1-Chloe-Kate-Bella

by Unknown

  “I don’t see Dylan starting a brawl.”

  “Dylan isn’t the one losing his family business, now is he? No, I don’t see a brawl. But I do see press. Yes, it’s a fluff piece, but there will be press and that means reporters and cameras,” she sunk into her chair, one hand up and rubbing her neck. “Chloe and Kate won’t be back for a few hours yet. Our speedy justice system…”

  “Dylan and Simon just headed to the mall,” he met the curious frown with a shrug. “Hawaiian shirts for tonight’s luau.”

  A light went off, Bella’s eyes wide. “What am I thinking? It’s CHLOE, for heaven sake. Girl’s got more wigs than China has peasants.”

  “You don’t think it’ll affect her singing?” Sam walked with her from the office, he could see her mind still churning.

  “You don’t know Chloe. Once she’s in the zone…” Bella shook her head. “You didn’t attend the science fiction costume fundraiser. Chloe was a Borg…and if you don’t know sci-fi…”

  “I know Borg, yes, I’m a fan,” Sam admitted. “Let me guess. Not only a Borg, the female Borg, seven of nine.”

  “Chloe is Seven when she’s focused. She’s logical, professional and analytical. To distraction at times, depending on the topic. It won’t bother her to have her father there, as long as she’s not left alone with him,” Bella said softly. “And Kate and I won’t let that happen.”

  “And Dylan? I seriously don’t see two business men having problems at a social event. Our manners don't permit it,” Sam pointed out, accepting a note from Nick. “Do you think it’s possible Wetherly is here because he knew Chloe would be here?”

  “God, I hope not,” Bella watched him slide the note into the pocket but said nothing. “I have to work on things in the kitchen. If you need me…” She offered a weak wave and headed to the back. She couldn’t figure him out, she mused a short time later, kneading and patting dough for rolls. A part of him, the him that arrived on the motorcycle, seemed to fit into the lodge. But there was the part of him that spent time with Linda Prescot. That part of him was far, far out of reach. She could accept how he came to be here. Maybe. But she wasn’t sure she was prepared for why he was staying.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Sam headed toward the office when he saw Chloe and Kate return. June said something quiet, her head hitching toward the office. At almost the same time, Dylan and Simon entered carrying a couple plastic bags. Sam gestured to them and led them to the office.

  Chloe and Kate entered the office but found it empty. Bella appeared at the same time the men did, her head shaking. Coincidence, she groaned.

  “What’s up, Bella? June said you wanted to talk to us as soon as we got back,” Chloe gratefully poured a large glass of water.

  “How did things go?”

  “Bail was denied, that was mostly what I wanted,” Kate said simply. “That’s why I wanted to be at the bail hearing, to present why it should be denied. The judge was grateful for the additional information lacking on Turner.”

  “The man is seriously creepy,” Chloe said, draining the glass and watching Bella closely. “What’s wrong, Bella?”

  Bella had been working on how to let Chloe know about her father. She’d worked through several speeches, but all of them seemed lacking. She brought one hand up, rubbing heavily over her neck. Providence, her mind announced at the same time Sam decided to open his mouth.

  “Your father arrived this morning,” Sam said simply. “It’s my fault. I didn’t know we were supposed to tell him we were booked.”

  Chloe looked from one to the other and then at Dylan. “Okay. So?”

  “Is it possible he knew you’d be here and came just to see you?”

  “No one knew I was going to be here,” Chloe told him flatly. “If Bella is asked who will be performing, she has a fake name to hand them, all the staff does. Coincidence…messes with your life. Mine more than usual lately.”

  “You’re still going to sing?” Simon came forward, handed Sam a bag and watched Chloe closely.

  She scoffed, not a trace of apprehension in her features. “I’ve got the best Hannah Montana wig!” She chuckled deeply. “Not even my own father will recognize me.”

  “Seriously?” Sam voiced his doubt. “He doesn’t know you can sing?”

  The first trace of a little girl voice responded. “They don’t know me, Sam. My parents never knew me. It’ll be okay,” Chloe assured him with a pat on the arm. “I’m going to change. These clothes are way too serious. How about a walk along the lake?” She held out her palm, a sense of peace entering her when Simon walked with her. “See you guys later.”

  “Well…that’s one problem,” Bella turned to Dylan.

  “I’m a problem? We’ve never met. As far as I know, he doesn’t know what I look like,” Dylan told her with a shrug. “I can’t imagine he would do more than call me a few names…but somehow I think he’s above that. From what I know, he’s cold, hard and out of touch. I’ll do my best not to embarrass you, Bella.”

  “Dylan, it really isn’t me I’m concerned with,” she told him.

  “Chloe will be okay, Bella,” Kate promised. “She’s got us. And I’m starving. How about some food?” She accepted Dylan’s hand, taking the bag and peeking inside. “Nice colors.”

