by Tara Randel
Jonathan took Hannah’s coat then handed it off to Michelle, who frowned at the exchange. He took Hannah’s hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow. “A tour, sweetheart?”
“I can’t wait.”
Lynny waved them off.
Just as Hannah had expected, Layla’s watercolors were magical. There were eight canvases in all, professionally matted and framed. Each was strategically placed, allowing plenty of room for admirers to gather and critique the piece. Three small works were grouped together to create a focal point. Subdued lighting dimmed the gallery, except for bright spotlights positioned to illuminate each canvas. The colors reached out and grabbed Hannah as she scrutinized them, touching a place in her soul she only felt when surrounded by undeniable talent.
“Where is our gifted artist?” Hannah asked after they’d stopped by two of the pieces.
“Hiding in the back, I’m afraid. She’s nervous.” He pulled up the cuff of his jacket to view his Rolex. “I’m going to introduce her in a few minutes. If you don’t mind, I should give Layla a pep talk.”
“Of course. Go on. I’m going to keep admiring her work.”
He brushed his lips over her cheek in a distracted motion, hurrying off in a trail of his expensive cologne. She waited until he’d disappeared into the crowd before moving on to the next piece. Hannah studied the breathtaking snippets of the mountain town Layla had captured with her keen eye. The colors were bright, the brushstrokes whimsical and the lighting airy. The theme seemed to be friendship, whether the artist captured two friends in a scene or an entire group of people, there was no disguising the joy of being surrounded by others.
Hannah swallowed hard, taken aback by the canvases. Was it because she understood the importance of belonging when she hadn’t for so many years? Being in WITSEC had isolated her, first out of fear, then later out of practicality. As her family moved from one place to another, it hurt too much to make friends and then leave them. And when her father left? That had been the cruelest blow of all. Loneliness had been a constant companion until she and her mother came to Nevada and put down roots. Things had turned around then.
She reached the end of the circuit, studying the grouping. As she moved closer to get a better look at one piece in particular, she noticed a couple on bicycles racing off from the group of friends. A memory flashed in her mind, reminding her of the times she and Derrick would leave their friends to ride their bikes to the beach. Truth be told, they’d had more fun when it was just the two of them, heading off on one adventure or another.
A nostalgic smile curved her lips. They’d had the best times. But that was so long ago, before events had thrown them a curveball.
“There you are,” Lynny said as she came up beside Hannah.
Blinking back the memories and the sting in her eyes, Hannah managed a smile.
“Look who I found,” her friend said, stepping aside as another person joined them.
Hannah’s heart froze as Derrick approached, dressed in a charcoal suit and wild-patterned tie, his distinctive blue eyes alight with his lips curved in a secret smile. Her breath caught in her throat and she shivered all the way down to her toes. How unfair that he was the most handsome man in the room.
Even more handsome than Jonathan? an inner voice taunted.
Yes.
Oh boy, she was in trouble.
* * *
DERRICK HAD STOPPED SHORT when he’d first spotted Hannah in the gallery. In this lighting, she was beautiful. Better than any daydream he’d had in the years he’d searched for her. He still couldn’t believe he’d found her, but the obstacles to their relationship, whatever they turned out to be, were far from resolved. He needed to remember that.
As Lynny wandered off, he slowed as he reached her. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” she said as she smoothed her dress, an uncertain frown marring her forehead.
“Please tell me you haven’t gotten more than one compliment tonight.”
A pretty blush covered her cheeks. “You’re the first.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
She held out her hands palms up, as if to say, It’s the truth.
“Then I’m glad I told you.”
Her smile dimmed. “Derrick, what are you doing here?”
He tried not to let her reaction bother him. He had hoped this would be a pleasant surprise.
“Jonathan invited me the other day when he left the school.”
“Oh. He didn’t tell me.”
Trouble in paradise? No way was he getting that lucky.
“I guess he forgot since he’s been busy getting tonight’s exhibit together.” He gestured to the paintings. “The artist is quite talented.”
“She is.” Hannah glanced over her shoulder. “Um, have you seen Jonathan?”
“He’s been talking to potential clients.”
She nodded, biting her lower lip.
“So,” he asked, “are you familiar with the artist?”
“Yes. I actually met her first.”
Now it was his turn to be surprised. “You discovered her?”
“In a way. I met Layla in a coffee shop where she works and after chatting a while, she mentioned her artwork. When she pulled out her phone and showed me a few pictures, I knew people needed to see her watercolors.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Because in your job you see wonderful works of art all the time?”
He heard the frustration there and understood. The art world had been her dream. “Not always. Most of the time I’m investigating, not taking in gallery shows.”
She tilted her head. “But you do frequent galleries, right?”
“Again, in an investigative capacity.”
“Have you worked on any cases I might have heard of?”
He mentioned the case of a priceless painting going missing from a museum in New York City.
