Wildflower (32 page)

Another silence fell. Her eyes darkened to a rich moss color then darted down his body, almost too quick to be noticed. An unexpected heat simmered through him and he stepped back.

Eldon returned, breaking the tension in the room. He handed the black velvet ring box to her. “It was in the glove box, just like he said.”

“Thanks.” She placed the box on her desk. “Do you have the sales receipt, Mr. Williams?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll need to see it and your driver’s license.”

“Why?”

She looked at him, her expression both humorous and sympathetic. “For proof of sale. Something this expensive was no doubt charged to a credit card. If the name on the receipt matches the name on your license, you go home with the ring. If not,” she tapped a pen against her palm, “you’ll have to wait until the lender who issued the repo returns your property.”

In the face of such flawless logic, Kane pulled out his wallet. He handed over both the receipt and his license.

She gave them cursory glances before handing them back, along with the ring box. If she was impressed by the eleven thousand dollar price tag, she didn’t let on. Neither did she peek at the “Christmas tree.”

“Everything seems to be in order,” she said, shuffling through some papers. “Sorry for the trouble. Tell your friend that First Federal will be contacting him.”

“Right.” Kane stuffed his wallet into his pocket and headed for the door. “Thank you for your time.” Outside, he climbed into the waiting cab and nodded to the driver. “American National on Ryland.” Settling in for the ride, he pulled out his cell phone and punched the speed dial. “It’s me,” he said when E.J. answered.

“Did you get it back?”

Kane patted the bulge in his pocket. “Yeah. Thanks again for calling me about the Corvette, bro.”

“Guess the next time that high-priced ride of yours goes in for repairs, you’ll take the bus, huh?”

“I definitely won’t be borrowing Solomon’s car, that’s for damn sure.”

E.J. chuckled. “Glad you got the ring back, man. Now all you have to do is propose, right?”

Kane smiled at his friend’s good-natured rib. “I’m taking care of that detail this Thursday. It’s Alexia’s birthday.”

“Good luck, bro. As I’ve said, you’re a better man than me for taking the dive. Or maybe dumber.”

Kane grinned wider as he disconnected the call.