10. Ice Gift
10
ICE GIFT
Ruby
On the terrace, my stepfather held his arms out wide, and pulled me close as though I was precious to him. So many times growing up, he’d comforted me with a hug when I’d fallen, gotten hurt, or lost a game, and some kind of nostalgia stirred as he embraced me.
Family.
That was why it hurt me so much to think Eli was a con man, a thief, on top of how he’d treated my mother.
“It’s been too long,” he declared, breaking the embrace, then gesturing to the table. “I want to hear everything you’ve been up to,” he said as I sat across from him.
The restaurant owner marched over as soon as we were seated. “She’s finally arrived, Mr. Thompson,” Tristan said, gesturing to me as if I were a prize. The tall, salt-and-pepper-haired man turned to drop a chaste kiss onto my cheek. “Welcome back, Ruby. What a pleasure to see you again too.”
“Thank you so much, Tristan. I see you’re as busy as ever.” I eyed the many tables with reserved signs on them, then flashed a quick smile to the man I’d known for years.
“I can’t complain,” he told me, handing us menus, then heading off.
Eli snorted as soon as Tristan scuttled away. “Can’t complain my butt,” he muttered.
I arched a questioning eyebrow.
My stepdad leaned in and whispered, “He complains about everything. He did as much this morning.”
“You saw him earlier?” I asked.
Eli flicked open his cloth napkin and spread it across his lap. “I met with him before you arrived. He wants me to back a new venture of his. Then again, doesn’t everyone?” he asked with an it’s good to be the king look in his eyes.
“I don’t know. Does everyone?” I asked dryly.
“Some days, it seems that way—everyone lining up to ask for a little of this, a little of that,” he said.
“Do you ever say yes?” I asked, spreading my own napkin over my lap.
He lowered his voice. “Rarely. I’m actually trying to retire. To devote my energy to my charitable endeavors.”
I frowned. I’d never known him to be terribly interested in charity, plus, he was obviously still working. “But you run the nightclub. It’s doing well, I hear.”
“You should see it. Dance a little, feel the Sapphire energy. It’s wonderful. Come by tonight. Amelia Stone is in town. I’ll make sure you’re on the VIP list. I won’t be there, but my manager, Nigel, will. If you need anything, he’s the man with the snake tattoo on his left arm.”
“Sounds like he’d be hard to miss, then. And I’m glad the club is doing well.” That wasn’t entirely true, but tomato, to-mah-toe. “It’s a dream nightclub,” Eli said. “Plus, it feeds my charity work. I donate all my profits.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed him on the give-it-all-away front, but I gave a that’s nice smile anyway.
After the waiter brought water and a mimosa for Eli, which I presumed was his standard drink every time he came here, we ordered our meals. Once the server left, Eli gestured to me with pride in his eyes. “Tell me everything. How is your company? What happened to that jerk who tried to sabotage your tour business? I wish you’d have let me help you with that fiasco.”
I gaped at him incredulously. “You didn’t offer,” I pointed out. I wouldn’t let him play revisionist historian. We had only spoken a few times since the divorce.
“You didn’t ask,” he said.
Touché.
“Well, anyway, Mom helped me out, and I’ve been rebuilding.”
“Good. I’m thrilled.” He took a drink of his mimosa, then leaned back in his chair and glanced briefly at the crowds click-clacking by, streaming in and out of banks. We briefly made small talk, then he asked, “But do you need anything now? My bank is right over there.”
I shook my head. “Thank you. I’m good.” It was the perfect opening. This was going to be awkward, but I didn’t let the chance slip by. “So, speaking of my mom…there’s something I wanted to bring up. A request.”
“Of course.” He sounded so genuine. “What is it?”
“It’s about the money Mom invested in your business to get you started. I think you should pay her back.” When he didn’t react, I went on with the argument I’d practiced. “You would never have funded the company without her, and that business made you rich. It’s only fair to return the seed money, especially now that you’ve retired from the business.”
But his response was a dismissive laugh. “That’s silly, dear. She has her jewelry sales.”
Seriously? That was his answer? I shoved aside the curl of annoyance in my gut and tried again. “Eli, when you needed her, she helped you in a big way, and she’s trying to rebuild her business after the divorce. Don’t you think it would be the right thing to do?”
