The bell chimed one more time just as she reached the door and swung it open. “Hi.” Out of breath and her head still spinning from the fortune in jewelry she'd just uncovered, Cyndi greeted her visitors.

The tall, dark-haired woman, in stylish, black slacks and a matching jacket, seemed slightly taken aback, but then she smiled. “Good morning, I'm Linda Fletcher.” Cyndi recognized the cultured tones of her voice. They'd talked several times on the phone, setting up this weekend.

"Cyndi Marks.” Cyndi offered her hand and Linda shook it. The handshake was firm and no nonsense. “Please come in."

Another woman was standing just behind Linda on the steps. This woman was a bit shorter than Linda, her hair a profusion of cinnamon-colored curls. She was dressed more casually in jeans and a dark brown, corduroy jacket. “Hi, I'm Amanda Barrington.” Her wire-rimmed glasses gave her a slightly bookish appearance, but she still didn't fit Cyndi's idea of a rare book dealer.

"Welcome. Come on in.” Cyndi beckoned them into the house. Neither woman bothered to contain their curiosity, glancing unabashedly around the foyer, as they removed their coats and hung them on the coat rack. “Would you like some coffee?"

"Would I?” Amanda all but groaned. “I've only had one cup this morning and I could definitely use some more."

Cyndi laughed, liking Amanda more by the minute. She had a smattering of freckles across her nose and an easy smile. Linda seemed more reserved, but still very nice. She remembered her coffee mug on her desk and paused outside the door. It was silly to be concerned about preserving the privacy of the office. After all, she was allowing these women access to her entire house this weekend.

Swinging the door open, she hurried into the room. “I was just working in here and didn't hear you drive up.” Grabbing her mug, she turned to find both women staring at the room. Cyndi laughed. “Overwhelming, isn't it?"

"I'll say,” Amanda easily agreed.

"It's strong and very masculine,” Linda observed.

"That about sums it up.” Cyndi strolled over to stand beside them. “Most of the furniture will be going from this room. I need to pack up the papers in the desk and such, but I want just about every last piece gone from this room."

Both women stared at her and she could hear the vehemence in her own voice. “Sorry.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “Memories."

"There will probably be a lot more before the weekend is over,” Linda added gently. “No matter how ready you think you are to let go, it's never easy."

Cyndi knew that she was right, but the quicker this was done, the quicker she could get on with the rest of her life. Her gaze flicked to the safe. “Do you deal in estate jewelry or do you know someone who does?"

Linda's excitement was palpable. “I can definitely handle the jewelry for you. We don't get much, but it's a passion of mine.” It was obvious the woman loved her job.

"Good.” Cyndi ushered them out of the room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. “Because I've got quite a bit of it.” Her own jewelry was scattered across her bed and floor upstairs. She'd never even thought to sort through that yet.

The women opted to pull up a stool at the counter rather than sit at the table. Cyndi took down mugs and filled them, placing them in front of her guests. Dumping her own cold coffee down the drain, she poured herself a fresh cup.

"What about clothing? It's probably not worth much, but there's more than a closet full of designer clothes from the early nineties upstairs as well. Plus, my father's got closets full of designer men's clothing."

Linda broke out into a huge grin. “I have to tell you that you're making my heart pitter-patter."

Cyndi laughed as she leaned against the counter. “I'll take that as a yes."

"You certainly can,” Linda laughed.

"Don't worry,” she said to Amanda. “I've got an entire room of wall-to-wall bookcases just waiting for you."

Amanda rubbed her hands together. “Good. For a minute there, I thought that Linda was going to have all the fun."

Cyndi felt more relaxed than she had since she arrived in Jamesville. It was nice to talk to people who had no idea of her past, to people who didn't hate her because of who she was.

She noticed Linda's gaze had gone to the cooking island where she'd left the china that she and Shamus had dragged down from the attic. “Those I'm not selling."

"I don't blame you. May I?” Cyndi nodded and Linda slid from her stool and strode to the dishes. “These are lovely.” Picking up a tea plate, she examined the back. “Minton, circa nineteen-twenty-three. The tea plate and cup and saucer alone are worth about a hundred dollars."

Laying it carefully aside, she picked up a dinner plate. “Spode,” she sighed. “Some of these pieces are worth a lot of money.” She picked up a few more plates and examined them. “Others are not quite so rare, but they're still lovely pieces. You've got some nice Johnson Brothers and some Royal Albert as well. Quite a varied collection."

"I'm converting this place into a B & B and I plan to use most of these dishes. I may need more. I'm not sure yet."

"If you decide you want more or need to complete a place setting or just some extra pieces, let me know.” Linda placed the plate carefully back on the table and picked up a teacup. “I can get you whatever you need."

Cyndi hadn't really thought about that before, but she was making a good contact. “I may need some furniture, but I'm not sure yet. I think that the attic will have everything I need."

Linda groaned. “You're killing me here. You have an attic loaded with enough furniture to fill this place again?"

"Pretty much.” Cyndi grinned. “My family never threw anything out."

Amanda laughed. “You do realize that most women save this kind of rapture for men and not old books and furniture."

"Most women aren't as smart as us,” Linda replied wryly, making them all laugh as she carefully returning the cup to its saucer.

Cyndi realized she was enjoying herself. It was a shame these women weren't going to be here longer. She had a feeling they would both make good friends. “Let's get you both settled in upstairs.” As they left the kitchen, Cyndi teased Linda. “And don't get too comfortable. Your bedroom furniture is going, too."

