Guarding the Treasure by J. K. Zimmer Page A

result of your father’s shipping business.”
    She looked about. “Here, let me show you.” Taking her arm, she led her across the street.
    “I’ve been in this store before,” Anya said, reading the shingle that announced the name of the fabric shop.
    Colleen opened the door, quickly scanning for a seamstress. “They must be working in the back,” she said. “They will be out to greet us in a fast minute.” She watched Miss O’Connell move among the bolts of fabric. “Miss, most of what is in this store is a result of your father’s travels to Canada and other shipping ports.”
    “There are some very lovely prints, Colleen. And to think my father had something to do with this!”
    “Do you see anything you like?”
    “Oh, what do you think of this color?”
    Colleen turned to find Anya wrapped in a lilac-dyed fabric, expertly arranging the piece around her shoulders. She gasped in sheer delight. “Miss, that is the most beautiful color I have ever seen,” she crowed, hurrying to hold the fabric near Anya’s face. Colleen smiled. “And against your blonde hair and green eyes? Miss, you would look absolutely breathtaking in this.”
    Her eyes met Anya’s. She watched the excitement vanish as quickly as it had appeared. Colleen guessed what was in the young woman’s mind. The last thing she wanted was for every man to be taking to her with his eyes. She also knew that in that color, Anya would be more sensual than ever. “Get the fabric, Miss,” Colleen urged softly. “You will look beautiful.” She tapped Anya’s hand with hers. “I will see to a seamstress for you.” She hurried to the back of the store, disappearing behind a dark brown curtain. Soon a middle-aged woman appeared, a measuring tape looped around her neck and a red, tomato-shaped pin cushion in hand.
    “Miss O’Connell, it’s so nice to see you,” the woman said, sizing her up as she spoke. “We heard about Mrs. O’Connell, Miss, and are truly sorry about her passing. She was a lovely lady inside and out, and a very good customer she was.”
    “Thank you, Mrs.—?”
    “Clancy,” the woman said, bending as she wrapped the measuring tape around Anya’s waist. The older woman continued to chatter as she did the work of getting the details of the dress the two women desired.
    “The dress has to have tight tucks, Mrs. Clancy,” Colleen said softly.
    “And a plunging neckline,” Anya said, interrupting her constant chatter.
    Mrs. Clancy stopped in midsentence and stood, hands on hips and eyebrows raised.
    Colleen noticed the look of disgust on her face right off. She quietly scooped the bolt of material into her arms and headed to the counter, hoping to ease any ill feelings the storekeeper may be forming toward Anya.
    “Ladies, when do you desire for the dress to be finished?” she asked, tight-lipped.
    The two looked at one another. Anya spoke sheepishly. “Could you have it completed by tomorrow afternoon, Mrs. Clancy? I have a party to attend and am in need of it by late day.”
    The seamstress set her forehead in several deep lines. She looked down at the lilac material then hard at the young women. “If I start on this right away, I do believe I can accomplish the task,” she said, her facial lines softening a little.
    “Thank you,” Anya said, gripping the woman’s hands tightly.
    “I will be by tomorrow then,” Colleen said as she watched Mrs. Clancy carry the bolt of fabric to the back. She breathed in and released it in relief. If Anya had not been able to accommodate her brother’s wishes, well, she feared what he would have done. The thought sent a sudden chill through her.
    The door to the front of the store opened, causing both women to turn automatically. Looking past Anya, Colleen saw a familiar face. “Olivia, is that you?” she asked excitedly.
    Anya watched as Colleen made her way between the multicolored bolts of fabric, settling at the side of the slender woman who had entered the shop. She