by V. B. Tenery
He chuckled. “You don’t plan on jumping off a platform at me, do you? I can handle a slow foxtrot, rumba, and swing if pressed. But no stage jumping.”
She slipped her arm through his and wrinkled her nose at him. “Come on, twinkle toes. I’ll try to restrain myself.”
He stopped and told Frank they would be back in a couple of hours, left the suite, and stepped into the elevator.
For a Friday night, the club was nearly empty. The snow probably kept revelers away. That suited Sean just fine.
Candace felt the warmth of Sean’s hand on her back as he guided her to a table in the corner near a window. The room had a fireplace on one wall where a cozy electric fire burned in the subdued lighting. The large Christmas tree nearby and the white snowflakes drifting past the window provided the perfect ambience for the evening.
The waitress hurried over to their table.
“Do you have anything hot and non-alcoholic other than coffee and tea?” Sean asked.
She smiled. “Yes, sir. We have spicy hot apple cider. It’s a house special this time of year. It’s made with organic Washington State apples and tastes a bit like the wassail my grandma used to make at Christmas time.”
“Sounds good to me.” He glanced across at Candace. “How about you?”
“Yes, please. It sounds perfect.”
Candace watched Sean take the measure of the room. Apparently satisfied there were no threats, he turned his attention to her. “The band is on break. Shall we wait for them to return or do you want to hum a tune we can dance to?”
She laughed. “Let’s wait.”
His eyes crinkled. “Good choice.”
Candace had fallen in love with this man the first time she met him outside her bedroom. She was willing to admit that, at first, part of the attraction had been that he made her feel safe. She loved his quirky sense of humor, but it went deeper than that.
Sean McGregor was a man comfortable in his own skin. No pretenses. What you saw was what you got. He was morally upright and honest. Rare qualities in today’s world. She wasn’t going to let him slip away.
The money would be a problem. She understood that. He wouldn’t settle for being known as Mr. Candace Kane. But she could work that out.
“You look deep in thought,” he said. “A dime for your thoughts.”
“The last of the big spenders. But they’re worth much more than a dime. I was just wondering if I should propose to you again tonight. Since it looks like my would-be assassin is in custody, I won’t need a bodyguard. You might ride off into the sunset and leave me to nurse a broken heart.”
A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Let’s dance before I have to give you a public spanking.”
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor as the country and western band struck up the Garth Brooks classic The Dance.
They were the only couple on the floor but they moved unselfconsciously to the music. He gathered her closer into his arms and she felt his heart beat through his sweater.
She expelled a deep sigh. “Such a sad but beautiful song. You are a good dancer.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” His voice became husky in her ear. “I will never lie to you, Candace.”
After a couple of dances, they returned to the table to finish their drinks.
“Does all the evil in the world get to you sometimes?” she asked. “There is so much horror on TV and the Internet. Two deaths associated with that tiny, picturesque little town. It gets to me. Often I just want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head and never get up again.”
He placed his hand over hers. “You can’t dwell on it, Candace. You must always remember that God knows where all this is going. He’s in charge. I know that’s easy to say, but we can’t let what might happen cripple us.
“And yes, when I come face to face with evil like the senseless deaths of two young women, someone hired to murder you over money, and the insane corruption in our government, I get angry and want to smash something. That’s when I get on my knees and turn it over to God.”
Sean visibly tensed as a man walked over to their table. “Hi, Candace. I haven’t seen you around the agency lately. One of the models told me you struck the mother lode. Is that true? You’re the Kane Industries heiress?”
Candace laid her hand on Sean’s arm to let him know it was okay. “Hi, Drake. I see you are as straight-forward as ever.” She introduced Sean to Drake Dawson, a model and actor who worked for the same agency she did.
He smiled one of his magazine cover smiles, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “I’ve always lived by the rule, if you want to know something, ask.”
She lifted one shoulder. “I haven’t made any permanent decisions yet. It’s all very new right now. How are things at the agency?”
“Same old cattle calls. Speaking of which, I also heard you are Logan Kane’s cousin. I’ve learned to never compete with him for a photo shoot or part in a play. He takes no prisoners.”
He rapped the table with his knuckles twice and stood. “I won’t intrude on your evening any longer. I’ve missed seeing your beautiful face at the agency. Don’t be a stranger.”
With a parting kiss on both her cheeks, he shook Sean’s hand and returned to his friends.
“An old boyfriend?” Sean asked.
She shook her head and smiled. “Hardly. He’s left a string of broken hearts in this town that would wrap around the Empire State Building. He’s also the biggest gossip in New York, and that’s saying a lot.”
The band began playing Blue Christmas. Sean rose from his chair and held out his hand. “Come, let’s make good use of this beautiful music.”
The following afternoon, Sean went next door to escort Candace to the Board of Director’s meeting.
He was treated to a third Candace Kane persona. He had seen the sprite and the glamour girl. Today, he was greeted by Candace the businesswoman.
She wore a red suit, her dark hair pulled back with a gold clip at the back of her neck, her large hazel eyes lovely and concerned. She stood next to him at the door as they waited for Hilda and Frank to join them. The Kane matriarch had reserved one of the hotel’s small meeting rooms.
