Vegas heat

by Michaels, Fern

  "It was the holidays. I always get stars in my eyes at Christmas."

  "Listen, Fanny, why don't you and Billie want any fanfare when the rehab center opens next week? You know, the mayor, the ribbon cutting, all that stuff?"

  "Just family. The center is a serious thing. The medical field has been alerted, Su Li, Sallie's young protegee, is in charge of all the medical stuff. She's got a terrific staff lined up, top-notch therapists, great nurses. We just want to ease into it without any fanfare. We thought it best for the patients. Patients with debilitating diseases don't want people gawking and staring at them and asking for interviews. It's important for the patients that things remain calm and serene. The first patients arrive the day after our dedication. We can accommodate a hundred. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't run out of money and that we can meet our payroll."

  "They've been crossed since the day construction started. I drove by yesterday and it's beautiful. You and Billie did a wonderful job. Phone's ringing."

  "I'D get it. Fanny Thornton, how can I help you this morning?"

  "Mrs. Thornton, do you know who this is?"

  Fanny immediately recognized the gruff, deep voice on the other end of the line. "Yes."

  "Can you meet me at Sophie's Cafe in thirty minutes?"

  "Why . . . yes, of course. I'll leave now."

  "Who was that? You look like someone just stepped on your big toe."

  "It's not important. I have to go out for a little while. Take over, okay?"

  "Sure."

  Fanny walked to the cafe, her thoughts in a turmoil. Her heart was beating too fast. It was broad daylight, what could possibly happen?

  The moment Fanny closed the door behind her, the Open sign was switched to Closed and the green shades pulled down. A bowl of chicken noodle soup and a cup of coffee were placed in front of her.

  Even sitting, the man dwarfed the room. "It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Thornton."

  Fanny nodded. She tasted the soup. It was good. She waited.

  "My ... colleagues and I would like to help you. What you're doing out in the desert is a good thing. My side of the street would like to help. Anonymously of course."

  "I don't understand." Fanny placed her soup spoon at the side of the bowl.

  The man slid an envelope across the table. Fanny reached for it and opened it. Her gasp could be heard across the room. "This is ... I don't know what to say."

  "Thank you is good enough. If you are amenable, we've decided that we will donate one day's proceeds once a year. Look at it this way, Mrs. Thornton. My side of the street is giving to your side. How and what you do with the money is entirely up to you. We will never interfere. We did our own analysis of the situation and there is no way your center can stay in the black with just you and Mrs. Kingsley funding it. It's a worthwhile endeavor, and we'd like to be part of it. There are no strings of any kind."

  "Then I accept. I just don't know how to handle this."

  "Let your bankers take care of the details. They can talk to our bankers. We wish you every success."

  "We aren't having a grand opening or anything like that," Fanny said, grappling for words. "You wouldn't happen to

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  know a good divorce lawyer who's a woman would you?" God in heaven, did she just say that? Evidently she did because the man seemed to be having difficulty switching his mental gears. He shrugged.

  "We understand the reasoning behind your decision. Enjoy your lunch, Mrs. Thornton."

  "It's very good soup."

  "Take some home."

  "I might do that."

  Fanny stared at the envelope in front of her. Five million dollars. Five million dollars. From the other side of the street. Suddenly she felt giddy, light-headed. She was about to leave when a paper bag was placed on the table. Chicken soup to go. She smiled all the way to the bank. She was still smiling when she returned to Babylon. She immediately placed a call to Billie Kingsley.

  "You kept it, didn't you?"

  "Billie, I did not walk, I ran to the bank. It was a cashier's check so the money is already in the rehab account. They're going to donate every year. Ash is never going to believe this."

  "Is he coming for the dedication?"

  "Yes, and I believe Sunny is coming, too. The sign is going up today. Chue's standing at the ready with his flowers and shrubbery. As soon as they walk away, he'll be planting and laying sod. When he's done, it will look like it's been there for years. I'm glad we decided on calling the center, The Sunrise Rehabilitation Center for your home in Texas and my mountain. It's like it was meant to be. Gotta go, see you on Sunday."

