Goodreads Book Giveaway
Carved Wooden Heart
by Elizabeth Horton-Newton
Giveaway ends July 24, 2017.
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Excerpt
Jesse had not moved. It was as though he was a magnet and I was irresistibly drawn to him. “Mr. Carver, how nice to see you.”
His lip curled. “Really? Mr. Carver?” His eyes narrowed. I knew that look. It was not good. “Fine. Miss Stone. Oh wait, it’s Mrs. Newman now, isn’t it?”
I tensed at the sarcastic tone. My husband had passed away almost three years ago and I had returned to using my maiden name. Anyone who knew me was well aware of that.
“It’s Miss Stone,” I responded stiffly. “I’m currently assisting another client. I’m certain Kathryn will be happy to show you anything you would like to see.”
“I highly doubt that since it’s you I’ve come to see. Miss Stone.” His dark eyes glistened
My heart flip flopped and I swallowed hard. “And why would that be, Mr. Carver?”
“Let’s stop playing games, Dani. We both know why I’m here.”
I glanced back at Kathryn and my client to see them both staring at us curiously. Turning back to Jesse I hissed, “Fine. Let’s go to my office.” Brushing past him I strode purposefully toward my office at the rear of the gallery. Opening the door and stepping inside I noticed my hands were shaking slightly. I turned to tell Jesse to take a seat to find he was standing directly behind me. He was much taller than I was and my eyes were on level with the open collar of his Oxford shirt. I looked up slowly. The scent of him filled my head; the long remembered woodsy smell that he seemed to carry with him. Stepping back quickly I indicated the chair in front of my desk before moving behind the desk to my own chair.
“Can I offer you a drink?” I asked politely. “Coffee, tea, a soft drink? Or perhaps you prefer something stronger?” I said the last sarcastically, taunting him with the alcohol problem I knew he struggled with.
He leaned back in the chair and comfortably crossed his long legs. “I don’t drink alcohol anymore. I haven’t had a drink in five years.” His voice was even and undisturbed. My comment hadn’t even ruffled his feathers. “Do you have any bottled water?”
I went to the small refrigerator I kept in my office and withdrew a bottle of water and a can of cola. Setting the water in front of him I returned to my seat, popping open the can of soda. I took a long sip of the cold drink before speaking. “Alright, Jesse. What did you want to see me about?”
“I want to buy the carving back.” He stated it simply with no precursor.
I felt my face grow warm and I knew I was turning pink. One of the unfortunate side effects of being a fair skinned blond was my tendency to blush at the slightest provocation. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lied and took another sip of my drink.
“Come on Dani,” he practically snarled. “Let’s get on with it. You paid with a credit card.”
I mentally cursed paper trails. “I’m not selling it.”
Jesse tossed the closed water bottle from one hand to the other. “Yes, you are. I’ll give you what you paid for it and an additional fee.”
I laughed sharply. “A fee? That’s rich.” Leaning my elbows on my desk I repeated what I had already told him. “I’m not selling it.”
“It was mistakenly sold. It was only for display.” Now he was lying and I knew it.
“How unfortunate. It had quite a large price tag.”
His eyes glittered dangerously. “I told you, it was a mistake.” He was practically grinding his perfectly white, slightly uneven teeth. “I’ll pay you double what you were charged.”
I never hesitated. Granted it was partly spite. “I have no intention of selling it.” Standing I asked, “Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
Jesse stood as well and he glowered at me. His lips were set in a tight thin line. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a card case and tossed his business card on my desk. “Call me when you come up with a fair price.” Before I could respond he had turned on his heel and strode out of my office.
Kathryn hurried in and closed the door behind her. “Who was that? What did he want?”
I realized I was trembling all over. “Someone I knew a long time ago. He wanted to buy something.”
“What?” Kathryn’s eyes were wide. She had never seen me like this.
I collapsed into my chair. “Me.” I said it softly at first. Then I looked at her. “He wanted to buy me.”
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