk, looking deceptively relaxed. In the last ten minutes, though, she’d learned to distrust that nonchalant posture of his. He was as fierce and predatory as a hawk, and just as swift to strike.

  “Now, Martha Ann. Suppose you start by telling me why you t
hink Lucky left and whether you have any idea where he might be.”

  “He left because he has wanderlust, and I know precisely where he is. He’s in Las Vegas.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. He didn’t bother to hide it. All I had to do was call the airport and the bus station. He took a bus.” She smiled. “I’ve done most of your job for you. All I really need you for is to go along with me as a backup in case he’s dealing with the criminal element and in case he needs a little more than friendly persuasion to come home.”

  “You want me to be your backup?”

  “Exactly.”

  “I work alone. I’ll go to Vegas and bring your Lucky home, and you will pay me. All quick and clean and easy.”

  “That’s not the deal.”

  “Are you trying to tell me that you’re part of the deal?”

  “I’m not trying, I’m telling. I go with you.”

  “Never.”

  She stood up. “Then consider the gentleman’s agreement canceled.” She started toward the door.

  “Wait.”

  He knew he would regret what he was about to do.

  In fact, he already did. Almost. Why he should break the rules for her, he didn’t know. She was a stunning, intriguing woman. True. But she was also married. And yet... there was something about her, some air of mystery that made him want to dig a little deeper.

  He caught up with her again and turned her around. Tipping her face up with one finger, he stared at her. The beauty mark beside her lips was real. What a shame he’d never get to taste it.

  “I’ve decided to break the rules for you.” He held her face just long enough to memorize the feel of that silky skin; then he let her go. “You can go with me. But get one thing perfectly clear. I call the shots. I’m not your backup, and you will do precisely as I say.”

  “I don’t make promises.”

  “You may not make promises, but you will take orders.”

  “When do we leave?”

  “At first light tomorrow morning.”

  “Good. I’ll pick you up in my car. The drive should take only three days, two if we push. It’s cheaper than flying. We can take bedrolls—” Rick McGill burst into laughter. “What’s so darned funny?”

  “You be here at seven o’clock in the morning, Martha Ann. My plane will be ready.”

  “We’re flying?”

  “Yes. In my private plane, a twin engine Cessna.” Her face went pale. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about going.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind. I’ll be here.”

  He stood at his window and watched her walk all the way out to the big black limousine. She was a luscious number that put all the other women he’d played around with in the shade. It would have been fun to have had a brief flirtation with her. Rick shook his head with regret.

  As the car rolled down the street and out of sight, he decided that the Fates must still be watching out for him. He’d had a narrow escape with his last woman, Diane. She’d loved skydiving and cuddling and dancing to the golden oldies. And he’d come within an inch of falling in love with her. Falling in love didn’t fit into his life-style. There were too many pretty women out there for him to consider settling down with one. He was only forty. He had years of fun left before he did anything as mundane as settle down.

  He went back to his desk and sat down. Pulling out a pad of paper, he began to jot down notes. He wrote an exact description of his client, right down to the estimated price tag of the diamonds on her wrist and finger. Suddenly a part of their conversation replayed itself. “Give me a ballpark figure.... Driving is cheaper than flying.” For somebody with all the trappings of wealth, she’d certainly been concerned with money.

  With his notes in hand, he picked up the phone and dialed. What he’d told Martha Ann O’Grady about not working with contracts was absolutely true. He’d discovered that it was useless to ask for addresses and phone numbers, since most people seeking his help gave him false information anyway. If he wanted to know the truth about his clients, he had to find out for himself.

  “Records,” the voice at the other end of the line said.

  Rick smiled. “Clinton, Rick McGill here. I need a favor.”

  “You always do, buddy. Shoot.”

  “What have you got on a Lucky O’Grady?”

  Rick heard the sounds of the computer in the background. As Clinton began to talk, Rick began to smile.