  Fanny felt so good she danced a little jig. Her mood darkened immediately when her gaze dropped to the legal papers on the corner of her desk. "Guess what, Simon Thornton. I'll light you for Babylon until hell freezes over, and then I'll fight you on the ice!"

  Fanny tied the belt of the terry cloth robe. Her wet head swathed in a thick towel, she padded to the kitchen to make

  coffee and to feed Daisy. The doorbell rang at ten minutes past nine just as she was sitting down with her coffee and the morning paper. Daisy ran to the door, barking.

  There was only one word to describe the woman standing in the doorway; spectacular.

  "Mrs. Thornton?"

  "Yes."

  "I'm Clementine Fox. A mutual friend of ours said you were in need of an attorney and suggested I stop by."

  Fanny wasn't about to ask which mutual friend. "Are you the Clementine Fox, better known as the Silver Fox?''

  The woman smiled, each tooth a matched pearl. "That's one of my more flattering names. Everyone thinks my hair is dyed. It isn't. I was born with silver hair."

  "Would you like some coffee?"

  "I'd love some."

  "Is the kitchen okay?"

  "I love kitchens. As a child we lived in ours. My mother made the sweetest-smelling bread. I lived for the days she made bread and strawberry jam. You look puzzled. Did I come at a bad time?"

  "No, not at all. I guess I'm just marveling at how fast people on the other side of the street do things."

  The golden eyes beneath heavy lashes looked amused. "The telephone is a marvelous invention."

  She wasn't just spectacular. She was exquisitely spectacular. She was lean and trim; obviously, she worked out. Fanny just knew there wasn't one extra ounce of body fat on this woman. She probably spoke seven foreign languages, too. She absolutely reeked of capability. The Chanel suit and purse said her bank account wasn't just healthy, it was robust.

  "I have a problem," Fanny said.

  Clementine crossed her legs, legs with no end. Fanny felt smug when she recognized the shoes on the attorney's feet. "I have all day. Talk to me."

  Fanny talked.

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  Clementine listened, her pen flying over the yellow legal pad.

  The moment Clementine capped her pen, Fanny said, "So, what do you think?"

  "I think you married yourself one sorry son of a bitch. There's no way to know that going in, so you're excused. I know how to play the game, and I know the name of the game. Let me give it to you in clear, concise terms. The first rule in a divorce: if it looks like it's going to be the knock-down-drag-out kind, you fuck them before they fuck you. I know your husband's lawyer. Jason St. Clare studied law under the Devil."

  Fanny winced. "Where did you study, Miss Fox?"

  "Call me Clementine. From here on in I'm going to be your best friend. I was St. Clare's protege."

  Fanny smiled. "Not one cent from this casino. I mean that."

  "I hear you." The long legs straightened themselves out. "I like what you did with this place. It looks like someone really lives here now."

  She didn't mean to ask the question. It just rolled out of her mouth. "You've been here before?"

  "Uh-huh. I think I was 960 on Ash's conquest list. That was okay," she trilled, "because he was 961 on my conquest list" Fanny burst into laughter. "You we
re already separated."

  "That was a long time ago."

  "You then married the brother! I would have thought you would have learned your lesson the first time around."

  "Stupid is as stupid does."

  Clementine held out her hand. Fanny shook it vigorously She was in good hands, and she knew it.

  "You won't hear from me until I have something concrete to tell you. It takes a while to wade through the bullshit. I don't expect Jason to dick around too much. He'll make a lot of noise for his client's benefit, then he'll lose his voice at just the right moment."

  "Don't underestimate Simon the way I did."

  "I'm duly warned. I want to be clear on something. Are we talking big bucks, whatever it takes, representation?"

  "And more if necessary. Thanks for coming by, Clementine."

  Clementine nodded. "Don't worry. You're paying me to do that. I can see myself out."

  The moment the door closed behind her guest, Fanny dialed Ash at Sunrise. "Ash, it's Fanny."

  "How's it going, Fanny?"

  "Simon served divorce papers on me. He's charging me with adultery." Ash's hoot of laughter tickled Fanny. "He also wants a percentage share of Babylon."

