by Diane Darcy
Isabelle looked through the windshield. The place sat on a short cliff on the outskirts of their small Southern California town, in the exclusive area overlooking the ocean. Tiny strips of manicured grass, palm trees, ficus trees, and shaped bushes surrounded the place. From their position in the driveway she could see the huge deck with its iron rampart railing that overlooked the private beach below and the ocean beyond. A turret on one side of the structure gave the mansion its nickname, a name the former owners, a Hollywood executive and his wife, had encouraged. They’d tried to sell the place for a few years and she’d heard it had sold to a retired military man and his family. She hadn’t realized it had been resold to a jeweler.
Isabelle heard her father swallow again and reached out to pat his knee. He slowly relaxed his death grip on the steering wheel. When he reached out a trembling hand to open his door, she opened hers, as well, and joined him on the elegant flagstone driveway. They both moved to the front of the car.
“It’s okay, Dad. We’ll get through this, I promise. And then we’ll spend the rest of the day searching. We’ll find it. Courtney and her friends may even find it by the time we get home.” Isabelle sent out another quick prayer for her sister and her friends who’d been searching the beach since sunrise.
He nodded and went up the driveway and around to the front. As they passed the garage she could see a pathway leading to steps descending to the beach below. The guy must be a millionaire. Surely he’d give them a chance? Maybe he had daughters of his own and he’d understand? She hoped so. She really did.
She walked with her father across the tiled walkway, passing bushes, dogwood trees, and miniature hollyhocks. Isabelle could feel her insides trembling and knew her father must be even worse off. They came to the turn and her father stopped short.
“Izzy. I want you to wait here. Stay hidden behind the bushes. I’m going to do this myself.”
“No, Dad. Let me go with you.”
He was already shaking his head. “It’s enough to know you’re here. This isn’t your fault, it’s mine, and I need to face this alone.”
“You need my support.”
He reached out and grabbed her by the shoulders, looking down into her face. “Izzy, I have enough to apologize to you for. When I fell apart after your mother died, you had to grow up too fast. I’ll do this alone. You’re not going to clean up one more mess for me. Not one.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she ached for him in that moment. “Dad, you’ve always done the best you could for us. I know that.” She moved forward and hugged him, then kissed his cheek. “For luck. Tell him we just need a little more time. We’ll find the necklace today for sure.”
He nodded, took a breath, and headed around the greenery and toward the front door.
Isabelle took a deep breath of her own, crossed her fingers, and said a quick prayer.
~~~
Adam heard the doorbell ring and hurried down the staircase to the entry. It was early, he wasn’t expecting anyone, and he was already in a foul mood. Another personal assistant quit on him with zero warning, and knowing he was going to have to spend the day looking for a new one didn’t exactly put him in a great mood.
He answered the door and was surprised to see the manager of Wilder’s Jewels standing on his front stoop. He didn’t remember asking Stephen to come out today and mentally ran through the list of jewelry he’d created in recent weeks to see if he’d forgotten anything. “Stephen? What are you doing here? Did I forget something?”
The older guy tried to speak, but couldn’t seem to get any words to come out of his mouth. He swallowed several times, took a deep breath, and clenched and unclenched the hands he gripped together.
If he was reading the guy right, and he was pretty sure he was, Stephen was scared. Which in turn made the hair rise on the back of Adam’s neck. “Are you okay? Do you want to come inside?” He hoped the guy wasn’t quitting. That was the last thing Adam needed today.
Stephen shook his head. “No. No. I need to tell you something.”
Fire, theft, and insurance premiums ran through Adam’s mind and he tensed, ready for the worst. “Yes?”
“You know the necklace? The Starfire?”
“You sold it?” Adam was trying to be hopeful. Maybe Stephen wasn’t scared, after all. Maybe he was excited.
