by Diane Darcy
He sighed again. He could argue with himself all night, but it wouldn’t change a thing. He wasn’t going to alter the situation. He liked Izzy in his house. Maybe that meant his temporary insanity was becoming more permanent. No doubt the insurance company would tell him so, and no doubt his mentor would agree. But at the moment, he just didn’t care.
He craned his neck and saw Isabelle’s bedroom light and watched as she shut the frilly curtains. Feminine and pretty, the bedroom really did suit her.
He wanted to keep her. But how?
Best-case scenario, her dad really did find the necklace. No harm, no foul. Adam could even be unbelievably generous and give Stephen his job back. Then what? How would Izzy feel about him? Relieved? Grateful? Like she never wanted to see him again for the rest of her life?
If he’d wanted to play the hero for her, he should have given Stephen the time he’d asked for and told him to keep Adam updated. He rubbed his head. He was going insane. It was a $100,000 necklace! You didn't just excuse something like that. It was the best piece he'd done to date. A reputation maker. The gems and gold alone were worth a fortune, but when he remembered the time involved, the planning, the hours he'd worked on it. No. He wouldn't just forgive and forget. Even for Izzy.
He swung his legs to the side of the recliner and looked up at the bedroom window again. What he wanted was to take the time he did have with Izzy and romance her. If and when things went bad, she'd know him better, would understand, and hold Adam blameless. If her father had to live with the consequences of thievery, it wasn’t Adam’s fault.
In the meantime, he'd let Isabelle get to know him, give Stephen more time, and while her father looked for the necklace, Adam would romance Izzy to the best of his ability. Others might disagree, but it seemed like a good plan to him.
~~~
Isabelle could hear Courtney’s yawn over the phone. “We seriously looked everywhere, Izzy. It’s like it just disappeared.”
“You should go to bed. You have school in the morning.”
Courtney snorted. “Who cares about school when our lives are falling apart? I…I just feel so bad about this whole thing, you know?” There was a catch in Courtney’s voice and she sounded on the verge of tears.
“I know.” It gave Izzy a pang to realize the last days of Courtney’s senior year of high school would forever be overshadowed by the guilt of losing the necklace. If Izzy could take that from her, she would. “But it’s going to be okay, I promise. Adam is willing to give us more time. So stop worrying.”
“Who’s Adam?”
“Mr. Wilder. Did you have any dinner?”
“Yes, Erin had something ready for us when we got home. You call him Adam? How old is he?”
“I’m not sure. A few years older than me, I guess.”
“You’re kidding. I thought he was an old man. What are you helping him with?”
“So far, just a little cooking. Tomorrow I’m going shopping.”
“Is he married?”
“No.”
“Is he a perv?”
“No! Courtney, let me talk to Dad, and you go to bed, okay?”
A moment later Dad was on the phone. “Izzy?”
“Hi, Dad. How’s everything going?”
“Oh, it’s going.” He sounded tired and down.
“I have some good news for you. I talked to Adam and he’s agreed something like this could take a few months. He’s not going to pressure us.”
Dad blew out a breath. “That’s great news. Does that mean you’re coming home tonight?”
“No. I’ll be here for the duration.”
“Oh. I was hoping--”
“It’s okay, really. I have a great bedroom all to myself and Adam has been a perfect gentleman. Don’t worry. It’s all going to work out.”
“I visited every pawnshop in the area today. After I post the flyers tomorrow, I’m going to look for a job.”
“Why don’t you take a few days?” she said. “I keep hoping the necklace will turn up. In the meantime, we still have my paycheck and I have some savings. I don’t need much while I’m staying at Adam’s.”
“That’s your moving-out money.”
“We’re in crisis mode, Dad. I can save up again.”
He sighed. “I need a job sooner or later. It might as well be sooner. Besides, filling out applications is only the first step.”
“How is everything else going?”
“Erin’s a real trooper. She’s helping with everything.”
