by Cindy Stark
Hazel cast her widened eyes downward and tucked in her lips as the urge to chuckle grew stronger. Once again, the not-so-pristine side of Stonebridge reared its head.
Peter finished writing and tucked away his notebook. “Thank you, June. I’ll follow up on that. Hazel, I need a word with you before you leave, and then I’d like to speak to Dotty.”
Hazel lifted her brows, realizing she was the center of attention. She’d enjoyed watching Peter work, loved the way he came across as a strong and confident officer of the law. But now that his discerning gaze was directed at her, little electric pulses ignited her blood, and she was sure they colored her cheeks.
She scooted back her chair and stood. “Uh, sure. That works for me.” As much as she’d love to hear what would transpire between Dotty and her sister, she was done being in the spotlight and weary of hiding her attraction to Peter.
He stood, too. “I’ll walk you out.”
She didn’t complain when he helped her with her coat, figuring it would draw more attention if she did. He walked her to the front porch and closed the door behind him.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach, and she was hesitant to meet his gaze after what had transpired the last time they were alone. But he wouldn’t dare kiss her here.
Would he?
She looked up, wondering what he had on his mind. Her breath caught as it always did when she gazed into his mesmerizing green eyes and found attraction burning there. “Is something wrong?”
“I wanted you to know I did a little research on your friend, Luca.”
She rolled her eyes. “He’s not my friend. He’s a person who needed a place to sit, and we shared a meal.”
“And he kissed your hand.”
She was tempted to tell him he’d kissed it twice but decided the brief satisfaction from stating so wouldn’t be worth what might come afterward. “It’s customary in his country. He meant nothing by it.”
Peter lifted his brows, unconvinced. “I saw the way he looked at you.”
Hazel sighed, growing impatient with their conversation. “We’ve been over this. Was there something you wanted to tell me about him?”
“It appears your friend has a criminal history. Stolen historical artifacts.”
Her mouth dropped open. She was certain she looked ridiculous but that was the last thing she’d expected to hear. “What?”
“Priceless paintings. But antique pearls that were a gift from King William isn’t that far of a reach.”
She shook her head, trying to absorb her surprise. “That’s crazy.”
Peter inhaled and puffed out his chest. “You might want to stay away from him.”
The smug look on his face aggravated her. “Did you check up on him because he was with me?”
He didn’t appear remorseful for abusing his police power. “I like to know who’s in my town. It’s part of my job.”
“Then you research everyone who doesn’t live here? What about the guy who offered to buy Dotty’s pearls the day of the storm?”
His look turned incredulous. “What guy?”
“A broker of some sort. I didn’t catch his name. I thought Dotty would’ve told you.”
“Well, she didn’t, and neither did you.”
Her irritation compounded. “Isn’t that your job as a detective, to wrangle information like that out of people?”
His gaze narrowed. “Not funny.”
She’d pricked his annoyance, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy her ire. “How about me? Did you research me when I arrived?”
The change of expressions on his face suggested he’d finally caught on to the fact that he might have overstepped his bounds when it came to her life. “I can’t help it if I want to keep you safe from strange men who pass through town.”
“And I appreciate that. But, I was in a public place and don’t feel like I was in any danger. I have no artifacts for Luca to steal.”
He rested a hand on his hip, just above his gun. “No, but checking on him might lead me to the thief. Can’t feel sorry about that.”
“Hmm…” She nodded. “No, that would be a good thing. But, I’m also not going to feel sorry for enjoying my breakfast that day. Thief or not, I found him charming.”
She flashed Peter a brilliant smile and turned, heading toward her bike. “Why don’t you check with Dotty or Cora about that stranger?” she called over her shoulder.
And leave me alone, she thought as she walked away.
The man was far too good at what he did, and she hadn’t liked that he’d one upped her. Besides Luca was charming, and despite what Peter believed, she’d sensed no malice in his spirit.
She blew out a breath of frustration and climbed onto her bike. She needed to stick to tea and leave men out of her life. They complicated everything.
Thirteen
Hazel groaned when she spotted trouble peeking in the windows of her shop two days later. An engaging, very handsome Italian man headed toward the door. Luca stepped inside, and his smile blossomed when he caught sight of her.
“Bella Hazel. There you are, my heart.”
Even knowing he was a criminal, she couldn’t resist his charm. “Hello, Luca. I was wondering if you’d stop in, or if you’d already found what you came to town for and had left.”
He placed a hand over his heart as though wounded. “I could not leave without seeing your beautiful face once again. Besides, you said you would serve me tea. I would very much like to taste your tea.”
A surprised laugh tumbled from her lips. The man had a way of making everything a romantic gesture. “Then you shall. I have a cozy corner set up over here where customers can try different blends to see what they like.”
She eyed him as they walked. “Do you have a particular flavor you enjoy?”
He grinned. “I will enjoy whatever you give me.”
She had no doubt he would. If only she could live her life that carefree and happy. “Then I shall choose my Sweet and Spicy tea for you.”
A sexy smile turned his lips. “Sweet and Spicy? I like it. Tell me more.”