“No…I…I have to tell you something.” Stephen wiped his brow, and his bottom lip briefly trembled. “I loaned the necklace to my daughter, for her prom.” He spoke the words quickly. “I’d intended to put it back before you knew. And…and…she’s lost it.”
Adam couldn’t believe he’d heard correctly. “You what?”
“We’re looking for it. My whole family, friends. We’ll find it. I have every confidence we will find it very soon. Today.”
Adam realized his mouth was gaping and he snapped it shut. He took a breath to try to calm himself. It didn’t work. “You what?” He roared the words at the idiot standing in front of him.
Stephen flinched. “I…I…I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
“You stole the Starfire?” Adam’s tone deepened to a growl as the skin around his eyes tightened. “I can’t believe I trusted you! I gave you an opportunity, I took a chance on an alcoholic who’d cleaned up his act, and this is how you repay me?” His clenched fist hit the doorframe, making Stephen flinch. “You know how valuable that necklace is! Who do you think you are?”
Stephen had tears in his eyes and his hands gripped in front of him. “Please, if you’ll just give me more time to find it. I know we can find it.”
“You gave it to your daughter?” Again, he roared the words. “For a prom?”
Adam grabbed his short hair with both hands to keep himself from putting his hands around the older man’s neck. He sucked in a breath of air. Thinking about how much time it had taken him to create the necklace, about the care and travel involved in getting the perfect jewels, about what the sale of that piece would do for his business--and his reputation--then thinking about that necklace at a high school prom, had his fists clenching and his guts aching. He absolutely wanted to smash Stephen’s face.
He took another deep breath. “You’re fired.” He held out a hand that shook with emotion. “Give me your keys, and then don’t move. Not one step. I want you to stay right here while I call the police. You’re going to jail, buddy. And if you make the slightest move, if you make me chase you down, I’m going to make you very, very sorry.”
~~~
Isabelle stood behind the bush and wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep quiet. Dad was stuttering again, and she closed her eyes.
“Please. If you’ll just give us some time. I know we’ll find it.”
“And I’m just as sure that you won’t! It’s probably already been pawned. No doubt by you!”
“No. Please. If we don’t find it I could work it off. I’ll make this right somehow.”
“How? You’re a thief. You’ll be in jail. And even if you somehow aren’t, I’m certainly not going to keep you on. And I’m not going to keep quiet about this, either. No one is going to hire an alcoholic thief. I certainly shouldn’t have.”
“But…but…”
That was it. Izzy couldn’t stand still a moment longer. Shaking with fear and anger, she charged around the bush and the first thing that struck her was how huge and muscular he was compared to her much smaller and older father. She gulped. “He is not a thief. Stop yelling at him! What is the matter with you! He’s trying to make this right!”
The man’s mouth gaped open as he stared at her. “Isabelle?”
It took her a moment longer to realize she recognized Dad’s boss. “Adam?” She couldn’t believe how big he was--well over six feet tall--with a broad chest and shoulders, and a tapered waist. She realized that whenever she’d seen him, he’d been sitting down.
Adam looked at the bush she’d been standing behind, then back at her again, and she could feel her face heat. “What are you doing here?”
She felt like she could just die of embarrassment on the spot. “I…I’m here with my father.” She gestured toward Stephen.
He looked at Stephen, then back at her again. “Your father?”
She took a breath. “Yes.” She moved forward and placed her hand on Dad’s shoulder in a show of support, though she couldn’t meet Adam’s gaze. “My father made a mistake.” Her face was absolutely burning. She could feel it. What must Adam be thinking of her right now? “If you could please just give us a little more time to fix this. We’ll find the necklace. The places we needed to get into last night were closed. Please just give us a bit more time.”
She could feel his gaze on her. “You do realize the necklace is worth $100,000, right? If you can’t find it, does your family have that kind of money?”
