Don’t do it.
Don’t do it.
Don’t do it.
“A week-long trial, did you say?” With great reluctance, he opened his eyes.
“Yes!” Her entire countenance lit up, as bright as the sun. “Just seven days. If I haven’t found what I’m looking for, or either of us decides our arrangement is no longer sustainable, then I’ll get another detective and you’ll never have to see me again. I swear.”
Never see her again?
Kincaid’s stomach tightened again. Although this time, it was for an entirely different reason. Quickly releasing Joanna’s hand, he sat back in his chair and motioned for her to do the same.
He knew he was going to hate himself for this later.
He knew he was making a terrible mistake.
But he also knew it was the right thing to do.
Picking up a pen, he reopened his journal. “Why don’t we begin by you telling me what it is you’re doing here, and what, precisely, you’re searching for?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Resuming her seat, Joanna beckoned James into her lap. With a happymeowthe traitorous feline accepted the invitation and began to purr as she stroked his tail. “You see, it all began with a ring…”
Chapter Two
Somerville, Massachusetts
Three Months Ago
“Miss Joanna Thorncroft.”Taking a deep breath, Charles Gaines dropped down to one knee in the middle of the park and pulled a small, velvet box from the inside pocket of his gray frock coat. “Will you do me the great honor of being my wife?”
He flipped the box open with his thumb to reveal a very large, very shiny diamond ring. Or perhaps it only appeared so large because the box was so small.
Joanna squinted.
No, she decided.
It was definitely large. Ostentatious, even. Then again, Charleswaswearing silk trousers.
Pink ones, at that.
Or maybe they were peach.
She’d been trying to avoid looking at them.
“Charles,” she began.
“Yes?” he said eagerly.
“No.”
His smile slipped a notch. “No?”
“No,” she confirmed with a sigh. “Please get up. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your pants.”
“Quite right.” He leapt to his feet as if the ground had suddenly caught fire and used a handkerchief to delicately brush a few loose pieces of grass off his knee. “Mother would have my head if these became stained. They’re from—”
“Paris, yes. You told me last week. They’re…unique,” Joanna said generously.
