Page 25 of Storm's Embrace

She’d given him a quick nod before turning her chair and focusing her attention to the paperwork on her desk, effectively shunning an invitation for further conversation. He’d reached out a hand, thinking to ease the tension in her shoulders, but knew that wouldn’t have been appropriate or probably even welcome. So he’d let it drop and rested his gaze on her ramrod straight back and shiny hair until LaDonna had entered the office to ask Miriam a question.

It was the last time they’d spoken about it.

He let his head fall back against his headrest and huffed out a deep breath as he stared at the ceiling. The ever-sinking feeling she couldn’t care less one way or another didn’t sit well with him, especially after the moment they’d almost shared the previous Friday. It had been four days since he’d beenthisclose to taking her in his arms and kissing her until neither one of them would have been able to breathe.

Who knows how things might have progressed if it hadn’t been for Deidre’s bombshell.

Of all the things he’d expected to happen at the fundraiser, Deidre announcing theirengagementin front of several donors hadn't been one of them. At first, he’d been rendered mute and had just stared incredulous at her beaming face as she’d shown off the ring he hadn’t paid much attention to her wearing. It had taken all his control to keep his cool and not blast her—something hisfiancéehad probably counted on—as she’d gushed over his romantic proposal and their plans for a spring wedding. He’d held his tongue and been noncommittal, unable to help how his mouth had set in a tense smile until he’d had the opportunity to politely excuse them both from her captive audience.

“If you wanted to be alone,” she’d purred from where she’d attached herself to his side as he’d stomped down the corridor with her and stuck his head in various overly-crowded rooms “all you had to do was ask. I know lots of places where we can have all the privacy we want.”

He’d shaken her off his arm and tugged her by the elbow into the only mostly-empty space he could find, with just a few of the event staff present finishing the arrangement of items being set for the auction. The room had been scheduled to open for patrons to come in and bid at any time, so he’d had to talk fast.

“What are you doing, Deidre?” he’d asked, dropping her elbow, his voice low and heated. “Are you crazy?”

She’d given him a smile and shrugged, and then crossed her arms, with the huge diamond ring resting on top catching the light. “What was I to do? People have been asking when we would be announcing something since we’ve been together so long. I couldn’t just tell them you weren’t interested in me anymore, now could I?”

He remembered wondering had she always been this conniving. If she had, he’d either missed it or ignored it. “Yes, you could have. And I’mnotmarrying you.” He’d grabbed her left hand and held it up in front of her face. “And where’d you get this?”

Deidre had given a little laugh and pulled her hand back. “Oh, it’s part of my grandmother’s collection. Stunning, isn’t it,” she’d said, holding it out in front of her. She’d then smiled at him again and moved beside him to wrap her arm around his as people had started filing in the room, saying low, “And of course you’re not marrying me. So, don’t worry, pet, I’ll break your heart in a couple of weeks and it’ll all be fine.” She’d given his cheek a kiss before her warm breath had blown across his ear as she’d whispered, “Just be sure not to tell anyone. And I meananyone. You wouldn’t want to hurt the fundraiser.”

He’d frowned and had been about to question what she could possibly mean by that when she’d pulled back enough to glare at him, her narrowed gaze meeting his before glancing around.

“Take a look at this crowd.”

He’d scanned the room and the number of patrons milling around—actually more than he’d anticipated—some eating and drinking while others assessed items and wrote bids on cards. All in all, the fundraiser to that point had been a success.

She’d kept her voice low and said, “Do you think any of them would be here if it wasn’t for me?”

He’d wondered what she was getting at until she’d turned toward him again and sidled up closer to his side. “And if you embarrass me by denying this engagement, I’ll make sure not one of these fine people follow through with any promised donations to this precious little project of yours.” She’d reached up and stroked her cold fingers over his working jaw. “So smile and go along with it.” She’d squeezed his arm. “Until I say it’s over.”

Eli had ridden out the rest of the evening the best he could, smiling and accepting congratulations from people who he had no doubt would follow whatever Deidre recommended, including canceling their donations. It wasn’t until the next morning he’d discovered she’d made sure it had gotten out on social media and local news outlets covering the event.

It had been a basic nightmare since.

Thanks a lot Deidre.

If he had to be grateful for one thing in this debacle, was that Deidre had been oddly silent and not contacted him since he’d dropped her at her house, which was fine by him. He had no desire to talk to her anyhow.

The only person he’d felt compelled to talk to had been Miriam, but he’d tamped down the temptation to call her Sunday. Because as much as he’d wanted to let her know his engagement was a fabrication of Deidre’s warped sense of personal justice and saving her pride, he’d figured she would have thought it strange if he’d called to reassure her.

Why would he? They weren’t in a relationship.

At least not yet.

His cellphone dinged and he checked the incoming message. It was a follow-up text from Clarice Stewart with the Department of Children’s Services regarding his earlier inquiry about Jesse Garrison. Clarice’s noncommittal reply was what he’d expected because of confidentiality requirements. He tightened his grip at her message stating she understood his concern, but her hands were tied regarding sharing any information with him. Her last sentence apologizing she couldn’t say more was of little comfort.

Eli set his phone down and prayed Brittany’s husband, now knowing eyes were on him , would make a difference. But deep down he had a feeling it wouldn’t.

“Hello there, beautiful.”

Eli’s head whipped toward his open door.

Tyler Simmons.

What was he doing in his office? The man had a bad habit of dropping by unannounced and chatting up Miriam. “Dammit.” He got up from his desk and rushed to his door.

“Mr. Simmons,” Miriam said, laughing as Eli stopped at his door and took in the scene of Miriam chuckling and shaking her head as she smiled up at Tyler who was sitting on the edge of her desk with his arms crossed. “You’re a mess.”

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