The Antique Love Read Free Page B

was surprised to discover a kind of warm appreciation in Kurt’s gaze.
    “Passionately in love,” he repeated. His downturned smile, rather than mocking Penny, appeared to be directed at himself. “I guess that’s why you didn’t want to show it to me, huh?”
    Penny’s face heated even more as she looked up at him, but he merely shrugged good-naturedly. “You got me weighed up all right. Those pearls should go to a better man.”
    Penny kicked herself. Once again she had let her imagination run away with her, and it would have served her right if Kurt took offence. It was fortunate for her he appeared to take her words with good humour. He moved away and held up one of the sets of earrings she’d shown him previously.
    “These are perfect,” he said. “My sister will love them.”
    Penny agreed. The earrings he’d picked out—droplets of sapphire and sparkling Austrian crystal—were the perfect choice for a sister. A few minutes later Penny took Tehmeena’s place behind the till and wrapped the earrings into a neat parcel, so Kurt could send them to the States.
    When the transaction was concluded, she found herself reluctant to say goodbye to her cowboy. She guessed he was in London on a sight-seeing trip. It was one of those curious twists of fate that brought him into her shop, where his world and hers had so briefly touched. He would soon be leaving the congested city and returning to the freedom of his ranch, she supposed. It was with real regret she reached out her hand in farewell over the counter.
    “Well, goodbye,” she said. “It’s been nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in London.”
    Kurt took her hand in his and held it for a moment, smiling down at her.
    “My stay here is going to be a long one,” he said. “And as a matter of fact, I think you can help me. I need to furnish a new house, and your sign outside says you do interior design.” He pointed to a poster Tehmeena had displayed in the shop window.
    “Well, it’s not interior design exactly,” she said in surprise. “It’s more sourcing objects for interiors. Antique furnishings, artwork, and such like.”
    “Perfect,” he said. “That’s just the sort of help I need.”
    “So you’re staying in London for a while?” Penny hoped the smile on her face hadn’t turned into an idiotic grin.
    He nodded, and her smile widened even further.
    “That’s great,” she said. “Although actually, it’s Tehmeena who looks after that side of the business.” She gestured to where Tehmeena stood deep in conversation with one of their regular customers. “She’s tied up at the minute, but I’ll get you her card.”
    She was reaching into a drawer under the counter when the slow voice spoke again.
    “It’s not your assistant I want,” he said. “It’s you.”
    Penny lifted her head. He was regarding her with an unnerving directness, as though he’d just said the most natural thing in the world. She scanned his face, trying without success to read what she saw there.
    “Tehmeena has a good eye,” she said carefully. “And a lot of experience. I’m sure she’ll be able to help you.”
    Kurt glanced over to the bookshelf where Tehmeena was still engaged in lively conversation.
    “She seems very efficient,” he agreed. “But I doubt she has what you have.”
    “Really?” Penny said. “And what’s that?” There was a note of caution in her voice. To her mind, rare qualities didn’t necessarily mean good. David had made that quite clear when he left, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear more.
    “You’ve got passion,” Kurt said simply.
    His unexpected reply robbed Penny of speech. She checked his features for any hint of irony, but his gaze was direct, and the set of his chin suggested nothing other than plain speaking. Penny, recently dumped business partner and disappointing daughter of glamorous parents, had passion. No-one had ever said anything like that to her in her life. She was