“It’s a black tea enhanced with warm notes of cinnamon and sweet bursts of orange. If you were a tea, then I think this is what you would taste like.”
He lifted his brows, interested. “Would you like to taste me to find out? A small kiss, perhaps?”
She laughed at his candor and charm, and shook her head. “I only serve tea.”
He shook his head in mock disappointment. “That is unfortunate.”
Such a charmer. “Have a seat Mr. Pellegrini, and I shall satisfy your taste buds instead. Also, we have cookies from Cora’s, if you’d like one.”
He sat in the same chair Peter had not that long ago when she’d shared tea with him, and he leaned forward to examine the plate of cookies. He chose her new favorite, the orange-cranberry, and then sat back to relax and watch her prepare his tea.
“This place suits you,” he said after a minute.
She brought his teacup to him. “I like to think so.”
He gestured with his hand, encompassing the room. “It has a wildness and beauty about it.”
“You think I’m wild?”
He caught her with his engaging eyes. “I think there’s part of you that’s untamed, but you’re holding her back instead of allowing her to be free.”
She waved away his comment and took a seat across from him, pretending he hadn’t hit the mark dead center. “I’m sure we all have a little of that in us.”
“Perhaps so.” He sniffed the tea and nodded. “Do you have sugar?”
She chuckled. “Try it first. You might find you like the tea as it is.”
She’d been tempted to whisper a few words or add a little magical herb to it. Something to ensure he’d love it, or perhaps something to encourage him to tell her if he’d taken the necklace, but her gut told her to keep this relationship pure.
Not to mention, she’d never practiced any truth-telling spells. She’d heard they were unreliable at best.
He hesitated and then sipped. After a moment, he nodded. “It’s good, but maybe just a little sugar.”
She smiled and threw her hands up in defeat. “Hard to tame a sweet tooth.”
After she retrieved the sugar bowl, she was pleased to see that he added only a little and not tons like he had with his coffee. She could be okay with that.
They both sipped tea for a few moments in comfortable silence. Despite what Peter had said, she liked talking to Luca and enjoyed his warm aura. She wasn’t attracted to him, as she suspected he wasn’t truly to her, either. But she enjoyed his flirting and pleasant nature.
“I have a question for you, Luca.”
He lifted his chin, indicating he was open to it.
“You have somewhat of a reputation.” She paused, waiting for his reaction. She was surprised when he smiled.
“Are you referring to my prowess as a lover, or my expert skill in acquiring beautiful treasures?”
She couldn’t be afraid of this man if she tried. “The latter, actually, though I don’t doubt you have many ladies you’ve left behind with broken hearts.”
He sighed. “Alas, it does happen. What is your question, bella?”
She might as well put it right out in the open since he didn’t seem to be afraid of honesty. “We had a theft in our quiet little town around the time of the big storm.”
He nodded. “The pearls. A gift from King William, dating back to the late sixteen-hundreds.”
“Yes,” she said, thinking she shouldn’t be surprised he knew so much. Maybe Peter was right, and he was the thief. “Did you take them?”
“No.” He held up a hand to keep her from interrupting. “Though I am sure they are lovely. However, jewelry does not make my heart beat. I prefer paintings, sixteenth century, mostly, and beautiful women. And although the owner of the pearls is a lovely woman, her jewels do nothing for me.”
Hazel choked mid-swallow and then took a sip of tea to clear her throat. “That’s very…candid of you.”
He shrugged as though she shouldn’t have expected otherwise.
“If you didn’t take the pearls,” she continued. “Then why do you know so much about them?”
“Just because I do not collect that type of history, does not mean I do not appreciate it. The entire history of your town fascinates me, and my nephew has always spoken highly of it, which is why I decided to visit after concluding some business in Boston.”
She leaned back in her chair, unsure what to make of the man. She couldn’t pick up even the tiniest bit of dishonesty or deception from him. If she had to bet, she’d say he was a man of his word. Which made no sense, except it did in his case. “Your nephew, does he live here?”
“He does. Lachlan Brogan, perhaps you know him?”
“I can’t say that I do. His name sounds Scottish.” Not at all Italian.
Luca tilted his head and shrugged in a carefree manner. “What can I say? My sister married a Scot. I tried to explain the benefits of choosing an Italian husband, but her heart told her something different.”
History showed time and again that love refused to stay within boundaries.
A few moments passed before he spoke again. “Do you believe me?”
She nodded and smiled. “Actually, I do.”
“Good.” He returned her smile. “It would break my heart if you didn’t.”
The bell on her front door chimed, and she stood. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ll check on my customer.”
She turned and saw who was at the door and mentally muttered every bad word she could think of. She strode forward with a smile on her face. “Chief Parrish. Good to see you.”
He waited to speak until she’d reached him. “This looks cozy.”
“Please don’t start again. At breakfast the other day, I told him about my shop and invited him to visit. That’s all.”
He narrowed his gaze and studied her eyes. She opened her soul to him, hoping he would sense that she told the truth.
He blinked. “Regardless, I’m glad I found him here.” He pushed past her and strode toward Luca.
