Queen of Diamonds

by Cox, Sandra

  He stepped across the threshold with Caroline dancing around him. “How’s my favorite haystack making poker player?”

  She giggled and kissed his cheek when he swung her up into his arms. At that exact moment, between one heartbeat and the next, Logan fell in love. With the daughter being a charmer and the mother an enchantress, he hadn’t stood a chance. He was a goner.

  “What brings you out our way, son?” Bill asked as he took the proffered sack. Luckily for Logan he didn’t wait for an answer just motioned him into the kitchen. “Come in and have some of whatever you’ve brought and a cup of coffee.”

  “Well, if it’s not too much trouble.” Logan stepped into a bright room smelling of coffee and sunshine.

  “You’re the one that went to the trouble. We’re just providing the java.” Bill pulled out a napkin holder decorated with poker chips then poured Logan a cup of coffee. “Black?”

  “That’s right, sir.”

  “You probably stopped by to discuss work, so Caroline and I will just grab our donuts and get back to the cartoons. Right, punkin?”

  Caroline looked from Logan to the great room, her face a study in indecision. The cartoons won out. “Right, Grandpa.”

  Logan’s lips twitched and he murmured under his breath where only Kendall could hear. “Beaten out by animated figures, my ego will never be the same.”

  “I sincerely doubt it’s even dented.” She pressed her lips together when she said it and her eyes twinkled.

  “So am I going to be able to win you with sugar?” He dangled the bag under her nose.

  “Sugar always works for me.” Her voice was sultry and her eyes full of promise.

  The bag dropped from his nerveless fingers.

  She gave a deep, full-throated laugh that sounded like smoke and sin, ignored the cinnamon twist and reached for the sprinkle. “I’m going to have to put in extra time at the gym for this.”

  “Surely, not for one little donut.”

  “Says the man with a high metabolism.” She took a bite and closed her eyes. “Um, I might have slid by with one donut, but this follows one of Candre’s croissants.”

  “My you are living dangerously.” He polished off a glazed and reached for another, squishing the donut between his fingers as his muscles clenched. He compartmentalized the jealousy and concentrated on Kendall. “Are you all right?” He wiped the sticky icing from his fingers and reached for the coffee steaming in front of him.

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Does he know about Caroline?” And does he want you both? His stomach knotted.

  She hesitated.

  He leaned forward. “It’s none of my business and if you don’t want to talk about it that’s okay. But I’m asking as a friend, Kendall. I care about you both.”

  She glanced at him, her gaze as wary as a wild thing’s.

  He put his poker face on and waited for her to make up her mind. Would she trust him or not? He counted his heartbeats. When he’d nearly reached twenty she threw up her hands and shrugged.

  “I guess there’s no harm in you knowing.” She bit her lips and steadied her breathing, but her magnificent eyes flashed fire. “He doesn’t want her. Oh, he’d acknowledge her, do his duty. But he doesn’t really want her.”

  Hunter opened and shut his mouth. “How can that be?”

  He surprised a genuine smile out of her. Usually, her feelings remained banked, hidden. But there was no hiding her feelings for her daughter. He’d unintentionally just made some headway with his complex assistant.

  “He’s running for office next year. The conservatives frown on that sort of thing.”

  “Politics.” Hunter snorted. “He still wants you though right?”

  “We’re a package deal. And once anyone sees them together he couldn’t possibly deny her. She’s the spitting image of him.”

  “And twice as smart.”

  Kendall grinned again and took a sip of her coffee. “Indeed.”

  He watched her relax. The woman fascinated him. “So the next time we go dancing who will we run into, your lover?”

  “More likely your adoring fans and there is no next time. That was job related, remember?”

  “Of course, but I’ve decided having you along works well for me on charitable events.”

  She raised her eyebrows and looked at him over her coffee cup. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Mr. Hunter...”

  “Logan.”

  “Mr. Hunter, we have a business relationship and I prefer that it continue as such.”

