The packages were hastily tossed into the back seat of the car, before she again slipped into the front and started up the motor. Devlan had seen her face long enough to see that she appeared frazzled or rushed. He remembered that look; it was one he had seen on her face many times.
Devlan sat back as the limo pulled back into traffic and willed his racing heart to slow down. They followed several car lengths behind her small car, finally stopping in front of an apartment complex.
“Drive by and turn around,” Devlan said. “Maybe we’ll catch her on the way in.”
“Yes sir.”
From the opposite side of the road, they watched Diana as she unloaded her car and rushed to a first floor apartment. She soon disappeared inside.
“Okay, let’s go,” he said, his tone thoughtful.
He could not believe his luck. In a city of over four million people he had managed to stumble into Diana within minutes of beginning his search. Perhaps it was meant to be after all?
Diana was here, within reaching distance. Now what was he going to do? Devlan idly rubbed his chin. It would be so easy to confront her, right in her apartment. Then again, he could not know for sure that it was her apartment. She could be running errands for a friend, or picking up Hannah from a play date.
“Where to now, sir? Should I pull in?”
“Keep heading for the shop. I’m not sure this place is hers.”
“Yes, sir.”
It was apparent that the shop had closed with Diana’s departure when they pulled up. It was not an unusual thing, since most of the shops lining this part of the strip were small and artsy. There was a sign on her door, and Devlan got out of the limo to read it. She was taking an hour for lunch, but would be back later. Devlan returned to the car.
“Do you have to be anywhere?” He asked the driver.
“No sir, I’m at your disposal.”
“Good. Let’s get some lunch. My treat.”
The driver’s eyes widened. “Thank you, sir.”
Devlan sat back and gave the young man a smile. He needed to plan his next step and tell Mike he had found her. He was curious now to see what Diana had been doing since he had seen her last. At least she was well. In fact, she looked pretty good. The added weight looked great on her.
After a quick lunch and some small talk, Devlan and his young driver friend were back in the vehicle and heading straight for the art gallery. After negotiating light traffic, they once more hunted for a parking space in the busy area. After a few circles, they pulled into a small lot and parked.
Devlan eased his length out into the bright sunshine and strode purposefully up to the door. It had taken them longer than an hour to find a place and then eat their lunch, so Diana had already re-opened the gallery some time before. He was pleased, for at least then he would not catch her at a busy time.
Little bells overhead jingled as he opened the door. He stood there for a moment, his heart pounding, as he let his eyes accustom to the darker interior. The moment had come. Diana was there, only feet away. He could feel her presence.
Glancing around casually, Devlan took in the interior of the shop. There were small statues and Native American pieces on the tables scattered throughout the shop. But the most eye catching parts of the nice little shop were the magnificent and colorful paintings lining the walls. They were also stacked haphazardly near the entrance to the back room, a surprise to see since they were worth so much money now.
As Devlan stared around him, a man appeared from behind the partially closed curtain leading to the back and approached him quickly. He wore a bone colored, finely tailored suit, and his blond hair was slicked back to a tight ponytail in the back of his head. Devlan sensed immediately that he was not the artist.
“Can I help you?” He stopped in front of Devlan and stood resting on one leg. His gaze on Devlan was almost predatory, and Devlan was immediately seized with discomfort.
“Diana Somerset?” Devlan asked.
“Yes,” the man said, waving his free arm with a sigh. “She’s around here somewhere even though she’s not supposed to be. Hold on a sec, and I’ll go find her.”
Just then Diana appeared from behind the same curtain, holding a bronze statue, which she stared transfixed at. She did not give them the slightest glance as she wandered over to a shelf where some slightly similar pieces were on display.
Devlan watched her move, his gaze devouring her. She was still so damn beautiful, in that nothing had changed. Several loose strands of hair had escaped her braid and hung loosely around her face as usual. The fine pieces beckoned to his fingers, and he curled them into a fist as he tried to fight the rising tide of emotion that flooded through him.
“Jimmy, do you know where ‘Walking Man’ has gone? This isn’t the right piece. Mrs. Oberman asked specifically for ‘Walking Man’.”
The sound of her voice had not changed either, but he could see the panic in her face. It must have been an expensive piece.
Jimmy waved his hands again. He wandered back the way he had come, throwing one final inviting look over his shoulder at Devlan. “Diana, go home already, will you? I’ll find it... By the way, there’s a guy here to see you.”
Devlan raised a brow at his description, unaccustomed to such a casual reference. Shaking his head, he approached Diana silently and came to stand behind her just as she turned around.
“Hello Diana,” he murmured.
Had he not been there to catch the bronze piece she was holding, Diana would have lost two items up for sale. Her whole body jerked, and the exquisite artwork slipped from her stiff fingers. As he watched, all color drained from her face. She frantically took him in, and her bright blue eyes widened with what appeared to be panic. Devlan frowned in concern, and he awkwardly handed her the statue he had caught.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Diana’s lips were opened in a silent gasp as she continued to stare at him mutely. She took the piece he held out to her with visibly shaking hands. He had no idea what he had done to frighten her so, but it bothered him to see her so shaken.
