“I don’t give out customer’s private information,” he said as if she were a stranger.
Miranda swallowed the bitterness brewing inside her. “I see. Maybe this will make you change your mind.” She set the music box down on Ian’s large oak desk and then popped open the drawer in the back of the box. When she took out the diamond ring, Holly let out a gasp, but it was Ian’s reaction she was interested in. His jaw was clamped shut, and a vein pulsed at the side of his neck as he studied the twinkling engagement ring in her hand. She knew she’d triggered his memory. They’d looked at rings together quite a few times, and it was no secret that Ian had been planning on purchasing one, but then her job offer changed everything.
“Where did you get that?” His naturally baritone voice was pitched a good octave higher than usual.
“I found it inside the music box. Whoever sold it to you must have forgotten it was in there.” Miranda twisted the ring between her fingers, making the diamond sparkle and twinkle in the light.
“It was part of an estate sale. Most items are still in boxes. I’d just unpacked the music box when your mom came into the shop and spotted it on my desk. Which would explain why I didn’t notice the drawer in the back of it. I usually inspect every item very carefully before it’s put on sale.”
Miranda’s chest tightened with sadness. “Even though the ring’s owner is dead, there must be someone in her family I could give it to?”
“Oh, she’s not dead. She’s in a nursing home,” Holly blurted.
Ian shot her a dirty look and held out his hand, palm up. “Give it to me, and I’ll see that it’s returned.”
Relief flooded her at the knowledge the woman wasn’t dead. She could give Ian the ring and be done with the whole matter, and that was probably what she should do, but Miranda was a hopeless romantic. Always had been. She wanted to be the one who gave the woman her ring so she could see the look on her face when it was returned. She closed her fingers around the ring and popped it back into the drawer. “No, I’m not going to do that.”
Holly stared at Miranda with eyes as big as saucers.
“Why not?” Ian asked icily.
“I’m the one who found the ring, so I’m the one who’s going to return it. Just give me the woman’s name and what nursing home she’s in, and I’ll be on my way.”
“I already told you I don’t give out personal information.”
Holly tugged on his sleeve. “Ian, I think in this instance—”
“Sweetheart,” he draped his arm across Holly’s shoulders, “I can’t make an exception. Besides, you don’t know Miranda.”
Miranda couldn’t believe her ears. He was making her sound like someone who couldn’t be trusted. Like a criminal… Her blood began to boil. “I can’t believe you’re acting this way, Ian. Regardless of your bitterness toward me, I thought you’d be decent enough to put your own feelings aside and think of the woman who lost her ring and how desperate she must be to get it back.”
His face turned beet red. “Decent… You have no right to come into my shop and call me names.”
“Why don’t you just give me the information I need—”
“I don’t owe you anything,” he interrupted, taking a step closer to her.
Holly put her hands out between them. “Stop it. You’re acting ridiculous. Why don’t you both return the ring?”
“What!” Miranda and Ian shouted in unison.
“You heard me. Put your feelings aside for one day and return the ring together.” She sounded very much like a mother talking to two stubborn children.” Without waiting for either of them to respond, she said, “You two are going to Summerville.”
“That’s at least forty-five minutes away.” Ian groaned. Holly lifted a finely arched brow at him. “Fine. But I can’t go today. I have too much work to do.”
“Tomorrow, then.” Holly turned to Miranda. “Does that work for you?”
“I guess. I can be here by four.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind closing up the shop alone tomorrow, darling?” Ian draped his arm across Holly’s shoulders, then kissed the side of her cheek.
If Miranda had had any doubts about them being a couple before, she had none now. Without waiting to hear Holly’s response, she turned and walked quickly toward the front door. Her hands were trembling and her knees felt like jelly. Ian had moved on, but she hadn’t. No matter how much she might have been in denial before, her reaction to seeing him with Holly was proof she still had feelings for him. Strong ones. But she wasn’t about to let him know that. No, those feelings had to be kept to herself. After they returned the ring tomorrow, she planned never to see him again; then she would start working on ways to forget him.
*
Holly twisted out of Ian’s embrace. She looked at him as if she thought he’d lost his mind. “Why did you do that? Now Miranda’s going to think we’re a couple.”
“That was my intention. Since I have to spend most of tomorrow with her—thanks to you—I wanted to make sure she knew that I’ve moved on and that I’m not carrying a torch for her.”
“But you haven’t moved on. You’re still crazy about her. I think you wanted to make her jealous.”
Ian shrugged. “What if I did? After what she did to me… There are worse things I could have done.” His tone was edged with bitterness.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Holly said sadly. “You know what they say. If you play with fire—”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You get burned. Well, not this time. And that’s exactly why I wanted her to believe you’re my girlfriend.” Ian squeezed her arm. “Thanks for going along with it, by the way.”
Holly shook her head. “I think you’re making a mistake.”
“Don’t worry about it. I know what I’m doing. Now let’s get back to work.” But he didn’t know what he was doing. Miranda was like a drug he couldn’t quit. He pictured her lovely heart-shaped face—model perfect, with porcelain skin, full rosy lips, and gorgeous catlike green eyes. Her hair was longer now, falling to the middle of her back in soft auburn waves. She was thinner too, but still very shapely with gently rounded hips, a small waist and generous bust.
