Midnight Diamonds (14 page)

Sighing, she sat up and pulled the top sheet around her then leaned back against him. “There’s not much more to tell. The school will have to close unless we find a way to replace what was stolen. That means hundreds of students will have to find a new school, and all of the teachers will need new jobs. I wish I could do something, but I’m in the same boat as everyone else.”

He stroked her hair for a few moments. “What about a fundraiser?”

She laughed softly. “That’s a lot of cookies to sell and cars to wash.”

“Maybe I could give a concert?”

Pulling away from him, she looked into his eyes. “Seriously? You’d be willing to do that for my school?”

Framing her face with his hands, he kissed her softly. “I’d do it for you.”

“But Justin, it’s not like we can make a public announcement that the school’s in trouble so we’re having a benefit concert. I shouldn’t have even told you, since this is confidential school business.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Let me do some thinking, and I’ll have Becky check. I think we can do it in a way that people won’t have to know the real reason.”

Squealing with delight, she hugged him, kissing his neck. “You can’t be real, Justin Rivers.”

She felt his lips on her shoulder as his hands pulled away the sheet. “Let me show you how real I am.”

Chapter Nine

Wearing a smile that rivaled that of the Cheshire Cat, Silver arrived early at school the next morning, humming one of Justin’s songs on the CD she’d listened to while getting ready for work. She needed her own CD so she could give Becky’s copy back to her.

Silver parked Buddy in his usual spot, climbed out and looked up into a cloudless, beautiful blue sky. So this was what it felt like to be in love. Part of her heart wanted to retreat and seal up against possible hurt and disappointment. But Silver didn’t want a rusty heart anymore.

Remembering last night brought a flush to her cheeks. She’d never known loving someone could be this exciting and scary at the same time, but the lesson had proved to be very enlightening. She’d been so open and safe with Justin, as if she could trust him with anything. She’d been free—definitely not an ice princess.

And the man hadn’t been lying about being good at a lot of things…in a lot of places. The bedroom, shower, living room, kitchen… How many times had he brought her to… No, no! Time for work, not play.

But oh, the play had been so wonderful.

Feeling deliciously exhausted, she walked toward the high school building, thinking this kind of weariness could be habit forming.

Suddenly people with microphones and cameras surrounded her, yelling questions and blocking her way. Silver instinctively shrank away from them, trying to push through the tight web of bodies. Clay Stevens appeared at her side, grabbed her arm, and walked in front of her, moving reporters and cameramen out of the way. Dozens of parents lined the sidewalk, too, yelling angry words, but she didn’t understand what they were saying.

It took some doing but she finally made it into the school. Clay pulled the doors shut behind her.

“What in the world was that all about?” she asked breathlessly. Turning, she faced a rigid Jackie Calloway, whose flushed appearance did not bode well for the coming discussion.

“Thank you, Clay. I’m sure Miss Madison appreciates your help. Ms. McQueen is waiting in the art room so you can finish your project.”

“I figured something like this would happen, so I got here early.” With a quick sympathetic glance to Silver, the boy disappeared down one of the hallways.

Silver frowned. “Something like what?”

“I take it you haven’t seen the morning paper?” Jackie handed her a newspaper. “Read as you walk,” she said as she made her way rapidly toward her office, her heels making sharp staccato pings in the tiled hallway.

Hands shaking, Silver opened the paper and nearly fainted. “Oh my God,” she whispered as she ran to keep up with Jackie.

“I hope your prayers are better than that, Silver. You’re going to need a miracle to get out of this one.”

Silver couldn’t stop reading and re-reading the screaming headline: “Teacher Confesses to Country Lover: Academy Money is Gone.”

The accompanying article used her name and Justin’s, saying the “country hottie spent a steamy night for some one-on-one tutelage,” during which she told him about the school’s financial situation. It included her headshot from the school yearbook and went on to question if her “promiscuous behavior and revelation of sensitive financial information” violated her contract with GaGa.

Whispering teachers lined the hallway to Jackie’s office. Silver noticed they made only brief eye contact with her. All except Gracie, who gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and a sad smile. When the two women arrived at the office, Jackie told her secretary to keep everyone out and shut the door behind them.