  By the time he’d hung up, he was laughing. Rolling his pencil idly between his fingers, he said aloud, “I do believe there’s more to you than meets the eye, Mrs. Lucky O’Grady.”

  o0o

  About Peggy Webb

  In a career that spans 28 years, the Mississippi author has written 70 books. As Peggy Webb, she writes romance and the hilarious Southern Cousins Mystery Series starring Elvis, the basset hound who thinks he’s the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll reincarnated. She writes literary fiction under the pen names Anna Michaels (for Simon & Schuster) and Elaine Hussey (The Sweetest Hallelujah, MIRA, July 30, 2013). This best-selling, critically acclaimed author has won many awards, including a Romantic Times Pioneer Award for creating the sub-genre of romantic comedy. Several of her romances have been optioned for film.

  The Tender Mercy of Roses, 2011, written as Anna Michaels, is a Delta Magazine Top Five Pick, a Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club Featured Alternate. Pat Conroy, author of The Prince of Tides, calls it “astonishing.”

  Peggy is a member of Novelists, Inc., International Thriller Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is excited about bringing her romance classics (originally published as Bantam Loveswepts) back to readers as E-books. The award-winning Touched by Angels and A Prince for Jenny, as well as the Donovans of the Delta series, are Kindle Top 100 bestsellers.

  Follow the author on her websites: www.peggywebb.com, www.elainehussey.comand www.annamichaels.net and on Facebook and Twitter.

  o0o

  Other E-Books from Peggy Webb

  Classic Romance (originally published as Loveswept)

  Dark Fire

  Touched by Angels (RT Reviewer’s Choice)

  A Prince for Jenny, sequel to Touched by Angels

  The Edge of Paradise

  Duplicity (Rave review, RT Reviewer’s Choice)

  Where Dolphins Go (RT Reviewer’s Choice, women’s fiction, optioned for film)

  Night of the Dragon (time travel romance)

  Christmas in Time (time travel, prequel to Only Yesterday)

  Only Yesterday, (time travel, sequel to Christmas in Time)

  Summer Jazz

  Taming Maggie (#1 on romance bestseller list)

  That Jones Girl (sequel to the Mississippi McGills series)

  The Donovans of the Delta Series:

  Donovan’s Angel (Paul Donovan’s story)

  Sleepless Nights (Tanner Donovan’s story)

  Hallie’s Destiny (award winning book, Hallie Donovan’s story)

  Any Thursday (Hannah Donovan’s story)

  Higher Than Eagles (Jacob Donovan’s story)

  The Mississippi McGills Series (spin-off from Donovans of the Delta)

  Valley of Fire (Rick McGill’s story)

  Until Morning Comes (Jo Beth McGill and Colter Gray Wolf’s story)

  Saturday Mornings (Andrew McGill’s story)

  Forever Friends series

  Can’t Stop Loving You (Book 1, Helen’s story)

  Only His Touch (Kat’s story, Book 2)

  Bringing Up Baxter (B. J.’s story, Book 3)

  Angels on Zebras (Maxie’s story, Book 4)

  Romantic Suspense, originally published as Bantam Fanfare

  Witch Dance

  From A Distance

  E-books Coming Soon

  The Secret Life of Elizabeth McCade

  Southern Cousins Mysteries, Peggy Webb (available in print and e-books)

  Published by Kensington

  Elvis and the Dearly Departed, 2008

&n
bsp; Elvis and the Grateful Dead, 2009

  Elvis and the Memphis Mambo Murders, 2010

  Elvis and the Tropical Double Trouble, 2011

  Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse, 2012

  Coming October, 2013

  Jack Loves Callie Tender (prequel to the series, digital only)

  Elvis and the Bridegroon Stiffs, Book Six of the Southern Cousins Mysteries

  Novels written as Anna Michaels (available in hardcover and e-book)

  The Tender Mercy of Roses ( Gallery, Simon & Schuster)

  The Language of Silence (Gallery, Simon & Schuster, coming December of 2013)

  Novels written as Elaine Hussey

  The Sweetest Hallelujah (MIRA, July 30, 2013)