Tressa's Treasures (The King's Jewel Book 1) by Belinda M Gordon Read Free Book Online

Ridge, I had best start wearing some jewels at night. Oddly, Sophia hadn't seemed to notice the difference. I mulled the thought over as I rushed out of the house.
    The estate was several miles outside town. My store was in the town's small business district. I could ride the wind to get back and forth to the shop, but I drove my car to keep up appearances. Twenty minutes later, I parked in the public lot on Church Street, two blocks from the store.
    I enjoyed the feel of the spring air on my skin as I crossed the road, hurrying down Church Street. As I passed Saint Francis Church I bowed my head to the holy presence there, as was my custom. When I rounded the corner to walk up Fifth Avenue a breeze brushed past me, flicking strands of my hair back away from my face.
    Tressa's Treasures was on the other side of the street, nestled between The Apple Dumpling Café and JR's Bar and Grille .
    The storefront looked charming with its colonial door surround freshly painted a rich mahogany and the rich green, and a gold-lettered sign above. The sunlight touched the crystal displays in the window. It actually did make the store sparkle.
    I stepped onto the macadam and moved across the road even as I looked to my right to check for approaching cars. I was already halfway to the other side when I turned to look to the left. Suddenly, the sun blinded me. I couldn't see if any cars were coming, though I heard no engine approaching.
    Foolishly, I squinted and kept moving as I strained to see. Abruptly, the sound of screeching tires rapidly accelerating exploded from that direction. With a rush of adrenaline, I jumped the last two feet to the sidewalk to get out of the way. I whipped my head around to catch a glimpse of the vehicle as it sped past. For a mere second, Fred Moyer and I locked eyes. He smirked.
    Had he really been trying to hit me? It would take more than a bit of aloe to recover from that. I took several deep breaths to calm myself, watching his red Ford pickup round the corner at the end of the block. I felt profoundly grateful that sweet little Holly had finally gotten away from him.
    Dismissing him from my thoughts, I continued on my way to the store. When I reached the door, I heard an unexpected sound: laughter. Holly was laughing.
    Curious, I hurried in and stood in the doorway for a moment, appraising the scene before me.
    Things appeared much changed from last evening. Most of the broken china and glass had been cleared away. A large cardboard box lined with a green plastic garbage bag sat on the floor serving as a garbage pail for the debris.
    Holly, broom in hand, swept together the smaller pieces that lingered on the floor. Standing near her and getting ready to move what remained of the curio was Matt Johnson.
    Holly dropped the broom handle against the checkout counter and hurried over to hug me. I held her at arm’s length so I could take a good look at her.
    She looked her usual self. Her hair, perfectly styled, covered the stitches on her head. She wore a beautifully sculpted blue blouse over sleek black twill pants, no doubt purchased from one of the designer outlets nearby. Her makeup was flawless.
    No one would imagine, just by looking at her, that she had suffered an attack less than twenty-four hours ago. My surprise melted into understanding: this is how her relationship with Fred had gone on so long without those of us closest to her suspecting abuse.
    She spoke in a rush as I looked around.
    "I'm so sorry I bothered your grandmother, but when you didn't show up and you didn't answer your phone, I was sure something awful had happened."
    "Pix, you shouldn't worry so much. But I do apologize for oversleeping."
    I looked at Matt, who appeared much more comfortable in the plaid shirt and jeans he was wearing than he had in a suit and tie.
    "Mattie, what a nice surprise."
    "Wow, no one's called me Mattie for years," he said, chuckling.
    "That's our Tressa—a nickname for everyone," Holly laughed. "I