“Wow,” she gasped. “I remember following that story on the news. Did you ever find it?”
“About a year later. The thief got tired of waiting for his payday and we staged a sting when he tried to sell it.”
Her eyes went dreamy. “You must find your job so interesting.”
“I do, but most of the time it’s a job. Long hours asking questions, following leads and doing paperwork. Hardly as glamorous as you’d imagine.”
“Still, I’d—”
“Sweetheart, there you are.” Prescott swooped in and handed her a glass of wine before circling his arm around Hannah’s waist. It was all Derrick could do not to snap the stem of the glass he was holding.
“Fields. You made it.” Prescott held out his hand and Derrick shook.
“Thanks for the invite.” Derrick nodded at the group assembled. “Good turnout for a Wednesday night.”
“Better than we’d hoped.” Prescott grinned. “I have quite a knack for finding talent.”
Derrick’s gaze moved to Hannah’s but she quickly glanced away. Yeah, her boyfriend not mentioning her part in the discovery had to hurt.
“Congratulations.”
Prescott smiled, then turned his attention to Hannah. “Have you told Lynny our plans?”
“A bit,” Hannah replied, her face turning red again.
“Wedding plans?” Derrick asked, because really, why else would Prescott mention it except to rub his nose in it.
“Yes. We’re thinking of exchanging vows here at the gallery.”
Derrick’s eyebrows rose. “Here? I’m surprised.”
The gallery owner looked annoyed. “Why is that?”
“I remember Hannah wanted an outdoor wedding.”
Prescott jerked his gaze to Hannah. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
She shrugged. “I love the gallery.”
Hmm, Derrick thought. A lot unsaid t
here.
“You discussed wedding plans with your friend?”
“It was a long time ago,” she explained, sending Derrick a keep quiet look. “Just high school friends talking.”
Prescott looked dubious. “You must have been very good friends.”
Hannah continued to appear uncomfortable at the direction of the conversation. Derrick decided to cut her some slack. “Yeah, we were at the time. But now it looks like she’s found happiness.”
Prescott sent him a pointed message. “Indeed. And I intend to keep it that way for many years to come.”
“Yes, you do,” she said, patting her fiancé’s chest. Derrick wanted to reach for her hand, but instead kept his muscles in check so he wouldn’t do anything foolish.
A striking woman approached and spoke quietly into Prescott’s ear. He nodded and removed his arm from Hannah. “If you’ll both excuse me, a potential buyer needs my attention.”
Hannah waved her hand. “Go.”
“Yeah,” Derrick added. “I’m sure we can keep each other company.”
Prescott scowled and an annoyed light flashed in the other woman’s eyes. Interesting.
A few moments of awkwardness passed before Derrick said, “Since you know the artist, why not give me a tour of her work.”
“Sure.” Hannah held out her arm and led him to the nearest canvas. Her vanilla scent ignited his senses. He wanted more than anything to draw her close, to rediscover the romance that had once mesmerized them like magic. “Her technique with lighting is quite moving.”
Derrick agreed, appreciating Hannah’s insight. There was a boldness in the strokes and paint colors that captured his attention. “She’s taken command of the scene she created.”
“Which is surprising in a way. She’s quiet, reserved even and very modest, but she obviously lets her big personality loose when she’s painting.”
It was agony not to take Hannah’s hand as they continued to discuss the other pieces before ending up on the far side of the gallery, away from the crowd. Folks lingered around the refreshment table after having viewed the work, and chatted, leaving Hannah and him relatively alone.
“Derrick, how long is this going to go on?”
He knew what she meant. Why was he hanging around when she’d clearly moved on? She was getting married soon. At least, that was the plan.
“I told you, Hannah—”
Her eyes went wide.
“Anna,” he amended. “I need answers about who sent the gemstone and why.”
“And you can’t do that in DC?”
“Not when whoever delivered it brought me here. There must be a reason.”
He saw that she wanted to argue, but what could she say?
“Aren’t you the least bit curious as to what’s going on?” he asked. “Why send me this information now?”
She tucked a stray curl that lingered on her cheek back into her hairdo. He wanted to reach over and touch her hair, let his fingers linger on her soft skin as he brushed the curl away, but knew Hannah wouldn’t appreciate the gesture. Not here, in her boyfriend’s gallery.
“I’ll admit, the timing is odd. I mean, I’ve been gone for ages. Why would someone think you’d want to find me now?”
“Are you kidding?”
She tilted her head. “You weren’t serious when you said you never stopped looking for me, were you?”
He moved closer, his gaze locked on hers. “Dead serious. But my dedication only led to one disappointment after another.”
“I just...there was no one else in your life?”
He wasn’t about to admit there’d been a time when he’d almost moved on. “You’re hard to forget.” He turned to look across the room at Prescott holding court. “But I guess you had it easy getting over me.”
