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Wolf took down the address. “I owe you big time, Toby,” and then as soon as he hung up, he took off the clothes he’d been wearing and put on a clean outfit from his suitcase, made sure to transfer his passport and wallet into the clean suit, and then sighed with relief when he saw the amount of cash Stu had packed. He quit counting at ten thousand, put some in his wallet and the rest back in the suitcase, and headed downstairs. He gave thedesk clerk the room key, said he’d been called away on an emergency, and hailed a taxi as he exited the hotel.
Within minutes, he was gone.
Amalie was up early, already in her office checking emails, making online orders for lamps and copy paper, but she kept glancing up from her desk, watching the snow coming down from the office window. She loved snow and had never gotten over the childhood joy of snow days.
As soon as she finished answering emails, most of which were from prior clients she’d contacted about her move, she decided to hit the tourist shops to pick up some artwork and maybe a figurine or two to decorate the tables in the waiting area of her office.
Even though she was going to do business in that place, she wanted it to be comfortable for her and look inviting from the street. After the decor was complete, she could schedule her open house and put an ad in the local paper.
Amalie didn’t doubt her ability to gain clients. All she needed was one, and word of mouth would follow. She was good at what she did. Damn good, and she wanted to be open for business soon.
Some people waited for hunting season.
Amalie’s season was taxes, and the time was already upon her. And, if she was lucky, Sean Pope would makegood on his invitation to take her to dinner. With all that in mind, she grabbed her coat and purse, locked up, and then headed for the parking lot.
She could have waited for a better weather day to hit the shops, but shopping in the snow felt like something from a Hallmark movie, and shewassetting the stage for her new venture. She also knew fate waited for no one, and she was ready to make something of it. She remembered all of the shops from her first visit here, so she already knew where she wanted to go.
She jumped in the car, turned on the wipers to keep the windshield clear of snow, and headed to the arts and craft area on the other side of town. Her phone rang just as she was parking, so she killed the engine and answered.
“Hello?”
“Amalie, it’s me, Sean.
Just hearing his voice made her smile. “Hi! Are you loving this snow? It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Every tense muscle in Sean’s body melted. It was the delight in her voice that did it.
“It sure is. What are you doing today?”
“I’m down in the arts and craft area, about to shop for office decor. Are you okay? I mean, no aftereffects from inhaling all that smoke?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for asking. Now I have a question for you. How do you feel about dinner tonight?”
Amalie sighed.He’d done it! He kept his word.“I would love it.”
“Awesome,” Sean said. “Is six o’clock too early for you?”
“No, it’s perfect.”
“Do you have food preferences?” he asked.
“No. I’m not a bit picky.”
Sean had a silly grin on his face and he knew it, but he couldn’t help feeling like a great big door had just opened and he was standing on the threshold looking in. All he had to do was take the first step.
“I need your address. Are you in an apartment or a house?”
“A house. Got a pen and paper?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Amalie gave him the address.
“Got it,” Sean said. “I’ll see you at six, then.”
“See you then,” Amalie said, and shivered as she dropped her phone in her handbag. “Oh my God. I have a date with my nine-year-old knight in shining armor. Now I get to know him as the man he became. Best day ever!”
She put on her gloves and pulled up the hood of her coat as she got out, and locked the car as she was walking away. The Cumberland Art Gallery was going to be her first stop.