Memories of fun times they had together sprang to mind. Like when they went swimming in Miller Lake in the middle of December, then both came down with terrible colds, but laughed it off while they snuggled on the couch, eating homemade chicken soup. Or when the car broke down out in the middle of nowhere, and they made love in the backseat while waiting for the tow truck. It didn’t matter what happened; as long as they were together, they always managed to have a good time. No wonder he’d been unable to forget her, and now with her back in town and back in his life, even if it was just to return a ring, things were going to become very interesting, if nothing else.
He walked over to his desk and filed through a stack of papers, then pulled out the one with Spencer Douglas’s number. He took a deep breath and dialed the phone. It took only a moment to get an answer.
“Hello.”
“Spence, it’s Ian Anders from Yesterday’s Treasures.”
“Hey, Ian. How’s it going?”
“Good, good. Listen, I sold your mom’s music box, and the customer who bought it found your mom’s engagement ring inside a drawer in the box.”
Spencer sucked in an audible breath. “Oh thank God! I was going to call you, hoping you could check her belongings for the ring. She has no idea where she put it and is beside herself with worry.”
“How’s your mom doing?”
“She has good days and bad. She only recognizes me about half the time. I try to visit a little each day. It’s the kids who have the hardest time. They can’t understand why their grandma doesn’t remember them.”
“I’m sorry. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease.”
“Thanks for calling, Ian. This is a huge relief. I don’t think I’ll be able to swing by the shop for the ring until next week, though. I’m going out of state on busine
ss, and I’m leaving later today. Karen’ll have her hands full with the kids and all.”
“Don’t worry. We were planning to bring the ring to your mom tomorrow, if you don’t mind?”
“Mind? That would be wonderful. She’ll love having the company.”
“Thanks, Spence. Take care.”
“You too.”
After Ian hung up the phone, he was in a better mood. There was no doubt Lily Douglas would be thrilled to get her ring back, and it made him feel good to know he’d brighten the old woman’s day. The only dark spot was he had to spend time with Miranda. That was going to really test his willpower.
Chapter Three
Miranda ran the curling iron through her bangs for about the fifth time. She’d left work a little early so she could stop home and freshen up before seeing Ian. She studied her appearance in the bathroom mirror, still not sure she was satisfied with her hair. Why today, of all days, was she having a bad hair day? Maybe she was just being paranoid.
Besides, Ian didn’t care that much about physical appearance. What was on the inside mattered most. He’d even told her on their third date that what he liked best about her was her kind heart. And he’d proved he’d meant it when he accompanied her to a charity auction she had to attend, even though she’d broken her nose and it had swollen to four times its normal size. Later that night, he’d told her she’d never looked more beautiful.
She wanted to look her best today, though. There was no denying it hurt to see him with Holly yesterday. In her heart, she still felt like they belonged together.
Heaving a sigh, she turned her back to her image, then headed downstairs. As she crossed the foyer, her cell phone rang. She scooped it off the hall table, glancing at the number displayed as she answered. “Hello, Mom. This isn’t a good time. I’m running out the door.”
“I won’t keep you, then. I was just wondering how things went with Ian yesterday?”
“He hasn’t changed at all. Just as stubborn as ever. He wouldn’t tell me who the ring belonged to, said he didn’t give out his customer’s private information, so now we’re driving to Summerville together to return it.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“He has a girlfriend, Mom. Sorry, gotta run. Talk to you later.” Miranda hung up before her mother could question her further. She raced into the kitchen, took the music box off the table, and stuck it in her purse; then she grabbed her car keys and hurried out the door. Today was going to be stressful enough. She didn’t need Ian annoyed with her because she’d kept him waiting.
It was an exceptionally cold February day, with the feel of snow in the air. She pulled the collar up on her coat and slid onto her car’s cold seat. With teeth chattering, she drove to Yesterday’s Treasures. She parked next to Ian’s BMW and had just stepped out of the driver’s seat when she spotted him crossing the parking lot.
“Good timing,” he said, coming to stand in front of her. “I heard a weather forecast, and they’re predicting a storm for this evening. If we hurry, hopefully, we’ll get back before it begins.” He opened the passenger door to his car and waited for her to slide in before he slammed it shut.
She watched him walk around the BMW to the driver’s side and fit his six-foot-two frame in behind the wheel. His thigh brushed hers, and a tingle ran up her spine. All her old feelings for him were dangerously close to the surface. The smell of his cologne did nothing to help with that either. She’d always had a weakness for Giorgio Armani, and on Ian, it was especially intoxicating. She closed her eyes, trying to still her racing heart.
“Everything okay?”
When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her. “Oh yeah. Fine.”
“Good, then put on your seat belt, and we’ll be on our way.”
“Sorry.” She reached for the belt and pulled it across her chest. “What’s the ring’s owner like?” she asked as Ian pulled the car onto the street.