“That’s not fair. I honestly never thought we’d cross paths again.” Her fingers trembled when she set her glass on a nearby table. “And that was fine, since I was angry with you. But as time passed, I realized there was no way you could find me with a new name. How on earth would you have access to WITSEC? You couldn’t.”
“So you never imagined me sweeping in to save the day?”
“If I did, it was wishful wishing.”
“I never stopped missing you. Wanting you. Hoping things had turned out differently.” He fisted his hand in frustration. “I thought you stayed away because you didn’t want to see me.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. It looked as if she was debating her words. “Yes, we made promises. Had our entire future before us.” Her eyes turned glassy in the bright light. “But the longer we were apart, the more apparent it became that we were over. My family took precedence, Derrick. Decisions were made that moved you and me farther and farther from each other. This is my reality now.”
He couldn’t deny that truth. “So Prescott is the guy for you?”
She nodded. “He’s been there. Ever since we met and later when Mom got sick. He’s a good man.”
“You love him?”
“You’ve met him. How could I not?”
“That’s not an answer.”
She pressed her lips together. He remembered that stubborn expression.
“Derrick, it’s been too long. We can’t be in each other’s lives now,” she continued. “We must accept that.”
“Have you ever known me to give up on something?”
“I’m not a something.”
“You’re the love I never stopped looking for.”
Teardrops sparkled on her lashes. “This isn’t fair.”
“Sometimes we get a raw deal. It’s how we handle the tough circumstances that makes all the difference. That leads to a positive outcome.”
“Which is finding out who sent the gemstone and why?”
“For starters.”
“Then I guess that means you’re here for the foreseeable future?”
He shot her his cockiest grin. “You always were smart.”
CHAPTER SIX
AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT replaying her conversation with Derrick at the gallery, Hannah woke up groggy and out of sorts. The day didn’t get any better. It was like her students sensed her weakness and played off it. By four o’clock she didn’t think Thursday would ever end. And to make matters worse, tonight was the winter session parent-teacher night.
Tidying a pile of papers on her desk, she blew out a sigh.
Derrick wasn’t going away any time soon. He’d told her that he was going to keep investigating the circumstances surrounding the gemstone. It made sense. Probing for answers was his job. His nature. But for Hannah, a myriad of questions hounded her the more she thought about it. How did he expect to find out where the stone came from? Did he have leads he hadn’t told her about? Could his digging into the past create danger in the present? And the big question, was he going to keep her informed of his progress? Or go behind her back to handle the situation like he had before?
Here lies the rub. On the one hand, she wanted him to keep his distance. She was engaged to Jonathan. But on the other, she was as curious as he was to find out why someone had sent the gemstone now, after years of hiding it. What made the timing so special?
This entire scenario would make a great suspense movie if she wasn’t actually living it. At that thought, a shiver racked her body. She grabbed the bulky sweater from the back of her chair to throw on over her denim shirtdress. Thankfully her feet were warm inside her knee-high boots. As she told her mother regularly, winter was not for the feeble of heart, especially with the vast amount of snow that had blanketed the area this winter.
Her cell phone dinged. Pushing aside her wayward thoughts, she checked the incoming text. Jonathan, making sure she’d be at the official exhibit tomorrow night.
Hannah stared at the screen, uncertain. She wanted to support Layla, but before sh
e’d left the gallery last night, she’d gotten the feeling that Jonathan wasn’t happy with her. She didn’t get a chance to ask why, but she sensed it had to do with Derrick. She hadn’t invited him to the opening, Jonathan had, so why be ticked at her? Okay, maybe she’d spent a little longer than was appropriate talking to him, but in all fairness, Jonathan had been working and left her on her own a lot. What was she supposed to do, wait quietly until he was finished with his clients? She knew how important the show was, both for the gallery and the artist. There was no way she would have interfered with their special night, which meant keeping to the sidelines. Just so happened Derrick had decided to hang out there with her.
Which brought her back to the reasons why she couldn’t sleep last night. Yes, Derrick was ridiculously handsome and still as fun as she remembered. But there was such a huge history between them, not all good. She was honest enough with herself to admit she’d missed him, but her mind had moved on. Had her heart? And if she still had deep, lingering feelings for Derrick, shouldn’t she figure that out now? Jonathan deserved to know the truth.
If she had the answers. Which she didn’t. All she was certain of was that Derrick was the past and Jonathan was the future.
So yeah, she had to decide if she would attend Layla’s public gallery show. With a firm shake of her head, she set the phone down on the desk surface. She’d deal with this later. Now she had parents to get ready for.
On the blackboard, Hannah noted what the students were currently learning in their grade-level curriculum. Next, she gathered the packets she’d made specifically for tonight, containing copies of the children’s work to go over with their parents. She surveyed the room, happy with the results. Most of the parents were wonderful to work with, so she wasn’t expecting any conflict. Okay, make that much conflict. There was always that one person who wasn’t happy with anything she did.