Arms of an Angel Read Free Page A

makes you think my mother is dead?” She
was immediately on guard.
    “ Sorry. Didn’t mean to
appear prying. Goes with the profession I suppose.”
    “ And that profession might
be…? Her chin was set in a defiant tilt that he didn’t
understand.
    “ Psychologist,” he told her
after a long pause. Her sudden change in demeanor made him hesitant
to tell her; fearful his lovely companion would bolt and he’d find
himself finishing the meal alone. “Don’t worry,” he added as her
lips tightened into a thin, straight line. “I don’t spend my off
hours analyzing those around me, especially when the company is so
pleasant.”
    “ Yet you did.” She waved her
ringed fingers at him.
    “ Ah, not fair.” He pointed
at her. “You as much as told me yourself!”
    “ Really?!” Her voice was
riddled with disbelief and distrust. “And I did that by
…?”
    “ The rings. Your mother
might have given you the wedding set had she divorced, though not
likely. Most women are peculiar about those things. They either use
them to create a different ring or, more times than not, lock them
away. Certainly she would be a rare woman who would accept her
daughter wearing them and on her left hand at that. Your other ring
as well… You said it was a gift to her from her grandmother. Why
else would she have parted with them both?” He shrugged, hopeful
his explanation would suffice. His eyes pleaded with her to accept
it.
    At last she nodded and relaxed, though she
couldn’t help commenting. “That would still be analysis and I’d
certainly better not receive a bill.”
    He laughed; delighted she wasn’t going to
hold his profession against him. Claire smiled and reminded herself
she’d best watch her words and her actions.
    “ So, your date’s daughter
became ill?” she asked in an attempt to divert the
conversation.
    Garrett laughed. “Her daughter? Not exactly.
Her dog! Though she treats her better than most people treat their
children.” He rolled his eyes and Claire raised her finely plucked
brows in seeming disapproval. “Oh dear. Don’t tell me you’re one of
them – the pets are equal or above people people! And I thought you
so nearly perfect.” He grimaced and Claire laughed heartily.
    “ Far from perfect and I
don’t have a dog. I was thinking though…” she stopped, unsure of
whether her words could cross boundaries of butting in. She barely
knew this man, after all. Truly it was none of her business. She
certainly didn’t want to find herself being analyzed
again.
    Garrett waited for her to continue. “Thinking
what?” he asked when she did not.
    She shook her head. “I don’t want to be
rude.”
    “ I promise I won’t take it
that way. You’ve piqued my interest. Don’t leave me hanging!”
Garrett pretended to pant and beg at the same time.
    Claire rolled her eyes. “Well, you don’t seem
overly thrilled with your girlfriend and her doggie situation. In
fact, you don’t seem that into her at all.” She shrugged.
    “ Fair assessment. Although
she was to be my dinner companion, she’s not my girlfriend. We’ve
been out a few times. I wasn’t sure it was clicking. Tonight pretty
much confirmed it for me.” He watched Claire as she put all the
pieces together. “Does it all fit?”
    She nodded.
    After a moment of silence between them he
asked, “May I inquire without you believing yourself under
scrutiny, as to what it is that you do, Ms. Orion?” He was amazed
by the almost instantaneous look of mischief that covered her
face.
    “ I do as I please, Mr.
O’Bryan. Nothing more. Nothing less.” She shrugged at his lack of
surprise and laughed. “You’re right. My parents are both dead and I
inherited a vast fortune at a young age. Therefore, I’ve never had
to do anything.”
    “ And you’re okay with that?
No dreams you’re pursuing? No cause you stamp as your own?” he
questioned.
    “ Now, now! That sounds very
near analysis to me,” she teased with an edge