Beauty and The Best (Once-Upon-A-Time Romance) (5 page)

The parking spot sign wasn’t giving him any answers, so Todd clicked off his seatbelt and opened the door. Maybe something would come to him on this improvised trip to the office.

At least there he had Security and receptionists to keep the vultures at bay.

***

Jonathan Griff gripped the rim of his hat and straightened it, willing the twitch by his eye to subside. He could do this. He was ready.

He peeked out from behind Mr. Arena’s tower of paper towels. There she was. Now, how to do this? How to do this?

He tugged on the hem of his suit jacket. Maybe he should have worn a tie. No, that’d be too formal. He didn’t want her to think he was anything other than what he was supposed to be: a helpful older gentleman. They’d chat and maybe he could invite her to the store.

That was it. Be inconspicuous. Just happen along and start up a conversation. Let a cordial relationship develop.

He could do that.

He straightened his spectacles and stuck his hands into his jacket pockets, trying not to think of his personal stakes that were riding on this assignment. He was the only one of his initiate class who hadn’t earned his wings. Sure, some people took longer than others, but when that six-year-old had managed to earn them with one assignment, well, he’d been pretty demoralized. But Raphael seemed to have faith in him, and he wasn’t going to let the archangel down.

Nor would he let Jolie down. She deserved a happy ending, poor girl. Dealing with a drunk of a mother, then some of those foster families…

She needed a break and he was just the Guardian to give it to her.

If he could only find her.

“
Well, hello there.” An elderly, silver-haired woman stopped her cart next to him, the smile hinting at something he had no need of as a celestial being.

Ah, widows. If he were still mortal—

But no. He was here to do a job. He patted her hand, injecting a little Befuddlement into the touch. He could manage Befuddlement without messing it up. She’d never remember having seen him.

Now where did Jolie go?

He hurried to the cleaning products aisle. Not there.

Then the pet food aisle. Not there, either.

He tried the breakfast cereal aisle, but, again, no sign of Jolie.

The twitch picked up the tempo as he rolled around the endcap to the book and greeting card aisle. Not there, either. Funny, he would’ve thought that’d be an aisle she’d check out, seeing as how much she adored books.

He was so proud of her for trying to write one. And a romance novel at that. That girl certainly deserved some romance in her life.

As did Todd.

Jonathan steepled his fingers against his lips.
Dear Lord, please give me the knowledge to bring these two together.

He rolled around the endcap again, still praying, and—

“
Ow!” Something smacked into him at just the right angle to send him tumbling.

His spectacles fell off, skittering somewhere across the floor, but he couldn’t follow their sound as a female voice chimed in with the clattering cart wheels, the ringing in his head from the pain in his knees as they hit the floor—

“
Oh my gosh!” Slim arms reached for his. “Are you all right?”

It was her. He’d recognize that voice anywhere.

“
Fiddlesticks!” He stood up and brushed off his sleeves, then straightened his hat, trying not to squint too badly at her, the plus side being that the twitch had stopped. “Oh, no. I’ve crumpled my hat and lost my spectacles.”

Now how was he supposed to help her if he couldn’t even see her? This was not working out as he’d planned. So much for being inconspicuous.

Jonathan knelt, sweeping his hand along the linoleum floor for his spectacles.

Of course Jolie, God love her (and He did) dropped right beside him to help.

Jonathan’s fingers tripped over the wire frames. “Aha!” He toppled over, managing to get his butt on the floor first, his black shoes stretched out in front. Not the most graceful of landings, but better than smacking his schnozz on the linoleum. He affixed the spectacles to the bridge of said body part and smiled into her worried face.

“
I am so sorry. I was in a hurry, and not paying attention. I didn’t see you.”

“
Don’t beat yourself up over it, miss.”

“
But I—”

Jonathan clambered to his feet and held out a hand to her. “Are you going to sit there all day, or are you going to join the world of the living, my dear?”

“
Honestly, I’m really sorry. Are you okay?” She ignored his hand and scrambled to her feet unaided.

“
Now, now, it’s over and done with.” He straightened his hat. Had to keep up appearances and all. “And it was both our faults. There’s nothing more to be said, you hear?” He went to pat her hand, then remembered her dislike of touching. Although… he
had
seen that second shoulder-touch Todd had done in the car and how she hadn’t freaked out quite so badly. Something to consider.

“
You’re okay? No shooting pain down your legs? No sore elbows or anything?” Her eyes turned plum-colored when worried. She had such expressive eyes, the sweet thing. And to be so concerned…

But then, she always had been. Which was just one of the reasons listed on the Heavenly Checks and Balances Accounting Sheet that confirmed the need for his intervention.

“
I’m fine,” Jonathan answered.

“
That’s a relief.”

He doffed his hat. He’d always liked that word. Seemed so elegant and genteel. Something a Guardian should do when meeting his Charge for the first time in the flesh. So to speak. “Thank you, my dear.”

“
Thank me? For what? Running you down?” She pointed to her shopping cart where a bright yellow something was caught beneath one of the wheels. “I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should’ve been. I tend to lose myself in the spice section.”

“
Well, there’s no harm done. And thank you for helping an old man.” Jonathan looked around. Baking Goods. Yes, that made sense. “An interesting place to lose yourself in.”

Her cheeks flushed and it just made her all the prettier. It was true what they said about goodness shining through.

“
I know it might sound silly, but I just love Italian grocery stores’ spice aisle.” She swept her hand around them. “Spices are like the national food of Italy. You can’t make good sauce without the right amount of fresh spices. Oh, and sugar.” She hefted a five-pound bag of just that off the shelf next to her and headed to her cart. “Of course, that’s a trade secret I don’t usually share, but if you put a pinch in the sauce with a big onion… yum!”