“Peter.” She hurried to keep up. “Don’t start trouble.”
Luca glanced up from his tea as Peter approached. He must have sensed something was amiss because he set his tea aside and stood. “Hello.” His greeting was cautious.
“Luca Pellegrini?”
He nodded.
Peter rested his hand on the butt of his gun, and Luca flicked a glance toward the weapon. “I have some questions for you.”
Luca’s stance remained relaxed. “If it’s the same question bella Hazel asked of me, the answer is no. I did not steal the pearls.”
Hazel silently asked the Blessed Mother to keep the men’s heads cool.
“Why should I believe you?” Peter asked.
Luca kept his gaze focused on Peter, and Hazel sensed his caution and unadulterated awareness. But not guilt. “Because I am innocent. If you have something to prove otherwise, I would very much like to hear it.”
Peter held his gaze for a long, uncomfortable moment and then exhaled. “Nothing at the moment.”
“Then I’m free to go?” Luca asked.
Peter jerked his head toward the door. “Don’t leave town.”
Luca nodded in agreement and stepped toward Hazel. “Thank you very much for the lovely tea, my bella.” He held her shoulders and leaned in to kiss both cheeks. “I am very jealous of the man,” he whispered before he pulled away.
He winked, and she could say nothing as she watched him stroll out the door.
Fourteen
“You don’t have to be so rude to my customers.” Hazel avoided Peter’s gaze and busied herself cleaning up the cups from her and Luca’s tea.
“What did he say to you?” Peter demanded. “What did he whisper in your ear?”
When Hazel had everything loaded onto a tray, she turned and faced him. She’d considered lying but had decided the truth was her best option. “He said he was very jealous of you.”
She walked away and headed toward the sink she had in the back room. The sound of Peter’s boots indicated he was right behind her.
“Did you tell him about us?” he asked, his tone softer now.
“I told him nothing regarding you.” She set down the tray and began to unload it. “Because there’s nothing to tell.”
Several more moments passed before he sighed. “I don’t want to fight, Hazel.”
She turned and pinned him with a hard gaze. “Then stop bullying your way into my life and assuming things that aren’t true.”
“I’m not assuming he’s a felon. I’ll show you his mugshot if you’d like.”
“I believe him when he says he didn’t steal the pearls.” She waited for the explosion, but it didn’t come.
“I wish I could nail him for it, but unfortunately, new evidence has come to light that suggests otherwise.”
Her anger faded as curiosity took over. “What did you learn?”
He shook his head, disappointment heavy in his eyes. “Basil skipped town yesterday. Didn’t go home after school. His parents have no idea where he went. We found brochures for Canada in his bedroom and put out an alert in case he tries to cross the border.”
She put a hand over her heart as sadness welled inside. “No. No, that can’t be right. He was a good kid with a good heart.”
“He pretty much damned himself by running.”
“Stupid kids. Why do they do things like that? I would have bet my life he was innocent.”
He met her gaze with an innocent one of his own. “Maybe you’re not the best judge of character after all.”
The frustrated breath she expelled turned into a growl. “If you’re going to insult me, you can leave.”
“I’m just saying…”
She looked away from him, letting him know the conversation was over, and pointed toward the way out.
When he tried to engage her again, she shook her head.
He remained for a few more moments, and she wondered if she’d have to ask him to leave again.
“You’ll see that I’m right, and that I only want to protect you,” he said and then headed out of the backroom. A few seconds later, the bell on the front door rang, telling her he’d left.
Tears of frustration threatened, but she quickly buried them. She couldn’t let him get to her like that. Or let her heart betray her when he was around. Logic said he was no good for her. At all.
Her heart needed to listen.
Hazel had managed to collect herself by the time Gretta showed up for the afternoon shift. Instead of staying and crafting tea, Hazel made excuses that she had errands and things around the house she needed to accomplish. Which she did.
But first, she needed ice cream.
Fifteen
Hazel sank into the back-corner booth at Cora’s Café. She was grateful the place was quiet and would most likely be so until the dinner crowd arrived in a couple of hours.
“Hey, lady.” Cora smiled as she approached. “What’s up with you this afternoon? You seem a little down.”
“I need ice cream.”
Cora narrowed her gaze and studied Hazel closer. “That sounds serious.”
Hazel blew out a breath. “It is. Chocolate. A big bowl.”
“Sounds good. I’m ready to get off my feet. Mind if I join you? Belinda can handle the customers.”
Hazel wasn’t sure she wanted company, but she didn’t have the heart to say no. “Sure.”
A few minutes later, Cora returned with two giant bowls of chocolate ice cream. “Too much?” she asked as she set one of them in front of Hazel, the creases in her cheeks deepened by humor.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.” And then they both laughed.
They ate several bites in companionable silence before Cora spoke. “I’m going to guess man trouble.”
Hazel snorted. “Why do you say that?”
“There’s only one thing that will make a girl eat that much ice cream.”
Hazel pointed her spoon at Cora’s bowl. “You have that much, too.”
Cora burrowed her spoon in for another bite. “Cause my love life sucks, too.”
