The Seductive Impostor Read Online Free Page B

earring.
    â€œAh…why are you wearing Mom’s earrings today?” she asked, looking at Willow’s throat for the necklace, but not seeing it. “They’re supposed to be for special occasions.”
    Willow wiped her face with the palms of her hands and took a deep breath. “I’m meeting my new staff this afternoon,” she said, grabbing a paper towel and dabbing at her eyes. “I want to look good. And the emeralds give me confidence.”
    Rachel rubbed her suddenly sweating palms on her thighs. Damn. Now what? She had to get those emeralds away from her sister. She sure as heck couldn’t let her take them to Augusta.
    â€œThey’re a little dressy, don’t you think?” she asked, shaking her head disapprovingly. “A bit pretentious, maybe, for a new assistant attorney general?”
    Willow reached up and fingered one of the earrings. “You think so?”
    Rachel nodded. “Definitely overkill. Why not wear your pearls?” she suggested instead. The pearls had also belonged to their mother, but had been safely passed down for three generations. “They’d be much more professional-looking. More sedate and established.”
    Willow shot her a weak grin as she reached up to take off the earrings. “This from one who thinks barrettes are jewelry. But you’re right. Thanks for saving me from looking like an idiot. Hey,” she said, her gaze going to Rachel’s hand in search of the only piece of real jewelry Rachel wore. “Where’s the ring Dad gave you?”
    Rachel touched her thumb to her empty middle finger. Hell, this was getting more complicated than the maze of tunnels spidering through Sub Rosa. What was she supposed to say to Willow when half their cherished possessions suddenly turned up missing?
    â€œI took it to the jeweler to have it cleaned and checked,” she quickly prevaricated.
    â€œOh. Then here,” Willow said, handing her the earrings. “Why don’t you take these in when you pick up your ring. And take the necklace, too. The prongs should probably be looked at. I’d hate to lose one of the emeralds.”
    Rachel inwardly cringed as she accepted the earrings. No, she wouldn’t want that, either. Not at several hundred thousand dollars a stone.
    Willow gave Rachel a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ve got to get going if I want to be in Augusta by noon. You’ll be okay here alone for a few days? I mean, with Keenan Oakes on the way and everything?”
    Rachel stuffed the emerald earrings in her pocket and picked up her cane from the towel rack at the end of the counter. She headed for the door, leading her sister out of the house. “I’ll be fine,” she said over her shoulder. “And the article said he won’t arrive for several more days. You’ll be back by then, if only to pack everything for your move.”
    She didn’t stop until she was standing on the porch. Willow, suitcase in hand as she followed her out, still looked worried.
    â€œI’ll be too busy to even think about Sub Rosa,” Rachel assured her. “I’m going through every room in this house and finding you some furnishings for that new apartment.”
    â€œNo lifting.”
    â€œI promise,” she agreed, holding her hand up in a scout’s salute. “I’ll get a few of the local boys to move the furniture down to the porch.”
    â€œAre you sure you’re feeling okay, Rachel? Your leg is healing okay?”
    â€œYes. Why?”
    Willow nodded toward the kitchen. “The house looked a bit messy to me when I got in last night. And you went to bed unusually early.”
    Not that she’d slept, Rachel thought. She’d been awake almost all night pondering the letter, the hidden room somewhere upstairs, and her father’s startling confession.
    â€œI’m fine.” She stepped forward and hugged Willow, then gently pushed her on