  Bella went to change her clothes shortly before six, pulling the one piece black swimsuit in place and adding the beautiful multi flowered sarong. She wore low, comfortable heels and kept her hair tied up in a small bundle at the back of her head.

  She hadn’t spoken to Sam since they’d met with Chloe that afternoon. She wasn’t sure what to say. She walked slowly back to the lodge, catching sight of a brilliantly blue and red and gold shirt coming in from the staff quarters. By the time she reached the milling people, enjoying the appetizers, she was laughing. Added to the very colorful shirt was a pair of sunglasses.

  Simon’s shirt had a base color of deep red with brilliant yellows and oranges; Dylan’s was based in a dark green with red, oranges and yellow flowers. And the straw hat.

  Chloe was on the small stage, one of the staff with her tapping on a set of bongo drums. She held her sticks, one in each hand but Bella knew it had nothing to do with defense tonight. They were part of keeping the beat in one of the songs from the Disney cartoon.

  The strains of music began shortly before seven. The speeches were over and people were half way through the meal, returning a few times for their favorites. Chloe began with a song from Grease two. Bongos were playing nicely to the beat as the grass skirt shimmied and swayed. Chloe wore a portable microphone tonight, letting her dance across the stage as she moved to the beat.

  Chloe was right. Unless you truly knew her, you could never recognize her at the moment. She had small, feathered bangs over her forehead and the blond hair was smooth as silk, falling to the middle of her back in a straight cascade. She wore bright green contacts and a sparkle filled lip gloss. She had talked a couple of the staff to play back-up singers and the effect was perfect. She moved effortlessly into two Hawaiian songs from a Disney cartoon.

  Simon leaned back in his chair, still amazed at how perfectly she executed the Hawaiian dance moves and the language. Somehow he had felt like he was on a Hawaiian roller coaster ride, and it was nowhere near over. And that didn’t seem to bother him, a contented grin on his face, winking at her when she caught his eyes.

  The truly Hawaiian strains of the next song had Chloe lifting her sticks, using them to tap in tune with the song as she began drifting in and out of the traditional Hawaiian dance. Her feet were bare on the stage with tiny rings of flowers at each ankle.

  Four of them kept watching for any sign from Stephen Wetherly that he recognize
d Chloe, but he simply nodded to the music, talked with his wife and ate dinner. The audience was laughing by the end of the fourth song and a swinging beat of ‘Pineapple Princess’ had people clapping and swaying. Chloe brought her portion of the show to a stop, letting them know the floor was open to dancing when the staff cleared the stage for the small band.

  Simon stood up and moved to the stage, his palm up for her hand as she stepped into her sandals and into his arms. He swung her lightly to the ground before walking with her to get some food before it was all gone.

  Soft music from Jimmy Buffett to the Beach Boys played behind the back drop of conversation, dancing and munching on the many desserts being offered with several varieties of coffee.

  “I think we’re out of place,” Sam stood up and held out his palm to Bella.

  “You do realize I’m not convinced this is a good idea at all,” Bella said even as she felt his fingers fold around hers. He led her to the dance floor, a crooked grin on his tanned features.

  “Then I guess I have my work cut out for me.” Sam surprised himself with his comment. He knew why he had quit. He knew the burnout had strongly set in. There was no interest in the adrenaline any longer. He hadn’t been sure what he was searching for when he began his ride.

  “The people you introduced me to, Jerry and Amy. They work for you?”

  “Jerry does. Amy is working on a flower shop.”

  “But you aren’t local,” she recalled June mentioning that she had sent a car to the airport for them that afternoon.

  “But they are interested in relocating.”

  “Because you’re here.” She accepted his half shrug. Her head tipped and it took great effort to meet his eyes. It was a dangerous move. Her common sense seemed to fade when he was close and he had such pretty blue eyes. She was sure she could see flames in his eyes right now. Her feet were flat on the ground, but it was so very easy to relax in his arms where she swore the room was spinning. Food, she thought practically. Low blood sugar, maybe.

  “It’s peaceful here,” he said the words at the same time he gathered her a little closer, accepting the space she was willing to give him. “Why is that such a bad reason for a change, Bella?”

  “Running this place is anything but peaceful at times, Sam. You know that. We might only be a lodge, but…”

  “Forget Linda. She’s used to highbrow assignments and is still hooked on the adrenaline rush. I don’t think of it as only anything.”

  “But you’re not still hooked.”

  “Why did you step out of your previous careers? I know several people who simply had a change in direction. For sanity…for peace. Maybe because deep inside you just knew it was time. I’m not any different,” Sam leaned his forehead against hers with a ragged sigh.

  Coincidence, her mind whispered. Would it be so very wrong to allow herself a little romance? No, the better question would be how very much would it hurt if peace wasn’t what he was searching for?

