Read Online Courting the Clown by Cathy Quinn - Free Book Online Page A

so close to the ladder that she’d practically fall into his arms if she stepped down. She hung on, waiting for him to move back, but he continued, oblivious to her problem. “We bought it before last Christmas, and hired someone to play it over the holidays, but it has hardly been touched since then.”
    “The piano is perfect. A lovely instrument.”
    “Mary tells me you spent close to an hour dusting it before you started. Sounds like we need to have a talk with our cleaning staff.”
    “Oh, no. They did their jobs. It’s just such a lovely instrument, I had to have it totally spotless and gleaming before I started.”
    Nick shrugged. “It’s not played very often. I’m glad we’re changing that. Live music makes such a difference to the atmosphere.”
    As if to prove his point, someone flipped on the store speakers, and a tinny version of Jingle Bells filled the store. She winced. “What is it about that song?” she sighed. “Doesn’t anybody ever get sick of it? Apart from me, I mean?”
    Nick took a step back and she jumped down to the floor, only to look up at him again. He was towering over her now. That had been a plus up on the platform – she’d looked down at him. He wasn’t as intimidating that way. And she had better control of her butterflies up there. He was back in jeans and a thick sweater now. An open parka, dark-blue, a gray scarf. Dressed for snow. Like he was about to take his daughters outside to build a snowman – or in Emily’s case, a snowball fight was more likely.
    And he looked scrumptious, of course.
    He looked like bad news.
    “How’s it going?” Mr. Scrumptious-slash-Bad News asked.
    “Okay. Not bad.” She looked at him sideways as two little kids ran between them and attacked a display of Legos. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
    He grinned. “Thank you.”
    She smoothly moved out of the way as a third kid barreled through. She was getting pretty practiced at that. “Lots of toys. Lots of kids.”
    His eyes sparkled with mischief, reminding her of little Emily. “Yup. That’s what a toy store is all about, isn’t it? Toys and kids. How about that lunch? There’s this nice restaurant just across the street. Ready to talk business?”
    Sylvie noticed some of her co-workers looking curiously in their direction. “Sure. I should let someone know I’m leaving--”
    “No need. I’ve already told Mary you’ll be back after lunch. Let’s go.”
    He had that bossy look on his face again, the one she recognized so well from before. No, not bossy, more like desperate determination. Not that he had any reason to be desperate anymore. She’d already agreed. She’d promised to be there, and she never broke promises. It was one of those things Grandma Alex had felt strongly about, and she’d passed it on to her granddaughters as the 11 th Commandment. But from the look on Nick’s face, he probably wouldn’t be relaxing until after Lana’s birthday party was over.
    “So, have you had time to review the contract?” he asked as they settled down in a small restaurant just across the street, and ordered sandwiches and coffee.
    “Yes. I’ve got it right here in my purse, signed and sealed.” She pulled it up and put on the table between them.
    Nick nodded in approval as he flipped through, checking for her signature. “Excellent. So you approve of the terms?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. Who wouldn’t? It’s extravagant. I’m being bribed, and I know it. Nevertheless, I will take your money and run because a) I need it and b) I’m going back in the clown suit and I deserve to be well paid for it – and last but not least c) because you didn’t tell me this was a toy store and it’s only fair that little joke costs you a small fortune.”
    Nick leaned back, laughing. She looked down and swallowed carefully. That charm was lethal when turned on full blast. “You mean you didn’t recognize the name?” he asked, that wicked look still blazing in