The Storm Girl
an excerpt

Andrew was not feeling very well the day he left for Harbor Port. The night prior, he was feeling slightly not like himself, and searched and searched until he found his mother’s bottle of sherry hidden in the deep drawer of her writing desk. Ordinarily he wasn’t a drinker, but the events of the evening had taken such a turn that he couldn’t think of anything else to do to escape from it, even temporarily.
How could he have known that Evelyn was going to break up with him?
How could she have known that he was going to propose?
He had gone to a small pawn shop, bearing many of his possessions. Exchanging them for a speck of a diamond ring, he had smiled with excitement and thanked the shop owner. Reservations at Smith’s fine dining establishment for supper had provided the perfect background for his romantic proposal. It had been all planned out. He convinced their waitress ahead of time (who, to his delight, was a hopeless romantic) to keep hold of the ring until dessert came around. At that time, the waitress, whose name was Maria, was going to come out with a tray and ask if they wanted any dessert. She would then remove the lid off of the tray to reveal the open ring box, at which time Andrew would get down on one knee and propose.

Seated at their favorite table by the window, which perfectly framed the setting sun, they ate their appetizers in silence. Evelyn was so beautiful that evening in a pale blue dress that brought out her eyes. Her long, blonde hair was drawn up in an elegant bun. Andrew had been so nervous, he didn’t even notice the distant look in Evelyn’s pale green eyes. Half way through the entrees, Evelyn put down her fork and sighed. Andrew picked up on this. “What’s wrong?” he asked, putting his own fork down on the plate. She looked up at him, her eyes oddly blank. “Andrew,” her breathy voice sent shivers down his spine, and not the good kind of shiver, either. “We need to talk.”
A classic line. And she was a classy lady, so it fit, he thought. “Uh-oh,” he said quietly. “What is it?”
“Oh, Andrew,” she sighed yet again and looked him straight in the eye. “I have an acting opportunity that I just can’t pass up.” Andrew nearly laughed. Acting, was that all? But when he saw the look in her eye, his lopsided grin faded into a concerned frown. “An acting opportunity…” he mused. She nodded. She reached a perfectly manicured hand across the table to grab hold of his. A phony, sad look crossed her face as she spoke. “Andrew, honey, it’s in Boston. I’ll be living there while I’m under contract.” These words caused his stomach to sink. She was moving? And here he was, doing everything in his power to stay! He tried to be optimistic. “Okay,” he said after a moment of pondering the situation. “Okay. So you’ll be in Boston. Well, this is an amazing opportunity for you, and I’m behind you one hundred percent. We can work this out. How long is your contract? I’m okay with occasional visits. Or… if you want…” His thoughts running wildly, he thought this would be the perfect time to propose. He was about to wave Maria over while talking to Eve about him moving with her when she shook her head sadly. “No, Andrew,” she said softly. “I don’t think we can work this out.” His stomach stopped sinking and plummeted directly to the floor. “What do you mean?” He wasn’t sure he really wanted to know.
“I mean, I don’t think I can handle a long distance relationship with you, or with anybody right now. I don’t think I’m ready for that burden.”
“That burden.”
“Oh, no, sweetie. That’s not what I…”
“Don’t ‘sweetie’ me, Evelyn.” His voice was low, hurt. “Don’t play games. I think I see what this is.” He leaned back in his seat, frowning, his insides falling apart. He had to will the tears not to form in his eyes. Keeping his features neutral, no matter how badly it pained him to do so, he spoke. “Are you seeing someone else?”
“No!” And for the first time that evening, she sounded honest, a light shone in her eyes. “I’m not. I haven’t. There hasn’t been anyone but you. Believe me. It’s just… I’m young. I want to see the world. It would kill me to tie you down while I’m doing just that.”
“But you wouldn’t be tying me down, Eve. Please understand. I want to be with you. I want… I want to share my life with you…” To his horror, the cheery waitress started heading toward their table carrying a silver platter. He tried frantically to discreetly shoo her away, but it didn’t work. “Was everything to your expectations this evening?” she asked merrily, unaware of the tension between her two customers. Andrew couldn’t think of what to say. Evelyn put on her fake happy grin and said, “Oh, yes. Everything was wonderful!” Andrew bit back a groan and tried to ask for the check as quickly and loudly as he could. “AND HOW ABOUT SOME DESSERT?” Maria tried to and succeeded in drowning out Andrew’s pitiful request. With a flourish, she removed the lid from the tray to reveal the open ring box. The tiny ring sparkled in the candlelight and Andrew wanted to melt into the floor. Evelyn’s fake grin remained plastered to her face until she realized what had happened. “Oh, no,” she whispered, looking at Andrew, who was trying really hard not to let an embarrassing tear slip. “You planned this?” her tone wasn’t accusatory, but flattered. Andrew nodded, afraid his voice would squeak if he tried to talk. Maria looked back and forth at the two, an expectant grin on her face. Andrew looked helpless at the waitress, then back at the girl who was dumping him. Evelyn, aware of the many eyes watching them, clasped her hands together and squealed suddenly, startling Andrew out of his embarrassment. “Oh, Andy, honey!” she cried. “Is this a proposal?”
“Um, well, it was going to…”
“Oh, YES!”
“What?”
“Yes, I’ll marry you!” At this statement, the diners in the restaurant broke out into happy applause and the waitress sighed. “I’ll bring you some cake,” she said dreamily. “On the house. Congratulations, you two!” Andrew grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. “Um,” he said. “Dessert won’t be necessary.”
“Oh, I see.” She winked at them. “You want to make your own dessert? I’ll just bring the check then.”
“Thank you.” Once the meal was paid for and they were outside in the warm summer air, Andrew turned on her with questioning eyes. “What happened in there…”
“Was make believe.” Eve brushed a strand of her hair out of her eyes and regarded him with a solemn look. “Nothing more.”
“Then why did you do it?” Andrew crossed his arms. She answered right away, “I did it so you wouldn’t be embarrassed. You must’ve been so humiliated.” Andrew didn’t wait around to hear what else she would say. He turned and began walking down the street. “Hey,” she called after him. “Hey! Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Home?” She jogged a little to catch up with him. “But what about me? What about your car? You’re just going to leave it here?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I don’t matter?”
“Not anymore.” And that was how he left her, standing on the sidewalk in her sparkly blue dress all alone, dressed up and no where to go.

