Page 42 of Rekindling Desire

A lump formed in my throat.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Mom’s voice regained her usual strength. “We trust him too. In many ways, Damien has reminded me of your father. They’re complicated men, or that’s what they want the world to believe. Men like that need strong women. That’s you, Ella. Stay strong.”

“Thanks, Mom. Things are very busy right now—a million fires. I’ll let you know about a ceremony and when we can get out to Tucson.”

“You’re always welcome. I’ll tell your dad.” She paused. “Is Derek going to be okay?”

“We hope so. I’ll call back soon. Love you.”

“Love you.”

Apparently, the cat was out of the bag.

My next text was to Niles. In the last few years, he’d filled the spot of my best friend. If this marriage wasn’t going to be a secret, I wanted him to hear it from me.

“Hey, back in Indy. Missing you from this new office. Do you have a minute to talk?”

As I waited for his response, I called Millie Barns’s office number. Her secretary put me right through.

“Ella, I was hoping to hear from you before now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t have my phone with all the meetings today.”

“It’s nearly five on Monday. You met with the pharma coalition over the weekend,” she said. “After hearing from Dwain Welsh, I expected you to call first thing after getting back to town.”

Well, there’s been a lot happening. Instead of saying that, I sat forward, putting my elbows on the desk. “When and what did you hear from Dwain Welsh?”

“He contacted me on Sunday. As you know, Moon Medical has been a Beta Kappa Phi donor for years. He wanted reassurance that even with this new campaign we would continue in that relationship. It seems he is concerned about the coalition—about our representative working from Sinclair Corporate. I have a call out to Mr. Sinclair. He also hasn’t returned my call. I’m beginning to think we may have been premature about your move.”

I shook my head. “This was discussed in Wisconsin. The members of the coalition want their information in a secure environment. That is what Damien supplied here at Sinclair Corporate.”

“It seems that Mr. Welsh is particularly concerned with Mr. Sinclair’s access to the information. He mentioned that Mr. Sinclair may be exiting the CEO position.”

The hell?

The small hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention—little soldiers ready to do battle for my husband. “He’s not.”

“Mr. Welsh spoke of a temporary replacement—Mr. Darius Sinclair.”

Temporary?

“No,” I said more adamantly. “Millie, I know what’s going on. Darius is not taking Damien’s position temporarily or permanently. And honestly, while I might not be the right person to spearhead this campaign in the eyes of the coalition, that doesn’t mean the campaign should be dead on arrival.”

“I’m concerned that we jumped the gun on this. If there’s already discontentment amongst the coalition members, Damien Sinclair is guilty of breach of contract. He promised us the coalition, yet he hasn’t delivered.”

Two weeks ago, I would have easily dismissed this attack on Damien. Now, I was in full attack mode. “Damien has delivered. We met with the CEOs of the coalition. Julia Sherman is the chairwoman. We have her full support. Let me talk to Damien. He is many things, but he wouldn’t purposely mislead us. In the little time I’ve put into the campaign, I can see the possibilities for Beta Kappa Phi and for the pharma coalition. If the coalition doesn’t want me, I suggest Niles.”

“Mr. Walsh didn’t say you were the problem. It’s your proximity to Sinclair Pharmaceuticals.” She paused. “Why would the coalition doubt your ability?”

I inhaled. “It isn’t my ability. It’s my relationship with Damien.”

“You two have a working history. He was your boss.”

For an intelligent, competent woman, Millie was clueless.

Clearing my throat, I spoke, “As of this last weekend, he’s my husband.”

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