Jonathan couldn’t help but smile. Jolie was exuberance personified, always throwing herself into every venture with such hope and determination. It was up to him to make sure this all worked out for her. The way it should, and the way she deserved.

Yes, there was to be no more heartache for this Charge. Jolie was about to get her Happily-Ever-After, no matter what he had to do to ensure it.

***

She was blabbering. No surprise there.

Jolie couldn’t believe she’d run the old guy down. Shame on her. Mooning about her boss and she injured someone. That was just one reason why thinking about Mr. Best in any terms other than professional was a bad idea. She needed to remember that. This poor man was so gracious about the accident, but she felt awful.

Jolie set the sugar into the cart next to her purse and wrenched her kicky yellow flat out from beneath the asphalt-covered wheel. She deserved to have it ruined, but what a pity. They were a really comfortable pair of shoes and went with about half her wardrobe. How was she supposed to pass the remainder of her first day shoeless?

Was it too much to ask that she’d get through the day with her shoes intact? All she wanted to do was help out Mr. Best, earn her paycheck, and keep her life on track.

She looked up at the fluorescent lighting, hoping the roof would somehow open and heavenly wisdom would be imparted. Or that her shoe would magically float down, fully restored. Really, she wasn’t picky.

“
But how are
you
feeling, my dear?” The little guy adjusted his glasses as he approached her cart.

Ha. He did not want to know how she was feeling.

“
I really want to know.”

??

“
You have a funny little twirl to your mouth, as if there are a million thoughts running through your mind. What’s got you so worked up?” He patted her hand.

What was it with men in this town today? She hadn’t been patted this much since Mama’s fifth—or was it sixth?—boyfriend decided she was cuter than her passed-out mother. Her imagination had saved her then (though it was a good thing the guy wasn’t too well-read or the bubonic plague she threatened him with wouldn’t have worked).

This patting was different though, but she still didn’t need anyone comforting her. She could take care of herself. She’d gotten pretty good at it.

Jolie stepped away and shook her head. “Nothing’s getting me all worked up. I’m just relieved that you’re okay. But now I’ve got to finish my shopping and figure out how to save my shoe.”

The guy snapped to attention, reached into his suit pocket, and removed a business card. He flipped it over to her between his first two fingers.

“
Well, I can’t help with your shopping, but the shoe’s no problem.” He wiggled the card.

She took it. “Heavenly Shoes.” The address was just down the street. How was that for serendipity?

“
My shop,” he said. “Stop down when you’re finished and I’ll fix the shoe quick as a wink.” He accompanied that statement with a wink.

Temptation floated before her, but, really,
she
ran over
him
. She should do something nice for him, not the other way around. Of course, if he had to hand out cards to drum up business, maybe he could use her money.

“
All right. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Besides, now she had an excuse for the grocery delivery thing. She certainly couldn’t go running around town with one shoe, now, could she? And she doubted Mr. Best, make that, Todd, would want to run over to her apartment so she could find another pair of shoes to wear to dinner tonight. She might as well do some efficient time management and take this guy up on his offer.

“
Oh, I’m Jolie Gardener, by the way.”

He nodded as if he already knew. But that wasn’t possible since they’d never met. Which was odd, considering how long she’d been in town—

“
Jonathan Griff, at your service.” He tipped his hat to her. His poor, dented felt hat—yet another casualty.

“
Are you new to town, Mr. Griff?”

“
Oh no. I’ve been gone for a bit with other business, but I’m back now.” He quarter-turned, then looked back. “Be sure to stop by, okay?”

“
I will.” She waved and he turned all the way with a little bow, then practically skipped through the check-out lanes without buying anything.

So what was he doing in the grocery store? Not like it was an interesting place to hang out. But then, she was the one who spent her time trying to make happily-ever-afters happen with imaginary people, so who was she to judge?

Chapter Five

A church bell chimed when Jolie entered Heavenly Shoes. Lovely bluish-white carpet covered the floor, making it feel as if she were walking on clouds.

Okay, so
technically
she’d fall through a cloud since a cloud was basically just water vapor, but she was sticking with the whole cottony, springy imagery.

Bright, sunshine-yellow walls led to a ceiling so covered in sparkling lights she could hardly see the tiles. It was one of those old-fashioned shoe stores with rows of seats and slanted bench thingies so Salesperson Prince Charmings could help Customer Cinderellas with their shoe selections.

A large glass case at the back was filled with an array of not-your-run-of-the-mill footwear. Shimmering ruby red slippers, cream-colored Victorian ankle boots complete with hook and eye lacings, a pair of pumps that looked like they were made of glass... Some really outlandish shoes in that case.

The girl behind the counter smiled at her. “Hi. I’m Dawn. Can I help you?”

“
Hi.” Jolie held up her beleaguered shoe. “Mr. Griff said he’d take care of this for me. It’s definitely seen better days.”

Dawn commiserated, then took the shoe and disappeared into the stock room. Not a minute passed before she was out again. “It shouldn’t be long. Would you like to have a seat?”

“
Actually, could I see these?” Jolie pointed to the clear pumps in the case.

Dawn smiled. “We get a lot of requests for those.” She took a key from her chain and opened the cabinet.

“
I know. A friend of mine wore them in her wedding.”

Dawn smiled. “Mr. Griff does like to lend them out. Especially to brides.” She set the shoes on the counter. “Want to try them on?”

Jolie had to touch them. The temptation was too great. “What size are they? I wouldn’t want to crack them by trying to shove my foot in something too small.”