Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Stone lurched at me and instinct had me leaning back far too fast, momentum took hold, and me and the chair tumbled back. He leaned over me, his hand reaching to help or retaliate, I wasn’t sure when he was suddenly yanked away.
“Lay a hand on her and you’re a dead man,” Ian warned, shoving him away.
Beau stood behind Ian, ready to fight if necessary.
“Time for you to leave.”
I couldn’t see the face, but I knew that voice. It was my brother Josh and when I caught sight of him, I saw that he was in uniform, which meant the restaurant had called the police.
Ian leaned down to help me and the chair up and stopped dead. “Did he do that to you? I’m going to—”
He went to turn, and I grabbed his arm.
“What did he do?” Josh asked, before I could explain, and anger flared in his eyes when he caught a look at my face, and he grabbed his handcuffs. “You’re under arrest for assault.”
“I didn’t touch her,” Stone said.
Words flew like rapid bullets from Stone and Amy as they tried to explain what happened.
Ian helped me and the chair up and squatted down in front of me. “How did you get those black eyes?”
I explained what had happened and unlike others, he didn’t laugh.
“You should have called me right away, Pep,” Ian said, not angry with me but looking as though he shared my discomfort.
“I felt foolish,” I admitted.
“When aren’t you foolish, Pep?” Ian asked with a loving smile. “That’s one of the things I love about you. You don’t mind being a fool when necessary.”
I really did love this guy. I mean how do you not love a guy who truly understands you and loves you anyway?
“A rake, Pepper? Really?” Josh said, interrupting Ian’s and my moment. “Wait until Dad hears about this.”
I sneered at his smug smile. “And, of course, you’re going to tell him.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I just want to be there when he gets a look at your face.”
“Excuse me, Officer, but can you move this along, please? It is distracting to the other patrons,” the hostess, said softly.
“Wrapping it up now, Tabby, and I apologize for the chaos.”
Tabby smiled. “It is something I’ve learned to expect when Pepper dines here, which is why, among other reasons, I have your number.”
Josh winked at her and gave Stone a nudge. “Let’s go. You’re out of here.”
“See you around, gorgeous,” Stone said with a smile.
“Get moving,” Josh ordered, giving Stone another nudge.
Ian gave me a gentle kiss and moved me and the chair comfortably close to the table before taking the seat next to me. “Please tell me you saw a doctor, Pep.”
“I did. Dr. Wagner at urgent care gave me a thorough once over and took X-rays. No serious damage done except to my pride.”
Beau smiled, though I heard the chuckle beneath it. “Wow, Pepper. Ian is right when he says life is never dull with you around.”
This time I laughed. “And that’s with no effort.”
We all laughed and plunged into the appetizers on the table, all of us hungry, as we considered supper choices.
Beau moved his chair closer to Amy, slipping his arm around her. “So, from what I could gather from the rapid-fire conversation, this biker dude wants you to help him find this so-called treasure, that he’s not entitled to, if it even exists.”
“Some believe that Verbena Willow was buried with a necklace her father had crafted for her and in today’s market it could be easily worth half a mill,” Amy said.
Ian reached out to take my hand. “Are you really all right? I saw your head hit the floor hard.”
“He’s right,” Amy said. “You did go down pretty hard.”
Ian’s hand left mine to feel the back of my head and I winced when he touched a spot.
“A small bump,” Ian said and signaled the server. “A bag of ice for the bump she got on her head, please.”
“Right away,” the young woman said and hurried off.
“If Ignatius kept such detailed records and receipts wouldn’t there be something on the purchase of such an expensive necklace?” Beau asked.
“You would think,” Amy said, “but so far, we haven’t found anything in the Willow documents to confirm a treasure even exists.”
“Maybe he hid the information so no one would know about the necklace and disturb his daughter’s tomb,” Beau suggested.
“Or the necklace and more are hidden somewhere in the Willow Mansion,” Amy said.
“Not there. Wasn’t that the words scrolled across the page of the picture of Verbena’s tomb that was torn out of that book you got at Kate’s, Pep?” Ian asked.
“And the reason my mom may have been hit on the head and her pockets turned inside out,” I said. “Someone was looking for her keys to the Willow Mansion thinking the necklace might be there.”