Family Jewels Read Online Free

“blah”.
    “Aw, sis. Don’t feel bad. Nick obviously wasn’t right for you. In more ways than the bedroom.”
    “I know.” She remembered the fights they’d had about her work and all the time it took away from him. “Doesn’t make it any easier.”
    “Of course not.” Paul used his consoling voice over the phone. “You should go out. Meet some people. I know you’re holding yourself captive inside your little Fort Knox, aren’t you?”
    “I’m working, Paul.” She smiled at his nickname for her apartment/jewelry studio. “Don’t worry about me. I get out.”
    “Uh-uh. A quick stop at the corner grocery doesn’t count. This is your brother you’re talking to, not some schmuck on the street. I know you, Cyn. You work too much. Have you tried that new club yet?”
    “No, not yet. Besides, I’m too old for that.”
    “Newsflash!” he said dramatically. “Twenty-eight is young. Go out. You need to do something to meet other guys.”
    “I don’t like clubbing anymore, Paul. It’s too smoky, too crowded and I hate waking up with a hangover. I don’t bounce back the next morning the way I used to. Besides, all my friends are married now, remember? And I’d be damned stupid to go out alone.”
    Paul sighed heavily, a signal she knew meant he wanted to drop the subject, change to a safer topic. Her brother was so much like Mom—a total pacifist. She’d been a strict parent but couldn’t stand an argument between family members. It amazed her that her sweet-natured twin brother had decided on a career in law. Lawyers had to argue their case, didn’t they?
    “So,” he said after a few seconds, “why don’t you tell me about your latest project? It was a gold necklace, right? How’s that going?”
    Cynthia grinned, immediately warming to her favorite subject—her work. “It’s going great. I’m almost finished with the soldering.”
    “Wow. I’m impressed. I thought you said it was a complicated piece?”
    “It is. But I have to clear my table and get busy on sketches for my entry in the American Jewelry Designer contest. I’ve decided to do a ring this year.”
    Paul whistled into the phone. “Now that’s ambitious. A ring would be gutsy and I know you thrive on that kind of stiff competition. Go for it, sis. You’ll do great, I know it.”
    “Thanks.” His confidence in her always felt good. “Unfortunately I have a last-minute client coming in about five minutes if he’s prompt. So, talk fast. Tell me what’s going on in the high-flying world of international corporate law?”
    Her twin wasted no time delving into the highs and lows of his whirlwind job. While she was concerned and interested in how his professional life fared, she couldn’t stay focused on Paul’s lawyer-speak for very long and he knew it. She just mumbled “uh-huh” and “yeah” where it seemed appropriate until he realized her mind had wandered off. Then he’d say something funny or ask a stupid question to catch her off guard.
    “Okay,” he said. “So, when the Pope comes to dinner next week, you’ll make your special lasagna, right?”
    “Sure!” Cynthia muffled her giggle. It was a standing family joke. Her one attempt as a teenager at impressing an important family guest by making lasagna had nearly burned their house down.
    The doorbell buzzed. “I gotta go. My client’s here now. I’ll see you next weekend, right?”
    “Barring any more customs crap, I’ll be there.”
    “Bye, Paul. Thanks for the pep talk. I needed that.”
    “Of course. What are brothers for?” He kissed into the phone. “ Ciao !”
    Cynthia hung up, her mood dramatically improved about the inconvenience of a last-minute customer. By this time tomorrow, she’d be free to work on her sketches and be one hundred dollars better off.

Chapter Three
     
    A high-pitched cat’s yowl pierced the silence. Cynthia jerked awake, surprised to find herself slumped over her worktable with the lights burning bright. She