“She doesn’t need my money if she’s busy selling jewelry again. She’s always been so talented with her little artsy tinkering.”
“Tinkering is the reason for everything you have today. And you made sure she got nothing in the divorce.”
Eli was one hundred percent a rat bastard to me just then, but if I didn’t get a hold of my anger, I’d show my hand and sink my recon mission before it started.
Breathe.
Eli waved a hand, erasing all I said. “That’s crazy. It was a completely fair settlement. But let’s not talk of such unpleasant matters. Look, our brunch is here,” he said, his eyes lighting up as the server set our plates on the table.
We thanked him, and when the man left, Eli gestured to my dish. “I know you must have missed this food.”
He was ready to move to other topics but I wasn’t. As he dug into his eggs Benedict, I tried again. “Eli, why can’t you at least return the money she gave you to start the business?”
“Sweetheart,” he admonished.
“Or maybe that money is someplace else?” I suggested pointedly.
“Ruby. Let’s have a nice meal together.” He pointed to my plate. “Eat your brunch. And let’s talk about your plans for the week. I want you to meet Willow.”
“Your new girlfriend?” I asked as I picked up my fork.
“Fiancée. And she’s amazing,” he said as he finished chewing. He reached into his pocket, fishing for something. “Speaking of…Willow and I wanted to give this to you. She can’t wait to meet you.”
He set a small black box on the table then gently nudged it across the white linen tablecloth. Was he really giving me a fancy gift when he wouldn’t repay my mother? It sure seemed that way. But vitriol wouldn’t help my cause, so I hid my anger and put on a smile. I clicked open the box and gasped. My god, it was gorgeous. Glittering on a white silk bed was a stunning diamond.
“I didn’t have it set or placed on a chain. I thought if you like it, we can have it added to your treasure chest necklace,” he said, tipping his chin to my regular necklace, the one Mom gave me years ago. It represented my childhood dreams, but also my present—the way the sea was a treasure. I touched it impulsively, perhaps even protectively. The necklace was a special thing.
But this diamond? It was special in its value, to be sure. This diamond had to be worth five figures, and I was going to keep this gem safe and sound—and use it to help my mom. “Thank you,” I said.
“Anything for you,” he said. “And when you wear it, you can feel good about the world. I know that’s important to you. For every diamond that comes from this mine, money goes to help build schools.”
“That’s thoughtful,” I admitted.
Then, I wondered if I was looking at the answer to my questions. Mom said he’d stolen money from his firm. Now, he had jewels.
He had to have hidden that money somehow. Had he ferried the money in gems?
My skin tingled.
He might literally be handing me a clue. “Thank you again,” I said, but a bitter taste settled in my mouth. Had I just accepted a gift purchased with money he’d stolen? How could he do something like that?
“It’s my pleasure. And Willow would love if you could come over for dinner Thursday night.”
“Sure,” I said, trying not to give away my hurt.
“Fantastic. She’s having some friends over too,” he said as he finished his mimosa. Okay, maybe this could be a good thing. A gaggle of friends could work to my advantage when it came to snooping around.
“I can’t wait to see your new place,” I said.
And to explore it too.
* * *
A few hours later, I glided along the shallow bottom of Happy Turtle Cove, watching bubbles rise through the crystal-blue water.
A pair of turtles paddled through the shallow reef, coming close enough to brush against my leg. Boy, I’d missed these guys over the past year.
When Duke had lashed out with his online smear campaign after our breakup, he’d hit Flamingo Key first, knowing how much I loved it. So cruel. So vindictive.
But in a few days I’d bring a group of Texans here, showing them the world under the water. Maybe I’d get to introduce them to these two turtles. They were, quite honestly, inspiring—and I wouldn’t let the past with Duke poison my beloved cove.
I checked my dive watch. One-fifteen p.m. After last night, I had more than a suspicion he’d come looking for me. I kicked for the shore and stood when I got to the shallows. By the time I’d stowed my snorkel gear, my sexy fisherman was crossing the beach of Happy Turtle Cove at 1:23 p.m.