Page 24 of Storm's Embrace

“Heard what?”

“Eli and Deidre Bennett are engaged.”

“What?” She grabbed one of her kitchen chairs and slowly eased into it as an ache set up in her chest. “How do you know?”

“It’s all over social media. It happened at some kind of fundraiser last night.”

“Oh.” Miriam wasn’t sure how to feel. Deep down she’d known this had to be coming. And if Deidre was who Eli wanted, she would have to be happy for him—no matter if it killed her or not. “And you’re sure?”

Miriam’s phone dinged.

“I just sent you a link to one of the articles.”

“Hold on.” Miriam put her phone on speaker and reluctantly opened text, then let her finger hover over the link taking her to the Love a Shelter Pet Foundation page before opening it. And there they were in a picture from the fundraiser—Eli decked out in a tux and Ms. Bennett in a rich purple dress with gold trim. They made a striking couple. The photo had been captioned,The Future Dr. and Mrs. Eli Storm.

“Are you reading it?” Leah asked with a touch of concern coloring her voice.

“No. The picture’s enough.” More than enough.

“What’re you gonna do?”

“Do?” Whatwasshe going to do? She thought back to the previous week and how she’d felt knowing Eli and Deidre had been intimate with each other in his office. How would she handle that on a regular basis when her own feeling were now well and truly involved? She didn’t know if she’d be able to.

“I need to let this sink in.” She cleared her throat and swiped at the unexpected moisture gathering on her lashes. “Um, thanks for giving me the heads up, but I need to get Zoë cleaned up and in the bed.”

“Are you going to be okay?”

She let herself give a slight laugh that even to her own ears sounded hollow. “Sure. It’s not like he’s ever acted like I was more than the office help.”

“Miriam—”

“Oh, gotta go. Zoë’s calling for me.” She wasn’t, but Miriam needed to have some time to get her thoughts together. “Love you, bye,” she said in a rush as she hit the end button, cutting off whatever Leah was surely about to say.

She sat staring at the clock above her kitchen sink for a long time as the seconds tick by and a few tears slipped down her cheek.

“I have some decisions to make.”

6

She’s avoidingme

Eli pushed aside the paper bag with a sandwich and chips Miriam had picked up for him at a local deli and scowled after her as she went through his open office door. She hadn’t thrown his lunch at him, but she might as well have from how quickly she had tossed it on his desk and hurried away.

He leaned back into his chair and swiveled around toward the window behind him and scanned the few cars in the parking lot, managing a smile when his gaze lighted on the sticker affixed to Miriam’s back bumper with a big red heart and the words “I” and “My Daughter” on either side. His thoughts lingered on the loving relationship between Miriam and Zoë for a few moments before the reality of his situation hit him full force again.

How was he going to get through the rest of this week and probably the next? Because it would be at least that long before the threat Deidre had hanging over his head wouldn’t be a problem anymore. Until that time, his hands were basically tied. Sure, letting Miriam in on the truth wouldn’t go any further—Eli trusted her that much—but hisfiancéehad wrung a commitment from him to stay silent and he was bound to stick to it.

His level of frustration rose again, matching that of his continued anger over the events of the previous Saturday night as he swiveled back toward his desk. He’d actually held out a sliver of hope Miriam hadn’t heard the news of his impendingnuptials.That hope had been effectively smashed against the nearest rock as soon as he’d walked in the office the previous morning.

“Congratulations,” Miriam had said, giving him a polite smile, although her eyes held a touch of sadness. “I hope you and Ms. Bennett will be very happy.”

His heart had twisted as he’d held her gaze and watched as her smile faltered. “Thank you. I...”

She’d tilted her head and frowned up at him when he’d left his words hanging. He’d wanted—noneeded—for her to know the truth. He’d clenched his hands at his side to keep from grabbing her up in that moment and dragging her into his office. She was the only one who had mattered in that moment, far above anyone else from the avalanche of phone calls, text messages, and emails from his curious friends, family, and colleagues.

Only Miriam.

And though his greatest wish had been to take her in his arms and banish her look of what he could only describe as hurt, all he had ended up saying was, “I appreciate your well wishes.”

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