Wildest Hearts by Jayne Ann Krentz Page B

first time she had laughed since her brother had disappeared. “Not a chance.”
     
    “What makes you so certain of that?” Joanna challenged.
     
    “He's just not the type.” Annie made an effort to control her giggles. “Oliver reminds me of a medieval monk.”
     
    “Amonk .”
     
    “You know, one of those very controlled, very stern types who wouldn't dream of being swayed by ordinary juicy passions like lust and vengeance and greed.” Annie had the leopard out of the box at last. She set it down on the floor and carefully stripped away the bubble wrap.
     
    “From all accounts, Oliver Rain is no saint.” Joanna warned.
     
    “For the last time, stop worrying. Good heavens, look at him, Joanna. Isn't he beautiful?” Annie examined the large cloisonné leopard in delight.
     
    The statue stood nearly as high as her waist. The exotic, intricate cloisonné design was worked in gold and green and turquoise over black. The spectacular beast had brilliant green eyes and sported a jeweled collar.
     
    “Annie, please, listen to me.”
     
    “He's wonderful,” Annie declared. “You know something, I can just see him in Oliver's study. Maybe I'll give it to him as a wedding gift.”
     
    “Maybe I'll accept,” Oliver said quietly from the doorway.
     
    Joanna gasped in dismay.
     
    “Oliver.” Annie looked up quickly and saw her future husband looming behind Joanna.
     
    He was dressed in a dark suit and a pale gray shirt with a gray tie. His heavy mane of midnight hair was tied back with a black ribbon. There was a trace of humor in his gray eyes. Annie had the uncomfortable feeling that he might have overheard her remark about his resemblance to a medieval monk. Blushing furiously, she hurried to fill the small, awkward silence.
     
    “I didn't hear you come in, Oliver,” she said quickly. “You remember my brother's fiancée, don't you? You met her at the engagement party.”
     
    “Of course.” Oliver inclined his head. “I was extremely sorry to hear of Daniel's disappearance.”
     
    “He'll be back,” Joanna said stiffly.
     
    “I hope so, Ms. McKenna.” Oliver gazed at her in an assessing manner. “Are you coming with us to the courthouse?”
     
    “Only if I can't talk Annie out of this marriage.”
     
    The corner of Oliver's mouth curved slightly. He glanced at Annie. “Somehow I feel that might be rather difficult to do. I have the impression that Annie has made up her mind.”
     
    “I certainly have. And we'd better get going or we'll all be late.” Annie picked up the cloisonné leopard in both arms and thrust it impulsively toward Oliver. “Here. He's yours if you really want him.”
     
    “Thank you.” Oliver examined the beast as he cradled him. “I'm sure I'll find a place for him.” He tucked the leopard under one arm and nodded to indicate that Annie and Joanna should precede him through the door.
     
    Annie went into the front of the shop, pausing briefly to introduce Oliver to Ella and the two unabashedly curious designers. Then she led the way through her little shop crowded with the unusual, the outrageous, and the bizarre.
     
    Walking through Wildest Dreams was akin to strolling through the attic of an eccentric collector.
     
    Annie loved every piece in the crowded room. Each had been painstakingly selected or commissioned by her. Each was handmade, each chosen for its own indefinable appeal. In one corner was an etched-glass tabletop suspended on the wings of three large brass griffins. A collection of intricately designed lacquer boxes and trunks was stacked in another corner.
     
    The gilded carousel with its assortment of mythological animals that she had tried to sell to Oliver glittered on a nearby shelf. Next to it was the cloisonné elephant. A huge fan decorated in an abstract design hung on the wall. Not far away was a magnificent folding screen with a surrealistic jungle scene painted on its three panels.
     
    Annie glanced back once when she reached