Harlequin Holiday Collection - Four Classic Seasonal Novellas

“He who?”
    “It had to be the art thief! The one you’re looking for. He was trying to pry loose one of the quartz stones. He took advantage of everyone’s preoccupation with the rising sun and… Oh, no!”
    At her low wail, alarm leaped into his blue eyes staring down at her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.” Clint twisted around and snarled at a uniformed officer. “Where the hell’s that medical team?”
    “I’m all right. Really.” She struggled to sit up, wincing a little with the effort. His arms came around her, and she leaned against his chest. “It’s just…I missed the sunrise,” she finished on another small cry.
    “There’ll be more sunrises.” His voice was rough with concern, his arms warm and reassuring. “If it doesn’t hurt too much, can you give us a description of the man who attacked you?”
    “I only caught a glimpse of him.” She searched her aching head for details. “I got the impression he was an older gentleman, but that might have been because of the cane. He was all bundled up in an overcoat, scarf and hat.”
    Something tugged at the back of her mind. Some detail she couldn’t quite pinpoint. But before she could pull it from the haze, the police constable had his radio to his mouth. “All units! Be on the lookout for a gentleman with a cane. He’s wearing an overcoat, muffler and hat. Hold him for questioning concerning an assault.”
    “And defacement of antiquities,” Sophie added in dismay, pointing to the small hole barely visible above the curbstone. The shadowed emptiness made a mockery of everything she held dear.
    “The stone had a design carved into it,” she mourned. “A triple spiral. It breaks my heart to think a five-thousand-year-old piece of history might end up in the private collection of a drug czar!”
    The thought didn’t do a whole lot for Clint, either, but his primary concern right now was Sophie. He should have his head examined for involving her in this op!
    He’d been so damned certain his target would be among the fifty people allowed inside the tomb. That’s what the tip had indicated. The thief would be inside the tomb. But he hadn’t been, dammit, and Sophie had paid the price.
    Clint was still kicking himself when the medical team arrived and edged him away. He didn’t draw a full breath until they confirmed her pupils were refracting normally and she showed no signs of an elevated pulse or blood pressure.
    “But it’s best to have a doctor look you over, Miss. We’ll take you to hospital.”
    Although Sophie insisted she could walk, they loaded her onto a gurney and wheeled her to the waiting ambulance. Clint went with her and was about to climb in when his contact in Ireland’s Arts and Antiquities Division stopped him.
    “We’re searching everyone on the site. Purses. Pockets. Coffee and hot chocolate thermoses. So far no cane and no Neolithic art.”
    “I have a feeling you’ll find the cane under a bush or tossed in the river,” Clint said grimly. “It’s served its purpose as both tool and weapon. Probably as a disguise, too.”
    “I suspect so, as well, but we’ll keep at it.”

    Two hours later, Sophie and Clint both breathed relieved sighs when the attending physician declared she could go home.
    “You’ve a fine lump on your head to be sure, but I see no reason to keep you, as long as you promise to take things easy until the pain eases.”
    “I will.”
    “You need to watch her closely for the next twenty-four hours,” he warned Clint. “If her headache worsens, her speech slurs or she gets dizzy or confused, bring her right back, do y’hear?”
    “I hear.”
    Sophie bit her lip, but waited until the doctor left to let Clint off the hook.
    “I certainly don’t expect you to stand watch over me for the next twenty-four hours.”
    “Doctor’s orders. Unless there’s someone else available,” he added casually. “Do you share a flat with anyone?”
    “I do, but she went home for the holidays. I’ll be at work this evening, though. My friends will watch out for me.”
    “Not a good idea. You’re supposed to take it easy, remember? You’d better call and let them know you won’t be coming in tonight.”
    “But…”
    “No buts.” Scooping a hand under her arm, he helped her off the exam table. “I was a damned idiot to involve you in this. The least I can do is make sure you don’t suffer any lasting consequences.”

Chapter Six
    Clint’s cell phone rang as he