  “It would be easier if that lush mouth of yours wasn’t such a distraction.”

  “Mr. Hunter.” Her chin lifted and her back stiffened.

  “All right. All right.” He threw up his hands in surrender. “Next Saturday, though. I’m sure I’ve got another fundraiser Saturday. ”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Can’t. In fact I was going to ask for Friday off.”

  He leaned back in his chair and balanced it on two legs. “Going away for the weekend?”

  “I have plans.”

  “And does your dad think it’s research for me?” He brought the chair back down.

  “My father doesn’t know about it yet.” Her face was as expressionless as always, but her color was heightened and her cheekbones pressed against the skin. Her hands were hidden under the table, so there was no chance of watching to see if they trembled or if the knuckles whitened when she held her cup. Besides being an enigma his publicist was very smart.

  The silence between them lengthened.

  “Well?” she snapped it out.

  Smart, but not patient. “Of course, you can have it off.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The week had passed uneventfully, both parties being scrupulously polite to one another. If the feel of her body and the taste of her lips had been on his mind more than they should have been, he’d compartmentalized that too.

  She was still trying to talk him out of writing another book that could only draw attention to the Queen of Diamonds.

  “Why?” His leather office chair creaked as he swiveled around.

  “Because it’s been too long since you did the last diamond heist book to do a sequel. Besides heists have been done to death, why not a political thriller?”

  He snorted. “Yeah like political thrillers haven’t been done to death. Diamond heists never go out of style. This cat burglar is going to be a copycat. Maybe, it’s a male who dresses like a woman. Besides I’m fascinated with Queenie.” His blood picked up just thinking of her and how she managed to always stay one step ahead of the law and the insurance company.

  “She’s smart and savvy. What I wouldn’t give to get inside her head and see what makes her tick.”

  “If she calls, I’ll set up an interview,” Kendall said in her most sarcastic voice.

  He just grinned at her.

  She grimaced back. “Do what you think is best. I need to get home. Remember I’m not coming in tomorrow. Have a great weekend. ” She spoke with the same calm detachment and carried herself with the self-confidence that was an integral part of her.

  If he wasn’t so very aware of her these days he might have missed the slight tremor in her hand when she picked up her purse. He’d like to think it was a physical reaction to his nearness but his gut told him it was something else, but what? And why was she trying to talk him into a different storyline? In the three years they’d been together she’d never offered an opinion on his book topic. Something was up. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.

  He had half a notion to go over and discreetly pump her family, but the tables could be turned on that one and he might be the one answering embarrassing questions.

  When Saturday rolled around he paced the study, his hands in his pockets. He couldn’t seem to get anything done. The woman had gotten under his skin, leaving him
edgy and restless. It surprised him how time dragged without her. Finally, giving up in disgust he hit the beach and spent the afternoon swimming off the excess energy that poured out of him. On the way home, he listened to the news. ‘Queen of Diamonds strike again. She hit a small but elite jewelry store in upper Manhattan. Absconding with the panache she’s known for.”

  The shock had him hitting the pedal and nearly backending the car in front of him. Kendall had taken off Friday and the Queen had hit Saturday. He turned and headed for the Therons’, to hell with embarrassing questions. His heart was galloping and his pulse racing.

  When he knocked on the door, Caroline answered. “Hi, Mr. Hunter. My Mommy’s not home.”

  “That’s okay. Maybe I can spend some time with you and your grandpa.”

  “Sure, we were getting ready to make haystacks, want to help?”

  “You mean you’ve already eaten the last batch?”

  “You helped.”

  “So I did.”

  Caroline skipped beside him, chattering as they walked into the kitchen. Bill stood at the stove with a white towel tied around his waist. He looked up and smiled. “Logan, what a nice surprise. There’s beer and iced tea in the fridge. Help yourself.”

  Logan rummaged in the refrigerator and poured himself a glass of tea before glancing over Bill’s shoulder where Chow Mein noodles stuck out of the chocolate, like spindly legs. “Looks interesting.”