(Many, many pages later, after Andrew has moved in with his brother, Alex, and a mysterious girl with a hidden past has come to live with them...)

Alex awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee brewing. Rolling over in bed, he reached for his pocket watch on the nightstand. He squinted to see the hands. It was six in the morning. Groaning, he covered his head with the blanket. It was Saturday, for crying out loud. He didn’t have to be at the clinic for hours yet. Dozing a while, he was roused again by more delicious smells wafting into his room. A heavy yawn escaped from his lips before he got out of bed and shrugged a robe onto his drooping shoulders. Shuffling to the kitchen, he saw Imalia was already awake and bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. She was at the stove, stirring a wooden spoon in a pot, then she was at the sink, peeling some kind of fruit, then she was back at the stove. She turned around and caught sight of Alex watching her. “Doctor Bestei,” she placed a hand to her chest, startled. She immediately dropped her gaze to the floor in submission. “I hope you do not mind. I took the effort of preparing breakfast.” Eyes still at her feet – which were clad in dark, lace-up boots, Alex noticed - she gestured to the mess in the kitchen. “It is not much, I am afraid.”
“Not much?” Alex was astonished at the amount of food she had prepared. Eggs and ham, toast, hot grains, biscuits, and a platter full of fruit graced the table. “There is enough here for ten people.” Hope ducked her head further at his comment. “It is…too much?” she asked hesitantly. A look of disbelief crossed Alex’s face. “Of course it’s too much!” he cried. “There’s only two of us here. Three, when Andrew returns. I don’t know about your eating habits, but I feel much of this will end up wasted before the morning is over.” He noticed her ashamed appearance and said quickly, “I appreciate the thought, but I usually just have coffee in the morning. Okay?” She nodded and hurried to finish the meal she had started. They sat down at the kitchen table opposite each other. He stared at all of the food she laid out on the table. The clock gave three loud ticks, before Imalia scraped back her chair and hurried to the coffee maker, where she poured a large mug. She returned to the table and placed it in front of Alex with a mild thunk before returning to her seat. She looked at him, unblinking, and then swept her gaze down toward her lap. He paused, then picked up the mug and took a careful sip. It was the fortification he needed to deal with the situation at hand. “You are not my servant,” he said. “You don’t need to fetch my drinks.” She nodded, but didn’t meet his gaze. Another quiet moment passed between them, before he said so quietly she might not have heard him at all, save for the awkward silence. “Thanks.”