  "Not in this lifetime, baby."

  ' 'You wouldn't happen to know a good lawyer, would you?''

  "Hell, I know hundreds of lawyers. All shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are good. Some are lousy."

  "Anyone stand out in particular?"

  "Can't think of anyone. If I do, I'll call you."

  "How about old 960?"

  Ash hooted again. "I could call her for you. Guess you already talked to her, huh?"

  "Oh, yeah. She said you were 961 on her list."

  "That's what she said all right. Listen, Fanny, she was good, but that thing you did last Christmas, that was the best."

  "Thanks, Ash. That just makes my day. Back to business, Simon engaged an attorney here in Las Vegas, so that must mean he's somewhere close by."

  "It wouldn't surprise me. Fanny, don't you let him get his stinking paws on my casino. You watch your back, too."

  "Ash, you won't believe what happened yesterday. I feel like those people across the street are watching out for me. I can't shake the feeling."

  "What happened? Don't tell me they're coming to your Halloween do?"

  "How would I know? It's costume only. Listen to this—"

  Ash whistled when Fanny finished her story. "That's great, Fanny."

  "Did you convince Sunny to attend the dedication?"

  "Yesterday she was planning on going. This morning she

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  isn't. I still have time to work on her. The doctor was here yesterday. He is not pleased with her progress because there is no progress. He suggested she go into your center for two weeks. She said she'd think about it."

  "At least she's thinking. How's Jake and Polly?"

  4 'He's ready for preschool. Sunny doesn't want to hear about that. Polly is a treasure. She's starting to talk pretty good. When she doesn't have her thumb in her mouth. This whole situation is not good, Fanny. I think it's time for them to go down off this mountain."

  "What about you, Ash?"

  "Good days and bad days. There seems to be more bad of late."

  "Is there anything I can do?"

  "If there was, you know I'd ask. I don't want to leave the mountain, Fanny."

  "I know. If you need me, call."

  "Okay, Fanny. I'll see you on Sunday."

  "Are you bringing the kids?"

  "Yeah. Tyler's in town, did you know that?"

  "No, I didn't. Where is he staying, do you know?"

  "He didn't say. He's getting married over Christmas and he wants to take the kids. Sunny is throwing a fit. I think he plans to attend the dedication. Go easy on him, Fanny."

  "Why should I do that, Ash?"

  "Because I asked you to."

  "Oh. All right."

  "What are you dressing up as?"

  "The wicked witch of something or other. Nine hundred and sixty!''

  "It's a hell of a memory," Ash laughed as he hung up the phone.

  Nine hundred and sixty. I don't think I had sex nine hundred and sixty times in my whole life. "I guess I'm a dud, Daisy."

  "Blue skies, cotton-candy clouds, the sweet scent of sagebrush, what more could we want, Billie?"

  "Fanny, it looks just like the architect's rendering. It really does look like a large Hansel and Gretel building nestled in the cotton woods. It was a stroke of genius to use the same prairie pink brick we used to rebuild Sunbridge. It will weather beautifully. It looks so homey, so welcoming. God, Fanny, I hope Sunny feels the same way when she sees it."

  "Chue did a magnificent job on the sod and the shrubbery. It looks like it's been here forever. The sign isn't too much is it?"

  "Nope. It blends right in. The Sunrise Rehabilitation Center. I apologize for my family's lack of interest."

  "Don't apologize. You're here, that's all that counts."

  "Fanny, why don't our children have the same sense of family that you and I have?"

  1 T wish I knew. Time, progress, fast food, not enough money, who knows. It's what it is. I tell myself when they get older they'll feel as we do. Then I say, no, that won't happen because you and I had that feeling from the day we got married. Bess did, too. Perhaps it's our generation."

  1 'Fanny, Thad said he'd fly us to Virginia tomorrow morning. If we get an early start we can visit Josh Coleman and fly back in the evening. I'd like to do it."

  ' 'Me too. More family. I wish there was a way for Sallie to know."

  "She knows. She trusted you, depended on you to follow through. It took a while, but you found Josh. Too bad you could never find that guy Jake. By the way, do you still have his money?"