  Bill grinned. “They don’t call them haystacks for nothing. Okay, Caroline, you’re up. Got the wax paper laid?”

  “Yup.” She stepped onto a stool and waved a spoon. Bill brought the pot over and angled it where she could dig inside the pan. “Don’t burn yourself.”

  “I won’t.”

  Logan watched as the little girl thumped down spoonfuls of rich chocolate goo.

  “So what brings you our way?” Bill asked, his eyes never leaving his granddaughter.

  “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop in and see my favorite poker buddies.”

  Caroline grinned. “We’re going to go see Grandma and take her some haystacks. They’re her favorites. Right, Grandpa.”

  “That’s right, honey.” A momentary sadness flickered across the older man’s face but was quickly replaced with a smile. “Do you want to go, Logan?” Bill asked.

  “I don’t want to impose.”

  “No imposition. Company’s always good for Caro.”

  “All right then. When is Kendall due in?”

  “Sometime this evening.”

  Logan chatted with the two of them while they finished making their haystacks. Caroline insisted Logan try one even though it hadn’t completely set. Laughing, he managed to eat a piece of the gooey, rough-structured candy without making too much of a mess.

  He licked his sticky fingers. “Best candy I’ve ever had.”

  “Gramps and I do a good job.” She lifted her chin and smiled proudly.

  She might look like her dad, but her mannerisms were all Kendall. As Logan chomped down the realization hit him that he was actually enjoying himself. Sitting in a kitchen while a senior citizen and a little girl made candy was not something he’d been exposed to. His parents were both career-oriented and there’d been one nanny after another until he was old enough to be sent to boarding school.

  “It’s not polite to brag, Caroline.” Bill’s admonition pulled him out of thoughts that were heading rapidly toward self-pity, something he rarely allowed himself to indulge in.

  “Well, I don’t know if I’d call telling the truth bragging.” Logan reached for another.

  Bill laughed. “I’m in complete agreement. But I don’t think her mom would hold with our point of view.”

  “There are some things it’s better Mommy not know.” Caroline reached for a haystack.

  Logan leaned toward her. “For a little girl, you’re pretty scary. What are you going to be like when you’re twenty?”

  “My Mommy.” She grinned, Kendall’s grin.

  “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  “And I’m not scary, see?” She reached over and gave him a kiss.

  Logan’s heart turned over. He scooped her up, gooey chocolate and all, and hugged her.

  Bill shook his head. “The boys aren’t going to stand a chance. Wish I’d be around to see it,” he muttered under his breath. He looked directly at Logan. “I want to make sure my girls are properly taken care of after I’m gone.”

  Normally, that would have been enough to have Logan heading out the door, but all he said was, “Why, Bill, are you wining and dining me with haystacks and iced tea?”

  Bill laughed then waved a spatula at him. “Just don’t go breaking my little girl’s heart.”

  “More like the other way around.”

  Bill gave him a speculative look then went back to rinsing out his pan. “I’ve got to believe a smart, good-looking man like yourself, could bring one headstrong lass around.”

  “Are you giving me permission to try?” he was shocked to hear himself ask. What was in these things, truth serum?

  Bill’s sharp gray eyes skewered him in place. “Depends on your intentions.”

  He stunned himself again by saying, “I believe they may be honorable.”

  “You better make damn certain of it.”

  “No cussing, Grandpa. What are you two talking about?”

  “Just about Mr. Hunter being a good friend to your mommy. Now why don’t you scoot upstairs and put on something pretty to go visit your grandma in.”

  “Okay. Even if she doesn’t recognize me she likes seeing pretty things.” Caroline went skipping out the door.

  An awkward silence fell until Logan broke it. “So who do you follow? Jaguars or Panthers?” That carried them through until Caroline returned wearing a pretty pink dress and a toy tiara.

