Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy Read Online Free PDF

Without another word, Robin pivoted on her heel with military precision and marched back into the hotel. She stalked to the elevators and hit the top floor button harder than she should have. Thankfully, she had no wait and the elevator shot up twenty stories with efficient speed, but the ride seemed interminable to her.
    The receptionist sitting behind a large half-moon desk saw her and smiled. “Good afternoon, Miss Bartlett,” she greeted.
    Robin nodded but did not speak. Instead, she stormed off the elevator and into the lobby of the office floor. She barely realized that her feet sank into the lush carpet nor did she pay any attention to the leather furniture and black granite tables.
    Her eyes caught the scrolling brass on the wall behind the desk that read: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8.
    She proceeded down the corridor and entered Tony’s outer office. His secretary sat poised with hands on her keyboard but looked up when Robin entered. “Hello, Robin,” Margaret said with a smile. “Mr. Viscolli will certainly be happy to see you.”
    “I doubt it,” she said through gritted teeth. “Is he available?”
    “He is in this morning, but he has someone in there. Let me call him out.” She stood and walked around her desk, stopping at the large double oak doors. With a quick tap, she opened the door a crack and stuck her head in, speaking in a low tone. As she finished speaking, she stepped back and the doors opened wider.
    Tony came out, looking like he had just stepped out of a shoot for the cover of a fashion magazine in his gray silk suit and dark green tie. He grinned and held his hands out to her. “ Cara , my love. What a wonderful surprise.”
    Robin held her hands up to ward him off. “Where did you take my car?”
    Tony stopped and raised his eyebrows, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Ah, so it’s like that is it?” His smile grew infuriatingly broad. “I seem to remember the first time you ever came to this office. You threw a fist full of money at my chest like throwing a stone. Are we to metaphorically commemorate that act? Is today an anniversary or something?”
    “Tony, where is my car?”
    He gestured toward some double doors on the other side of the room. “Let’s take this conversation into my conference room.”
    Robin stormed behind him and waited to speak until he had shut the door. “Answer me. Right now. Where is my car?”
    “You mean where is that rusty junk heap that refused to start and had to be towed away?”
    “Yeah, I mean my rusty junk heap that you had towed without my permission.”
    “I stand corrected. Your rusty, unreliable, and unsafe junk heap is at a mechanic’s shop. I had a feeling you wouldn’t approve of the new car, so I’m getting the old one fixed until I can charm you into accepting the gift of your new car.” He smiled an endearing smile that started to melt her anger.
    “Charm me?” She shook her head. “I don’t want cars from you, Tony.”
    “I know that, Robin. I also don’t care,” He held up a hand, palm facing her, at her gasp. “Understand that my wife, when she becomes my wife, will drive a safe and reliable car that will not break down on her. Ever. Because, you see, I will take my God ordained responsibilities to my wife very seriously. My wife will be protected and provided for in a way that glorifies our Creator’s design for husbands and wives. And as for giving you gifts, I cannot imagine a time when that will ever stop. You are the love of my life and I would give you the moon and stars.”
    Robin took a deep breath and released it. She rubbed her forehead. “Can we just wait to do things like buy me expensive new cars and such until after we’re married? We aren’t married yet, and I really, really don’t feel right about this.”
    Tony stepped forward and put his hands on her shoulders.