Read Online Cold Comfort by Ellis Vidler - Free Book Online Page A

what might happen." He stood and closed his briefcase. "I've got to get back, but I'll be in touch. We'll mail you the final copies."
    "Tell your father hello, and thank you for bringing the papers by." Claire walked him back to the front of the store. At least all the paperwork should be over now. The overwhelming number of details requiring attention after a family death shocked her.
    Lloyd reached for the door, then stopped and faced her. "Have dinner with me, Claire."
    "I, well, I can't this week. I'm so busy here—" she waved a hand at the store— "maybe after Christmas."
    "Claire, don't put me off." Abruptly, he hooked his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him, his face inches from hers. "You can spare one night—come on."
    Startled, she raised her hands to push him away. He held her tighter. Before she could respond, a voice rumbled at her shoulder.
    "The lady said no, pal."
    "Riley!" Her heart nearly jumped out of chest. Where the hell did he come from? Wedged between the two men, she squirmed out of the way. She cleared her throat and backed off, regaining her own space. "Lloyd, this is Riley. He's—" Oh, damn . What could she say? "He's my bodyguard. Since the mugging. Since yesterday." Shut up, Claire. You're babbling. And who could blame her?
    The men spoke briefly and shook hands, then Lloyd hurried to his car. Riley stood solidly blocking the door, shielding Claire.
    Still shocked, she leaned against the window and watched Lloyd drive away. Where did that come from? And now Riley, acting like—like— Words failed her. Her temper flared. She turned to him. "What the hell are you doing? Why are you here?"
    "Not the erstwhile fiancé, I suppose." He ignored her questions, his gaze sweeping the street in front of the shop.
    When her heart rate slowed, she said, "No. He's a good friend."
    "Yeah, I guessed as much." His sardonic tone grated on her nerves. "I told you to call me if anyone unusual showed up."
    "If you were lurking in the bushes," she flung her hand toward the Christmas trees, "you could see I knew him. He's hardly the Boston Strangler."
    "I came by to see how you're doing. Thought I'd have lunch across at the café." He glanced quickly over her as if expecting signs of damage. "You ought to be more careful."
    "What! He's a friend—do you expect me to shut him and everyone else out of my life till this other asshole is caught?"
    "Calm down. Your language is appalling—I'm shocked."
    She started toward him, her fists clenched, when his slow smile started. How could he tease her now? She wanted to murder him and he thought it was funny.
    He placed two fingers over her lips. " Shh . I'm trying to keep you alive. I consider that a priority."
    What could she say? She stopped, her mouth open against his touch. Heat spread through her. Oh, god. She needed to get out of this situation.
    A woman pushed open the door.
    Claire swallowed and forced a smile. "Will you excuse me, Riley? I'll talk to you later." Yes, and she might strangle him, but only after she dealt with the customer.
    Riley gave her a mock salute and left, jaywalked toward the café.
    Tonight, she promised herself, she'd lay out the ground rules.
    Business picked up and Mistletoe stayed busy until lunch hour ended. While Mary dealt with a flustered shopper, Claire hauled the ladder from the storeroom to replace some lights.
    As she pocketed the dead bulbs and automatically popped in the new ones, she found herself comparing Lloyd to Riley and smiled. No contest. Lloyd was a gentleman. Riley was...Riley. He—
    "Yo, Claire. How's the head?"
    Startled, Claire wobbled on her perch before she spotted the office manager from her doctor's office. The woman clutched a handful of ornaments. "Hi, Debbie. It's fine." At the hospital's suggestion, Claire had called to explain about her head injury and make an appointment to have the stitches checked.
    Still favoring her arm, she climbed down slowly and held out her hands for the colorful