The Mystery of the Claddagh Rings Read Free

cup, Fin popped out of the chair. “I can’t stay here and watch this train wreck waiting to happen.”
    “Please, honey.” Her mother tugged on her hand. “I promise you the marriage will be annulled within six months. It’s a publicity stunt. That’s all it is.”
    Fin huffed and sat back down, wanting to paddle her mother’s backside. How could two people with the same gene pool be so different? Fin was a chef, in the process of opening her own restaurant, and used to working for a living. Why couldn’t Poppy do the same, realize she didn’t have to fool the public to hike her popularity? She could do a musical on Broadway or a show in Las Vegas. Heck, didn’t she have any confidence in her talent?
    “Does Paul know about this?”
    “Yes. He’s signed a prenup. Separate bedrooms and separate lives for the duration of our marriage.” Poppy slipped a croissant onto a small plate, breaking it apart with her fingers. “He’ll receive a modest income after we end the charade, providing he keeps silent.”
    “So you’re paying him off. I think you’re crazy, but if it’s what you want, I’ll go along with it.” Really, what else could she do? Poppy was her mother and, stupid decision aside, deserved her support.
    “Thank you.” Poppy rose and went into the bedroom. She came back holding a small velvet bag. Opening the folds, she passed her the bundle. “I’d like you to keep these safe until my wedding day. They’re gifts for my maid of honor—which is you, if you agree—and my bridesmaids.”
    Fin stared down at five beautifully-crafted, gold Claddagh rings, each of them with different gemstones in the crown and clasped hands design. “They’re lovely, but why give them to me?”
    “Too many people know about them.” Poppy shrugged it off with a laugh, but Fin sensed her unease. “I’m afraid they’ll disappear.”
    “Spill it, Mom. What aren’t you telling me?”
    “Honestly, Fin, sometimes you can be irritating.” Shaking her head, her mother indulged in an eye roll. “If you must know, I tweeted about them and showed them in a television interview when I announced Paul’s and my engagement.”
    “So? They’re not extremely valuable, are they?” Fin knew there had to be more, something her mother wasn’t saying. “Has something happened?”
    “God you’re persistent.” Poppy buttered the croissant, taking a nibble before she answered. “I’m concerned because my house in Los Angeles was broken into shortly before I left to come here. Someone gained access to the safe, although nothing appeared to be missing.”
    “Let me guess…the rings weren’t in the safe at the time.” Fin examined them again, noticing some unusual symbols etched on the inside of the bands. “Where did you get these?”
    “I don’t remember. It was a long time ago.” Poppy wouldn’t meet her gaze, a sure sign she was lying. “Please, just humor me and protect the rings.”
    ****
    Ryan entered the old Gamekeeper’s cottage that doubled as the estate security office. He scanned the bank of high-tech monitors on a wall and checked the computer readouts. No breaks in the alarm system. No intruders. At least something was going right today, because meeting Fin had messed with his head. He hadn’t expected to be attracted to the daughter, and that was a definite no-no for two reasons. Not only was she a principal in this case, but he also knew her father. Someone she didn’t even know existed, and maybe never would. Hell, he needed to keep his emotions in check. Yet the way she’d challenged him had rocked his world. A small woman like her willing to take him on in order to get to her mother said a lot. Damn it, she was not only brave, but she’d felt good in his arms, too.
    He brushed those feelings aside and hit speed dial on his cell phone, listening to it ring while hating the position he was in. Going undercover to recover the Claddagh rings left him with few options and little backup.