  “Franklin, I’d like a moment of your time,” Stephen Wetherly and his wife stopped a few feet from them at the edge of the dance floor.

  “Is there something wrong, Wetherly?” Sam decided he did not like his tone, paying customer or not. He stopped their dance and faced the man patiently.

  “I want you to check your list and see if my daughter is here.” He demanded bluntly.

  “Wouldn’t it be much simpler to phone her and ask her where she is?” Sam asked in return, his face a mask that betrayed nothing. His hand tightened on the palm he held, assuring her he would handle this.

  “No, it would not,” Wetherly said flatly.

  “We can check the donor list, Mr. Wetherly, as that information is public knowledge. But we cannot and will not give you information from the Lodge’s registration. Our guests are entitled to their privacy,” Bella said quietly. She could see Chloe stop her dance with Simon, their eyes meeting across the short expanse. His request had clearly been heard by those nearby.

  “Can I ask why you believe your daughter might be here?” Sam asked out of nowhere, a frown creasing his lips. If things were as they had all assured him, only those closest to Chloe knew who she was.

  “I’ve been assured she is here. I’ve watched for her, but…”

  “Again, who told you she was here,” Sam straightened, his hands moving to his pockets. “Because if one of our staff is responsible for your information, they will be unemployed in the morning.”

  “Your staff has been most helpful,” was the older man’s veiled reply.

  “I see. Well, as Bella said, we can check the donor list. What’s your daughter’s name?”

  “Chloe Wetherly,” Wetherly said tersely.

  Sam walked to the entrance to the luau, spoke to the woman with the donor information and returned. “You are the only Wetherly’s on the donor list tonight,” Sam told him easily, very aware that the answer was not one he wanted to hear.

  “Try under than name Applegate,” was the next order, sending Sam back, but he returned with the same answer.

  He knew Chloe didn’t donate under her own name. She was using Simon’s name. He wondered if his imagination about their estrangement was worse than the reality.

  “Perhaps your daughter doesn’t want to be found.”

  Bella watched a brief discussion between Simon and Chloe, his head shaking and hers tipping to the side. Chloe evidently managed to convince him, because next thing she knew they were walking towards her and Sam.

  “My daughter does not know what’s best…”

  “What do you want?” Chloe took a stance, feet parted and hands wrapped around Simon’s arm. Mostly to keep them from shaking.

  “Chloe?” He recognized the voice, but the physical features were not something he knew. His eyes ran to her feet and back up. “So you are here.”

  “I’m not registered anywhere in my own name, so don’t blame them. What do you want? You’re bothering people to find me. Well, here I am.” She said defiantly, chin up and eyes flashing.

  “I want to talk to you about your inheritance,” Wetherly looked around at the various interested parties. “But this is not the place for such a…”

  “There isn’t anything to discuss. And it’s the perfect, public place. My attorney talked to grandfather’s attorney and I know all about the inheritance. I signed the stock shares over to the Aero Visions CEO.” She watched the anger flare in his eyes. “You had the choice of your lifestyle and ego or the well-being of your employees and some integrity in the company grandfather had built from nothing. I’m trying to undo your mistakes.” Chloe stood her ground when he took a step forward, very aware of Kate at her side and Dylan beside her.

  “Perhaps we could go somewhere private,” Stephen Wetherly’s jaw was set, anger in his eyes.

  “Your mother and father can use the manager’s office,” Sam said, aware instantly that it was the wrong thing to say.

  “I am not that woman’s mother,” the tall, slender women with short soft blond hair, straightened her shoulders and turned to the man at her side. “I will be in the room, Stephen.” A cold glare was leveled at Chloe. “You have been nothing but trouble since the beginning.” She turned and strode off without looking back.

  Chloe met the anger in her father’s eyes. “Did you think I didn’t know?” She asked softly. “I had a DNA test done when I was twelve years old. Trying to understand why she hated me. Then a whole lot of things began to make a weird kind of sense to me. And it’s really alright knowing I’m not related to her.”

  “Why don’t we go to the office,” Sam said quietly.

  “I’ve no problem with that,” Bella said with a sli
ght nod at Kate. She led the way to the office, gesturing them inside and watching the entourage follow.

  “I would prefer to speak to my daughter alone,” Stephen Wetherly’s cold voice filled the office when he turned to find six people there besides him.

  “Not at this time,” Simon said flatly. He braced his feet, a grim expression on his face when Chloe stood in front of him, leaning into his arms with her hands over his.

  “If you want to discuss the company merger, I’m more than happy to sit down with our attorney’s and talk, Wetherly. I’ve made the gesture several times, but you evidently weren’t interested,” Dylan moved to the window, leaned against the brass bar, hands in his pockets as he watched the man turn to face him. “Dylan Grant, CEO and owner of Aero Visions.”