Chapter 8

eight

DANIEL

I checked my watch. Without missing a step, I increased my speed, sprinting the last quarter mile around the lake.

Running was the only time I truly felt free. If I was stressed, tired, or had something on my mind, I'd change out of my suit and run through Central Park.

This morning, I wasn't stressed or tired, but I did have something on my mind. I'd never met B.J. Davis, never heard his voice, or looked at a clear photo of him. But his jewelry was distracting me from everything I needed to do.

Last night, I'd studied his website. It wasn't an exaggeration to say I was in awe of his latest collection. Each piece was exquisitely designed and beautifully made.

The sooner I tracked down the elusive artist, the quicker I could put my next plan into action. I'd make him the next Givenchy of the jewelry world. And no one, including an unknown jeweler from Colorado, would turn down the chance of becoming a household name in the lives of the rich and famous.

Dropping my chin to my chest, I dug deep for the last hundred yards. Sweat poured off my face and my breathing became more labored. I savored each stride, pushed myself a little harder until, with a relieved groan, I made it back to the cottage.

Resting my hands on my hips, I breathed deeply, sucking air into my oxygen-deprived lungs. As my heart rate decreased, I focused on the water, absorbing the serenity of the lake. My mind emptied of everything, leaving me more relaxed than I'd been in a long time.

"Do you always run so fast?"

I jumped. I hadn't expected to see anyone, let alone Ben. "Are you always awake this early in the morning?"

He tilted his head and smiled. "I'm usually in Sunrise Bay by now, but it's my birthday. I've taken the day off work."

"Congratulations." Picking up the towel I'd left on the veranda, I wiped my face. "For most people, that'd be even more reason to sleep in."

"Not me. I hardly ever get time away from work, so I'm making the most of it."

I looked at the boots on his feet and the shorts and T-shirt hugging his lean hips and wide shoulders. "Are you going hiking?"

"Good guess. A friend told me about a trail twenty minutes northeast of Sunrise Bay. I thought I'd spend most of the day there, then come home and recover." He straightened his baseball cap and sent me a dazzling smile. "I forgot to tell you about the Saturday market in Sunrise Bay. If you need any fresh fruit or want to sample the local food, the market's the place to go."

"Thanks. I was going into town anyway, so I'll have a look."

"If you see a parking space, grab it fast. People come from all around Willow Lake to enjoy the market. Finding somewhere to park can be a real problem."

I hadn't noticed how brown Ben's eyes were. They reminded me of the color of chocolate. Sweet, addictive, and totally bad for me. "Do you need anything from the market?"

"No, I'm okay. I bought my groceries yesterday, so my pantry's full. Enjoy your day." Ben turned and walked toward his cottage.

I needed to find B.J. Davis, and Ben was the only person I knew in Sunrise Bay. If the jeweler wasn't in his store a little insider knowledge might help me find him. But I couldn't afford to be too obvious. B.J. lived in a small town. If he didn't want to be found, he might have asked his friends not to tell anyone where he lived.

I jogged after Ben. "Can I ask you a question?"

He stopped and turned around. "Sure."

"I want to buy a friend some jewelry. Is there a store in town you'd recommend?"

Ben's polite smile wavered. "It depends on your budget. The general store has some cute necklaces and bracelets made by local craftspeople. If you want something more expensive, there's a jewelry store on Main Street."

"Are you talking about Davis Jewelry?"

A blush worked its way over Ben's face. "Have you heard of them?"

"My brother came across their website a few weeks ago. They have some beautiful necklaces."

"They do. I don't think the store's open today, but you could always visit on Monday."

I studied Ben's face, wondering how he'd respond to my next question. "Do you know B.J. Davis?"

"I umm… I've met him a few times." He wiped his hands on his shorts and sent me a nervous smile. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I replied, wondering what was on his mind.

"Where do you work?"

Ben's question surprised me. I'd assumed my secretary had put the booking under my company's name. "I work for Wilson Enterprises."

If I thought Ben was wary before, he was even more shocked now. He cleared his throat and plastered a smile on his face. "That's good to know. Enjoy seeing Sunrise Bay."

I frowned as Ben walked back to his cottage, instead of heading toward the lake. Something wasn't right, only I didn't know him well enough to understand what had just happened.

The only thing I did know was that I needed to head into town. Ben knew a lot more about Davis Jewelry than he'd told me. And if there was one area where I excelled, it was getting to the bottom of a problem and finding the answer.