Page 13 of Sheltered By Love

Like I do every day, I tidy my bench, sweep up any stray dust and debris, and make sure it’s spic and span for tomorrow.

My stomach is growling as I descend the stairs, and I decide that since it’s Saturday I may as well let my hair down by having a glass of wine while I make some pasta.

As I glance out the window at the darkening skies, I don’t need to switch on the radio I keep in the kitchen to know bad weather is on the way.

When the announcer says heavy wind and rain warnings are on the way, I abandon my dinner plans and pull my downstairs emergency kit out of the pantry.

It wouldn’t be the first time I lost power in strong winds. And unlike most people, I prefer an actual flashlight in my hand rather than an ‘app’ running off a mobile phone.

I do a quick candle check and am happy to find I’ve not forgotten to stock it up before I check the most important thing of all.

My landline rings before I make it to the back door, so I pick it up and answer cautiously. “Felicity speaking,” I say.

“This is Riley Jones; I spoke to your assistant last weekend. We were talking about you designing a necklace for me?”

My brow wrinkles as I reach for the memory. It comes to me just as a fat drop of rain slides down the window. “Oh, yes, Nicki mentioned you wanted to know if I could come up with a design using a family diamond?”

“Yes! That’s me. I was hoping I could come to see you at your house and talk to you about it? I can be there today or tomorrow.”

Another rain drop splatters against the pane making my voice come out strained. “I don’t see people at my home. I’m happy to meet you somewhere else though?”

Nicki said she’d seemed so keen I’m sure she’ll accept it as a compromise.

“Well, no. I need to know where you’ll be storing the diamond. It’s very old and special to me. I hate for something to happen to it.”

I stand on my tiptoes so I can just make out the edge of the pen I’ve set up. I need to get outside before the heavens really open up.

I can’t tell her I have a strict rule against giving out my home address, it’ll make me sound like I don’t have adequate security for such an important job.

I glance at the sensor Zane has placed on the window and have to admit having a fancy alarm is proving timely.

“I can assure you your diamond will be safe here. I have a new alarm system that’s just been installed,” I say.

There’s a long pause before her tone changes entirely. “Oh. That’s great. But I’d really rather see it for myself.”

I frown at the receiver, but I have no time to argue when a crackle of lightning flashes in the sky.

“If you give me your cell phone number or email address, I can ask my assistant to send you photos of the alarm and my workspace?”

I cross my fingers that’ll be enough, as I open the back door, ready to make a run for it the second she relents.

But she’s not backing down, if anything she’s losing patience with me. “No. That won’t be enough. This is an antique diamond. It’s worth a lot of money. You obviously don’t appreciate that.”

I don’t like bullies at the best of times, and I’m not that short for cash or clients that I have to pander to one who demands special treatment.

She may not understand why I have them, but I have rules in place for a reason.

“I’m sorry you feel that way. I really need to go.”

I don’t wait for her response, I hang the phone up, switch it to silent, and make a mad dash across my freshly mowed lawn.

---