“They have pictures, Silver. Would you mind telling me how they got these photos?”

“Photos? I don’t see any here. How in the world—”

Jackie jerked her computer around so Silver could see. Pictures of her and Justin, in her bedroom, spread across the screen. Important body parts had been blurred, but the faces were clearly recognizable.

Silver’s stomach roiled. “I’m going to be sick.”

Sitting behind her desk, Jackie waved a hand. “Take a number. These photos are all over the Internet and on every tabloid front page. See this phone?” All the lines were lit up and blinking. “It started ringing at seven and hasn’t stopped. Angry parents want to know what I’m going to do about this poor example of a teacher. Our lawyers are on their way here for an emergency meeting with the board members. Lawyers, Silver. That’s never good.” The principal’s eyes narrowed in irritation. “For the record, I have to ask: Is that you in those photos with Justin Rivers, the one you said I had nothing to worry about?”

Silver nodded, standing mutely while tears of humiliation rolled down her cheeks.

“Damn it, Silver. The confidentiality and morality clauses are in your contract for a reason. I couldn’t care less that you slept with someone, but my opinion doesn’t matter when it’s presented to God and everyone this way. It reflects badly on the school, and that
does
matter.”

A loud voice from outside the office drew their attention. The door to Jackie’s office opened abruptly and Justin stood there, black hat dangling in his hand. “Ma’am, I’m here to explain why this is all garbage. Silver has done nothing wrong.”

Jackie moaned as she put her head in her hands. “You do realize, Mr. Rivers, that you have added fuel to their fire. That nest of vipers out there will have a field day with you riding to the rescue.”

“I came in the back way, so I don’t think anyone saw me.” He walked over and opened his arms. “Silver, are you all right?”

Shaking her head, she leaned into his embrace, needing to feel safe and protected.

He held out one hand to Jackie. “Ma’am, I’m Justin Rivers, Silver’s fiancé.”

Silver jerked back. “What?”

Jackie stood and shook his hand. “Jackie Calloway, her executioner. Did you say fiancé?”

“Yes, ma’am, as of last night,” he said with a huge smile. “She was a tough one to convince. I guess singing to her did the trick.”

Silver blinked but said nothing. What was Justin doing?

Fiancé?

Jackie frowned at Silver’s hand. “There’s no ring.”

“She left the house so early this morning she forgot to put it on. I guess she’s not used to the idea yet.”

Silver felt ragged fear tear at her stomach. Fiancé! “Ring?”

“I found it on the dresser and brought it to you.” He reached for her hand and slipped a ring onto it, then kissed her fingers.

“Now that’s a ring!” Jackie exclaimed.

Silver stared at the biggest emerald cut diamond she’d ever seen. “It’s uh…lovely,” she gasped.

Justin chuckled. “That’s exactly what she said last night. She even said it might be too pretentious.”

“That certainly sounds like our Silver,” Jackie murmured as if considering his words.

“Mrs. Calloway, I have several people checking right now to find out how those personal pictures were taken and leaked to the press. I would never allow something like that to hurt Silver, ma’am. The person responsible will be held accountable.”

Jackie turned the offensive tabloid face down on her desk. “It looks like someone was inside Silver’s house,” she said with an arched eyebrow. “How did they get in?”

“I have no idea, ma’am, but the locks at Silver’s house will be changed today. Is there anything else you need from me to help Silver?”

“No, this puts a different spin on everything.” Jackie smiled slowly. “Yes, indeed, this is much better. The board might accept this story about two lovers celebrating their engagement. They won’t like it, but they’ll accept it.”

Silver blinked rapidly against a storm of frantic tears. “Um, Jackie, is there any way I could have the day off? Maybe if I’m not here, that mess outside will go away.”

“Agreed. I do have to ask one more thing. Silver, did you share confidential financial information with Justin?”

Silver nodded, unable to find words for her stupidity. Justin slipped an arm back around her shoulders. “We were discussing the possibility of me doing a benefit concert to raise money for the school. Something I still plan to do, if the board will allow it.”

