Free Remember When by Nora Roberts, J. D. Robb Page B

sofa that often converts into a bed. It's also a small desk with a boxlike form with an upper section that slides or turns to provide knee space."
    "Huh. The things you learn."
    "I could teach you all sorts of things." Enjoying herself, she walked her fingers up his chest.
    "Want me to show you the difference between a canterbury and a commode?"
    "Can't wait."
    She took his hand, drew him toward her little library, where she could give a short lesson in antiques while they put the room back in order.
    ***
    When the tall, distinguished gentleman with the trim pewter mustache walked into Remember When, Jenny was contemplating what she might fix for dinner. Since it seemed she was hungry all the time, thinking about food was nearly as satisfying as eating it.
    After Angie's big sale, the pace had slowed. She'd had a few browsers, and Mrs. Gunt had come on the run to see the lotus jug and snap it up. But for the next hour, she and Angie had been puttering, and the day took on a lazy tone that had her giving Angie an early out.
    She looked over at the sound of the door, pleased that a customer would temporarily take her mind off pork chops and mashed potatoes.
    "Good afternoon. Can I help you?"
    "I think I'll just look around, if that's all right. What an interesting place. Yours?"
    "No. The owner's not in today. Browse all you like. If you have any questions or need any help, just let me know."
    "I'll do that."
    He was wearing a suit nearly the same color as his mustache and the thick, well-cut head of hair.
    The suit, and subtle stripe of the tie, made her think money. His voice was just clipped enough to have her assuming North.
    Her saleswoman's instinct told her he wouldn't mind a little conversation as he wandered. "Are you visiting Angel's Gap?"
    "I have business in the area." He smiled, and it deepened the hollows of his cheeks, turned his eyes into a warm blue and made distinguished just a little sexy. "Such a friendly town."
    "Yes, it is."
    "And so scenic. Good for business, I'd think. I have a shop of my own." He leaned over to study the display of heirloom jewelry. "Estate jewelry," he said, tapping the glass. "The buying and selling. Very nice pieces here. Unexpected, really, outside a metropolitan area."
    "Thank you. Laine's very particular about what we sell here."
    "Laine?"
    "Laine Tavish, the owner."
    "I wonder if I haven't heard that name. Possibly even met her at one of the auctions. It's a relatively small pool we swim in."
    "You might have. If you're staying in town for a while, you could come back in. She's usually here."
    "I'll be sure to do that. Tell me, do you sell loose stones as well?"
    "Stones?"
    At Jenny's blank look he angled his head. "I often buy stones-gemstones-to replace ones lost from an antique setting, or to duplicate an estate piece for a client."
    "Oh. No, we don't. Of course, the jewelry's just a small part of our stock."
    "So I see." He turned, and those eyes scanned every inch of the main showroom. "An eclectic mix, styles, periods. Does Ms. Tavish do all the buying?"
    "Yes, she does. We're lucky to have someone like Laine in the Gap. The store's developed a good reputation, and we're listed in several guides to the area, and antique and collectible magazines."
    He wandered off, walking in the direction of a table set with porcelain figurines and small bronzes. "So, she's not a local then."
    "You're not a local in the Gap unless your grandfather was born here. But no, Laine moved here a few years ago."
    "Tavish, Tavish..." He angled back around, narrowing his eyes, stroking his mustache. "Is she a tall, rather lanky woman with very short blond hair? Wears little black glasses?"
    "No, Laine's a redhead."
    "Ah well, hardly matters. This is a lovely piece." He picked up an elegant china cat. "Do you ship?"
    "We certainly do. I'd be happy to... Oh, hi, honey," she said when Vince walked in. "My husband," she said to the customer with a wink. "I don't call all the cops honey."
    "I was heading