Authors: Dara Girard
He balled his hands into fists. He had to think, reason, rationalize. He pulled out Daniel’s card from his desk drawer. He shouldn’t have kept it, but this time he hadn’t been able to throw it away. He placed it on the desk and sat back, glancing up at the ceiling. The reflection of light on his watch created a dot of light.
He suddenly had a flashback to when he was young and his mother had been his world. He remembered she used to wear earrings the size of silver dollars that dangled against her neck. Once, she’d taken him on a walk and suddenly started laughing. He looked at her confused and asked her why she was laughing.
“Because I want to,” she said. “I don’t have to have a reason.” She bent down and met his eyes. “You must always have the courage to do what’s right for you.” She cupped his chin. “Promise me.”
“I promise,” he said, knowing he would have promised her anything.
She nodded satisfied and straightened. “Then you’ll always be happy. Some people won’t understand, but you’ll be too happy to care.”
Was that truth or her madness speaking? He wondered if she had been happy or delusional. Back then he’d never fully understood why she had left him behind. Career or not she could have written him a letter or sent him a postcard. One moment she had been there; the next she was gone. Leaving him with a father and uncle determined to make sure he had no traces of her in him. He had complied with their constant admonishments of his temper, wild ideas, and his ability to laugh easily. He didn’t want to be like her. He never wanted to hurt anyone as she had him.
Although he now knew her disappearance hadn’t been intentional the pain didn’t ease. If she’d been mad, why hadn’t he sensed anything? She was childlike at times, but she never scared him. But perhaps he was too young to know the difference. And at times when he was with her, he knew she wanted to be somewhere else. With Ruby he never felt that. She moved almost seamlessly into his life as though she’d always been there.
He loosened his fists. The past didn’t matter. Only the future. He should only think of the future.
Doran stopped in front of his door. “Well, well, well,” he drawled. He stepped inside and sat down. “Look who’s back.”
Hunter glanced up without interest. “Hello to you too.”
“So what are you going to do about it?”
“About what?”
“That fact your wife’s family is causing a mess.”
He furrowed his brows. “What are you talking about?’
“I guess the case wasn’t big enough to reach you. However it was big enough to reach the papers here. Grandfather was annoyed that they had made a connection with us. Fortunately, it was a distant one.”
Hunter stilled. “What are you talking about?”
Doran smiled pleased to deliver the bad news. “Seems your wife’s brother decided to bash an old man in the head because he stole from him.”
Hunter stared at his cousin suspicious of his smug tone. “This is a joke right?”
“We weren’t laughing.”
“Brenna would have called me if there was trouble.”
Doran’s mouth spread into a polite sneer. “Don’t worry. She’s found another shoulder to cry on.”
Hunter leaned back tapping a beat on the desk. “Go on.”
“Miles has been, shall we say, very solicitous? It’s always nice to see a friend so available to look after our interests. But I’m sure you know from previous experience. You know how comforting it is to have someone else look after your wife.” He shrugged. “But as they say, when the cat’s away the mice will play.” He stood flashing a cruel grin then left.
Hunter gently closed the door then sat behind his desk. If he were a jealous man, he’d be upset. Fortunately, he wasn’t a jealous man. He never got jealous. Even when he had returned from a trip and discovered that Angie was in love with Doran, or that Janice had decided to marry Michael he hadn’t been jealous. No, he wasn’t jealous now.
He wasn’t jealous that Brenna had gone to Miles instead of him. He didn’t care that everyone knew about it. He wasn’t jealous that she had shared her fears with another man. That she made him look foolish as she had once done before. No, he wasn’t jealous. He was mad...almost as though the madness his family whispered about had seeped through the cracks of his mind ready to claim him. Ready to turn his thoughts into chaos. Ready to program his brain so that all he could see was Brenna and Miles plotting and planning behind his back. Whispering and laughing and...
He shut his eyes against the image only making it clearer. He pressed his palm against his eyes. It was a betrayal of loyalty, not jealousy, that made his blood feel like acid shooting to his skull.