“That’s great,” she said. At the same time it felt a little strange, because Isabelle was used to being the one to take care of her family. She almost felt pushed out, which was ridiculous.
“You’ll be sure to keep Mr. Wilder updated on our progress, right?”
“I certainly will.”
“Okay. Good. That’s good. Here’s Erin, she wants to talk to you.”
“Izzy?” Erin’s voice came on the line. “What’s this I hear about you staying at Mr. Wilder’s? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m just helping him out.”
“Hmm. If any fishy business comes up, be sure and let us know,” she said in her usual no-nonsense tone. “We’ll be there lickety-split.”
“Thank you. But I feel perfectly safe.” And surprisingly, she really did. After saying goodbye, Isabelle got ready for bed, turned off the lights, pulled back the pretty bedspread, and slid between the sheets. She lay stiff for a moment, her body recognizing the difference between the comfortable mattress and the one she slept on at home. She spread out a bit and slowly relaxed. It was heaven. She jumped up to open the window and a soft breeze off the ocean drifted in. She hopped back in bed, cuddled under the blankets, and smiled.
She did feel kind of like a princess in a tower. Remembering her coworkers accusing her of exactly that, the thought left her giggly, but slowly her smile faded. She didn’t have any right to enjoy this when her family was out of their minds with worry. But Adam had lessened that tonight, hadn’t he? She felt a swell of gratitude toward him. There was nothing any of them could do at the moment but wait and see if someone came forward with the necklace. They’d all been so frightened, reacting to what happened, but Adam’s willingness to wait eased the stress considerably.
Why was he so willing to wait? If he reported her father to the insurance company, Adam would no doubt be compensated. Maybe that was why he didn't seem too worried about it. She just wasn't sure how that whole thing worked, and she wasn't about to ask. If her father found the necklace, it would be a non-issue; if he didn’t, they’d think of something else. Maybe Adam would accept a payment plan. For the next three hundred years.
So why not make the best of living here while it lasted? She could worry later if she had to. For the first time in her life she had a bedroom to herself and she might as well enjoy it. Adam had told her to have fun. Insisted, actually. He’d gone out of his way to make her feel comfortable today. She wondered what he was getting out of the whole thing. Was he really so afraid of his neighbor’s niece? Was he really so desperate to keep his friends from setting him up? He did strike her as a private man. But still, using Izzy as a shield seemed to be going overboard.
She knew he liked her. And as long as she was being honest, she might as well admit that she liked the way he looked at her. She enjoyed the admiration she saw in his eyes and felt flustered around him. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
She turned over in bed and almost groaned aloud at how comfortable the mattress was as she started to drift off. She was staying in a fabulous place, her father wasn’t in jail, and she had her own bedroom. Isabelle was going to take Adam at his word and enjoy it all. How could she keep her family’s spirits up if she was full of doom and gloom?
Best-case scenario? Dad found and replaced the necklace. Worst-case scenario? A picture of her father in prison garb flashed through her mind and she quickly pushed it aside. She snuggled into the pillow. She wouldn't allow herself to consider the wo
rst case unless she had to.
~~~
Adam heard a car door shut outside below his office. His head lifted as his insides tightened in expectation. He’d turned off the loud music earlier so he could hear Izzy when she arrived and it seemed he’d been waiting forever. He glanced at the clock. It was only three o’clock in the afternoon, so he laughed at himself. He wanted to jump up and go look out the window, but he purposefully kept working. He wanted to run downstairs and greet her, but he didn’t want to make her nervous, or seem too obvious. All the same, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction at her arrival. She hadn’t changed her mind and she hadn’t gone home.
He caught himself listening, his hands still, and finally got up, shut the door, and turned on the music, but softly in case she knocked.
