Shit Kickers & Stilettos (Heiresses In Aprons) (13 page)

Dade sighed and ran his hand along the cold marble stone. “I love you, even though you are a crazy old bastard.”

On the ride back to the house Dade thought more about Teddy and tried to consider what he might do if he was in Dade’s situation. Teddy hadn’t been what he or anyone else would call a ladies’ man, but there had been women in his life at times. So since he had been his mentor and example for half his life, something about how to handle women must have sunk in.

Rosie put her cell phone on the counter. She shoved the lever on the faucet up and stood there watching as the water poured out. That hadn’t gone the way she wanted. She wanted to have a nice breakfast and maybe talk a little, but things were still too tense. She could come right out and tell Dade she’d realized that she fallen in love with him, but she wanted to ease into it so she didn’t scare him. She’d given him plenty of chances to make a move, but he’d been a pretty standoffish since she got back. The two of them were in a kind of limbo not knowing what the other was feeling.

Still she’d caught him staring at her enough to know he still wanted her, but sex and love were two totally different things. Her biggest fear was that Dade was physically involved, but not emotionally. That’s why she’d decided to wait for him to make a move. When he finally did and asked about going back to the way things were she hadn’t wanted to, but she needed to push him a little. She took it as a good sign that she’d gotten a little rise out of him.

Still it wasn’t enough to determine if it was him being naturally protective, or jealous. Rosie hadn’t expected him to declare his undying love, but she hadn’t thought he’d buckle under and run either. After that disaster she was no closer to knowing Dade’s real feelings.

Obviously she was going to need to do something more. She didn’t have much time, and what they did have she wanted to use to strengthen what they had. Rosie had taken time to have brunch with her friends on Saturday before she headed back to the farmhouse and Dade. They had all agreed her and Dade were going to have to be strong if they were going to face her parents. She’d had plenty of time to think, but it hit her pretty quick that her friends had proposed this plan so both her and Dade would have to work toward a resolution.

If something didn’t happen
quickly she was going to have to come up with a plan of her own. She hit the button on the phone that dialed Sophia and then hit speaker. While she waited for her to answer she started to load the dishwasher.

“Good morning sunshine.” If you looked up morning person in the dictionary you would find a picture of Sophia wearing
a big dopey grin.

“Your plan sucks.”

Sophia laughed. “Come on, you haven’t even given it a real chance.”

“
Soph, I love him.” God it felt good to say it out loud. “I shouldn’t play games. What if I lose him?”

“Hon, you’re not playing games. I know it’s hard, but Dade is a man.”

“I happen to like that about him,” Rosie said and Sophia laughed.

When Sophia finally stopped laughing she said, “Think of it like this men hate to stop and ask for directions. Without a map or GPS unit they need someone to show them where to go. From what you’ve told me he seems like one of those types who will do everything, but tell you how he feels until it’s almost too late. What you’re doing is leading him to where he eventually wants to be.”

“If I tell him that I love him he might confess his feelings for me, and we can get there even faster.” Rosie suggested

“True or he might get nervous and pull back even more taking him even further in the wrong direction.” Damn Sophia for being so logical.

Even if things between them were over Dade had a gift for her. When he’d bought it, somewhere in the part of his mind where he let his fantasies grow, he’d thought that it would be for both of them. Well, for wherever they chose to live. But if he couldn’t have her then he didn’t want the painting either. Having it hang on his wall would only remind him of her, and worse losing her. Only a true lovesick fool would force himself to stare at something daily when it only served to remind him of a woman he wanted, but couldn’t have.

Of course he hadn’t totally given up on having her just yet. Thanks to Teddy, Dade had come up with a plan to try and get what was growing between them back on track as he drove home from the cemetery yesterday. Dade couldn’t remember exactly when, but Teddy had once said if he was unsure about something Dade should take a step back and appraise the situation before making a commitment. In a way that’s what he was going to do. Actually he was going to put her in the position to evaluate things.

He’d wanted to try and put his plan in motion the second he got home yesterday afternoon. Rosie however hadn’t given him a chance. She almost instantly disappeared into her office for the rest of the day. He wasn’t sure if she was avoiding him, or just busy. There was a good chance it was the latter so he’d decided to let her be. He’d taken the girls for a walk around ten last night and while they were out she must have gone to bed.