“You ready for this?” Sean asked Candace.
“As ready as I’m going to get. I’ve been practicing my Donald Trump scowl and saying, ‘You’re fired!’ in front of a mirror all morning.”
The group left the suite together. Detective Washington had already arrived when they entered. He asked Hilda to arrange the schedule to first see Brady Mullins, the man who hired the assassin. The detective thought Mullins might implicate Truett when faced with charges of conspiracy to commit first degree murder and a fifteen to twenty-year prison sentence.
The room held a conference table with a pitcher of ice water and glasses in the center. A nearby sideboard held refreshments and pastries.
They grabbed coffee and sat around the table. Sean sat at the head of the table with Washington on his right. Candace was on his left with Hilda beside her. Frank stood guard by the door.
Mullins arrived early and took the seat beside the detective.
The board member looked to be an ex-jock whose muscle tone was turning to flab. He was visibly nervous. After he was seated he poured a glass of water and took a long gulp. “Hello, Hilda. You’re looking as beautiful as ever. And I’m glad to finally meet our new chairman of the board, Miss Kane.”
Candace’s directed her attention to him, her face stoic. “I wish it could be under more pleasant circumstances, Mr. Mullins.”
She opened a file folder on the table, studied it for a moment. “I came here today to terminate your employment with Kane Industries for misuse of company funds and illegal business practices. However, when we arrived yesterday, Detective Washington informed me he had questions for you on another matter.”
Mullins stammered. “I-I didn’t do—. Y-You can’t do this.”
“Yes, she can.” Washington said. “Tell me, Mr. Mulli
ns, do you know a man named Jose Lopez-Vargas?”
The man’s face turned a lighter shade of gray. He shook his head. “Not to my knowledge.”
Washington had made copies of the cell phone photo and he slid one in front of Brady Mullins. “Does this stimulate your memory?”
Mullins covered his face with both hands.
Washington Mirandized him. “In exchange for turning state’s evidence, meaning if you tell us everything and the people involved, the DA may offer you a plea bargain. No guarantees, it will be entirely up to the DA.”
That was all it took for Mullins to start ratting out his buddy. He said it was Truett’s plan and the other two board members knew nothing about the attempted murder.
Detective Washington left the hotel with Mullins and Truett in handcuffs and a written confession from Mullins.
Thanks to Detective Washington the trip had added benefits. Not only had they cleaned out the rats’ nest on the Kane Board of Directors, but the attempts on Candace’s life had been solved, the culprits were in jail, and headed for trial.
CHAPTER TEN
Trump International Hotel
New York, NY
W
hen the meeting ended, Candace looked as though someone let the air out of all four of her tires. She stood at the refreshment table with a cream cheese danish and a glass of orange juice.
“What are you doing? Getting a sugar high?” Sean asked. “It’s just a few hours until dinner.”
“I’m feeding my angst.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Is that how you’re supposed to handle it?”
She took a big bite and chewed then washed it down with the juice. “No, but it’s always worked for me.”
“No one would ever know it to look at you.”
She wrinkled her brow, laid the danish on a napkin, and set the juice on the sideboard. “Do you realize it’s a week before Christmas and I just fired two men and put two more in jail? I don’t like being the boss if that’s part of the job.”
Sean took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. She had a bit of icing on her bottom lip. He picked up a napkin and wiped it away. “Unfortunately, it is a part of it. Admittedly, the timing was bad, but circumstances dictated that. What you did was unpleasant, but it was the right thing to do. How can I make it better?”
She looked up at him with misty eyes and shook her head. Then her eyes brightened. “I know! You can take me shopping at FAO Schwarz. I need to buy something for Teddy.”
He released her shoulders and took her hand. “Whatever you want.”
She bumped her hip against his. “Be careful what you say. What I really want is an engagement ring. But for the moment, I’ll settle for a shopping spree at a toy store and afterwards dinner at a real Jewish deli I know where I can get a kosher fix.”
He laughed. “You never let up, do you?”
“Nope. I’m a girl with a one-track mind.”
“I’m beginning to realize that. Come, let’s bundle up and get a taxi.”
Minutes later, they stepped out into the cold, damp air. She placed her hand on his arm and smiled up at him. “I love a man who plays hard to get.”
FAO Schwarz
New York, New York
Twenty minutes later, the taxi dropped them off in front of the mammoth toy store and they walked inside.
Sean waved at the vast array of toys. “Do you know what you want?”
“Not a clue. I know more what he doesn’t like than what he does. Come, let’s ask an expert.” She led him over to a smiling young woman.
“May I help you?” the woman asked.
Candace nodded. “I hope so. We’re looking for gifts for a four-year-old boy and I have no idea what to buy.”
“What does he like to do?”
Candace thought for a moment. “He doesn’t like electronic toys but loves interactive games.”
“Does he like to build things?” the clerk asked. “If so, we have a couple of items he might like.”
She led them over to a display. “This is a castle made from wooden blocks. He can glue them together and display it in his room.
