Page 26 of Storm's Embrace

“Are you ever going to call me Tyler?” The younger man gave her an up and down appreciative look Eli couldn’t abide by, and then leaned over and ran a hand over Miriam’s arm. “When you come to work for me, I’ll insist on it.”

A blush spread over her face. “I—“

“Tyler. Quit flirting with my wo…rkers.”

Miriam frowned over at Eli. He would be forever grateful he hadn’t said what he’d almost blurted out.

My woman.

Eli fisted his hands on his hips and skewered Tyler’s smirking gaze. “And she’s not coming to work for you.” Eli glanced at Miriam who had turned away from them and was taking a sip from her drink before he pinned the other man with a narrow-eyed stare. “What are you doing here?”

“I was hoping to catch you for a few minutes.” Tyler grinned and straightened away from Miriam’s desk before walking toward Eli with his hand stuck out. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you Saturday night and wanted to offer my congratulations in person.”

Eli reluctantly took Tyler’s hand in a quick handshake.

“So when’s the big day?” Tyler asked.

Eli cut his eyes over at Miriam who had turned her focus on them. If her expression fell anymore he’d have to pick it up off the floor. “We haven’t set one,” he answered, pulling his attention back to the other man before dropping his hand and stepping away.

“Excuse me.” Miriam got up from her desk and left the office. He’d seen a lot of Miriam’s backside lately. And while he normally enjoyed the view, his suspicions as to why she was always walking away from him had him about ready to explode.

“So, I guess Miriam’s up for grabs now.”

Eli’s eyes narrowed as he rounded on the other man. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Tyler nodded toward the door Miriam had just gone through. “Miriam.” He let out a low chuckle. “I honestly thought there was something going on between the two of you, so I didn’t pursue her. But I guess I was wrong.” Tyler’s brow rose. “Iwaswrong, wasn’t I?”

“Did you need anything else?” Eli asked through clenched teeth and held onto the urge to deck him. “I need to finish my lunch before I get to my next patient.”

“No. Nothing else.” Tyler raised one brow. “You know what? For a man about to get married, you sure look miserable.” He laughed. “I’m just glad it’s not me.”

“Bye, Tyler,” Eli said, walking away from the other man to his office, and then turned back to him. “And don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.” He shut his door on Tyler’s surprised face before walking over and collapsing on his couch, muttering, “Tyler Simmons.”

He did not need the other man sniffing around Miriam. Unfortunately, he had no doubt the known womanizer would be stopping by now more than ever. But at least Miriam was on vacation next week, and then hopefully by the time she got back he would be out from under Deidre’s thumb and he could tell Tyler to take a flying leap.

He grinned at that, and then checked his watch. It was past 1:00, so his lunch break was over. He glanced over at his desk and the paper sack full of his forgotten food and grimaced. He wasn’t that hungry, and it was too late now to worry about eating anyhow. So, he stood and grabbed his white coat from the arm of the couch and put it on. It was time to get his mind on his next patient. Tara Jacobs had stitches that needed to come out and would deserve all his focus.

He left his office and didn’t stop to say anything to Miriam who had returned to her desk. Besides, whatcouldhe say?

Nothing. That’s what.

He went down the hall toward exam room two, then knocked on the door before opening it. “Ready to get those stitches out?” he asked, smiling at Tara and her father.

“I sure am,” the teen said grinning and holding up her hand, showing him the two-inch row of stitches he’d put in three weeks before following a basketball practice incident.

He allowed himself one quick glance down the hallway where Miriam stood by the printer. If nothing else, after everything that had gone on with Deidre, it had been driven home more than ever Miriam truly was the woman he wanted.

He just had to find a way to claim her.

“All right,” he said, going further into the room and shutting the door behind him. “Let’s see how this looks.”

7

“Let’s go.”

Miriam glanced up from pulling her purse out of her bottom desk drawer and grinned at Leah. “Where’s Mom?”

“I’m here,” Jean Kirksey said, moving up beside Leah and linking an arm through hers. Miriam couldn’t help but smile at the two women. They were like two peas in a pod—their fair looks, build, and facial features making it undeniable the two were mother and daughter—while Miriam took after her father’s side of the family, namely her grandmother. “You ready?”

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