(And many, many, many more pages later...)

She arrived on Andrew’s arm.
Imalia, in her plain dress and black hair swept into an up-do, was the epitome of poise and elegance. The two of them together made a striking pair and received quite a few admiring glances from various men and women in the room. They walked by him, making small talk and comments on the décor. Alex caught the faintest hint of gardenia as Imalia passed, seemingly unaware of his presence, until she paused for the space of a heartbeat and turned her head to look at him. Alex narrowed his eyes at her in warning. How dare she disobey his command? Did she not realize the danger she was putting herself in? How could Andrew have let her come? A small smile was her response before she turned away, once again presenting the crowd with an easy, casual expression. My, God, he thought. She truly is a woman of West End. A hand on his shoulder startled Alex. Gabriel Linscott was standing next to him, also watching Imalia. “My, my, Alex,” he purred. “She is a vision, is she not? I’m very pleased you have accepted my invitation. To see Miss Rainford in such finery is a pleasure.”
“I’m sure it is.” At Alex’s casual response, Linscott chuckled. “Only you could ignore such beauty,” he chided. “I see Andrew has brought her as his date, but whom did you bring? It is New Year’s Eve, surely you have a companion.” Alex bristled. “I don’t need a date,” he said. “I’m perfectly capable of having a good time with my brother and Miss Rainford. Speaking of dates, where’s yours? Surely the host of such a fine event did not arrive solo?”
“No, my dear boy, solo I am not.” Gabriel darted his eyes over the crowd. “I seem to have lost track of her. But I assure you, despite her trade her beauty is nothing compared to that of Imalia’s. Ah, here she is!” A tall, thin woman appeared before them after making her way through the crowd of bystanders. She was wearing a strappy black dress, which contrasted with her white blonde hair and made her look washed out and pale. Almost sickly. “Gabe, darling!” she cried, holding her hands out to him. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.” Linscott took her hands and she leaned in to peck him on the cheek. “This is the doctor Alex Bestei,” Linscott nodded her attention to the man standing next to him. She plastered a dazzling smile across her face and looked at Alex. Her smile faltered. “Alex,” Linscott continued, unaware of the tension that suddenly appeared between them. “I’d like to introduce Evelyn Barstrow.” Alex did not smile. “How do you do, Miss Barstrow,” he said as civilly as he could. “I am very fine this evening, thank you,” her voice was light and airy, but Alex could tell by her rigid posture that she was worried to see him. Alex politely excused himself and chased down a server with a tray of hors d’oeuvres. Engulfed in a tide of people he wondered if Andrew had seen her yet. He hoped not. He didn’t think that Andrew was entirely over Evelyn, and he didn’t want to hear about it on the way home. And home was where he intended to take him, once he caught up to the boy. He stared critically at the crab puff he now held in his hand. He didn’t really want to eat it. He turned to find his brother and bumped right into Evelyn. “Is he here?” she asked frantically. “Who?” Alex feigned ignorance. Evelyn glared at him. “You know perfectly well of whom I am talking about,” her tone was low and serious. Alex thought she sounded very much like Linscott, and briefly wondered how much time they had been spending together. He looked over her shoulder and saw Andrew dancing with Imalia. Well, blow him down. The boy had learned how to waltz. He returned his gaze to Evelyn’s cold and curious face. “Yes,” he said. “He’s here.” Her eyes fluttered shut briefly and she held a manicured hand to her chest. Opening her eyes again she touched Alex’s arm. “Don’t tell him I’m here,” she commanded. “I don’t want to see him.”
“You think I’m going to take orders from you?” Alex laughed, he couldn’t help himself. Evelyn looked startled, then narrowed her eyes. “Don’t worry,” he glared back at her, as soon as his laughter had died away. “I have no intention of revealing you to him. You’re not worth the effort.” With that comment, he walked off, leaving her as Andrew had done just twelve months prior.