He had a tightness to his mouth and didn’t say anything for a moment. “Her name is Lily Douglas. I haven’t met her, but I know of her through her son, Spencer. He handled her estate sale. She’s at Sterling House now. Have you heard of it?”
Miranda shook her head.
“It’s the best facility in the state for advanced Alzheimer’s disease.”
A sharp pain stabbed at her heart. “So that explains why Lily forgot the ring in the music box.”
“Yeah. Her husband, Charlie, died two years ago. After his death, she went downhill. It became a danger for her to live alone. The neighbors would find her out wandering the streets late at night, not knowing who she was or where she lived. It’s been hard for her to settle in at Sterling, though. She’s used to having all her things around her. Her memories were tied to them. It’s been tough on the family too, having to make the decision to move her out of her home, but at least she’s safe.”
Miranda reached into her oversized handbag and pulled out the music box, then removed the ring from its drawer. “All the more reason we need to get this ring back to her. Tomorrow—Valentine’s Day—is her fiftieth wedding anniversary. I’m sure having her engagement ring will be a comfort to her.”
Ian looked over at her and smiled. “I’m sure it will.”
Her fingers itched to squeeze his hand, but she couldn’t do that. Instead, she simply smiled back at him as she blinked away tears brought on by Lily’s sad story. “Image being married almost fifty years. What a feat!”
“You can say that again.” Yesterday’s sharp tone was back.
Miranda should have known marriage was a sore subject. It resurrected too many memories of what could have been. “So it looks like the shop is doing well,” she said, changing the subject.
“Yep.” He kept his eyes trained on the road.
“And Holly? She seems nice… Young, though, isn’t she? She must be in her early twenties…”
“She’s old enough,” he said, shooting her a quick disapproving glance.
For what? “She must not have had much experience with the antique business when you hired her.”
“She’s plenty qualified. Besides, that’s not what you meant. Stop fishing, Miranda. If you want to know if we’re a couple, just come out and ask.”
Her cheeks burned. They had to be bright red. “I-I don’t care who you date or what you do in your personal life.”
“Good. Because I’m not about to tell you. It’s none of your business.”
What was she thinking, bringing up Holly? Now they were right back to where they’d been yesterday, with a ton of pent-up hostility about ready to explode. She glanced down at her watch. They’d been driving over thirty minutes. They must be almost there.
As she stared out the window, she noticed little flakes of snow hitting the windshield. A few minutes later, those little flakes became so huge Miranda had trouble seeing through them. Ian had the wipers going, but it wasn’t helping much.
“What time are visiting hours over?” she asked.
“Six.” He slammed his palm on the steering wheel as traffic slowed to a crawl. The car fishtailed when he applied the brakes, and she grasped the sides of her seat.
“Damn this weather.” He quickly brought the car back under control. “Bet you didn’t miss this when you were in Texas.”
“Not a bit.” Traffic was lined up as far ahead as Miranda could see, and a moment later, the wail of sirens pierced the air.
“Must be an accident. We could be stuck here awhile,” Ian said.
“We could miss seeing Lily.”
Ian shook his head in disgust. “I thought leaving when we did would give us plenty of time to get to Summerville. However, that didn’t take into account getting caught in a snowstorm.”
Miranda watched the snow pile up on the road, and, along with her fear that they’d miss visiting hours, she was beginning to wonder how they’d get back to Pleasant View. Night had settled in, and, off in the distance, sirens wailed again.
Ian must have sensed her anxiety, be
cause he gently patted her leg. “Relax. The traffic’s bound to start moving again soon.”
They sat in silence for a while, and she could see the worry lines begin to crease his brow.
“We’re not going to make it,” she said softly.
“I’m afraid not.”
“How are we going to get home?”
“I’m wondering that myself. That accident up ahead has to be pretty bad to hold up traffic for this long. I don’t want that to be us if we try to drive back in this weather.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“We could get off at the next exit and find a hotel. Then in the morning, we could go see Lily.”
Spend the night with Ian? Tingles of desire ran up her legs as she remembered what it felt like to be wrapped in his strong arms. She wondered what Holly would think of them spending the night. She was being ridiculous. Obviously, they’d get separate rooms. “I don’t see what other choice we have.”
A few minutes later, traffic began to move, and they found a hotel about a mile down the road. When Miranda stepped out of the car, snow filled her shoes. Before she could take another step, Ian was at her side with his arm around her waist. “Careful,” he said. “I don’t want you to slip.”
“Thanks.” She leaned into him and let him guide her through the wet, slick snow and into the hotel lobby.
At the front desk, a young woman seated at a computer terminal was on the phone. When she hung up, she looked at Ian and said, “May I help you?”
“Yes. We’d like two rooms for tonight.”
“Do you have a reservation?” she asked.
“No.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I only have one room available. It’s a king.” She glanced over at Miranda and then back at Ian.
“Does it have a pull-out sofa?” he asked.
“No, sir. It doesn’t. It has one king-size bed.”
“Great.”
“Would you like that room, sir?”
“Fine.” Ian pulled out a credit card and handed it to the clerk. “What about a cot? Can I order one of those?”
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