Jackie studied him for a moment. “I’m going to hold you to that, Mr. Rivers. Both of you go so I can get things done here.” Reaching out, she shook hands with him. “You arrived just in time, cowboy. Maybe your hat should be white instead of black.”

* * *

Silver allowed herself to be led out of the office. She felt panicky, as if her life had jumped into hyper-drive with someone else steering. If Justin hadn’t shown up, she would more than likely have been fired from her job.

The weight of the huge diamond mocked her. Not exactly the romantic proposal she’d always dreamed of, but the timing couldn’t have been better.

Timing.

She pushed the thought aside. Right now she had bigger things to worry about.

“Justin, what… Why…” Pausing to find her words, she tried again. “Where did those pictures comes from?”

“When I left this morning, I noticed the patio door was ajar. Judging from the angle of the shots, someone took those pictures from your closet. I guess they heard us talking and…everything.”

Silver’s stomach clenched again. The broken patio door lock. “I’m sorry, Justin, this is my fault. It seems like I’m always apologizing to you.”

“I’m taking you to Mom’s house,” Justin continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “She has people working to contain the situation and it’s going to be fine. You’ll be able to get away from all this until we figure out exactly what to do. Only…uh…only…”

They walked out a back door that led to an alley behind the school where he’d parked.

She stopped. “Only…?”

He turned to face her. “Your mother’s waiting for you at the house.”

Silver leaned over and threw up beside his truck.

* * *

Amazing how a few hours turned her world completely upside down. Had it really been last night that he’d sung to her and made love to her? Practically admitted he loved her?

She mentally grasped for some desperate excuse to explain the disaster. Maybe someone had decided to play a very bad joke. Right, Silver. A joke with very detailed, intimate pictures.

Her heart pounded in fear. What would Connie think of her? And Amelia… Hell hath no fury like Amelia Madison’s scorn. She looked at the man beside her and bit her lower lip.

Justin’s jaw clenched and his hands gripped the steering wheel. He turned his head and gave her a tight smile.

“I know this doesn’t look good, Silver, but I’ll fix it. Trust me.”

What choice did she have?

When Justin approached the driveway of the Rivers mansion, at least a dozen news vans had parked on the road. Reporters and cameramen followed the truck on foot, calling out questions and aiming cameras at the two of them. Dozens of other people held up their phones, most likely taking video and pictures to post or tweet.

Justin slowly maneuvered past the mob and parked in front of the house, where Amelia’s silver Mercedes sat beside Becky’s car. Silver kept her face covered with one hand while Justin escorted her through the front door.

“Nothing but vultures,” muttered Justin’s older brother, Kade, as he closed the door behind him. “You guys OK?”

“Yeah,” Justin replied grimly. Silver kept her head down until Justin gently raised her chin with his fingers.

“Sweetheart, this will pass,” Justin said. “I know it’s overwhelming, but I’ll handle this. By this time tomorrow, everything will be different.”

The three of them walked to the kitchen. Connie stood from the kitchen table and hugged her tightly.

“Silver, I’m so sorry, sweetie. It would’ve been better if you’d at least gotten your feet wet before jumping into a media fish bowl. You’re getting a crash course in how to handle the paparazzi.”

“Where’s Becky?” Silver asked with a trembling voice. “I saw her car outside.”

“She’s in my office trying to find out who did this to you,” Connie said.

“I’m sorry, so sorry,” Silver began. “If I had remembered to lock the patio door…”

“Stop right there, young lady,” Connie said, taking a firm hold on Silver’s shoulders. “You’ve done nothing wrong except socialize with the Rivers family.”

A chilly voice bit through the air, stinging Silver’s fragile spirit. “It was a bit more than socializing, wouldn’t you say?”

Amelia Madison stood beside the breakfast table. As always, she appeared like a perfect, icy picture in beige slacks and a cream-colored silk blouse.

“Hello, Mother.”

“Do you have any idea the damage you have caused with this whorish stunt of yours? I’ll be the laughingstock of my friends. No doubt I’ll be barred from the country club and my name will be stricken from every prominent social register in the country, not to mention what people will say at church. And the president of the school board, Mr. Kincaid, called this morning.”