Wildest Hearts

hood of her raincoat, and hurried toward the door.

    Half an hour later, after delivering the parrot safely to its new owner, Annie walked back into Wildest Dreams.

    Sybil was waiting for her with a deeply troubled expression.

    “Hi, Sybil.” Annie led the way into her office. “Something wrong?”

    “I have to talk to you. I heard the rumors last night at Valerie's preview. They started circulating right after you and Oliver left. Are they true?”

    “Have a seat. What rumors?” Annie shook raindrops off her coat and hung it on a peacock-headed coat rack.

    “You're probably wondering why I'm so concerned,” Sybil said as she sat down. “After all, you're well aware that Oliver and I haven't had what you'd call a strong stepmother-stepson relationship these past few years. Nevertheless…”

    Annie held up a hand as she sat down behind her desk. “Hold it. Before we get into why you're concerned about the rumors, you'd better tell me first what those rumors are.”

    Sybil frowned. “I'm talking about the rumors of your divorce.”

    Annie's mouth dropped open. “Mydivorce .”

    “I'll be the first to agree that Oliver can be extremely difficult.”

    “Wait, wait, back up a second.” Annie gestured wildly to silence Sybil. “What divorce?”

    “Did you think you could keep it quiet? Not likely. Annie, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'm here to ask you to reconsider.”

    “Reconsider what? I'm not getting a divorce. At least not that I know of. Oliver's sneaky at times, but I'm sure he'd at least consult with me on something like this before he filed. His communication skills have improved a lot lately.”

    “I don't understand.” Sybil eyed her closely. “You're saying the rumors are false?”

    “Definitely.”

    “But they're all over town.”

    Annie chuckled. “Hardly. What you probably mean is that everyone in your small circle of friends is talking about it, but I assure you, that's a tiny part of the population of Seattle.”

    Sybil lifted one shoulder in a gesture that clearly indicated the rest of Seattle didn't matter. “I'm saying that nearly everyone at the Eckert Museum preview last night was talking about your divorce before the evening was over. The fact that you and Oliver left rather abruptly in the middle of things certainly fueled the gossip.”

    Annie groaned. “You know Oliver. He doesn't make excuses or explanations. He decided he wanted to leave, so we left. There was nothing more to it than that.”

    “Are you certain?” Sybil looked unconvinced. “Let's be honest here. We both know that your marriage to Oliver was based on business in the beginning. I'm well aware of the fact that Oliver wanted Lyncroft Unlimited very badly.”

    “He did?”

    “Of course he did. Everyone knows it.”

    Annie recalled Oliver's comment on how unimportant Lyncroft Unlimited was in the grand scheme of his investments. A mere blip on the screen. She nibbled thoughtfully on her lower lip. “You've got it backward, Sybil. Oliver did me a favor by stepping in to save Lyncroft.”

    Sybil smiled wryly. “Trust Oliver to make you believe that. When you've known him as long as I have, you'll realize that Oliver doesn't do favors unless there's something in it for him. But that's beside the point now.”

    “I'm glad you think so.”

    “The point,” Sybil continued forcefully, “is that Oliver has changed since he's married you. And to be perfectly blunt, we all like the change.”

    “We?”

    “His family.” Sybil raised her chin. “You're the reason he's become more understanding and sensitive lately.”

    “Thank you.” Annie was genuinely touched.

    “And we would just as soon you didn't leave him.” Sybil's mouth tightened. “I think it's a sure bet that if you do, he'll go back to his old ways.”

    “Sybil, this is all really unnecessary. I promise you Oliver and I are not even talking about divorce.”

    Sybil furrowed her brow. “Then why are the rumors so strong?”

    “I have no idea.” Annie straightened and made a show of shuffling some papers. “Now, if that's all you're worried about, set your mind at ease. If you don't mind, I'd better get back to work. I'm trying to run a business here.”

    “I see.” Sybil stood.

    Annie immediately felt guilty for being rude. “I'm sorry, Sybil. It's just that things have been hectic lately and I'm swamped.”

    “It's all right.” Sybil walked to the door and turned. “You're really