Isabelle couldn’t help a wince. “No. But I’m sure payment won’t be necessary. My sister wore the necklace to her dance last night and chances are it fell off in the limousine she rode home in. We couldn’t contact the driver last night, but we’ll find it today for sure.” She finally met his gaze and barely kept herself from flinching at the cold look he directed her way. “I swear we’ll keep looking until we do.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Isabelle. But this is out-and-out theft. I’ll have to report this to my insurance company and they’ll take it from there.”
Isabelle’s shoulders hunched and tightened to the point of pain. “Please. I’m begging you. Just give us today. My dad isn’t a criminal.”
“From where I’m standing, it looks like your entire family is culpable.”
Her father spoke up. “No. The girls aren’t responsible for this. Izzy asked me not to let her sister wear the necklace. This is all on me. I just wanted to do something nice for my youngest daughter. I can’t believe it’s gone so wrong,” he said helplessly.
“If you could just give us today,” said Isabelle. “I know we’ll find it. Please.”
Adam, his arms crossed over his chest, his stance wide, looked unmoved. “Stephen, if you find the necklace, then I’m sure most of the charges will be dropped. If not?” He shrugged. “Then I guess you’ll have plenty of time in prison to think about why you shouldn’t take things that don’t belong to you.”
“Stop acting like you don’t have a say in this!” The words burst out of Isabelle and she hated that her voice quavered. “It’s your company. You don’t have to report this just yet. A few hours, that’s all we’re asking for. Please.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Dad’s boss had turned out to be Adam Wilder. Of all the people who lived in this town, why did it have to be him?
She’d known Adam’s last name was Wilder. Of course, she’d known. But why would she connect a young Marine coming into the Veteran’s Hospital with the owner of Wilder’s Jewels? It was just too ridiculous.
She looked at Adam and considered the fact that he’d been wanting to date her. She wondered if there was any possible way his feelings for her could influence him to give her father a chance. She felt like a horrible person for even thinking it. But she couldn’t risk her father. He’d been stable for the last few years and anything she could do to keep him that way, she’d do.
“Please, Adam.”
“I could work more hours,” said Stephen.
Adam’s eyes narrowed. “There is no way I’m willing to let you back into my store under any circumstances.”
“I could work for you in another capacity,” Stephen swallowed. “I could do yard work. I could clean your house. I could paint.”
Adam’s brows rose. “I thought you were going to be looking for the necklace?”
“I could work for you while he looks for the necklace,” Isabelle volunteered.
“Doing what?”
“Anything. I’ll be at your beck and call. Cooking, cleaning, working at your store, nursing your leg. Whatever you need. Please, just give him a chance to find it. If my dad goes to jail, he can’t look for the necklace, can he?”
Dad shook his head. “No, Izzy. This isn’t your fault.”
Isabelle looked at Adam. “Do we have a deal?”
Isabelle’s heart sank as Adam shook his head.
~~~
Adam was having a hard time believing that Isabelle was there, at his house, under these circumstances. He really wanted to hurt Stephen right now. Not only had the man lost Adam’s prize piece, but he’d also lost Adam his chance with Isabelle. She’d never date him now. It would be uncomfortable for both of them.
As tempted as he was to take Isabelle up on her offer, to have her close at hand, he wouldn’t do it. With $100,000 on the table, and her father’s future unsure, it would just end up awkward for them both. And even if they did find the necklace today, he sincerely doubted Isabelle would want anything to do with him ever again. Not after the way he’d been threatening her father. Not after her feeling embarrassed and humiliated in front of him. Adam glared at Stephen. The man had ruined everything.
“Yoo hoo, Mr. Wilder, I hope I’m not dropping by at a bad time?”
Adam looked up to see his middle-aged neighbor, her hair a brighter shade of red than usual, coming up the walk. This was absolutely the last thing he needed right now.
The woman’s mouth arched in a fake smile, displaying dental caps that must have cost a fortune. “I just wanted to stop by to let you know my niece will be coming to stay with us again. She had such a nice time meeting you when she was here last, and she’s dying to see you again. She hinted she might like to go to dinner with you.”
