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Merritt came out and joined her, taking a seat on the edge. “So, we’ll be back in Michigan in a week, and then I think it’s time to kick this wedding planning into high gear.”
“That sounds great. I need something to get my mind off everything.”
“I have plenty to keep you busy.” She glanced over her shoulder toward the house. “Do you know what’s up with Oliver today?”
“I told him I have feelings for him.”
Merritt’s face lit up. “You did?”
“Shhh.” Adelia waved her hands to get Merritt to lower her volume and level of excitement. “He turned me down.”
“What? He did?”
Adelia did her best to keep her voice low. “He made some good points. We’re from different worlds. He’s a private person and wants to keep it that way. And he doesn’t want to cross the line because he was hired to watch over me.”
Merritt shook her head sadly. “No wonder he looked so tortured today.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. He was so quiet, and we couldn’t get him to really participate in any conversations.” She looked toward the house again. “I can understand his point of view. I’ve been where he is. When I married Gus, I was suddenly in every tabloid around. That was a bit of a shock.”
“I remember.”
“It was annoying at first, but you get used to it.”
“He loves his job and his life in Michigan. I’m sure he won’t want to fly back and forth all the time like you guys do, and I need to be here often.”
“Gus and I make it work.”
“I just think it’s too much of a hassle for him. I’m not worth it.”
Merritt tilted her head in disapproval. “Don’t get that in your head, Adelia. You’re an amazing woman, and Oliver would be lucky to have you in his life.”
“Thank you. I just don’t—”
“What did you do?” Oliver came marching out of the house.
Her eyes widened at his tone and the look of anger in his eyes. “What is it?”
“Carmen just called and said some reporter called the station for a comment on an article about Adelia Allen’s blackmailing case.”
Her heart leapt into her throat.
“She sent me the link, Adelia.” He held his phone screen in her direction. “I repeat, what did you do?”
“It was that reporter today. He was asking me some questions I didn’t want to answer, so I gave him a different story to print.”
“Adelia.” He looked up at the sky, exasperated.
“Is it really that big a deal? I thought maybe it would scare the creep away, talking about it and not hiding where I’ve been. Now, there’s no reason for me to pay to keep that fact a secret.”
Oliver rubbed his hands over his face. “You may have hindered our investigation and angered the person. We don’t know what they’re capable of.”
“I’m sorry, Olly.”
His eyes shot to hers. “Really, Adelia, what were you thinking, doing this without talking to me first?”
She turned her face away. “I had my reasons.”