One-Click Buy: June 2009 Harlequin Blaze

by Tori Carrington

  “It that’s true, why didn’t she just bring us together? Why put it in her will so that our coming together would only occur after her death? Now, I’ll never get to know her.”

  “I don’t know the answer to that question, Maddie. But this way she’ll never get to know you either. Her loss.”

  “I’m going to get some answers.”

  When they stopped at the corner, he ran a finger down one of her earrings. “By the way, I like these. For what it’s worth, your mother might have wanted you to experience Jordan’s life—but I don’t think she wanted you to stop being true to yourself.”

  7

  EVA WARE DESIGNS was housed in a building on the corner of Madison Avenue and 51st Street. Because her nerves had been steadily building during the last few blocks, Maddie slowed and focused her attention on the display windows. As distracting as the man beside her was, she was going to put him out of her mind and concentrate on what she’d come to New York to do—learn as much as she could about Eva and Jordan.

  The white marble facade of the building framed four two-foot-square windows, two on each side of the glass-doored entrance. Each window was artfully lit and showcased a single piece of jewelry.

  Bait, she thought. The minimalist approach intrigued her, especially when she recalled the more cluttered window displays in the boutiques that carried her jewelry in Santa Fe. Most of the shop owners had no acquaintance with the idea that less might be more.

  Maddie moved from one window to the next, not as a delaying tactic anymore, but because she was fascinated. Her eyes widened when they spotted the solitary emerald set in a delicately woven gold band. She guessed the ring to be at least two full carats, and yet the craftsmanship of the design made it look so delicate. Eager to see more, she bypassed the entrance and walked around the corner.

  “We haven’t even gone inside, and you look like a kid in a candy shop.”

  She grinned at Jase. “That’s exactly how I feel.” She waved a hand at a window holding a pair of earrings, each offering a mini explosion of tiny, multicolored gems. “Putting only one piece in each window—it’s a brilliant marketing idea. It forces the viewer to focus solely on the artistry of the piece.”

  “It was Jordan’s brainchild. It took her almost six months to win your mother over. Your cousin Adam fought her tooth and nail.”

  The last window held a pendant, three inches square. The gold was hammered and though it was crafted on a much smaller scale, it still made her think of a breast plate that an ancient warrior might have worn into battle. Wanting to get a closer look, she barely kept herself from pressing her nose against the window. There was a diamond set in the center of the pendant and radiating out from it were four rows of turquoise stones.

  Something tightened around her heart. “I didn’t know Eva worked with turquoise.”

  “Sorry,” Jase said. “I don’t have much information on that. I knew about the display windows because Jordan vented about it for several months.”

  Maddie pressed her fingers against the glass, wanting very much to touch the pendant. “It’s a little like some of the pieces I’ve designed—except I don’t use diamonds or gold. I’d like to know how she developed that hammering technique.”

  “We should go in. That’s the kind of question your cousin Adam should be able to answer.”

  Yes. She turned to look at him and saw that he was leaning against the white marble wall, regarding her steadily.

  She cocked her head to the side and regarded him right back. “You’re thinking that I’m stalling. And I have to admit, my window-shopping started out that way. And then I just got caught up in out-and-out gawking. I’ve been in awe of Eva Ware’s jewelry ever since I started to dream of designing some myself.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she moved past him and around the corner. “And you’ve made your point. I didn’t come here as a besotted fan. I came to get some answers.”

  She pulled the front door open, then paused and shot him a look over her shoulder. “When I talk to Adam about Eva’s techniques, I can ask him other questions too.”

  Before she could enter the store, Jase took her hand.

  Maddie tried to tug it free and failed. “I thought we agreed to postpone our…personal situation until later.”

  “Our personal situation?” Jase grinned. “Yeah, we’ll deal with that later.” Thoroughly, he thought. “This is work related. Remember my cover?”

  When he leaned down to kiss her nose, Maddie froze. She was aware that two people in the store had turned to watch them—a sturdily built, well-dressed woman at one of the display cases and a very distinguished-looking man who must be the manager.

  “You’re making a scene,” she breathed.

