The Borrowed Ring

Looking relieved that the possibility of an emotional scene had passed, Ingrid nodded eagerly. “He's gorgeous. Judson's good-looking and all, but if Daniel wasn't married, let me tell you—I'd make a play for him in a minute. A couple of the other girls already have, because a gold ring doesn't mean squat to them unless they're wearing it. But Daniel, he keeps them all at a distance. I could see why when I watched the two of you together last night. You're, like, a perfect couple.”

“You, um, think so?”

“Oh, yeah. I mean, I'm not ready to settle down and have kids myself—I really want to have a fabulous singing career first—but if I was, I'd want something like you've got with Daniel. He's good-looking and rich and powerful and he treats you like a queen. Every woman's dream, right?”

“I…I suppose so.” Being treated like a queen had never been B.J.'s dream, but she supposed the wife Daniel had created for this fantasy would like that sort of thing.

Ingrid looked in both directions before leaning slightly toward B.J. and saying in a low voice, “I guess it doesn't bother you too bad that Daniel's mixed up with Judson, huh? I mean, I know they're going to make a lot of money, but I just hope it doesn't all go sour on them.”

And just what the hell was she supposed to say in response to that? “I, um—”

“I know, I know. We're not supposed to talk about the men's business. Judson's made that real clear, and I guess your Daniel has, too. But, jeez, you can't hang around them very long without figuring out they're up to something shady. I even heard Daniel tell Judson that they've got to be real careful the feds don't catch on to whatever they're scheming before the big payoff comes through. Doesn't it make you mad when they act like we're too stupid to figure things out?”

“Yes,” B.J. said slowly, setting down her fork and folding her hands on the table. She had suddenly lost her appetite. “Yes, it does.”

“Oh, well, I guess everything will work out. Judson said he's never been caught at anything yet and neither has your Daniel. Neither of them are Boy Scouts, but I never was interested in Boy Scouts anyway, you know? I like men with money and power.”

She patted the diamond pendant hanging around her neck, then reached out to touch the bracelet on B.J.'s wrist. “You know what I mean, right? I just wish Judson would use some of that influence to help me get a recording contract.”

B.J. sipped her iced tea to avoid having to respond, since she wouldn't have had a clue what to say anyway.

Ingrid's face lit up. “Hey, I have an idea.”

B.J. couldn't help thinking rather cattily that it must be a novel experience for her, but then she told herself to stop being snide. Ingrid was obviously trying to be friendly.

It was likely that she didn't have a lot of experience making friends with other women. Yet B.J. had defended her last night, cornering Drake into giving In-grid a chance to sing, and that might have been something Ingrid wasn't accustomed to coming from another woman.

“What's your idea?” She was almost afraid to ask.

“Why don't you come listen to me practice after lunch? You can tell me how I sound.”

“Oh, I don't know much about music. I—”

“Please,” Ingrid said quietly. “I'd feel better if someone gave me an honest opinion. No one who works for Judson would dare say anything negative. I think you'll be honest.

“And besides,” she added with a smile, “you're from Texas. You know country music.”

B.J. didn't have the heart to refuse, even though she actually preferred rock to country. It wasn't as if she had anything better to do, anyway. “I can come for a little while,” she agreed. “I have to go back to my suite at three or so to get ready to meet Daniel, but I'm open until then.”

“Great.” Ingrid was so pleased, she reached for another slice of bread.

Chapter Seven

As Daniel had instructed—or to be more precise, as he had ordered—B.J. appeared at the marina at exactly five o'clock. She had considered being ten or fifteen minutes late, just to make a statement, but then decided that would be petty and childish.

She was above that sort of thing, she assured herself loftily. But if Daniel got all bossy and snappy with her again, she was going to chew off a large piece of his hide, to use an old Texas expression.

She had changed into red capri pants and a sleeveless white cotton shirt with red piping at the armholes and V neckline. A thin red cardigan was knotted loosely around her shoulders, in case the temperature dropped as the late-May evening advanced. Red-and-white-checked flip-flops completed the look, so that she was gazing at a coordinated stranger in the mirror again when she finished dressing.

Sunglasses and her paperback—both for when the sun was still out—were the only other things she packed into her canvas tote, since she didn't know what else she might need for this picnic outing. Especially since will-power wasn't something she could stuff into a bag, she thought ruefully, once again remembering last night's kisses on the beach.

She was dismayed to see Bernard waiting at the boat slip with Daniel. Was she going to be forced to endure a picnic with Bernard? If so, she could feel an imaginary migraine coming on, which she would use as an excuse to cut the outing short. Actually, after spending any time at all with Bernard, she doubted she would have to fake a headache.

Bernard was dressed in his usual uniform. Jeans, a blue T-shirt and a loose white linen jacket that made him look a bit like a refrigerator. Even though the look was twenty years out of style, the white jacket did a decent job of hiding the shoulder holster he undoubtedly wore beneath it. The sleeves were pushed up as a concession to the warmth of the afternoon, but she doubted he would remove the jacket within sight of any of the guests.

Having changed at some point during the afternoon into a loose white shirt and khaki slacks with espadrilles, Daniel stepped forward to greet her with a smile and an outstretched hand. “Punctual, as always,” he said, brushing a kiss against her cheek.

She merely gave him a look. Maybe he had forgotten that little scene beside the pool earlier, but she wanted him to know that she had not.