Amanda snickered and Linda laughed. “Hey, if I like it, maybe I'll buy it."

They were at the bottom of the stairs when the doorbell rang again. Cyndi excused herself and went to the door. She hoped it wasn't anyone else wanting to cause trouble. She wasn't expecting Shamus for another couple of hours yet.

Opening the door, Cyndi found herself swept up into strong arms. Shamus was early. She barely had time to assimilate that pleasure before firm lips descended, capturing hers. Her hands crept up to lock around his neck as he maneuvered her inside, kicking the door closed with his booted heel.

"Ahem."

It took a minute and another exaggerated throat clearing for Cyndi to remember the two women behind her. Shamus slowly pulled his lips from hers, breaking the kiss. “Don't tell me,” he murmured huskily. “Your company is standing right behind us."

Flustered, she planted her hands on his chest, pushing him away. “Yes.” She tried to ignore the frisson of pleasure filling her. Shamus looked as handsome as ever in faded blue jeans that clung to him like a second skin and a white T-shirt under his leather jacket. His hair was caught at his nape in its usual ponytail, setting off his masculine face to perfection.

"Sorry about that. I figured they'd be hard at work by now, cleaning the place out,” he whispered against her ear. Turning to the women watching with avid interest a few feet away, he smiled as he extended his hand. “Shamus O'Rourke. Pleased to meet you both."

Cyndi shook off the remnants of pleasure still coursing through her veins and pulled herself together enough to make the introductions. “I was just about to show them their rooms."

"Great. I can bring in your bags, if you'd like."

Both ladies offered their keys and Shamus left to collect their suitcases. Cyndi turned to find both women staring at Shamus's butt. She didn't know whether to be outraged or amused. It was a fine behind, and encased in faded denim, it was pretty irresistible.

Linda cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.” The look in her eye suggested that she was anything but sorry. She shrugged. “What can I say? I'm trained to observe quality goods."

She said it in such a tongue-in-cheek way that Cyndi laughed. Amanda's gaze went from one woman to the other. “He's definitely quality."

Still smiling, Cyndi led them up the stairs to the two guest rooms she'd prepared. Shamus was close on their heels with the luggage, but he'd taken the time to remove his jacket. The T-shirt he was wearing was long-sleeved, and hugged his shoulders and chest. It was hard for her not to snuggle up next to him for a hug, but she managed to retain some dignity.

Linda had a large suitcase, but Amanda had a small overnight bag. Leaving both women to settle in their rooms, she told them to meet her down in the study when they were ready.

Shamus slung his arm over her shoulders as they walked down the stairs together. “What do you think of them?"

Cyndi snaked her arm around his waist, enjoying the feel of his arm around her. “I like them. I think this entire process is going to be easier because of them."

They paused at the bottom of the stairs and he turned her in his arms. “You don't have to get rid of anything you don't want to. If you need some more time to decide about some items, don't pressure yourself. We can always put them up in the attic for now."

Her heart swelled and in that minute, she knew she loved Shamus. He'd blindsided her the moment they'd met, sweeping her into a whirlwind of passion. But it was more than that. She felt his care and concern for her in everything he did. He was an amazing man. Everything she'd ever wished for and hoped to find in a relationship. The fact that there was such an age discrepancy and she had such a negative history with his family should have been enough to drive them apart. Instead, it had brought them closer together.

"Hey.” He tucked a lock of hair gently over the curve of her ear. “You okay?"

Was she okay? No, she wasn't. Her life had been knocked off its axis and, for better or worse, there was no going back. She owed it to herself and to Shamus to play this out until the very end. Their relationship would either make it or it wouldn't. But if it didn't, it wouldn't be because she hadn't given it her all.

"Yeah,” she replied huskily. “I'm fine."

Not looking totally convinced, he glanced up the stairs and let it drop for now. Cyndi knew that if she hadn't had company, he wouldn't have let it go. “I got the paint you wanted."

"That's good.” It was better to move to safer topics for now. “You can just put it in the dining room for now. I'm going to start there with Linda and if she agrees to take the set, it won't take long to clear the room."

"You're going to need help moving the furniture.” They walked toward the front door.

Cyndi shrugged. She'd thought about that, but really didn't know who to call. “Between you and me and Linda, we should be able to manage."

Shamus shook his head. “Some of this furniture is way too heavy. We're going to need a couple more guys."

Anger filled her at this reminder of how much the people in this town didn't like her. She'd almost forgotten in the few minutes she'd spent in Linda and Amanda's company. “Well, it's not as if I can just pick up the phone and call someone. If you've forgotten, I don't have a lot of friends in this town."

"But I do.” Ignoring her burst of anger, he wrapped his hand around her nape and squeezed gently. The tight muscles in her neck loosened and she almost groaned with pleasure.

"You can't put yourself in that position, Shamus. You don't want to make them choose between your friendship and their animosity toward me and my family."

"Don't worry about it.” Reaching into his back pocket, he drew out his cell phone.

"You keep saying that, but I keep worrying. One of us has to worry.” She didn't understand how he could be so blase about this.

His mouth tightened slightly, the only indication that he wasn't quite as relaxed as he seemed. “Better to know now rather than later. If folks I've known most of my life are going to turn on me for something like this, then I want to know."