  “That’s the plan. The first time I spotted you, I fell hard. Haven’t been able to think straight since. As long as we’re in the store, I’m your besotted boy toy. If everyone buys in to that, I won’t come off as any kind of a threat.”

  Boy toy? That much she could see. But even with the wind-blown hair and wearing jeans and a blazer, it was hard for Maddie to imagine Jase Campbell not coming across as a threat.

  ONCE THEY were inside the store, Jase released Maddie’s hand. Touching her in any way clouded his thoughts, and he needed a clear head. The rather flip description of the role he intended to play as her besotted admirer was a bit too close to the truth to suit his liking.

  But he’d worked enough special ops and cases to know that it was sometimes essential to make use of the cards you were dealt. He kept the two occupants of the store in his peripheral vision. The man in the pin-striped gray suit and ruthlessly knotted tie was staring at Maddie now.

  Jase searched his memory. Jordan had introduced him as the store manager at a party she’d dragged him to at her mother’s apartment. What was his name? Arnold? Albert? His face was tanned, his graying blond hair carefully styled, and he still reminded Jase of Sean Connery.

  Arnold Bartlett. That was it. Jase noted that the portly woman who favored the kind of outfits Queen Elizabeth wore, right down to a pink pillbox hat, had turned her attention back to the display case.

  Three steps in front of him Maddie twirled in a circle. A kid in a candy store didn’t quite do justice to the expression on her face. It was such a mix of wonder, excitement, pride—and jealousy?

  He could understand all of those. Jewelry was a business to Jordan, but it was clearly Maddie’s passion. This was her mother’s world. What must it feel like to have been cut out of Eva’s life? To have been denied the experience of growing up beside her sister? And now, she would never have the chance to talk to Eva about it.

  He thought of his relationship with his own family—his sister Darcy, his mom, his brother D.C. What would his life be like, what would he be like now if he’d been denied a relationship with them?

  Maddie moved back to him. “It’s so lovely.”

  Once more she let her gaze sweep the room, drinking in every detail. He’d only been in the store once before, after hours, when he’d come to check out the security system his firm had installed. He’d been impressed. The floor was white marble, the walls a creamy color broken every five feet or so with raised carvings of Greek columns. Potted plants and vases of fresh flowers were scattered throughout the room.

  Even here the jewelry was displayed discreetly—just a few pieces in each of the five display cases. That too had been Jordan’s idea. Since so much of the store’s business consisted of special orders, she’d argued that the display cases as well as the windows should have the purpose of giving their customers ideas.

  Scattered throughout the main salon, antique couches and chairs were grouped in conversation areas. On an intricately carved sideboard near the front of the store sat silver urns offering coffee and tea. Another sideboard offered chilled sparkling water.

  Over Maddie’s shoulder, Jase saw Arnold Bartlett pick up a phone.

  “I’m so out of my league,” Maddie said.

  His eyes
cut to Maddie’s as anger moved through him. It wasn’t directed at Maddie, but at the two people who’d put her in this situation—her parents. He grabbed her shoulders. “You’re not. You belong here every bit as much as Jordan does. You remember that.” Then he pulled her close for a quick hard kiss.

  Maddie tried to keep her focus as her brain clouded and her knees went weak. He was playing a role, she reminded herself. And she had to do her part. Plus, she had to keep her mind on her goals.

  A deep masculine voice said, “Ms. Farrell.”

  When Maddie turned toward him, the dignified-looking man smiled and extended his hand. “Arnold Bartlett—store manager. I want to welcome you to Eva Ware Designs.”

  Beaming a smile at him, Maddie shook his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Bartlett.”

  “Call me Arnold. Your sister does.” He studied her for a moment. “Even though Jordan told us about you, I… The resemblance is striking. When you first walked in, I was sure you were Jordan. She sometimes wears her hair pulled back.”

  Still smiling, he shot a look of polite inquiry at Jase.

  Jase threw a friendly arm around Maddie and pulled her possessively close. “Jase Campbell. I’m an old pal of Jordan’s.”