Dade wasn’t going to let her slip through his fingers today though. He’d gotten up extra early to walk and feed the pups. When Rosie finally came down he already had breakfast on the table. Her hair was sticking up in odd directions. She had her robe on, but open and untied with the sash
flapping at the sides. The nightshirt that hit mid-thigh was presentable for any type of company and didn’t really need to be covered anyway. She joined him and Dade noticed she barely looked at him. It could have just been that she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

“Rough night?”
He poured her a cup of coffee and slid it toward her.

She grunted and reached for the coffee. Dade hid his smile behind his napkin. Someone obviously hadn’t slept well. He wanted to tell her if she slept with him it would have gone better, but he chose to hold back.

“I have a meeting I need you to sit in on today.” He was damn proud of himself for pulling together at the last minute.

“What time?” she mumbled into her cup.

“They’ll be here around ten.”

“Someone is coming here?” Her eyes popped open and her gaze flew to his. “I thought you handled things online or in the city.”

“Normally I do,” He rarely had people come to the house. “But this is a special case.”

“And you need me?” She squeaked.

“Yeah. It would be really helpful if you were present.” He nodded hoping she wouldn’t ask too many questions just yet.

“Fine.
Do you have a dossier for me?”

“No. This one is more of
an on the spot type of thing.” He said and she nodded as she got to her feet and headed for the hall. “Where are you going? You haven’t eaten anything.”

She came back to the table refilled her cup and turned to leave again. “I’ll eat later. I have a feeling it’s going to take me a while to get ready.”

Dade laughed. It seemed like in her fuzzy state she forgot that she was mad at him. Could it all be an act to try and teach him a lesson? If it was it worked, but now he needed to end her charade. Maybe his plan would work. He finished eating and cleaned up the mess he’d made. Once he was done he decided he had two choices. He could sit in his office and wait, which would drive him crazy. Or he could take the pups out in the yard to work off some of the energy they seemed to never run out of.

Two hours later Dade followed the two barking puppies
in the house. They ran straight for the kitchen their feet slipping and sliding on the tiled floor. Dade laughed until he spotted Rosie sitting on the counter. Then he choked on that same laughter. Her bare legs were what caught his attention first. She had on another of those short flirty skirts she liked so much.

This one was dark emerald green to match her shoes —surprise— another pair of stilettos. He dragged his gaze up her past the snug black fuzzy sweater to her face. The sleep rumpled woman from this morning was gone. She’d pulled her long blond hair into a ponytail. The curly waves draped down between her shoulders. The pups bounded around her feet and she lifted them out of their reach.

“All right you beasts.” Dade snapped his fingers and the pups paused.

They looked between him and Rosie as if they were unsure of which way to go. Dade walked to the shelf and lifted two of the
training treats out of the container and held them up. Zsa Zsa came first, but Ava was right behind her. Dade put them in the mud room and closed the gate.

“Feeling better?” He went to the sink and washed his hands.

“Much. You make a great cup of coffee.”

“Thanks.” He walked over and stood in front of her. “Before we get into this I want to tell you something.”

“I’m listening.”

“Good. I know you think I deceived you, and I guess in a way I did, but that doesn’t change how I feel about you.” He held up his hands warding off the question he knew was coming. “And before you ask how I feel I’m going to be honest and tell you I’m not sure how to explain what it is I feel.”

“Is what you’re feeling really that foreign?” Rosie asked with a smile.

Dade nodded. “According to Teddy I’ve learned to keep myself apart from people so I wouldn’t feel anything. It wasn’t true, because I loved that old goat.”

“So the way you feel about me, is it good or bad?”

“I’m not sure, but it scares the shit out of me. I care about what you think, want, and feel. Knowing that I hurt you in any way kills me. I want you in my bed. I think about you in here wearing nothing but an apron and a pair of those shoes.”

Her cheeks went red and her eyes sparkled. “Dade—”

Before she could finish what she was going to say the doorbell rang. “Hold that thought.”

Dade went to the door and Rosie followed. Was he fucking serious? Hold that thought. For how long? What could be more important than straightening this out right now? Either he loved her or he didn’t. Surely the meeting could wait just a few minutes while they finished talking. Dade opened the door and Rosie spotted a lady and a man standing on the porch. Just one look and she realized maybe this couldn’t wait.

Both of them were dressed in black suits and neither of them
were smiling. Rosie got the feeling this wasn’t like the other business meetings she’d sat in on. This was more formal and suddenly she knew she wasn’t prepared for whatever was about to happen.