“Are you okay?”
She let out a deep breath before nodding slowly.
“Is there somewhere we can talk?”
Diana shook her head, tearing her gaze from his long enough to gather her bearings. She stared down at her feet then over at his just a few feet away. Devlan watched the top of her head, sighing in relief as the color slowly returned to her ashen face. As his concern eased, the anger began to come back. The fierce emotion fought for supremacy over his continued desire.
“Who told you where to find me?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
Devlan shrugged. “No one told me where you were.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes. He felt the urge to reach out and stroke her smooth cheek and caress the worry lines away. But anger stayed his hand.
“No,” he said a little louder. “No one told me where you were, although I must admit I wished someone had.”
He spun around and closed his eyes. It was proving to be a lot harder than he thought. There was just something about her…
Opening his eyes, Devlan glanced at some of the objects on display. Behind him he could hear Diana take another deep breath.
“You did?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” he said, picking up a small crystal vase. “How much is this?”
Diana shook her head again, as if trying to keep track. She hesitated a moment before clearing her throat. “Ninety-nine, ninety-nine.”
“Yes,” he continued. “I did. But no one told me anything. You were just gone, without a word to anyone. Instead of buying a car for you, I spent months wishing I had just gotten you a damn mobile phone.”
The blond head lowered again to stare at her shoes. Devlan almost felt sorry for her, for he knew that she must have had her reasons. But he still hurt too; he even had the pieces of his broken heart to show her.
Diana’s head snapped up, and her mouth fell open. “You bought the desert scene?”
The corner of Devlan’s mouth rose. “I gather you heard about it already.”
“Yes. Thomas called me this morning and told me how much it sold for…” She trailed off, as if just realizing that she had spoken.
Devlan nodded and wandered to the other side of the shop, silently thanking Providence for giving them an empty store to play this game.
“I was surprised that it was you. It took me a few hours to really convince myself that you were still with us in the land of the living.” He shot her another look, but she stood silently, her teeth gnawing on her full lower lip in that oh so familiar way that she had whenever she felt torn. His heart stirred slightly, but he reined in his emotion. “And Hannah too. She looks great. How’s her leg? You left without finishing therapy.”
“She had a therapist here,” Diana said, her voice stronger. “She’s in school now and just started first grade. She’s doing well.”
“I’d like to see her,” Devlan said quickly. “I’ve really missed her.”
Diana nodded and looked away quickly. Devlan thought he may have seen tears glistening in her eyes, and her voice quivered slightly when she answered. “She’s missed you too.”
Seizing upon the moment, Devlan crossed the small shop and again came to stand in front of her. She continued to avert her eyes, but Devlan saw one tear escape her lashes to slip down her cheek. Before he could stop himself, he reached out and wiped it away, but Diana jerked as though his touch burned her and gave him her stiff back. Disappointed, he allowed his hand to fall back to his side while the wetness of her tear quickly evaporated in the dry air of the shop. He wished he could pull her into his arms and hold her while she cried.
But he did not. She had hurt him, too.
“Why couldn’t you stay long enough to tell me you were leaving?”
“I tried to call you a couple of times,” she whispered. “But I couldn’t leave a message.”
“Why did you leave?” He asked, his voice remaining neutral.
“I couldn’t stay,” she stammered. “I didn’t want to get in the way.”
“Get in the way? Of what?”
“Roxanne told me about your engagement, and I thought it would be easier for us both if we were out of the way.”
Devlan forced himself to chuckle, although the very thought of laughter revolted him. She turned around and raised a curious brow. Shrugging, Devlan gave her a wry smile. “My marriage plans were canceled.”
“Oh.” Diana’s eyes flickered. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,” he said abruptly. “Another notch on my stick, actually. I was stood up by the woman involved.”
“Roxanne stood you up?” Diana asked, her open mouth and wide eyes giving away her astonishment.
“Roxanne was never my intended, Diana,” he said forcefully. “You were.”
A heavy silence fell around them, with only the sound of their breathing and the soft classical music playing throughout the shop audible. Devlan saw the glint of her gold chain and reached into her pink top far enough to pull the charm free.
“You actually kept something I gave you,” he said softly. His long fingers flipped it over and he read the inscription. “A Vila Mon Coeur, Gardi Li Mo. God, woman you still have it.”
The charm fell back against her heaving chest, and Devlan turned to go. Diana watched him, her tear-filled eyes glued to his person. Her face was a mask of fear and confusion, and Devlan did not doubt for a moment that she felt as mixed up and torn inside as he did.
“I just wanted to see you once more. To make sure you were okay,” he said. “I’d still like to see Hannah. Would it be okay to stop by tomorrow?”
She nodded.
“Fine. By the way,” he said over his shoulder. “You look great. You needed a few extra pounds.”