  “Ah, yes. But I assumed Maddie would be coming here alone.”

  Jase gave Maddie a little squeeze. “Since she’s only going to be here three weeks, I just can’t bring myself to let her out of my sight. I’m sure you can understand why.”

  “Yes, well…”

  “Madison?”

  Maddie’s gaze shifted to Adam Ware who was striding purposefully toward them.

  “Adam told me to notify him the moment you arrived,” Arnold Bartlett explained. “He wants to give you a personal tour.”

  Maddie stifled a surge of nerves as her cousin approached. He was even more classically handsome than she recalled. Today he wore a pale gray suit and a silk shirt and tie in varying hues of the same color. His longish chestnut-brown hair was shoved behind his ears revealing a single diamond in his right earlobe. His features were chiseled, his skin tanned and his profile might easily have graced some ancient coin.

  Adam reminded Maddie a bit of the real estate agent, Daniel Pearson, who’d been so intent on getting her to let him list and sell her ranch. Both had a sheen of smooth sophistication. Adam was a bit more volatile, but she was reluctant to put her trust in either of them.

  The man standing at her side with his arm around her was anything but smooth. Though if he decided to act the role of the city sophisticate, Maddie had no doubt that Jase could pull it off. Her father would have liked Jase, she suddenly realized. If for no other reason than that he seemed to be able to lie like a trouper.

  When Adam reached her, he gave her a smile that didn’t succeed in reaching his eyes. That was another difference between the two men. Jase’s slow and easy smiles always reached his eyes.

  “If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you to Jordan’s office.” Then he turned to Jase. “You’ll have to stay here. We don’t allow anyone but employees or family beyond the main salon.”

  A little flare of anger began to build inside Maddie. Jase tightened his arm around her, and Maddie knew he was going to say something. To warn him off, she shifted her balance and pressed one of her narrow heels into his foot.

  He stiffened, but he kept silent.

  Maddie brightened her smile. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be intimidated. She might not have been a part of Eva’s life for the past twenty-six years, but she was here now.

  “I came here for more than a tour, Adam. I’m stepping into Jordan’s shoes for the next three weeks, so you’re going to see a lot of me and Jase. And Jase will be accompanying me beyond the salon as my special guest.”

  Drawing Jase with her, she strode toward the elevator she’d seen Adam step out of.

  “Nicely done.” Jase spoke in a voice only she could hear.

  She jabbed a finger into the call button. Once they were all in the elevator, Maddie said to Adam, “Before you take me to Jordan’s office, I want to see where Eva worked.”

  Her cousin stared at her. “No one is allowed in there except members of the design team. That’s a strict rule that Aunt Eva made.”

  Maddie raised her eyebrows at him. “I’m sure that Jordan has been allowed into the workroom?”

  Now Adam frowned. “Occasionally, but she doesn’t work there. She’s not a designer.”

  “Well, I am. And since I’m Eva Ware’s other daughter and a fellow jewelry designer, I’m certain she wanted me to visit.”

  “Oh, very well.” Adam’s tone was less than gracious as he punched the button for the second floor. “Our workroom is adjacent to our office.” Once again he shot a look at Jase. “But I can’t allow your friend access to the design studio. It’s one of Aunt Eva’s hard and fast rules that outsiders are never allowed in her workroom. No one is permitted to see works in progress. She’s even kept my parents out.”

  “The thing is, Eva Ware isn’t in charge here anymore,” Maddie said.

  Adam’s face turned red. He opened his mouth, shut it and finally said, “Very well.”

  The elevator door slid open on a small, high-ceilinged room with three offices opening off it. Desks and cabinets were partially visible through the open doorways. Oriental rugs in muted pastel shades dotted the marble floors. Sunlight poured through narrow windows. An antique cherry desk sat in the center of the room, and a young Asian girl glanced up, then rose and moved toward them. “Welcome to Eva Ware Designs. I’m Michelle Tan.”

  Maddie summoned up the name from the notes Jordan had given her as she shook the hand the young woman extended. Then as the Michelle’s gaze shifted to Jase, Maddie said, “This is my friend, Jase Campbell.”

