Brandon hissed. “People are staring at you.” He took a bite of his sandwich inside the diner they frequented near Deep Creek, chewing vigorously. “I’m not scowling,” she insisted, and glared around the diner. “People are just staring because I was missing, that’s all.” How was she going to survive a day on the lake with Brandon? How was she going to survive marriage to Brandon? Her thoughts were racing and buzzing, and the sickness that had formed in her stomach the moment she’d left Ed Peters lingered like a bad dream. “Where’s your ring?” he demanded with a soft hiss, gesturing at her naked hand. The engagement ring she usually wore was missing. Ella had taken it off while she slept the night before, leaving it under her pillow because she couldn’t bear the sight of it. “I forgot to put it on after showering,” she lied, glancing at the ceiling fan spinning above their table. “I sure as hell hope that’s the truth,” he sneered, taking another bite of his sandwich.