About half an hour later there was a tap on the door and he smiled in satisfaction over the fact that she’d sought him out. He jumped up and opened the door, worried she'd change her mind if he didn’t hurry. “Hi,” he said, taking in her appearance. In a pair of red shorts, a white T-shirt decorated with red flowers, and shiny red sandals, she looked beautiful, as always.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“How was work today?” When her gaze dropped to plush carpeting, he regretted the words. He sounded like a husband. Since she'd said she wasn't ready to date yet, he was pretty sure she wasn't up to feeling like someone's wife.
She shrugged. “It was okay, I guess.”
“No grouchy veterans?”
She smiled. “Maybe a few.”
He refrained from saying anything more, afraid he'd put his foot in it.
She took a breath and lifted a piece of paper he hadn’t noticed. “I was thinking about going grocery shopping…and…I wondered if there was anything you wanted me to pick up, you know, specifically, and…uh…how you wanted me to pay for the groceries.”
Her cheeks reddened and he pretended not to notice as he held out a hand. “Can I see what's on the list?”
“Sure.” She handed it over. “Since we haven’t eaten the macaroni and cheese or the fish sticks I bought yesterday, I thought we’d start with those, and I added a few more meals for the week.”
He scanned the menu. Hot dogs? Frozen hamburgers? Frozen Burritos. He looked into her pretty blue eyes. Yes, she was serious. There was nothing wrong with junk food once in a while, but he didn’t really want to eat the home version of fast food on a daily basis. But how did he tell her that without hurting her feelings? She looked so anxious, her blue eyes worried, and he decided it was fine. Did he really care what he ate as long as he was with her?
“I wasn't sure what you'd like,” she inserted quickly. “If you want to change anything, that's all right. I mean, this is what I usually buy and it's pretty inexpensive.” She shrugged. “And I know the meals are basic but I’ll pick up some salad fixings and fruit, too. I mean, besides the expense, I've never really had a lot of extra time to cook until I finished school recently. So the meals are quick and easy. But I can read a recipe book, so if you want something else that's okay, too.”
That was all he needed to hear. “You know what? I’ll go with you. Give me fifteen minutes and I'll meet you by the front door.”
She looked relieved. “That's probably a good idea.”
He went back in his office and quickly came up with a menu for the week and recreated the grocery list. Then he locked up his supplies and the workshop door. He couldn't help the surge of excitement and satisfaction he felt. She’d just handed him the perfect excuse to spend time with her.
As an amateur chef, he was more than willing to give her cooking lessons. And whether she knew it or not, they were just about to go on their first date.
~~~
They arrived at the grocery store and Isabelle pulled out a shopping cart, spun it around, and headed down the main aisle.
“No, it’s okay,” said Adam. “I like a woman who takes charge.”
Amused, she glanced at Adam and raised a brow. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize a grocery cart could threaten a man’s masculinity.”
His smile caused her heart to beat a little faster. “It’s true that I do have to defend mine more than most men.”
She looked him up and down. Tall, muscular, short dark hair, and that half-smile that charmed her to her toes. She had to admit, scars and all, he was very good-looking. She glanced away. “I doubt that.”
“I’m serious. As a Marine, I’m expected to keep to the code and only work ultra-masculine jobs in civilian life. Jewelry making is pretty much on par with hairstyling as far as my friends are concerned.”
She stopped, faced him, and raised a brow. “My hairstylist is a man.”
“No comment.”
She chuckled and moved forward again, glad to feel so relaxed around him. Maybe they needed to get out into neutral surroundings more often. There was no doubt about it, his house was intimidating and a constant reminder of the difference in their income levels. And it seemed to underline the fact that they owed him money. “So there’s a code, huh?”
“Of course. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Everyone knows that.”
“Everyone?” she teased. She’d worked around enough Marines to know he was completely serious. She glanced at him again, only to realize he was limping. “Oh, your leg. Do you want to push the cart so you can lean on it?”
“Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”
“The Marine thing?”
“Now you’re getting it.”
She moved toward the far side of the store so she could start on the end aisle. “I usually go shopping alone.”
