For the last four hundred years, a story about missing gems pops up now and again but no one has ever been able to verify the story. When the laird goes missing, his personal assistant, Bonnie-Jean Russell wonders if the disappearance has anything to do with the legend. She doesn't have much time to get to the bottom of the mystery or discover if what's in her heart is the real thing.
“To more
pleasant subjects,” Colette said, after taking a bite of her salad. “How is
that handsome laird of yours? I hope he’s not working you too hard, what with
the upcoming charity ball.”
“He’s not my laird, and no, he’s not working me
too hard. There is one odd thing though,” she continued, a puzzled look on her
features. Had it already been a week since he’d told her about his father’s
loan? It seemed like only this morning they’d conversed about that and the
ball. Shortly after he’d left for what he’d said would be a short business
trip. Bonnie thought there might be a woman involved somewhere and he’d gone
off to see her. No, somehow that didn’t feel right either. “He’s been away for
several days now, and it isn’t like him to disappear just before an important
event like the ball he’s hosting.”
“Did you report
it to the police?”
“No, it could be
a last minute business trip...he said as much but I think this time it’s more
personal. Sometimes he’s gone as long as
a month. The police will just say it’s another one of those impromptu trips and
he’s been too busy to keep in touch. The fact the timing is all wrong doesn’t
matter to them.”
“Where did he
go? Perhaps he’s been negotiating some sort of deal and it’s taking longer than
he’d planned.”
“That’s my
point. As his assistant, I always make his travel plans for him, and he lets me
know where he’ll be in case I need to get in touch with him. This time…this
trip wasn’t on his agenda. It’s as if he’s vanished into thin air. I can’t
reach him on his cell phone. All my messages have gone to voice mail. I’m
worried something’s happened to him.”
“I’m sure he can
take care of himself. He never struck me as the helpless sort. Tell me about
the ball. What do you have planned this year?” Colette changed the subject as
if the laird were on a brief vacation and due home any minute.
“Candace actually came up with a good idea. She
suggested a bachelor auction to raise more money. David is supposed to be one
of the bachelors.”
“Who would have
thought beneath all that red hair, there might actually be a brain.” Both women
laughed at the comment then concentrated on finishing their lunch.
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