“Mr. Helks, Ms. Gennio please come in.” Dade stepped back and the couple walked into the foyer. “I’d like to introduce you to Rosalind Crestmont.”

“Call me Rosie please,” she said as she shook their hands.

“Your uncle had mentioned you numerous times and I’m sorry we didn’t meet before his passing.” Mr. Helks said.

“You knew my uncle?” Dade had said there was nothing for her to know about this meeting, but obviously she should have had some details.

“Very well.
We’ve been lucky enough to have him as a client.” Her uncle was their client.

What the hell did that mean? Rosie glanced at Dade then back to Helks.
“A client?”

“Yes.
For many, many years. We’re very pleased that he valued our judgment.” The pride was evident in the guy's tone, but Rosie figured he liked the money her uncle paid them too.

“Why don’t we move into the living room and everyone can get comfortable?” With a slight gesture of his arm Dade ushered everyone over the threshold.

As the foursome moved into the room Rosie noticed the sly look the woman cast Dade. It was clearly obvious that they knew each other. Rosie just wanted to know how friggin well. If she hadn’t already made up her mind about her feelings for Dade her irrational jealousy would have forced her to come to a damn quick conclusion.

Rosie pushed her jealousy down deep vowing to deal with it later. “Mr. Helks, what is it that you did for my uncle?”

“We’ve authenticated, evaluated, and appraised dozens of pieces of art for Theodore.” Mr. Helks place his briefcase on the floor beside the chair Dade had motioned for him to sit in. “He has a very nice collection and we wanted to make sure he got it insured for any possible outcomes.”

Rosie wasn’t totally surprised by that, but it only made the man’s visit more confusing. “I wasn’t aware he’d purchased anything new before his death.”

“He didn’t.” The woman bestowed another smile on Dade. “Mr. Sebastian asked us to come today on his behalf.”

“Your uncle trusted them, and I saw no reason not to believe in that trust.” Dade might not, but Rosie thought it was sitting right next to him.

“Yes, Ms. Gennio informed me you were recently able to acquire a N.B. Harriet piece.” Mr. Helks was positively glowing at the prospect.

Any worries about Ms. Gennio’s interest were wiped out by the news that Dade had bought one of Nicolette’s paintings. Nicolette was going to be so damn excited when Rosie told her about this meeting. Rosie had so many questions she wanted to ask. When and where had he gotten it? Which one was it? Since she was Nicolette’s only confidant in this endeavor Rosie knew each one.

“I bought it a few weeks ago.” Dade confirmed. “I’ll just go get it.”

He walked into the hall and Rosie sat down across from Mr. Helks. “N.B. Harriet is a newer artist is there a reason to have her work valued?”

“Oh yes.” Helks nodded. “New or not the work is outstanding—”

“Of course,” Ms. Gennio cut him off, which Rosie considered rude. “The reclusiveness of the artist might have something to do with the interest in the works.”

Rosie marked that as another negative in her favor. “So you don’t think they’re any good?”

Ms. Gennio had the good sense to shake her head. “Oh no. I totally agree with my uncle the paintings I have seen myself have been amazing. It’s just without knowing more about the artist it could be anyone. My question is why someone that good would hide?”

Rosie agreed that it was a reasonable question, but Nicolette deserved her privacy too. “I read an interview somewhere. You think that’s hiding?”

“In a way. The artist talked about inspiration and techniques, but nothing really about themself. I mean we don’t even know if it’s a man or woman.”

Rosie laughed at that. “I believe it’s a woman. She talked about how the flash of a man’s red leather jacket as he walked down the busy street as her muse for the painting ‘Scoundrel’. In my opinion a man probably wouldn’t think that way.”

“Well until Harriet sets the record straight no one will know for sure.” Ms. Gennio shrugged and Rosie decided it was something she’d have to take up with Nicolette.

“Here it is.” Dade entered the room carrying a large canvas. It had been framed in a deep colored wood, maybe mahogany.

Rosie slowly got to her feet and waited breathlessly for him to turn it around and let them see it. The size was at least thirty-by-fifty inches, which told her it could only be one of about ten paintings. Nicolette had decided she didn’t like the dimensions and moved on. This series had all been completed within the past year, and they’d all sold rather quickly. She had no idea how Dade had managed to get his hands on one of them.

