Diana rose from the couch. “Why don’t you try and forget about that day? I plan to. What did you come here to say to me?”
He inhaled a breath and let it out slowly. “I came to tell you I love you. I have from the first day I saw you at your locker, from the first time we made love, even until the day I saw you in that ridiculous wig and glasses. Which, I guess it’s okay to tell you now, you looked totally hot in, by the way.”
She smiled back at him. “Thanks.”
“Then there was the night I discovered you’d kept my locket.”
A blush came to her cheeks as she studied the floor.
“I can’t tell you what that did to me. After that, every time we were together, I checked to see if you were wearing it. I guess after that night, you stopped.” He looked her over. “Like now.”
“You made it clear it was time to let you go.”
“Was I wrong to come tonight? I didn’t expect it to be easy. But this feels insurmountable.”
“That’s because eight years and a lot of issues have separated us. The horrible way I left you, and, naturally, the way you reacted. We’re a complete and utter mess. But in spite of all that, I’m a mess who still loves you.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Brad sighed. “If you had said anything differently, I was going to leave you Gray Tafoya’s number on my way out the door.”
Diana placed her hand on Brad’s arm. “There’s only one number I’ve ever wanted to call, and that’s yours.”
“In that case . . .” His hand disappeared into his pocket where he brought out a gift-wrapped box.
Diana’s heart stuttered in a fit of panic until she realized it was too big to be an engagement ring. It was the size that might hold a necklace or a pair of earrings. A few days ago, she would have said yes to anything.
Still, she and Brad had been traumatized, physically and emotionally. They needed time to regroup, to study these long-simmering feelings between them. They’d also been exposed to a groundswell of information from people they’d trusted. Those issues alone might leave lasting effects. It wasn’t the best time to make hasty decisions.
Diana often acted on impulse. A chemical plant, yes. A marriage proposal, no.
“It occurred to me when my plane landed that I’d missed your birthday—”
“Two months ago,” she said laughing.
“So I bought this for you,” he said. “I thought you might like it.”
Diana unwrapped the package, all the while shaking her head. Opening the box, she smiled both at the sentiment and from a sense of relief. After what Brad had just gone through, he had to be as leery as she was. Inside was a white gold pendant necklace bearing the simple letter D.
“When I saw this in the display case, naturally, the D reminded me of you. I thought of a woman who’s beautiful, fiercely independent, and who’s come into her own.”
“I love it. Thank you.” She laughed. “Would I still qualify as fiercely independent if I asked you to help me put it on?”
“My pleasure.” He lifted her hair off her neck and fastened the clasp.
Fingering the tiny letter, she turned to him, still catching a bit of his unease. “Know what else I’ll think of when I wear it?”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll think of Diamond and the man who gave it to me.”
“I’d like that.”
“Brad, I’m not used to seeing you like this. You’re so jittery.”
“I guess I won’t relax until I know what’s going through your head.”
She rested a helpless gaze on him. “Honestly? I’m thinking I have a career in Dallas. You’re mayor of Diamond. We’re eight hours apart.”
He returned a dejected look and nodded.
“Would you be willing to accept a compromise of ‘we’ll see?’”
His frown deepened. “After eight years, and everything we’ve been through, our relationship is reduced to ‘we’ll see?’”
Diana swallowed her panic. She prepared to give Brad back the necklace, and watch him walk out the door.
Instead, a smile came to his face. He pulled her into his arms. “When I boarded the plane this afternoon, I didn’t think we had a chance in hell. If you want to take it slow, ‘we’ll see’ is more than good enough—for now.”
With that, he kissed her, really kissed her, eradicating every miserable agenda between them. What she hadn’t told him was that she’d loved him, too, from the second she’d laid eyes on him. What’s more, the idea of living without him another eight years was unbearable, and if she could help it, not going to happen.
Giving into his kiss, her body responded, a swell of emotions ignited, and Diana accepted that a love like theirs was worth fighting for.
She ended their kiss, but keeping her hands in his, stared into his heated gaze. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
“About this ‘we’ll see’ business?”
Another bout of uncertainty crossed his features. “I’m listening.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his. “Can we please get started?”
“Whatever you want. Just remember our agreement.”
Diana laughed. “Our agreement? You mean ‘we’ll see?’”
“Uh-huh.” Brad methodically traced his lips along her jawline and Diana’s laughter turned into a moan. “Especially the rule about taking it slow.”
The End
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Acknowledgements
Buried Agendas is one of the first novels I ever wrote, but I can honestly say it’s one of my favorites. I adore these heroic, self-sacrificing characters and the way “they” wrote the book, and wouldn’t let me intrude, even when I tried.
Again, so many people helped me with this novel. First and foremost, I must mention Lois Winston, Jean Willett, Robin Searle, Mike Befeler, and my editor Pat Van Wie. For technical expertise, I’m grateful to Steve Miller and Steve Miller (not a duplication or a misprint) for their chemical and plant expertise. I also must thank a very kind gentleman who spent a good hour talking to me on the phone about underground tanks. Sadly, a computer crash (always back up) prevents me from listing his name. To my son, David Bell, CPA; Brooke Wills, CPA & CFO; Arlon Stoker, Esq.; Dianne Drake; Dr. Fred Collins; Rose Colored Ink; and my mystery critique group, thank you. And, as always, to my family; I would be lost without you.
—Donnell Ann Bell
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About the Author
Donnell Ann Bell is an award-winning author of three romantic suspense novels, all of which have been e-book bestsellers. Buried Agendas is her fourth published novel. Currently, she is working on her first suspense series for Bell Bridge Books. Donnell and her husband live in Colorado. You can visit her website at: donnellannbell.com
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Buried Agendas Page 27