He took a deep breath and let his hands fall to the desk. He had to remember the messenger. Doran was no friend of his. It could be harmless. It could be nothing. But he knew it wasn’t. If Stephen was in trouble, Brenna should have called him. Him and nobody else. He took another deep breath gathering his control. No he wasn’t jealous and now he was no longer angry. He was a practical man. He’d let Brenna explain herself.
***
Exhaustion sat like a heavy blanket on her shoulders by the time Brenna reached home. Fortunately, she’d convinced her dating consultant Margaret to help in the office, but it didn’t lessen the load. Her heart lifted at the sight of Hunter’s car in the driveway and a bit of her exhaustion fell away as she walked to his study. She was surprised not to find him behind his desk. Instead he sat in the corner his body encased in darkness while the lamplight shone on the thick book resting on his lap.
She walked towards him, her voice filled with warmth and greeting. “You’re home.”
“Yes.” He snapped the book closed and set it aside. “Disappointed?”
She hesitated confused by the statement. “Should I be?”
“I’m not sure. Would you like to take a seat?”
“No.”
“I want to talk to you so I thought you’d like to be comfortable.”
“I am comfortable.”
“Good.” He stood. “Why didn’t you tell me about Stephen?”
Brenna sat down heavily and stared up at him. “I didn’t want to concern you.”
“Why not? It’s my duty to be concerned. I’m your husband.”
“I know. You don’t need to tell me.” She glanced at her hand. “This ring is a suitable reminder.”
“Shame that you would need a reminder.”
A shiver of guilt coursed through her. “What does that mean?”
Hunter clasped his hands behind him and began to pace. “I realize that this was the first time we’ve been apart and I recognize the possibility that my absence may be misinterpreted as negligence.” He stopped in front of her, his eyes measuring her as though taking inventory. “But I can assure you that every day...” He stopped and cleared his throat. “That your well being was of utmost importance to me.”
Brenna stared at him confused then suddenly smiled relieved. “Oh, I get it.” She stood. “You wanted a more enthusiastic welcome home.”
She meant to kiss him on the cheek, but he turned his face so her kiss fell on his lips. His lips were softer than she remembered. Had it been that long? So long that she’d forgotten how delicious he tasted. How his slow, drugging kisses could make her forget everything. How unhappy she was. How nearly every day she questioned her decision to marry him. How in his arms she didn’t care that he remained elusive and that her feelings for him were so unsure.
Hunter brought her body close, knowing she could never be close enough. He inhaled her sweet scent as he kissed her face, her shoulders, her throat, wanting to remind her that she belonged to him just in case she forgot. Instead he learned how much he belonged to her as her husband. That acknowledgment felt like fire racing through his veins melting any icicles of fear that she would leave him. This was right, she knew it was right.
Brenna stepped back breathless, holding onto his shoulders to steady herself. “Well, it’s nice to have you home.”
A dimple winked. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Did you kiss me to make sure I didn’t have the taste of any lovers on my lips?”
His gaze darkened at her accuracy. “Would I have to worry?”
“No. No current lovers.” An ex-lover perhaps, but she’d leave that for later.
He kissed her again, surprised by how much he enjoyed it. Did other men enjoy coming home to their wives this much? He lifted her chin. “You look tired.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“I don’t want you doing any more commercials.”
“But—”
“This isn’t a discussion.”
Brenna made a face. “If you’re going to be autocratic, perhaps I should send you away again.”
Hunter smiled. “No, I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. How is Stephen?”
“Out on bail. He’s got an attorney.”
“Good. What’s his name?”
She tugged on her earring. “It’s going to be a tough case to defend.”
“I’m sure. What’s his name?”
“Mom’s really worried, naturally. We’re doing our best to keep it together. We’ve never gone through anything like this before.”
Hunter’s tone grew sharp. “What’s his name?”
“Byron Suncliff,” she said in a rush. “Mother hired him. I probably would have strangled him if Miles hadn’t convinced me otherwise.”
“Miles? Did he come by while I was away?”
“A few times. He’s wonderful, I couldn’t have...” She trailed off as his expression grew more impassive. “Anyway I’m meeting with him tomorrow for lunch.”
