Free The Fiance Thief by Tracy South

probably wrong-headed, and I think in my heart that I know that. But this at least gives me an excuse to do something I couldn’t make myself do any other way,” she said.
    He had his own doubts about Claire’s plan. To get a ring on her finger with minimal expense, she’d proposed using the engagement token she’d gotten from the notorious Scott. They were going to swing back by Claire’s house to pick it up, then take it to a nearby pawnshop to trade for another one. He’d wondered why she couldn’t just wear that one to the retreat, but the squawking and near-hysteria that ensued reminded him that Miranda had seen the ring. His next question was whether or not Claire was really fine with this. He stopped himself every time he started to ask, and they completed the trip back to her house in silence.
    He left the engine running as she jumped out of the car and went back into the house. She returned less than aminute later, clutching the piece of jewelry in her palm. She buckled her seat belt, and they were off again.
    “I’m surprised you didn’t take the opportunity to pace the property off while you had the chance,” Claire said.
    Ignoring her wisecracks, he said, “Can I see it?”
    She opened her hand, and he gazed at the glittery object sheltered there, not knowing what he was looking for. She closed her fist around it again. “I am, really,” Claire said, “fine with this.”
    Startled, he glanced up at her. She went on. “Is that what you’ve been wondering?” When he nodded, she continued, “I think this is the perfect way to let go of this. I couldn’t sell it, because I couldn’t see being happy blowing the money on something frivolous. I’d think, this money I just spent once symbolized my whole future for me.” Her voice dropped ominously. “What kind of future is that?”
    He shivered involuntarily, then forced himself to get a grip. “So why didn’t you throw it in the river? Women are always doing that in movies.”
    “No. That didn’t seem satisfying, either. I’d have a moment of triumph. Then what? No, this way I actually get something tangible out of the deal.” Although he’d seen Claire smile before, once or twice, those had been quiet smiles, half smiles. He had never seen this expression of warm optimism that she now wore, and he found that he liked it. “This can be a symbol of my new life as someone married to her job.”
    He had to lighten the mood a little. “As the paper’s best and hardest-working life-style reporter.”
    He was braced for the whack on the chest he took from her rolled-up daily paper. “News, Alec,” Claire said. “I’d hate to have to spill the truth to Miranda as soon as we get there. You know how sometimes I can’t resist blurting out the first thing that comes to my mind.”
    “I’ve only recently noticed that particular trait.” He cruised into the parking lot of Charlie’s Pawnshop. “I once bought a watch here, and Charlie, the guy who runs it, is an okay guy. Unless there’s someplace you’d rather go.”
    “No, this is fine,” she said. “And to think that I believed the paper paid you enough to afford that elegant timepiece.” Claire got out of the car and handed Alec the ring. “You do the talking.”
    Alec hadn’t considered how suspicious it might sound to Charlie that they wanted to trade the ring for one of the same value, especially since they didn’t have one already picked out. Charlie kept examining the diamond, checking it for flaws. Finding none, he asked Alec, “Why not just keep this one?”
    It was a good question, and one that couldn’t be answered truthfully. “Well,” Alec said, “you see…”
    Charlie interrupted him. “You got that watch here, didn’t you?” Alec nodded. “How much did you pay for it?” When Alec reminded him of the figure, his expression lost some of its wariness. “That was a good deal from my side of the fence,” he said.
    “To use an apt expression,” Claire said