She started to open the door, then paused. “Would you make certain Mr. Jamison’s old office is cleaned tonight? Mr. Blackmore will be taking over that space soon. And see what you can do about finding a secretary for him within our own staff, would you?”

“Mr. Blackmore?”

She smiled awkwardly. “It’s a long story, Alex. In as few words as possible, I’m marrying my step-brother in a last-ditch effort to save this company from total ruin.” With a frantic twist of the handle, the door popped open and she fell through it gratefully. Alex’s shocked expression would stay with her for the rest of the afternoon. His was only the first reaction she would have to get beyond. There were many more people who would be even more stunned by her sudden marriage.

She’d almost made it to her desk when she realized just what she’d said to her secretary. Darting back through the door, she stopped him before he reached the hallway. “Alex.” She halted, not knowing how to say what needed to be said. “What I just told you, that’s in the strictest confidence.”

Alex only nodded. “As is everything we discuss in this office, Darci. If you’re certain this is what needs to be done, I’ll support you in every way that I can. And I can see the necessity of casting an illusion of lasting love on your pending relationship.” He turned away. “If you need nothing further, I’ll see to that office now.”

“Thank you, Alex.” His perception of the needs of any situation had always made Alex invaluable. When the company could see daylight again, she’d have to see about getting him a raise. A big one.

She massaged the bridge of her nose, trying to relieve her mounting stress. There was at least one phone call that needed to be made before she went shopping. Mother should be warned that Cole was back in town. Maybe Darci would omit the news of their marriage until at least their first wedding anniversary. If they made it that far.

Darci swung her desk chair around to stare out the window. The afternoon sun glinted off the nearby buildings, adding a glow that the downtown area often lacked. The tall buildings tended to shadow one another, leaving the area with a sense of gloom that was difficult to shake.

Darci’s mother and Cole had disliked each other from the first moment they met. Cole had been a rebellious teenager, ready and willing to go against anything that was expected of him. Father and son had set a pattern of disagreeing over everything for years before the new family had moved in, and nothing had changed with the addition of two females to the household.