(And lots more pages later...)

CRASH! The sound of breaking glass in the living room startled the trio. They each looked up from their plates, eyes wide. Alex was out of his chair in an instant, and ran into the living room with Andrew and Imalia at his heel. They stopped when they saw the damage done to the large window. The glass had been broken, jagged shards of it framed the hole newly broken into it. Alex bent to pick something up from the floor. It was a large, gray rock. Tilting it to the side to clear it of glass, he saw that someone had painted one word on it. Murderer. His eyes slowly slid up Imalia’s body until they reached her own, startled gaze. Her lips were red and slightly parted as she began to pant with fear. Her eyes, her dark, dark eyes seemed to be pleading with him. For what, he wasn’t sure. Suddenly, she ran. She ran back through the kitchen, threw open the door, and disappeared like a flash into the night. “What’s going on?” cried Andrew, as Alex tossed the evidence to the side and ran after Imalia into the garden.
It was dark, and there were no lights to illuminate the path, but he knew his garden like the back of his hand. He could navigate it blindfolded, if necessary. Unfortunately, Imalia was not so familiar. He heard a slight tumble up ahead, and guessed that she had tripped. He used that to his advantage, and sped up to catch up with her. Her small figure came into sight as his eyes adjusted to the darkness around them. She was standing up from a slight tumble, and was preparing to run again. “Imalia, wait!” Suddenly he was behind her, and grabbed her arm, jerking her back. She stumbled on the hem of her dress, but did not fall this time, as Alex had a rough hold on her arm and kept her balance. He swung her around to face him, and she gasped as he suddenly gripped her shoulders. Their breath fogged in the frigid air. “Let me go!” she cried, squirming unsuccessfully to be free. “Let me go, let me go! It’s not fair!” she wailed suddenly.
“It’s never fair, Imalia!” he snarled. “Especially for the hunted. And you are being hunted, make no mistake about that. Trust me when I say that Suvias has sent you to me for a reason. When he was here, he told me to look out for you, to keep you inconspicuous. There is a REASON for that request, and although I don't know what the reason is, I trust him, and I'm ready to make good on my promise!” She stared at him, her eyes wide. Alex let go of her abruptly, jarring her. “What happened, Imalia?” his voice had changed, had become quiet, concerned. His head was cocked to the side, regarding her with a speculative look. Searching her mind for any response besides the cold hard truth, she came up empty handed. His next question caught her off guard. “How do you know Gabriel Linscott?” She stiffened involuntarily, and turned away from him. He reached out a hand to turn her back toward him, but she whimpered and stepped out of his reach. “Imalia…” Silence hung thick between them. After a moment, he growled, “Fine. FINE.” He turned to storm back into the house.
“Alex!” the sheer volume of her voice shocked the both of them. Alex stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn to face her. She walked up to him, stood in front of him, and stammered, “Please, please don’t be mad at me. I’m sorry. I’m just… not ready to tell you yet.” She furrowed her brows, searching his stony face for something other than anger. The look on his face was difficult to read. “After what happened tonight,” he said quietly, “I don’t think it wise for you to stay here any longer. Apparently you are not inconspicuous enough. We must remedy that. For all we know, we’re being watched at this very moment.” His eyes scanned the darkness around them, then returned to her face. “Go inside. This instant.” Imalia hung her head and nodded. When he was sure that she was safe inside of the house, he walked the grounds. He barely felt the cold despite the fact that his coat was in the house. He crossed his arms over his chest as he walked, on the alert to any unusual sights or sounds. When he was sure his property was clear of trespassers, he went inside the house.