  “Ah. Jordan’s roommate,” Michelle said. “She’s spoken of you.”

  “I hope in a positive way,” Jase said.

  Michelle smiled, but Adam interrupted before she could speak. “They’ve asked to see Aunt Eva’s workroom. We’ll be back shortly.” Then he turned and led the way down a short hall.

  “You’re doing a nice job of handling your cousin, darlin’,” Jase murmured for Maddie’s ears only. “The pushier you are with him, the more easily I can fade into the background.”

  “His mother isn’t here to prompt him. He seems more assertive when she is.” Then she shot him a look. “Darlin’?”

  “Payback for my foot.”

  The short exchange eased the nerves in Maddie’s stomach.

  “When we get in the studio,” Jase continued, “I’ll distract your cousin so you can take your time.”

  Adam opened the door and strode into the room. Over his shoulder, Maddie could see Cho Li, her mother’s long-time assistant, bent over something at a desk. He wore jeans and a loose-fitting chambray shirt.

  “Cho, what are you doing working in Aunt Eva’s space?”

  Adam’s voice had the small man swiveling in his chair.

  Cho Li wore rimless glasses.

  “I was finishing a design that Eva was working on,” Cho replied in a calm voice. “She would want it completed.”

  For a moment the gazes of the two men clashed. In the end, it was Adam who dropped his. “You remember Madison Farrell.”

  Cho rose from his chair and moved toward Maddie. When he reached her, he bowed.

  Jase released Maddie’s hand as she also bowed. He knew from Jordan that Cho Li was in his midseventies, but he looked younger and his eyes were smiling. Jase quickly scanned the room. It was large, nearly twice the space of the office area where they’d left Michelle. Tall narrow windows along two walls let in plenty of light, and there were three clearly defined workspaces.

  “Welcome, Ms. Farrell,” Cho Li said. “What can I do for you?”

  Maddie smiled at him. “Please call me Maddie.”

  He nodded his head. “Maddie then.”

  “I’d love to see the design that you were completing for Eva.”

  A smile spre
ad over Cho’s face. “Come.”

  When Adam started to follow them, Jase put a hand on his arm. “I wonder if I could have a word with you.”

  “What about?”

  Jase glanced at Maddie, then lowered his voice. “In private?” Then he drew Adam over to the far end of the room. He settled his hip against a worktable so that Adam would have to face him. “The thing is, I need some help.”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed. “With what?”

  Over Adam’s shoulder, Jase could see Maddie and Cho standing in front of the worktable. Cho was holding up a ring of yellow gold with a smaller ring of white gold inside it.

  Jase met Adam’s eyes. “Maddie and I have only just met. Jordan and I have been pals for years, and they look so much alike. But when I met Maddie, something just clicked. You know what I mean?”

  “Your relationship with Madison is of no interest to me. Now if you’ll excuse—”

  Jase put a hand on Adam’s arm. “The thing is, I’d like to buy her something while we’re here. Can you help me with that?”

  Adam frowned at him. “Do I look like a salesperson? If you came to purchase something, Arnold could have taken care of you in the main salon.”

  Jase shrugged. “You’re one of the designers, aren’t you?”

  Adam’s chin lifted. “Yes, I am. Now that Eva is gone, I’m the head designer at Eva Ware Designs.”

  “And you’re Maddie’s cousin. Family’s important to her. I was thinking that one of your creations might be just the ticket. Something exclusive that hasn’t made its way downstairs yet? Do you have some pieces that I could look at?”

  Adam was torn. Jase could see the struggle in his face, but in the end ego won out. He opened a drawer in his worktable, took out a thick ring of keys and led the way to a cabinet in the corner. “I can show you three of my latest creations.”

  MADDIE TOUCHED the pendant of concentric gold rings that Cho had been working on when they’d entered the room. “Would you mind if I picked it up?”

  “Go ahead,” Cho said.

  Maddie examined it more closely. The larger ring was yellow gold and the smaller circle dangling inside it was white gold. Cho had nearly completed hammering the finish onto the larger ring.