In His Sights. Carol Steward

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СКАЧАТЬ back and flung her arms around his broad shoulders. “It’s not like I came all the way from Brazil for the reunion! What are you doing now, Edgar?”

      “I’m living here in Magnolia Falls, for starters. I’m in the process of naturalization.”

      Dee had intervened. “You’re the assistant director of admissions, now, aren’t you?” She’d seen his picture in the Gazette a while back. It was impossible to miss a picture of Edgar, ten years ago, or now. She’d seen him on occasion at business events, but somehow their paths hadn’t crossed in school or now.

      He glanced at Dee and offered his hand. “I am. You must be Lauren’s sister. Lauren, why didn’t you ever introduce your sister and me?”

      “Didn’t I?” Lauren pretended to be puzzled, but Edgar simply laughed.

      “I wouldn’t have forgotten someone so beautiful.” Edgar’s grasp was warm and firm, not bone crushing like most men she worked with. He kissed the back of Dee’s hand, and she couldn’t help but smile.

      Typical Brazilian, suave and macho, wrapped in a to-die-for package. Too bad he’s wasting all this charm on me. I’m tired of the love-’em-and-leave-’em type.

      Lauren leaned close to Edgar and whispered intentionally loud enough for Dee to hear. “That’s because she doesn’t like to be noticed for her looks. Dee is a brilliant public relations specialist.”

      “She exaggerates,” Dee said with slight embarrassment.

      “Forgive me for noticing the obvious, Dee. Lauren used to tell us you couldn’t join us on Sunday nights because you were studying. She was always very proud of you.”

      Dee had stopped going to church after the pastor mishandled counseling family and friends through her best friend’s illness. She recalled how, after calling in the pastor, Annie’s parents had refused treatment for her cancer, insisted if they had enough faith, God would heal her. She’d watched Annie fade away. Dee had been angry at the parents, at the church members for not intervening, and at God. Surely God hadn’t given doctors the wisdom to heal if He’d meant for humans to turn their back on medical care. She let out a sigh and felt the familiar old emptiness. Her sister had tried to convince her that being a Christian didn’t mean using one’s faith as a crutch. That had been a decision made by one family. Everyone made mistakes, she realized.

      Before Dee could respond, Jennifer Pappas joined their group. “I’m sorry to intrude. Edgar, Dee, it’s so good to see you both here. Lauren, could you help me with something?”

      “We’ll catch up later.” Lauren gave Edgar another quick hug then dashed off to the foyer of Moss Hall, leaving Dee awkwardly alone with him.

      “It’s good to see everyone again.” Edgar’s gaze settled on Dee. “Could I get you a drink?”

      Why hadn’t she taken her chance to escape with Lauren and Jennifer? She’d never known him in school, and now it would be awkward to just walk away and leave him there alone. Edgar seemed nice, but…there was something she just couldn’t quite figure out about him.

      “I’d love some mineral water.” She heard herself say.

      “With a lemon?” Edgar said.

      “With lemon would be wonderful.” Dee followed him, surprised that Edgar had left his assignment on the welcoming committee. “I understand the school will be conducting a search for a new director of admissions soon. I presume you have put your name into the running?”

      Edgar shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I’m still thinking on the subject. There’s much to consider before taking such a position.”

      “So you aren’t interested?” Dee inquired, noting that his English was so proficient that she’d forgotten it was not his native language. It didn’t make sense that Edgar would pass up an opportunity like that when he already had a foot in the door. “Director would look very good on a résumé, even if it is at a small college. Magnolia College has an outstanding reputation nationally, which I’m sure you’re very aware of.”

      Edgar smiled with an overdose of confidence. “I am, but I’m more than happy that you share my opinion. What did you like most about Magnolia College?”

      Little had she known that their chance meeting would end up landing her a job with the college weeks later. She’d definitely enjoyed the evening. They’d eaten dinner together and continued their conversation.

      Edgar had proved a puzzle to Dee, and she regretted her initial opinion of him. In one respect, he was no different than most of the businessmen she met—out to sell and charm. In her line of work, the majority of the men were more concerned with appearances than they were sincerity or honesty.

      With Edgar there was a difference, though. He could pour on the charm, but she still sensed his integrity. He believed in Magnolia College, heart and soul.

      In the weeks since, he had both surprised and disappointed her. At first, she thought she’d felt a personal interest from him, but there again, she’d been wrong. It appeared now that he was only interested in her professional expertise. In that regard, his determination had been overwhelmingly flattering. He had called her a month after their reunion, asking her if she would come to the college to discuss the skeleton incident and give her opinion on reversing the damage. Next thing she knew, he’d managed to get her hired on a temporary contract, not an easy feat with all the red tape of a college. And then his flirting had ended.

      She missed it.

      Dee closed the article on Edgar, understanding his love for Magnolia College a little better. It had given him the chance to succeed in America and the means to provide a better life for his family. Yet the more Dee learned about Edgar, the more she wanted to get to know everything about him. And despite him pushing her away, Dee was determined to figure out why.

      FOUR

      “What are you doing here this late?” a man whispered.

      Dee gasped, startled from her reverie. Who was talking? Where was he? She spun around, not seeing anyone; she realized just how alone she was in the library basement.

      “Over here.” A man’s eyes shone through the books on the other side of the shelf.

      She dropped the yearbooks and ran toward her table.

      The man stepped out of the next aisle and blocked her escape. “Dee, it’s just me, Edgar. Did I really frighten you?”

      Her hands were bunched into fists as she looked up. “Edgar,” she whispered. She nearly collapsed from the relief, steadying herself against the heavy oak chairs. “I didn’t hear anyone come into the room.” She felt her face warm. “I was just…” Her voice faded away.

      He wrapped an arm around her and she let out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry. I really did scare you, didn’t I? I thought you’d seen me. Forgive me, please.” He held her close. “Your heart’s beating like crazy. What’s happened?” he asked.

      Dee pushed herself away from him as she inhaled the scent of his spicy aftershave. “I’ve just been…” She couldn’t tell him she’d been reading, let alone daydreaming, about him. Her attention went to his strong shoulders—usually hidden beneath a suit jacket—now СКАЧАТЬ