“All right.Let’s try forty pounds for the painted hearts on ribbons.The loose hearts, perhaps thirty?And the ones with your cards, say thirty-five.”
“Seems expensive,” Tamsin said, doubt in the line of her slumped shoulders.
“Let’s ask for a second opinion,” Sienna said.“Excuse me, Tony, do you think we could sell these for forty pounds each?”
Tony studied the hearts closely.“Yes.Who did the artwork?It’s beautiful.In fact, could I have the one with pink roses instead of you paying me for your share of the site this week?It’s my wife’s birthday on Thursday, and I think she’d love it.”
“Done.”Sienna grinned, plucking the heart from the black velvet where they’d nestled each item for display.She packed it in a velvet pouch she’d helped her mother make yesterday.“I hope your wife enjoys the gift.”
“I’m taking her out to dinner at her favorite restaurant,” Tony said.
“Wish her a happy birthday from us.”Sienna glanced at her watch.“I’d better go, or I’ll be late.Will you be okay?”
Tamsin kissed her on the cheek and shooed her away.Two women paused by their stall, their attention immediately claimed by the heart display.Sienna would’ve liked to linger to see if they purchased one, but aware she couldn’t afford to lose her job, she rushed away.
“You’re late,” Molly snapped when Sienna sat behind her desk.Both phones rang, and the public waiting room looked packed to capacity.
“No, I’m right on time,” Sienna said evenly.“Should I take over for you now?And is there anything urgent I can help you with?”
Molly lowered her voice.“Sorry, it’s the hunters.Three more showed up, and everyone’s on edge.Handle the calls for now, will you?And if you get a quiet moment, a cup of tea would be amazing.”
“I’ll do the tea first,” Sienna said, bustling to the kitchen to make a large pot.The others would undoubtedly enjoy tea and biscuits.With refreshments distributed to the rest of the staff, Sienna concentrated on answering the phone and filing between calls.Meanwhile, she kept her ears open to gauge the mood and to learn if anyone mentioned Liam or Jamie.
All she learned was that the hunters’ presence had scared locals, and more than one glared at her as if she were to blame, which was ludicrous.Toward the afternoon, three hunters appeared in the waiting room.They were big men and wore black, which gave them a menacing air.
Molly hustled over to them.“Can I help?”
“We’re here to see the mayor,” one said.His brown gaze was piercing, his attitude one of confidence, and Sienna bet he missed nothing.
“The mayor is in a meeting with the bank manager,” Molly said, her voice level but her cheeks paler than earlier.
“I don’t care.He gave us assurances and hasn’t upheld his end of the bargain,” the man said.“Either the mayor sees us now, or we interrupt his meeting.”
Was the mayor behind this?But he’d let Molly employ her, which Sienna took as a sign he was sympathetic to their plight.
“The mayor?”the hunter snapped, pulling Sienna from her racing thoughts.She flicked her gaze over the determined hunters and busied herself filing until she discovered one leering at her.
Molly said something Sienna couldn’t hear before hustling to the mayor’s office.It was apparent she’d expected the hunters to wait, but the leader trailed her, and after one final insulting smirk in Sienna’s direction, the hunter’s friends followed.
“Don’t bother introducing us, sweetheart,” the hunter told Molly.He muscled her aside and strode into the mayor’s domain.
“Hello, mayor,” he boomed.“We need a discussion.”
The other two hunters entered the office, and a red-faced bank manager exited a moment later.The office door shut after him with a definitive click.
“I’m so sorry,” Molly said to the furious man.“Should I reschedule your meeting?”
The man tugged at the hem of his black jacket even as he sniffed.“The mayor wanted my help.He was askingmefor a favor.I told him I couldn’t help him because it was too late.The vultures are already circling.He should’ve listened to me when I warned him about that mall project.”And with those strident words, he marched from the office, his shoulders straight and his head held high.
Molly sighed and sent Sienna a wan smile.“I can tell this will be a trying day.Perhaps I could have another cup of tea to bolster my fortitude.”
Sienna nodded, weighing the man’s words.What favor did he mean?Was the mayor using these men—or being used himself?Mama had mentioned talks about the mall build circulating at the market.“Of course.I’ll get tea for you now.”
Shouting boomed from the mayor’s office without warning.
“Oh, dear,” Molly said.“I told Cormoran these men would be an issue.”She fumbled in her desk drawer and pulled out a mini liquor bottle.“For my tea.”
Sienna bit her lip, trying not to laugh because this wasn’t a comical situation.Each of them was at risk, and things were about to become worse.
