Tin Angel Read Online Free Page A

legs at the ankles, and peered up at him with huge innocent eyes. “I’m not surprised. My dad was always the black sheep. Aunt Alice hasn’t seen or spoken to him in years. So why would she mention me? I barely know her.”
    “Back to my original question, what are you doing in her house?” Jack moved closer, resting his hand on the arm of the sofa. He wrinkled his nose. She smelled like a perfume factory. Had she put the whole bottle on?
    “My dad’s ill. He wanted to see her. To make amends. They’re both up there in years.”
    “Go on,” he demanded.
    She took a deep breath, then folded her hands in her lap. “Alice is visiting my dad, and I’m here. That’s it. What else is there?”
    Jack gritted his teeth. What else is there? A lot, he thought angrily. His gaze scanned the room. Alice’s favorite fuzzy slippers peeked out from the bottom of an old chair. Something wasn’t right. Not right at all. He didn’t believe a word this girl said, but he forced a smile. “I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
    The way she nibbled her lower lip gave him the distinct impression she was either nervous or making up her story as she went along. “A guy… I needed some time away from him, and Aunt Alice said I could stay at her place.”
    A guilty heat traveled up his neck. Perhaps he’d misjudged her. Her story made some sense. He understood the need to get away from someone who was driving you crazy. He’d been through those days. “Let’s say I believe you. Alice doesn’t drive—”
    “My dad had his driver drop me off and take Aunt Alice back to upstate New York,” she said quickly. “Now if your grilling is over, please leave.” She stood and walked to the door.
    Jack followed her into the foyer. She was smooth, he’d give her that much. And her story did make sense. And there was a strong resemblance to Alice. He could see it in her bone structure and her almond-shaped eyes. They were the same color too, only brighter. But something still bothered him.
    Ally swung the door open.
    “Thank you. I appreciate your honesty.” He studied her face for a moment, trying to read her, but the only thing he saw was her desire for him to leave. Stepping off the porch, he headed around back to his apartment. She couldn’t get rid of him that easily. He’d keep an eye on her, that’s for sure.
    * * *
    Alice’s stomach was in a knot as she closed the door. Somehow she’d managed to pull off the story of the brother from upstate New York. A huge feat, especially for someone who’d never been able to lie — and to think she’d lied to Jack, of all people — but what else was she to do? He’d never believe the truth. A wave of anxiety swept through her. Relax, she told herself. You did no harm. Jack’s appeased, and you’ve nothing to fear.
    She slumped back to the parlor and stared at the top of the Christmas tree, where the tin angel used to sit. “What now? Jack must think I’m some kind of nut.” With a sigh, she turned out the lights and padded toward the bedroom, her shoulders hunched and her mood grim. A mountain of clothes covered the bed. She held up the black blouse and matching skirt and shook her head sadly. “I might be young and beautiful, but I’m still alone, and the loneliness has never been so great.” It didn’t seem fair to look like a college co-ed on the outside and feel like a reclusive old woman on the inside.
    With little joy, she put away her new clothes, then slipped into the soft blue nightshirt she’d purchased at Lorelle. After turning down the bed, she slid between the flannel sheets and closed her eyes. Jack’s image filtered behind her eyelids. He wore his straight, jet-black hair fingered back from his classically handsome face. With his striking blue eyes—the color of the sky on a perfect spring day—and sensuous lips, he was a man few women could resist. And she was no exception. Hormones she hadn’t had in decades now raged.
    Not only was Jack