  "I certainly do. That money has been around the block so many times I've lost count. I used it outright, paid it back, borrowed on it, paid it back at least a dozen different times. I put it all in a mutual fund that pays off handsomely. Here come the kids and Bess."

  "Ash is parking. Oh, Fanny, Sunny is with him. I prayed

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  she would come." She squeezed Fanny's hand. "Be cool, don't give her any reason to regret coming."

  Fanny's breath exploded in a loud sigh.

  Ash came up behind Fanny. "I don't know what to say, Fanny. It looks like it's been there for a hundred years. It's an oasis in the desert."

  "Where are the kids, Ash?"

  "Tyler came up to the mountain last night and took them back to town. He's coming today and will drop them off. There he is, he's parking the car. Jake didn't want to go with him. He wanted to stay with me. Can you beat that?"

  Fanny looked around. "I guess we're all here. We're doing the dedication inside. One of the staff doctors is going to give a mini speech as we take the tour. He'll explain the different methods of therapy. He'll probably tell us more than we want to know. Tomorrow, Ash, all one hundred beds will be full. A month from now, the patients' families can come to visit for three days at a time. It's wonderful, isn't it?"

  "Yes, Fanny, it is. Actually, it goes beyond wonderful. Bil-lie's calling you."

  Fanny took her place next to Billie, in front of the entire staff. She nudged Billie, who had tears in her eyes. "Fanny and I would like to dedicate this facility to the memory of my son, Riley Coleman, and—"

  "And to my daughter, Sunny Thornton," Fanny said. She could barely make out her daughter's face through her tears. Fanny heard her, though, as she stumbled and shuffled forward to fall into her arms.

  ' 'We should be drinking this stuff instead of smashing it on the pillar," Ash roared.

  "I have another bottle," Thad Kingsley roared back.

  "Open it!" Ash said, his eyes on his ex-wife and daughter.

  "What made you change your mind? Do you think you're up to the tour, Sunny?"

  "I'm checking in, Mom. My bags are in the car. Dad brought me down yesterday, and I had th
e tour, compliments of Dr. Samuels. He told me all the rooms were booked except one—

  mine. I'm tired of fighting you, Dad, Tyler, Billie, and Sage, not to mention the kids and I include myself. I'm so tired, Mom. Whatever stamina I had is gone."

  "Then we'll get it back."

  "Dad needs you, Mom. The kids are too much for him, but he won't admit it. He loves the mountain. It's so strange, once he hated it. Will I ever be able to go back, Mom?''

  "I think so, if you work real hard. Let's not think about that right now. Let's think about you getting settled here and what it's all going to mean to you."

  "I'm not going to say I'm sorry, Mom."

  "That's okay."

  "This is some place. It kind of looks like elves and gnomes should live here. It's so snug if you know what I mean. It looks like it could be home. I guess it is home. I committed."

  "That's the beginning of the battle, honey."

  "Hi, Mom," Sage said, coming up behind her. Fanny whispered in his ear. His eyes wide, he marched off.

  "What did you think of the pool and the whirlpool? The water exercises are supposed to be very good. Every hour of your day will be used up. You'll make friends here, Sunny."

  "I know."

  "You're allowed a pet. Actually, they want you to bond with a pet. That will be your one responsibility."

  "How do you bond with goldfish?"

  "No goldfish. I'm talking about four-legged animals. I guess I should have said it's mandatory. The animal will be with you at all times. It's going to work out just fine, Sunny. The key here is no stress."

  "Tyler wants to take the kids to New York. I told him no. I can't do that to Dad. Tyler doesn't really care, and all you have to do is look at his girlfriend to know she doesn't want them. I have custody, Mom. I'm not giving that up. He can come here as often as he wants to see them. He's a doctor, and he's on call. His girlfriend works, so the kids would be with a stranger. Can you handle it for me?"

  "If that's what you want."

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  "Mom, how long does Dad have?"

  "I don't know, Sunny."

  "You need to help him, Mom. He's like a real father these days. I wish ... I wish so many things. Dad said you're getting a divorce."