Janet straightened her back and her eyes brightened. Edgar cleared his throat.
“I think you may have already guessed. Dani and I are engaged.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze, probably to reassure her.
Dani held his hand tight. He’d probably seen the nervousness in her eyes and felt the slight tremble of her fingers. The moment of reckoning was here. The Hunters had been friendly enough when they thought she and Storm were friends but how would they respond to the announcement that she might become a part of their family? “That’s wonderful, honey," Janet said, beaming. She reached over and took Dani’s hand. “Congratulations, dear.”
They all turned to look at Edgar and he was grinning from ear to ear. “Well, thank God," he said in his booming voice. “Miracles do happen. I’ll see Storm wedded and settled in my lifetime.” He leaned forward to shake Storm’s hand. "Congratulations, son. You’re making a big step but it’s the right one. A man’s got to have a wife to be taken seriously in life and in business. Good move.”
Dani released her breath in relief. Well, that had gone well, a lot better than she’d expected. She’d thought Storm would have to defend his choice, get his parents to accept her. She’d expected questions, lots of them - where was she from, what was her family background, what kind of business was she engaged in - but none of those came. Instead, they seemed so open and welcoming that Dani relaxed in her chair as she turned to look at her new husband-to-be.
Storm, however, was another matter. Where she had grown more comfortable with the situation he seemed to have moved in the opposite direction. She was close enough to see the dew of perspiration on his upper lip, and the tightness of his mouth spoke of a tension she’d not seen in him before.
What in the world was going on? Had he changed his mind? Well, if he wanted to back out of this twisted comedy it was too late now.
“Thanks,” he said, his tone unusually serious at a time for celebrations. “Thanks for your well wishes and for making Dani feel welcome.”
Well, that was a formal sort of way to thank your parents. She gave Storm a sideways glance then squeezed his hand. Come on, Storm, don’t melt down now.
“And what’s the date, son? Make it early. With my heart you know time is of the essence.”
“Date…we haven’t reached that far yet.” By now Storm’s face had a slightly pinker hue.
“Well, get cracking,” Edgar, said with a laugh. “What ever thou doest, do it quickly. Didn’t they say that in the Bible?”
“I agree,” Janet said emphatically. “We’ve been talking to you for the longest time about getting serious about your life and the family business. The sooner you get the wedding out of the way the sooner you can take the reins and give your father a break.”
“And start a family,” Edgar did not hesitate to add. “I want to spend my retirement years playing with my grandkids.”
Dani felt her face grow red at that request. Edgar certainly knew how to ask for what he wanted. Maybe that was why he’d been good at making billions.
“In time, Dad,” Storm said distractedly, “in time.” Then he looked at Dani, “Hey, do you want to see the tree house I built when I was a kid? It’s still there.”
Subtle change of subject, Storm, real subtle. Dani almost giggled. He seemed so desperate to get away from any further discussion of their engagement. She kept her face composed, hiding her amusement, and said in her best fiancée voice, “Of course, honey. I’d love to.”
“Go ahead, kids,” Edgar said with a wave of his hand. “Take her down to the stream, Storm. Nice and peaceful down there. She’ll love that.”
Storm got up and gave Dani his arm. He looked back to normal now, his face relaxed and smiling. “Are you a good climber? We’ll go up and see what animals have taken charge of my old house.”
She looked at him askance. “I don’t know about that. “
He was just about to respond when Mrs. Johnson stepped into the dining room. “Excuse me,” she said, “but Miss Lola has stopped by for a visit. Should I have her wait in the sitting room or should I send her in?”
Edgar and Janet turned to each other and a look of concern passed between them. Dani looked at Storm. His face had suddenly lost its color. None of those were good signs. And as Dani stood there, looking from one to the other, she could tell that what was coming was not going to be good.
CHAPTER SIX
Edgar was the first to speak. “Please ask her to make herself comfortable in the sitting room. I’ll be right there.”
Mrs. Johnson nodded and went back through the door.
As soon as she’d left Edgar spoke. “Is Lola aware of this change in your status?’ He gave Storm a pointed look.
Janet nodded. “You know how she feels about you. I think she was expecting-” She broke off suddenly and gave Dani a look heavy with guilt. “I’m sorry, Dani. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to you. It’s just…well, Lola’s been in the picture for a while so this could be difficult. You and Storm spoke about her, I assume?”
Dani looked across at Storm, waiting for him to speak. She was the fake fiancée but this was his game. He should be the one giving explanations.
“We were getting to that-”
He didn’t get the chance to say another word. At that instant the door to the dining room opened and Lola burst in.
“Janet, Edgar, have you heard? Storm-” She stopped short and her eyes grew round in surprise. “You. So you’re the one who’s turned him against me.” She was staring at Dani, her eyes flashing with violent rage. “You stole him from me.”
“Now, Lola,” Edgar said, beginning to get up from around the table. “Let’s not-”
“No, it’s true. She did something to him, bewitched him or something. Didn’t he go out with me just weeks ago? He was supposed to be mine.” As Lola spoke her voice grew higher with agitation and she began to walk toward the table.
“Okay, that’s enough.”
Storm’s voice must have shocked her back to reality. She halted abruptly and stared at him, her face contorted in her distress.
Storm stepped forward almost blocking Dani from Lola’s view and folded his arms across his chest. “Lola, you and I know that there is nothing between us. It’s all been a fantasy, a lie you fed yourself for so long you began to believe it. And we did not go out together two weeks ago. We met at the party, remember, then you asked me for a ride home.” He released his arms and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He shook his head. “I’m sorry this has hurt you but you have to get real. You have to give up the pretense.”