Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts Page A

figured I’d catch a nap, but, man, you just blew me away.”
    She had to laugh. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
    â€œNo, really. I don’t know Mozart from Muzak, but I was—well, I guess enthralled’s a good word. My wife’ll just about die when I tell her I met you.” He pulled out a leather-bound appointment book. “Would you sign this for her? Her name’s Melissa.”
    â€œI’d be glad to.”
    â€œWho’d have expected to find someone like you in a little place like this?” He shook his head as she handed the book back to him.
    â€œI grew up here.”
    â€œI can guarantee my wife’ll be back.” He winked at Loretta. “Thanks again, Mrs. Sexton.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Drive carefully.” She laughed a little after the bells had jingled at his exit. “It’s an amazing thing, watching your own child sign an autograph.”
    â€œIt’s the first one I’ve signed in my hometown.” She tooka deep breath. “This is a beautiful place. You must work very hard.”
    â€œI enjoy it. I’m sorry I wasn’t there this morning. I had an early delivery coming.”
    â€œIt’s all right.”
    Loretta picked up a soft rag, then set it down again. “Would you like to see the rest of the shop?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I would.”
    Loretta led the way into the adjoining room. “This is the set your admirer just bought.” She ran a fingertip over the top of a gleaming mahogany table. “It has three leaves and will sit twelve comfortably when extended. There’s some beautiful carving on the chairs. The buffet and server go with it.”
    â€œThey’re beautiful.”
    â€œI bought them at an estate sale a few months ago. They’d been in the same family for over a hundred years. It’s sad.” She touched one of the glass knobs on the server. “That’s why I’m so happy when I can sell something like this to people who will care for it.”
    She moved to a curved glass china cabinet and opened the door. “I found this cobalt glass at a flea market, buried in a box. Now, the cranberry I got at auction, and paid too much. I couldn’t resist it. These saltcellars are French, and I’ll have to wait for a collector to take them off my hands.”
    â€œHow do you know about all of this?” Vanessa asked.
    â€œI learned a lot by working here before I bought it. From reading, from haunting other shops and auctions.” She laughed a little as she closed the cabinet door. “And through trial and error. I’ve made some costly mistakes, but I’ve also wangled some real bargains.”
    â€œYou have so many beautiful things. Oh, look at this.” Almost reverently, she picked up a Limoges ring box. It was perhaps six inches high and fashioned in the shape of a young girl in a blue bonnet and blue checkered dress. There was a look of smug pleasure on her glossy face. “This is charming.”
    â€œI always try to keep in a few Limoges pieces. Whether they’re antique or new.”
    â€œI have a small collection myself. It’s difficult to travel with fragile things, but they always make hotel suites more like home.”
    â€œI’d like you to have it.”
    â€œI couldn’t.”
    â€œPlease,” Loretta said before Vanessa could set it down again. “I’ve missed a number of birthdays. It would give me a great deal of pleasure if you’d accept it.”
    Vanessa looked up. They had to turn at least the first corner, she told herself. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
    â€œI’ll get a box for it. Oh, there’s the door. I get a lot of browsers on weekday mornings. You can take a look upstairs if you like.”
    Vanessa kept the little box cupped in her hands. “No, I’ll wait for you.” Loretta gave her a pleased look before she walked away to