Arms of an Angel Read Free

packed with no available
tables. His musings were interrupted by Garrett’s cell phone.
    “ Donna? Where are you?”
Garrett asked the unseen. “Oh. Right. I’m sorry to hear that. Okay.
Yes. Another time, perhaps. Well, if she’s still ill, of course you
must stay and take care of her. Good-bye.” He placed the phone back
in his pocket then looked at the two sets of eyes that watched and
waited.
    “ Well, Mr. Ballard. It looks
as if it’s your lucky evening. My date has had to cancel. I won’t
be needing my table after all.”
    Obvious relief washed over Mr. Ballard’s
face.
    “ I’m sorry to have
interrupted your dining experience, Ms. Orion.” Garrett nodded to
her as he started to leave.
    “ Mr. O’Bryan?” she called,
the caress of her voice causing him to turn back. He raised his
brows in answer and waited. “Since you’re already here and
undoubtedly haven’t eaten yet, would you care to join me? My treat.
It’s the least I could do for taking your table.”
    Garrett studied the beautiful woman as he
contemplated her proposal. He felt eyes on him from all directions
and knew there wasn’t a man in the place that didn’t wish he was in
Garrett’s shoes.
    “ Well?” she smiled. She knew
it too.
    “ I’d love to.” He returned
to the table. “And, you’re right. I’m starving.” He slipped into
the seat across from her.
    “ Perfect. Shall I pour you a
glass of wine or request a bottle of champagne to add to the
conversational fodder?” she asked in her most conspiratorial tone.
He glanced around and eyes quickly turned away.
    “ Oh champagne , of course.
We shall toast our unique beginning…” he played along to her
delight.
    “ You heard the gentleman,
Mr. Ballard. The finest that you have to offer and quickly before
the magical moment passes by.”
    “ Of course! And on the
house,” the Maitre d’ told her as he rushed away.
    “ Our meal will be free as
well, no doubt. Oh don’t worry,” she said at his look of concern.
“I’ll leave a tip that will more than make up for whatever might
come out of our dear Mr. Ballad’s own pocket.” Claire laughed
freely.
    “ You’re an ornery one,
aren’t you?” Garrett shook his head though the corners of his mouth
curved upward.
    “ An honest mistake, I
suppose. Though these shenanigans have caused my hors d'oeuvres to
grow cold. You wouldn’t mind skipping right to the main course,
would you, Mr. O’Bryan and perhaps offering me a first
name?”
    What a delightful, to-the-point young lady,
Garrett thought as he properly introduced himself. “Garrett
O’Bryan.”
    “ Claire Orion.” She took the
hand he offered across the table. “My pleasure.”
    Her skin was pleasantly soft though her grip
was firm. He was impressed. Obviously she was well bred; good blood
and great training. His unexpected companion was a stunning package
all the way around. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been in
the company of one so lovely; if he ever had. Indeed she was rare
on many fronts.
    She laughed and Garrett realized he’d held
her hand in his just a little longer than protocol deemed
reasonable.
    “ I was admiring your ring.”
He tried to cover his embarrassment at being caught up in the sheer
enjoyment of the feel of her hand in his as she chuckled and pulled
her hand away. It really was a lovely ring. Thank goodness she was
wearing it or he didn’t know what he’d have said about holding her
hand so long.
    “ It was my mother’s; a gift
from her grandmother,” Claire offered as she gazed lovingly at the
ring on the hand he’d just released. “Her wedding set is equally as
stunning,” she told him, as she thrust her left hand across the
table.
    Garrett looked at the rings and nodded in
agreement. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
    “ For?” Her eyes narrowed as
she looked at him.
    “ For the loss of your
mother, and at such a young age.”
    She eyed him suspiciously and grew noticeably
tense as she asked, “What