“You can’t simply hire a child to do that.”
Emily struggled to fight back tears. She was so proud of her work here.
Delbert stepped forward.“Emily is doing a fine job. She has lots of knowledge of the town and is a big lover of history. She even works at Moonbeam’s History Museum. I can’t think of abetterperson for the job.”His voice rang out strong and assured.
“If you need to get someone else, I understand. A real designer or something.”Emily’s voice was low.
Delbert stepped over to Emily and touched her arm.“No, Emily. I won’t be doing that. You’re doing a wonderful job and I appreciate all the effort you’re putting into it. I couldn’t pay someone who didn’t have…I don’t know…the heart that you’re putting into this. I’m pleased with everything you’ve done. You’re in charge. I trust you.”
Emily’s eyes lit up again.“Thank you, De—Ah, thanks. I won’t let you down.”
Camille’s eyes flashed.“You’ll regret this, Delbert, mark my words. Your choices sometimes…”She shook her head, her tone an icy condemnation.
“Hey, Emily, let’s go back to the storeroom and you can show me that family portrait you found. I’d love to see it.”Barry smiled encouragingly at Emily, wanting to get her away from Camille. He then turned to Camille and nodded briefly toward her.“Camille.”And he didn’t care one bit how cold his tone sounded, though she probably didn’t notice she was so wrapped up in herself. He’d never figure out what Del saw in the woman.
He led Emily out of the library and away from Camille and her hurtful words. A fierce protective streak surged through him toward Donna’s granddaughter. She didn’t deserve to be spoken to like that and the tears at the corners of her eyes had tugged at his heart. He hadn’t been much of a fan of Camille’s before, ever since he’d met her at a fancy New Year’s Eve party a few years back, and now he certainly wasn’t.
Delbert Hamilton turnedto Camille and in spite of his best intentions, a long sigh escaped his lips. He paused so he could choose his words carefully.“Camille, darlin’, you know I care about you, but I can’t have you talking that way to people. You need to learn to think before you speak. You can’t go around hurting people’s feelings.”
“I can speak how I want, Delbert. You shouldn’t have this…girl…in charge of something like that. That’s absurd.”
“She’s doing a wonderful job. It’s a great opportunity for her, and I was happy to give it to her. And…it’s my decision to make.”He took a step back and rubbed his temple. Dating Camille was often…complicated.
“And why are you taking their side?”Camille stamped her foot, anger flashing across her face, her eyes darkening.
“I’m not taking sides. I’m saying I won’t have you disparaging people I care about.”
“You don’t care about her. She just works for you.”Camille looked truly bewildered.
“I care about everyone who works for me. Everyone who works for Hamilton Hotels. They are part of my extended family, and their welfare is important to me.”
“That’s a silly notion. Of course, they aren’t your family.”
“They are,”he insisted.“And I’d appreciate if you’d treat them as such.”He sighed.“Camille, this is important to me. Very important.”He knew crossing Camille was a dangerous proposition, but he really did want her to understand how important this was.
“If this silly little girl’s feelings are more important than me, then I guess I’ll just go back to Belle Island. I can see I’m not wanted here.”
He stood, and for what might have been the first time, he truly saw her, the real Camille. She was impeccably dressed. Always was. She carried herself with—there was no other way to describe it—ahaughtyair. She was entertaining and he often enjoyed her company. But she was…So. Much. Work.
She stood there staring at him, waiting for him to apologize, which was how he usually handled their disagreements. It was just easier to not rile her.
But this time he just slowly nodded.“I think you returning to Belle Island might be for the best.”
“Really, you aren’t going to apologize and ask me to stay?”Her eyes widened.
“No, I’m not,”he said simply.
“Well, don’t expect to see me come begging you to take me back. We’re over, Delbert Hamilton. Finished. I will not be treated like this.”Camille twirled around and stalked across the foyer, her heels clicking on the tile floor with each furious step she took. She paused by the door and turned back to him.“I’ll send your driver back for you after he drops me off on Belle Island.”
She flounced out the front door and suddenly the entryway was silent.
Very silent.
And he found he didn’t mind the silence at all.
He’d tried so hard with Camille, thinking she’d change. Thinking that she’d soften. He realized he was tired of listening to her criticism, her complaints. Oh, she could be charming when she wanted to. Or when she wanted something. But, truth be told, he was getting tired of constantly trying to keep her happy. Relationships took work, but usually, it took work frombothhalves of the couple.
He ran his hand through his hair and tugged his collar loose. The blessed silence still echoed through the entranceway.
