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

dear, so much damage to your pretty little store," Ida said with undue sadness.
    "It was nothing," I said, careful not to give her anything to add to her gossip.
    Holly had flushed at Ida’s words. She dropped her plate of half-eaten pie onto the counter, grabbed the broom, and went back to brushing the glass and china fragments into the dustpan.
    "We have it nearly all cleaned up," she said as she dumped the last bit of broken glass into the box.
    "You've done a good job," Ida said, nodding her head. "But all that beautiful china! And it isn't just that it was imported. People collect that stuff. It must be expensive! And the cabinet needs to be fixed... It's really going to add up." She shook her head, dismayed.
    Holly's face paled with each word she spoke. I pursed my lips to hold back the anger building in me. Ida didn't seem to see what she was doing to Holly.
    "Pix, don't worry. It wasn't your fault and it's not that much money," I told her.
    The damage would be costly by Holly's estimations, but I wasn't worried about the money.
    "Of course it's not your fault, Holly!" Ida said indignantly. "It's that oafish husband of yours."
    I knew Ida had meant to make her feel better, but instead, tears welled up in Holly's eyes.
    "It's almost noon," Matt said. None of us had noticed him come back into the room. "They must be busy next door with the lunch crowd."
    "I suppose I should go," Ida said reluctantly. A moment later, the door chimes rang out, distracting her from this thought.
    Matt looked at me with lifted eyebrows as if to say, “I tried.” He grabbed the box with the broken glass and headed back toward the storage room. I followed him with the broom and dustpan, leaving Holly to deal with the newly arrived customers.
    Matt carried the box through the back door to the dumpster. He came back in and glanced at his watch.
    "Tressa, I'm sorry, but I have to go. I'm supposed to meet Xander for lunch in ten minutes."
    Please don't apologize. I'm grateful for your help."
    He nodded to acknowledge my thanks.
    "Like I said, it was Xander's idea. I'm on the clock, and I'd rather be with you lovely ladies than looking at his ugly mug."
    "Why do you call him Xander? Isn't Alex the common nickname for Alexander?" I was just too curious to restrain myself from asking.
    Matt chuckled before answering my question.
    Xander is what his men called him. We thought it sounded like the name of a comic book superhero. He has deadly reflexes and unbelievable instincts, and a real 'might for right' attitude that sometimes makes him seem larger than life."
    I smiled, amused. "Well if that's so, I surely do not want to be on his bad side. Let's get you out of here."
    We returned to the showroom together. Ida was gone and Holly was busy waiting on customers. Matt hesitated, clearly wanting to say goodbye to her. When it became obvious she would be some time, he waved to her and hurried out of the store.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    I went into the small room where I create my jewelry. My worktable is against a wall with a cutout into the showroom. The back of the table protrudes six inches into the other room.
    This setup allows me to see the showroom, the door, and part of one window while I work. Visitors to the store can also watch me work if they so choose.
    I uncovered the filigree and amethyst bracelet I had been working on the previous day. I held it up to examine my work under the light before deciding how to proceed.
    A few minutes later, after her last customer had gone, Holly came over to the worktable. She leaned against it with her elbows. I looked up at her expectantly, however, she wasn't looking back at me. She fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse, her gaze turned down. Her clouded expression took me off guard. I put the unfinished bracelet, now forgotten, back on the table.
    "Tressa, I've got something to tell you. Some news. Good news," she clarified, but her voice held only worry.
    "You don't sound very