Mrs. Gilroy studied Isabelle and her father, her expression avid, no doubt taking in every detail. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything? I thought I heard raised voices? Perhaps I should come back later?”
Adam managed not to roll his eyes. The last thing he wanted was an appointment with the nosy Mrs. Gilroy or her money-grubbing niece whose eyes resembled dollar signs whenever she could bear to look Adam in the face.
Isabelle looked from him--to Mrs. Gilroy--then back again. She took a step toward Adam and put a possessive hand on his left arm. “Adam, is this your neighbor?”
Adam’s entire body tightened as the cool touch of her bare skin seemed to sear his own. He stilled, looked into the blue-eyed gaze lifted toward his, and tried to remember why her working for him wouldn’t be a good idea.
“Mr. Wilder?”
Adam managed to tear his gaze from Isabelle’s.
“Who is this exactly?” Mrs. Gilroy asked in a sickly sweet voice.
Isabelle’s chin lifted, and the slight tremble of her lips made all his protective instincts flare to life. “I’m Adam’s girlfriend. And you are?”
“Oh. Oh, I see. I’m Mrs. Gilroy.” She laughed nervously. “I just live right next door. I just came over to, uh, to see if Mr. Wilder was okay. You know, what with the yelling, and all.”
“I’m fine,” said Adam.
“All right, then. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you once my niece arrives.” She waved her fingers. “Ta ta.”
After Mrs. Gilroy left, Izzy looked up at him. “I’m not sure I read that right. It looked like you wanted her gone. I was…I was just trying to help. No, actually, I was trying to show you I could be useful.”
“You did. Read that right, I mean. And you were useful. I certainly don’t want Mrs. Gilroy knowing my business, or pushing her niece on me.” He looked at her hand on his arm.
Isabelle jerked back and moved to stand beside her father once more. “I want you to agree to give my dad more time. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you to agree, including keeping your neighbor off your back.”
Looking down into Isabelle’s determined, frightened face, something softened in him, and again, he was tempted. He let out a breath. He’d better put a stop to this before it got out of hand and he agreed to something he’d regret later. “Isabelle, I’m sorry, but I’m a realist. I don’t believe you’ll find the necklace at this point. Whoev
er finds it will no doubt keep it and pawn it later. It could be months before we find it, if we ever do.”
“Then I’ll be here for months.” Isabelle’s face was now a bright red, and she could no longer meet his gaze. He couldn’t deny he was tempted to take her up on her offer. He’d considered hiring an assistant. Why not her? And if she was there, he’d see her every day. The temptation was powerful. “What about your job at the hospital?”
She looked hopeful. “It’s only part time. I work mornings, twenty hours a week. From noon on, I’ll be available to come here and work.”
With her standing in front of him, looking so delicate, helpless, and desperate, he felt like a monster. With the scars on his face, his limp, and with him holding all the cards, he probably looked like one to her, too. Which only made him angry. None of this was his fault.
“This isn’t a good idea.”
“Let me decide that. I can be a big help around here. Anyway, regardless of what you believe, it’ll probably only be for today. If it’s not, let me work for you and give my dad the chance to fix this.”
He hesitated. It felt like he was taking advantage of her somehow. But what if Stephen really did find the necklace today? Then Adam just might come out of this whole thing looking like a hero in her eyes. He might still have a chance with her.
“Okay,” he relented. “While you’re working for me, I won’t press charges against your dad. We’ll take it one day at a time. You can get moved in today, and I’ll expect you to start work tomorrow.”
~~~
Isabelle’s mouth parted. “I thought I’d just come over here after work and leave before bedtime.”
“What happened to being at my beck and call?”
Her chin lifted. “I said beck and call, not beck and call girl.”
His lips tightened. “Since you obviously don’t trust me, let’s forget this whole thing.”
Isabelle hesitated. She could tell she’d stung his pride with her comment. “No. Wait. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
