Page 23 of Running to You

“I hired a decorator,” he said. “Told her to do whatever she wanted in most of the spaces.”

“And the others?”

Did they have to do this? “The other rooms are more my style.” He reached for the volume again.

“Business is good, obviously.”

Again, he dropped his hand. “Very good.”

This questioning would be fair if he could reciprocate, grill her about her life. Maybe he should claim amnesia.

“What are you working on right now?”

“It’s confidential.” His business deals always were.

“Come on. A hint.” The teasing words brought to mind a million memories he didn’t want to revisit. Eliza had always been able to needle information out of him. He never betrayed his secrets, but she was always able to get him to say more than he’d planned to. Back then, he’d trusted her completely.

She didn’t push the question, just waited.

“A computer chip manufacturer is looking to sell. If the buyer can come up with the funds, we’ll sign the papers in the next couple of weeks.”

“Big deal?”

He shrugged, fighting the urge to tell her just how big, how much he was worth. A petty little space inside him wanted her to know what she’d lost when she left him. But Eliza had never cared about money. Her mother had, and five years earlier, Sam’s balance sheet hadn’t impressed her. His charm had only raised her hackles. Sam hadn't given a whit about impressing the venerable Linda Pelletier.

Tactical error on his part.

He was not looking forward to seeing the woman who’d never forgiven him for botching the sale of her husband’s business. Not that he had. He’d put the deal together. He’d told them the risks. They’d chosen to take it.

It wasn’t Sam’s fault it went the way it did.

“How’s your family?” Eliza asked. “It was nice to meet Daniel and Camilla. They’re sweet. Didn’t they use to live in…was it St. Louis?”

How could she remember that but not where she was last night?

“They did. Now they’re in Oklahoma, but they’re planning to move here. They’re staying with me while they look for a house. Dan’s joining Dad’s practice.” At least he would, when he got his medical license back.

“You must be looking forward to that.”

“Yup.”

“And your other brothers?”

He stifled a sigh. How long could she keep this up? They still had forty-five minutes left. “All good.” He was tempted to leave it at that, but she’d always had a soft spot for Sam’s little brother. “Grant got married.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear it. He’s such a nice guy. Have he and Bryan mended fences?”

“I guess so. Grant comes around more than he used to. His wife, Summer, is already like a sister to us.” Before she could ask another question, he said, “What about you? Any fresh memories?”

She said nothing. From the corner of his eye, he saw her shaking her head. Real helpful while he was driving.

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

She pressed her hands to her temples as if the memory hurt. “You and I were dancing. That might not be the most recent, but it’s the clearest. We were at a party of some kind—super glittery and fancy. We danced all night, and you were… Well, obviously, we were still together then.”

He remembered. It was a Christmas party put on by one of the businesses he was working with back then. Grand ballroom, tuxes and ballgowns. Eliza had worn a green shimmery dress that showed off all her curves. He could still feel her in his arms, swaying to the music, looking up at him with those big hazel eyes, flecks of emerald and gold glinting. She gazed at him as if he were her knight and she, his princess.

He’d been head-over-heels. A fool for love.