The door jingled again and Devlan stepped aside so a young man with long, brown hair could enter. Dressed in a threadbare T-shirt and cargo shorts that hung from his tall, thin frame, the man looked as out of place in this fine gallery as Devlan felt. He stopped long enough to stare at Devlan unabashedly, his eyes squinted as though with recognition. Then his gaze settled on Diana and he smiled.
“Excuse me,” he said, advancing in the shop.
Devlan glanced back, but Diana had turned away and was wiping her eyes. The intruder stood in the middle, staring from one to the other while Devlan quickly made his escape. He needed time to think, time to reorganize, and time to heal the wounds that had reopened when he saw the only woman he had ever loved.
Chapter 22
“I would never have known it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes,” Brad mused, placing his hands on Diana’s shoulders.
Diana sniffled and again wiped at her face. “What are you talking about?”
“Bryce’s father.”
Immediately Diana stiffened, and she pulled away to glare at Brad. “Bryce is my son.”
“Ah, but he wasn’t conceived via the Immaculate Conception,” Brad said lightly, pulling Diana against his chest.
She immediately resumed her crying. Through her sobs she managed to pinch Brad’s arm. “Don’t be so crude.”
Brad chuckled and held her gently. “I’m not being crude… I’m being honest.”
“Where’s Hannah?”
“She’s in the car with the air conditioning on, I promise. I just dropped by to bum some cash off you. I told Hannah I’d take her to the zoo before the Art Walk gets started tonight. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “That would be good. I don’t want her to see me like this.”
“Is he giving you trouble?”
“Of course not. He would never…”
“Where’s Bryce?”
“Asleep in the back.”
Brad released his grip on her and watched as she patted the tears away. “Did he see him already?”
“No, he didn’t seem to know. I guess Thomas hasn’t told him yet.”
“So he searched you out on his own?”
“I guess.”
“He looked as upset as you, Di. Maybe there’s a chance.”
“God, I was so stupid!” Diana smiled bitterly. “He wanted to marry me. Me, Brad! Not that lying bimbo. But I ran away before he could even ask me… and I don’t think the offer still stands.”
“Wow, Di. You really lost a good catch.”
“Stop teasing,” she said, a small laugh escaping her. “Jimmy already gave him the once over.”
“That slut.”
Diana giggled through her misery. The relationship that Jimmy and Brad shared was playful and teasing. They bickered all day long, and Diana’s head spun as she watched their arguments. Yet as volatile as their relationship was, she sensed they shared a bond that went way beyond her comprehension.
Face serious again, Brad met Diana’s gaze and held it. “Are you going to be okay here?”
“Yes,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve got to get myself together. He just took me by complete surprise. I never saw him coming.”
“How did he find you?”
“The painting.”
“You mean?”
“Yes. He’s the one who bought it.”
“You see? I said you were my good luck charm. And see, I was right!”
“I’m a mere woman whose heart is so confused right now that I can’t think straight.” She lifted her hands to her head and massaged her temples. “Go away, Brad. Leave me in peace. I need to think.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you and Bryce here at five o’clock sharp.”
Diana nodded her head and waved him on. She knew Brad was just trying to help, but she needed to be alone. Her mind was spinning. Never had she considered that Devlan had planned to marry her. What a fool she had been for running off like she had.
She should have found the strength to stay and confront him like she had planned. Instead she had done what she always did – run away.
Sighing deeply, Diana stopped the inner accusations by placing her hand over her eyes. It was plain that she had allowed her fear to override her common sense, and what she had done was done. She and Devlan could not turn back the clock and go back to those few days of panic. The best she could do was move on with her life and continue trying to heal her heart. It sounded so easy, but the truth of the matter was that she would never forgive herself for being so irrational.
~
“Jimmy, we’ll be back in a little while.”
“Okay!”
Diana watched as Brad pushed Bryce’s stroller ahead down the crowded sidewalk. She walked a little more slowly, her grip on Hannah’s small hand tight.
“Stay with me,” she advised.
“I want to go with Brad, Mommy. He walks faster.”
Sighing heavily, Diana nodded. “Fine. Go catch up with him.”
She watched as Hannah skipped off, once again sending a prayer of thanks that her daughter was completely healed. But no sooner had they slipped out of sight than she felt a presence very close to her. She placed the Kachina doll she was examining down and turned around to see Devlan once more standing close behind her. Her sharp inhale was cut short as a large crowd of people bore down on them. Diana was pressed against the table where the dolls were housed by Devlan’s large body, and her eyes widened even further. Fortunately Devlan looked as taken aback as she, and as uncomfortable.
“Good lord, man. Must you keep sneaking up on me?” She snapped, relieved that the others had long gone on ahead.
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you following me?”
He had the good grace to look uncomfortable, though he shook his head adamantly. “No. I was told about the Art Walk before I saw you. In fact, I was planning to find you here tonight, but as luck would have it...”
“As luck would have it?” she repeated. Her heart was thrumming at a bird’s rate, yet she struggled to remain calm. He did not appear to have any inkling about Bryce, and she still had no idea how to approach the topic.
“Well, you know what I mean.”
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