Page 26 of Leon

She took the time to give Lisa the tour and, for the first time in her life, she did not care about the looks she was receiving from her father who was having a conversation with a friend. Themore time she spent with Lisa, the more she felt drawn to the woman.

She did not put on airs and even stopped into the children's corner to listen to the stories and play with some of the children, who were fascinated by her blonde beauty. She also ended up buying ten books of different genres, boxes of chocolates from their sweet section, and candles along with several colored stones.

She also complimented Kadian on making the bookstore so interesting.

"My brother told me you were a whiz in the corporate world."

Pleasure bloomed on her face. "He said that?"

Lisa marveled at the glow on the woman's face and ached for her. "He's proud of you."

"That's something coming from someone like him." She lowered her voice as they walked over to the pastry stand. She selectedtiny pastries, handing a plate to her new friend. "Thank you for stopping by. You have no idea what it means."

Lisa touched her hand briefly. She saw out of the corners of her eyes, the way the man was watching them. Kadian had told her; he was her dad. There was not an ounce of resemblance, but what she saw was a man steeped in bitterness and the past.

A man who was not going to make it easy on his daughter to leave. The realization staggered her and made her heart stumble. Her brother and his wife had a battle on their hands, one that was going to tax them in ways that would threaten them if they did not stand firmly.

"Kadian..." She paused as she tore her eyes away from the man's malevolent gaze. She reached for the girl's hand, and the pressure and urgency had the other woman staring at her with a frown.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes." Shaking her head, she removed her hand. "I have enjoyed the visit and will be back."

"Please come any time. I look forward to meeting your husband as well."

"You will. One day." Giving the girl's hand another squeeze, she gathered up her purchases and headed out. Someone opened the door for her, and she smiled her thanks, not really noticing who it was.

Walking to her vehicle, the brisk wind fluttering her jacket, she dumped the bag onto the back seat. Just as she shut the door and turned, she went still as she saw the man, Kadian's father, watching her from one of the windows. Standing still, she locked gaze with him and was pleased to see that he was the first to turn away. Firming her lips, she slid in behind the wheel, but did not start the engine. Something was there, something evil... no, she shook her head. Perhaps evil was too strong a word. Malicious was the one that sprang to mind. Something malicious. Gunning the engine, she backed out and drove away.

*****

"Who was that?"

The harsh sound of the voice behind her had her jumping reflexively. Putting away the delicate glass bowl a customer had removed, she turned to face her father.

"Who?" She asked nonchalantly, even though she knew instinctively who he was referring to.

"That blonde woman. She spent an awfully long time in the office and then you escorted her out here on the floor and had refreshment with her. There's something familiar about her."

He had his hands in the pockets of his dark brown pants, and his stance was militant.

"A customer who spent over five hundred dollars. Is there a problem?"

He knew when to take steps back mentally and change his attitude. But there was something familiar about the woman that had him feeling uneasy. He had not liked the way she looked at him either.

"No. Just that you were neglecting the rest of the customers." He tried to backpedal slowly.

"We have several staff members to see to the rest of them, and you were on the floor." She hid the glint of resentment and continued mildly. "I could also point out that you were conversing with Mr. Hamilton for more than half an hour."

He bristled at that. "This is my store. I can do pretty much what I want."

She merely lifted a brow at that, tamping down the remark she wanted to make. "Noted. This is not the time and place and I'm not in the mood for an argument. Like you said before, we have people to see to. Please excuse me."

She brushed past him and left him standing there. He hated when she took that tone with him, that clipped cultured tone that reminded him that she was educated, and he was not. Just like her mother. A constant reminder that he had married above his station. Curling his lips, he spun around and stalked over to the pastry table and picked up a few butter cookies. He would go upstairs and pretend to be ill, forcing her to come and seek him out.

With that in mind, he wrapped the cookies in a napkin and made his way up the stairs.

From her position dealing with a customer, she watched him stalk upstairs, a curl to his lips. She turned away to deal with the woman in front of her.

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