“I see,” he said quietly. Too quiet for her to read his tone.
“He’s been so kind attending my speeches and encouraging me. He’s a good man.”
Hunter drew away and stood by the window. He pulled back the drapery and stared out at the evening sky. “I’m glad.”
Brenna bit her lip, watching him. Something was wrong. She wished she could figure out what. “Hunter?”
He heard the sound of worry in her voice and turned. He’d heard that note of worry in Angie’s voice too. He had to remember not to scare her. He smiled, trying to allay her fears. “Everything’s fine, Brenna.” He rubbed his knuckles. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Do you trust me more than anyone else?”
She felt he was asking her another question if only she knew what. “Yes.”
“Good.” He nodded then said almost absently, “So you’re having lunch with Miles tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.” He headed for the door. “I hope you enjoy yourself.”
For some reason she didn’t believe him.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Miles had no warning. One moment he was in his seat. The next he was up in the air hanging by his collar.
Dark brown eyes pierced his own. “What do you think you’re doing?” Hunter asked.
He gasped. “Release me and I’ll tell you.”
Hunter considered the request then dropped him.
Miles fell to the ground. He held up his hands in surrender. “I don’t want to fight.”
“Shame,” Hunter said softly. “because I do.”
Miles scrambled to his feet. “Is this about Brenna?”
“No, this is about secrets. This is about lunch dates you’ve had with my wife.”
“They weren’t a secret.”
His tone hardened. “They were a secret to me.” He leaned against the desk. “Why didn’t you encourage her to call me?”
“Why didn’t you call her?”
“I didn’t know anything was wrong,” he said annoyed. “She was supposed to call me.”
“How was she to know that?”
“Because I’m her husband.”
Miles straightened his collar. “Perhaps if you say it enough you’ll start acting like one.” He folded his arms. “Why are you here anyway?”
“I wanted to get a few things clear.”
“Or maybe you’re jealous?”
Hunter sat on the desk and toyed with a ruler, his tone laced with steel. “You know I don’t like people who play games with me.”
“I didn’t realize losing your wife was considered a game.”
Hunter tapped the ruler against his knee. “That was a very bad move.”
A smile tugged on Mile’s mouth. “I think it was very clever actually. You need to be aware of what you might lose. I’ve done you a great service by standing in the way of a more worthy opponent.”
“Byron.”
Miles raised a brow surprised. “So she told you. That’s a good sign.”
He put the ruler down and swore with feeling. “I know.”
“Still ready to snap my head off or can I come off the defensive?”
Hunter began to pace, irritated that Doran’s words had gotten to him. He had always prided himself on acting reasonable. “I apologize.”
Miles studied his friend then rested a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Byron’s a problem.”
“You mean a threat?”
“Could be.”
“Did she say anything?”
“No, it’s more the situation than the people involved that pose the trouble.”
He scowled. “The situation? What is this? A play?”
Miles snapped his fingers. “That’s an excellent way to see it.” He held up his hands. “Now try to follow me. You’re the husband away in battle leaving the wife home alone in the castle. Her brother is charged with treason. She doesn’t know what to do then a knight comes to her rescue. A knight she’s loved before. Now it’s up to you how the story will end.”
“What if the husband returns home and kills the knight?”
Miles tried not to laugh, knowing his friend was serious. “Try for a less blood thirsty ending.”
Hunter rubbed his hands together. “Don’t worry. I’ll think of something.”
***
Brenna scanned the contents of a new file, still confused by her lunch with Miles. He must have read a book on medieval life because he kept referring to castles and knights. She’d smiled with interest although none of it made sense to her. She would give him a book on the time period for his birthday.
“You have a visitor,” Margaret said.
“Send them in,” Brenna said absently. She glanced up when the door opened. Her eyes widened. “Dad!”
Crampton shuffled into the office. “Hello, Brenna.”
She came from behind the desk, smiling. “Come in. Sit down. It’s so nice to see you.”
He hung his cane on the back of the chair then sat. He stared up at her.
“So?” she asked.
He glanced around. “Nice office.”
“Thank you.” She sat behind her desk and waited.