“Me, too. This makes for a nice change.”
“It does,” she agreed, realizing that beyond politeness, she actually meant it.
“I go after work every few days,” he said. “It’s nice to get out of the house occasionally.”
“I usually try and go once every two weeks. It seems to save money and time.” As they moved past the candy aisle, Adam stopped. She glanced up. “Sweet tooth?” she asked.
“Of course. You?”
She smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. Busted.”
As he laughed at her, she glanced at the selection. “Okay,” she said. “I'm going to guess your favorite candy bar.” She considered a moment. “I think you'll choose a Rocky Road.”
“Are you sure? Final answer?”
She faced him. “I’m sure.”
“Nope. I haven't had one of those since I was a kid.” He looked at her suspiciously. “Why did you choose that one? Because you think I’m a marshmallow?”
She laughed. “Hardly. Because of your rocky temper.”
His mouth parted. “What are you talking about? I don't have a temper.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you kidding me? The nurses at the hospital take turns when you show up. Sometimes they draw straws. And you yelled at my dad.” She paused, wishing she hadn't said that last bit. Wishing she hadn't brought it up again.
“Well, you’re wrong,” he said. “I'm not choosing a Rocky Road bar. But based on your reasoning, that the candy bar labels the man, or,” he looked pointedly at her, “the woman, then you’ll pick the Bit-O-Honey because you're such a softy.”
“Yuck. I'd have to be desperate to eat one of those. Who in their right mind would pay money for a candy bar without chocolate? My turn,” she said. She looked at the candy display, then back at him. “You'll choose the Heath bar. Because you live in a castle on a cliff by the sea.”
“Heathcliff? Lame. Anyway, he didn’t live by the sea.”
“You don’t know that for sure. I bet you haven’t even read the book.”
“You lose that bet. Ninth-grade English class with Mrs. Miller. She made us read it and watch the movie. We memorized some of the lines so we could quote them to the girls in the hallway.”
“I bet that went over well.”
“It might have if we hadn’t been so melodramatic about it. Isaac in particular liked to pretend to be the crazy lad
y in the attic. Even I got embarrassed.”
Isabelle laughed.
“My turn. You'd choose Snickers because you're laughing at me,” he said.
“I do like those,” she agreed. “But it’s not my favorite.”
“I get another turn for being close.”
“Good try, cheater. The Three Musketeers because you’re military.”
“Nope.” He scanned the candy bars. “Your dad would choose the 100 Grand bar.”
Isabelle’s mouth fell open. She gaped up at Adam for a moment, took in his wide-eyed expression that said he couldn’t believe he’d said that, and she couldn’t help herself. She started giggling, and the giggles quickly turned into laughter as he looked relieved. And then she couldn’t stop. She finally had to clutch his arm as she shrieked, and her eyes welled with tears. “I can't--” She gasped for air. “I’m sorry. But I can't believe you said that!”
Adam was laughing too, and when a middle-aged lady pushing a cart walked by and gave them a disapproving look before reaching for a Rocky Road candy bar, they laughed harder. Finally Adam grabbed a Butterfinger and held it up. Isabelle grabbed a Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds and showed it to him.
“Come on,” he said, and they both dropped the candy into the cart. “Let's get some shopping done before they kick us out.”
As they moved away, Isabelle glanced up. “Adam. I'm really sorry about the necklace. I shouldn't have laughed. You just surprised me.”
“Ah, there she is.” Adam turned, hurried back to the candy bars, then returned and threw a Bit-O-Honey into the cart. “Softy. Anyway, it’s not your fault, darlin'. Besides, if you hadn't laughed, I wouldn't like you half as much as I do now.”
As she pushed the cart forward, she couldn’t help a smile.
~~~
By the time they’d finished shopping, Isabelle’s brow was furrowed and, to his amusement, she kept throwing him panicked glances. He wasn’t surprised when she pulled the cart to the side of an aisle and stopped.
