The Cinderella Obsession by Opal Carew, Amber Carew Page B

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    "Then why do you want to find her?"
    He got up and paced over to the window, staring out into the darkness with unseeing eyes. "Look, it’s a long story and I don’t want to get into it." He peered back at her, frowning. "The point is, she was at my party uninvited and I want to know why."
    He raked his hand through his hair. "The big question is, how did she get her hands on the costume? I’d really like to find this woman and I think you could help. You were going to take it back Friday afternoon. I thought maybe this woman picked it up from the shop after you brought it back, but the store owner said it didn’t come back until Saturday morning. Do you have any idea what happened to it?"
    Rachel gulped nervously.
    "I … It was in my car when I went to lunch but then I had to go straight to my doctor’s appointment. The last time I saw it, it was hanging in the back." Her hands went to her cheeks, covering a gentle flush. "I’m sorry, Nick, I didn’t get it back." She flung her hands wide. "I thought taking it back Saturday would be okay, and then with being sent to the hospital and all…."
    Nick raised his hands in a halting gesture, not wanting Rachel to get distressed any further in her delicate state. "Don’t worry about it. Someone must have taken it from your car, but it arrived safely back in the shop. No harm done."
    Except to his plan to find Cinderella.
    But now he wondered how his mystery woman had secured the costume. Had she stolen it from Rachel's car? Could his mystery woman be a thief as well as a gate crasher?
    * * * *
    Nick stepped out of the hospital and headed toward the parking lot. A light rain misted the air. Tiny raindrops glistened in the light of the street lamps.
    His talk with Rachel hadn’t shed any light on the mystery, he thought despondently as he pulled his car onto the street. A lone figure standing at the bus stop--a very familiar, curvaceous figure--drew his attention. He pulled up in front of her.
    "Vanessa. Hop in, I’ll give you a lift."
    "Mr. Powers?" Her voice sounded shocked. "I mean, Nick. I … uh--"
    "You aren’t thinking of refusing, are you? The rain is about to get worse, by the look of it, and I’m sure you’d prefer to ride in a nice comfortable car rather than a city bus."
    "I don’t want to take you out of your way," she answered reluctantly.
    "Get in, woman!" he said in mock impatience.
    Vanessa stepped forward and slid into the car. The leather seats felt soft and supple against her hands. "I’m going to get your upholstery all wet." She chewed on her lower lip, knowing this one seat probably cost more than her entire wardrobe.
    "Don’t worry about it. It’ll dry. Were you here visiting a friend?"
    Vanessa nodded.
    "What a coincidence. This is the same hospital my secretary is in."
    Vanessa swallowed hard and stared out the window, hiding her flushed cheeks.
    "So where do you live?" he asked.
    She gave him directions to her low-rent building in the east end.
    "I thought you said you have a car. Why are you taking a bus at night like this?"
    "I do have a car, but it conked out on me this evening. It’s a bit of a clunker, I’m afraid." She shrugged. "I’ve been out of work for a while, so I couldn’t buy a newer one." She knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t help it.
    "I guess you have to watch your pennies where you can. So, will you buy one now that you’ve got a job?"
    "I doubt it. I mean, the position is only temporary."
    "That’s true, but another position might open up before it ends. From what I’ve seen of your work, I’ll recommend you." He grinned at her. "And since I’m the boss that should carry a lot of weight."
    She smiled back. "Thank you. I think I’ll wait until I have a definite job offer before I go checking out used cars, though."
    "I can tell you’re a very practical woman, Vanessa."
    He pulled up in front of her building and, before she knew it, he’d leapt out of the car and opened her door for her. He walked