  Logan grinned. He just couldn’t get enough of this kid. It occurred to him, he’d let himself get completely sidetracked from the purpose of his visit. It was crazy anyway, what were the odds that the Queen of Diamonds was working for him? He shook his head at his imagination.

  They piled into Bill’s old station wagon and headed for the retirement center. When they pulled up in front of the imposing structure, his first thought was the pictures he’d researched on the internet didn’t do it justice. Quickly followed by suspicions that once again raised their head and crawled into his conscious. How the hell could she afford a place like this? Could a married man, who was supposedly married to an invalid, shell out this kind of money? It was possible, of course, but how likely?

  Bill parked the car and they got out.

  “Looks expensive.” Logan stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned on his heels studying the expensive façade.

  “It’s nice. That’s for sure. Thank God Kendall was able to find that grant. I couldn’t bear the thought of my Caro stuck in one of those nursing homes where everyone sits around in wheelchairs and drools.”

  Funny, he’d never heard of any grants for this place or any other of its caliber, unless it was hush-hush. Monday he’d have to come back and have a little chat with the manager.

  On the second floor, Bill stopped in front of a door with a wreath of hydrangeas hanging on it, knocked and opened it. Caroline ran inside. “Hi, Grandma. Hi, Mommy.”

  Crap, she won’t like it that I’m here, was his first thought, quickly followed by, interesting that she’s here. He took a closer look at her face and his heart turned over. Her guard down, she held her mother’s hand. Sadness and love on her exquisite features.

  “Hi, hon, should have known you’d be here.” Bill walked to the bed, his gate stiff as if arthritis plagued his knees. He took his wife’s other hand and placed a kiss on her lips. “How’s my favorite girl?” There was something about his voice and the expression on his face that had Logan backing quietly away, the moment too raw, too intimate. How could a young man’s feelings survive in the husk of an older man?

  Even though the woman’s eyes we
re vacant it was apparent where Kendall got her looks. At one time the woman on the bed must have been a vibrant beauty. His glance slid to his publicist. Her eyes skewered him, the love on her face a moment ago replaced by smoldering anger. He stopped and squared his shoulders, time to man up.

  “What are you doing here, Mr. Hunter?”

  “I invited him, baby doll. I figured a new face would be good for your mom.”

  “I’ll leave.” Discomfort tightened his chest. What was he doing spying on this family, sleuthing on the woman who’d done nothing but make his professional life a success? No writer, no matter how good, made it to the top without a huge amount of publicity. Kendall had done that for him. And this was the way he repaid her.

  He took another step back before Bill and Caroline both protested.

  “Come and meet, my Caro. A new face will do her good.”

  “Don’t leave, Mr. Hunter. You haven’t met Grandma.”

  He looked at Kendall and raised an eyebrow.

  She rolled her eyes and shrugged, clearly unhappy, that he was here. Then again his publicist was nobody’s fool. She knew he was up to no good. Or at least that’s how she’d perceive it. Hell, it was how he perceived it. He was spying plain and simple.

  She stood. “Here, Dad, you can have my seat, I was just getting ready to leave.”

  “Please don’t let me run you off.” Logan stepped forward.

  Ignoring him, she kissed her mother’s withered cheek. “See you soon, Momma.” Then turned and hugged her daughter, “Did you miss me, sugar?”

  “Of course, I did, silly. Did you bring me anything?”

  She rubbed noses with her daughter. “Of course, I did, silly.”

  They both laughed. She released Caroline and gave her dad a quick hug. “See you at home, Dad.”

  He gave her a troubled look. “No need for you to leave, girl.”

  “I’ve got an appointment anyway.”

  “I’d offer to drive you but I don’t have my car.” Logan combed his fingers through his hair and forced his muscles to relax.

  “No need.”

  “I’ll see you Monday then.”

  “Yes.” Her heels clicked briskly across the floor then she was gone leaving him staring at the empty hall. He gave himself a mental shake and turned his attention to the woman in the bed.