Read Online Santa's Posse by Rosemarie Naramore - Free Book Online Page B

relationship, I
just, haven’t.”
    “But…” Jill began,
but let the word hang in the air.  When she finally spoke again, her eyes
reflected her worry.  “You’d better figure it out fast, because, it’s pretty
clear Miles is taken with you.  And Kellie, none of us want to see him hurt. 
He’s one of the good guys.”
    She received the
warning loud and clear.  From Lynne before, from Grace at the movie theater, and
now Jill.  Don’t hurt Miles.
     
    *** 
               
    Kellie checked her
watch.  It was already five after twelve, and her eleven-thirty appointment
appeared in no hurry to leave.  In fact, the older man, with graying hair and
intense blue eyes, appeared intent on remaining beside her in the massive
retail space, pointing out every defect he could find.   
    “Mr. Barnes, could
you give me a minute?” she asked him. 
    He nodded and
began pacing the space for the umpteenth time. 
    Kellie hurriedly
called her office.  “Jill, it’s me.  Can you reach Miles for me and tell him
I’m running late?”
    “I can try,” she
said doubtfully.  “But, I don’t have his number.  Do you want me to call 911
and have a dispatcher reach him?”
    “No.  Don’t do
that.  You know what, never mind.  I’ll figure something out.”
    She flipped her
phone closed and strode across the room to speak to her prospective renter. 
“Uh, Mr. Barnes, it’s after noon.  I don’t suppose you’d care to join me for
lunch?”
    The man’s eyes
widened with surprise, and he broke out in a grin.  “Why, that would be nice.”  
    “Have you had a
chance to visit our beautiful food court, with its extensive offering of
restaurants?” she asked, starting off in that direction and relieved when he
followed.
    “Not yet,” he
said.
    “Well, we’ll
remedy that right now,” she told him cheerfully.
    She led the way to
the food court, where she promptly spied Miles waiting for her by the deli.  He
wasn’t alone, but was surrounded by several deputies.  They appeared deeply
engrossed in spirited conversation. 
    Kellie turned to
her guest.  “What looks good to you?” she asked.  She gestured toward the
deli.  “The deli is excellent, if you have an appetite for a sandwich.”
    He shook his head
briskly.  “I was thinking the menu at that Japanese restaurant looks awfully
tempting,” he said, directing her to it.
    “Oh, yes, the food
is excellent.”  She glanced back at Miles distractedly and then back to her
guest.  “Mr. Barnes, could you excuse me for just a moment?  I’ll be right
back.  I promise.”
    She hurried off
toward Miles.  She reached him breathless, and smiling apologetically.  Before
she could speak, he introduced her to the deputies standing nearby.  She smiled
politely during the introductions, but then quickly grasped his arm and pulled
him away from the group.  He eyed her questioningly, as did his friends.
    “I’m so sorry,”
she said in a rush.  “My eleven-thirty is still here, and frankly, I don’t see
any indication that he plans to leave any time soon.  I managed to lure him to
the food court, so I could tell you.  I’m sorry about…”
    He smiled with
understanding.  “It’s okay.  Important meeting?”
    She nodded.  “He’s
looking at renting the large retail space upstairs by ‘Donut Hole.’”
    “Well, great,” he
said.  “Good luck.  We’ll talk later then.”
    She nodded, smiled
apologetically, and hurried back to her guest. 
    Mr. Barnes dawdled
over his meal, and she had difficulty refraining from checking her watch.  She
had a one-thirty meeting, which also involved a potential renter. 
    When he asked for
another look at the retail space, she plastered a smile on her face. 
“Certainly,” she told him.
    Back at the upper
mall location, she answered the same series of questions the man had asked
earlier.  She wondered, did he ever plan to leave? 
    To her surprise,
Miles strode into the space as she was