He turned it around and Rosie breath caught in her throat before it bubbled out in laughter. Their gazes should have been on the painting, but everyone’s heads turned in her direction. She focused on Dade and could see the hurt in his eyes.
Damn!
Rosie cursed herself for not fighting harder to hold back her reaction.

“Ms. Crestmont?” Mr. Helks used her name as a question.

“Excuse me. I was just surprised and thrilled to see this painting.” This was true because it was hers, or it had been until Dade bought it.

“Understandable.” Mr. Helks pulled a pair of glasses from his jacket and moved closer as Dade set the picture down on the couch.

Nicolette had some serious explaining to do. Her paintings usually sold for between five hundred and two thousand dollars, but Rosie had offered her five thousand for this one, because it had sentimental value. Nicolette was supposed to be holding it back while she considered the offer. Had Dade out bid her, or was Nicolette up to some kind of subterfuge?

“It’s stunning.” Ms. Gennio pulled a small laptop out of her bag and started rapidly clicking the keys.

Rosie stared at the image with a secret smile hovering on her lips. The woman stood in the middle of French doors holding them open. It actually looked like the white curtains were blowing inward. Her long blond hair was coiled in long elegant ringlets that draped down her back, which was almost bare thanks to the nightgown she was wearing. Robins egg blue with white lace it had thin straps that crisscrossed over her back leading to the deep V shape just above her curvy backside. It fanned out on the floor behind her.

The seamless natural beauty the painting portrayed was anything but. That kind of perfection took hours of primping to arrange. Holding the pose long enough for an artist to sketch sometime felt like forever, even when they broke the sitting into days. Lucky for Rosie, Nicolette liked to take pictures, dozens and dozens of pictures, and work from those.

Actually to keep her alter ego a mystery she never worked directly with her models. Instead she had a young photographer do in depth photo shoots. They’d met Chyna a few years ago during one of their fundraisers. She had been taking pictures for a local magazine. Nicolette had seen her photos and instantly decided her talents were being wasted. She hired her to take her pictures, but made her sign a confidentiality agreement first. In return, along with paying her very well, Nicolette was helping her to become a fashion photographer.

“Rosie, you’re awful quiet.” Dade’s deep timber broke her out of her musings. “Do you like it?”

“Very much.”
She nodded. “Where did you get it?”

He walked over to where she stood.
“At the gallery, the night of the auction. I spotted it in the back. Sophia wouldn’t sell it to me at first, but then Nicolette came in and said I could have it for five thousand and one dollars. That one buck seemed to be the tipping point.”

Rosie looked over at Helks and Gennio, who were discussing the painting in low tones. “They seem to like it.”

“I’m more concerned about whether or not you like it.”

“Me?” Why would he care what she thought over the experts he was paying to tell them what they thought?

“I bought it with you in mind.”

“Me?” Damn she sounded like a broken record.

“Well, you and me.”

“I’m confused. You saw this painting,” She glanced at it again and then back to him. “And it made you think of you and me?”

“I’ll explain later.” His lopsided grin pissed her off.

What the heck was up with his new obsession with talking later? “You realize you’re going to have a lot of explaining to do, and don’t think I’m going to let you blow me off.”

“I won’t. We need to clear up a few things.”

Mr. Helks came over with the sheaf of papers that Dade had given him. Rosie assumed it was the bill of sale, and certificate of authenticity that Nicolette signed for every painting. There should also be the normal documents that the gallery included. Every piece that they sold, not just Nicolette’s, came with an independent appraisal. They wrote up three copies. One was given to the artist, one went with the buyer, and one stayed in the files at the gallery.

“Other than the odd price everything seems to be in order. Though you paid five thousand and one dollars my niece and I agree that your insured price should be higher.”

“Higher?” Rosie asked unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

“Yes. Of all N.B. Harriet works we’ve appraised and others we are able to compare with this one, this painting holds something more.”

“Such as?”
Rosie was relieved that Dade asked so she didn’t have too, because she would have.

“While Harriet has a reputation for technically superior work this shows more
… feeling than anything I’ve seen to date. I’d recommend, for now, the least amount to insure for would be ten thousand dollars. However I would suggest reevaluating in a year to see if the market has changed.” He handed the papers along with his report to Dade.

Rosie had to force herself to stay still, when she wanted to run to the phone and call Nicolette. This meeting had gone from confusing to incredibly informing. She listened to Dade and Mr. Helks talk. Within a few minutes the four of them headed for the door. They made their goodbyes and Rosie and Dade were once again left alone.