“And here is a wood and canvas teepee he could build and then play in with friends.”
“Those would be perfect.” Candace said. “Can you ship them to arrive Tuesday?”
“Let me double check to make sure we have both on hand.” She pulled out her tablet and entered the product numbers then nodded. “Yes, ma’am, they’re both in stock. We can ship them out today.”
Candace paid for the items and then took his arm. “Don’t you just love this store? When I first came to New York, before I made friends, I used to come here and watch the children play with the toys. The glow on their innocent little faces always lifted my spirits. Someday, I’m going to have six boys and a couple of girls and bring them here. Being an only child is a bummer.”
“Eight children?” Sean asked. “Is that a warning to perspective suitors?”
She flashed her pixie smile. “Yes.”
Kane Chalet
Christmas Tyme, Colorado
The next morning Sean, Candace, Hilda, and Frank flew back to Denver. Doyle met them at the airport and drove the quiet group back to Christmas Tyme and on to the chalet.
Candace stepped into the foyer at the chalet, glad to be home. Funny, she now thought of this as home. Sean and Frank stayed behind to help Doyle unload the luggage.
She hung her knit cap and coat in the vestibule closet and turned as a loud squeal emanated from the stairwell. “Candy! You’re home!”
A small blur shot across the floor and tiny arms wrapped around her knees.
“I missed you, Candy. Can we play a game?”
Candace knelt and hugged him close. “I missed you too, Teddy. I bought you some Christmas presents in New York.”
His smile turned shy. “What did you get me?”
“The gifts are a surprise, so I can’t tell, but I think you’ll like them. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Candace caught a glimpse of Velma at the top of the stairs watching the interaction with her son. A look passed across the woman’s face that Candace didn’t understand.
It wasn’t anger or jealousy, it was more like pleasure.
Velma came down the stairs. “Welcome home. Did you get your affairs in New York settled?”
Candace nodded. “Yes, I think so. Have you heard from Clay?”
Velma turned sad eyes to Candace. “I’ve visited him every day. He’s handling it better than I thought he would. Still not good, but better.”
She laughed. “He says he can’t eat jailhouse food, so I’m having meals catered to the jail twice a day. He insisted that I have enough sent to feed the other inmates and the guards. It’s costing him a fortune, but he doesn’t seem to care.”
Candace smiled and shook her head. “At that rate, the jailor may decide to keep him until he runs out of money.”
Velma’s gaze searched Candace’s face. “May I talk to you in private? Doyle is bringing tea into the library in a moment. I’d appreciate it if you would join me.”
Mystified, Candace nodded. “Sure. I could use a hot cup of tea.”
A fire blazed in the hearth and they sat in nearby side chairs.
Velma cleared her throat. “I want to apologize for being rude to you. I’ve been catty ever since you arrived. I’m not even sure why I was threatened by you. It was jealousy, I guess. You’re so beautiful and you had just inherited your father’s money. I just want you to know I’m sorry I got things off on the wrong foot.”
“Of course, I accept your apology. I hope we can be friends. I never had a sister. Do you ever look in the mirror, girl? You’re a knockout.”
Velma shrugged. “Mine is superficial. Yours is natural and honest, for lack of a better word.
“I also wanted to thank you for all the attention you’ve given Teddy. He’s really a great kid. He’s smart as a whip and he has a gentle, loving heart.”
/> “He truly is a wonderful little boy. You should spend more time with him. These are his most formative years.”
“I-I haven’t been able to give him the time and nurturing he deserves. Consequently, we never bonded.”
She stood. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize for being unkind. I’ll see you at dinner.”
As Velma left the room, Sean walked in. “I wondered where you had gotten off to.”
“Do you think dual personalities are contagious?” Candace asked.
“No, it’s a mental disorder. Why do you ask?”
“Because I just had tea with a woman I’ve never met before that’s a ringer for Velma Kane.”
The next morning, Hilda Kane called Sean’s room. “Good morning, Sean. Please come to the library. Candace and I need to talk to you.”
“Certainly. I’ll be right down.” Sean was pretty sure he knew what the discussion would be about. The foyer was empty as he walked through. Too early for the rest of the family to be up.
He knocked on the library door. At the command to enter, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The two women sat in individual chairs. He took a seat on the sofa. Candace’s red, swollen eyes confirmed his suspicions as to the subject of this meeting.
“Sean, since the assassin and those who hired him are now in jail, Candace no longer needs a bodyguard.”
He nodded. “I intended to speak to you about that this morning. I’m glad she is no longer in danger, although it wasn’t due to any actions on my part. The credit goes to the New York Police Department.”
“On the contrary, you gave both Candace and me a feeling of security while you were here. Shall I mail your check to your office in Florida?”
“Yes, please.” A lead weight settled in his chest. He had never before let himself become attached to a client.
Hilda rose from the chair. “I’ll leave you two alone to say goodbye.”
As soon as the door closed behind her grandmother, Candace rushed across the room and sat beside him. “Oh, Sean. You can’t leave. I love you. Surely you know that. Stay! I’ll hire you as a permanent bodyguard. Rich people do that all the time.”
