Free BILLIONAIRE ANGEL (Point St. Claire, where true love finds a way) by Robyn Grady Page B

beet red every time. Now, as an adult, Fay was pale rather than flushed. But her smile was still shaky and her words were rushed. Same old Nervous Nelly.
    Or was there another reason Fay was anxious today?
    Fay’s house was small and neat with pretty pink swags on the windows and brushed mauve furniture. When they moved out back, a double-story castle cubby-house complete with slide took pride of place beneath a huge elm.
    Fay called out and a young girl in a flouncy lilac dress appeared at the ‘castle’ entrance.
    “Alice, sweetie,” Fay said, “say hello to mommy’s friends.”
    As Alice performed a regal bow, the ‘jewels’ hanging from her neck and wrists tinkled and shone. Billy couldn’t help it. She had never suspected her friend as far as the disappearance of her ruby ring was concerned, but now she sneaked a glance at Fay’s hands.
    Only a sparkling engagement ring and wedding band. 
    Fay offered a plate of food. “Fairy bread, anyone?”
    Billy took a triangle and nibbled a corner while Alice hurried up to do the same.
    Jax held up his hands. “I’m good.”
    “It was a long time ago,” Billy said, “but do you remember when my house was broken into. It was ninth grade?”
    “I remember you saying police had come around. Something went missing, right?”
    “Jewelry. A special ring. I told you about it.”
    Fay chewed her fairy bread thoughtfully then shrugged. “I’m a blank.”
    After Alice took a fat strawberry from another plate and disappeared back into her castle, Jax went through his usual spiel. Had Fay noticed anything unusual around that time? Were any of their friends, or enemies, acting strangely? Was there any information Fay thought might help?
    “I really wish I could help. That ring sounds like something out of a dream.” Fay studied her left hand. “Noah had my engagement and wedding rings specially made, you know.”
    “Your husband,” Jax noted and Fay nodded then went on.
    “Ceylon sapphires. He knows they’re my favorite. I’ll pass them onto Alice when... Well, when she’s old enough.”
    Billy was curious to know. “And if you have another daughter or two?”
    Fay’s eyes misted over and her smile trembled before she tacked it back up, a slash of pale purple between the cut angles of her cheekbones. “Noah and I decided to marry because Alice was on the way. Best decision ever . Alice was the best baby. She’s a wonderful little girl. So patient and happy.” She clasped her hands together and looked up at the sky. “I’m so, so blessed. I wish Noah was here to see how alike they still are.”
    Billy stopped. She almost didn’t want to ask. “Fay, has Noah gone somewhere?”
    Had he left like Billy’s father had done when she’d been around Alice’s age?
    “A year ago,” Fay began, “I saw the report on the news. That’s how I found out about the crash. That he was gone....”
    Before Billy could digest the news, tell her how sorry she was, Fay hunched over and started to cry.
     
    *
     
    “Why didn’t you tell me Fay’s husband had died?”
    Thirty minutes after leaving her friend’s place, Billy obviously still felt blindsided by Fay Beckett’s heart-wrenching outburst. It had smacked Jax in the chest as well. They hadn’t left until well after Fay had pulled it together. While Billy had consoled her friend, Jax had played around with Alice outside of her make-believe ‘castle’.
    Poor little kid.
    A moment ago, when he’d pulled the motorcycle up by this field, Billy had started to vent. She was upset that Jax hadn’t forewarned her about her friend’s recent tragedy. But he’d bet that Billy was more upset at herself. That she hadn’t kept in touch. Hadn’t been there when her friend had needed her most.
    “I tracked Fay’s details down,” he explained, following Billy into a swaying sea of wild flowers. “I saw she was married with a child...”
    He didn’t know how he’d missed that her partner had died in a wreck,