by Regina Duke
“How long have you been playing?” Jason returned to the coffee table and picked up the fax.
“Mother started teaching me at three. As soon as my fingers could reach the keys and my nose was high enough to tell white keys from black. She used to brag to her friends that I could play better at three than her students could after a year of lessons.”
“Oh, she’s a piano teacher.”
Vicky released a short, sharp laugh. “She’d die if she heard herself called that. She’s a pianist.” She forced a haughtiness into her voice. “Teaching is her way of paying it forward.”
Jason raised a brow. “But she’s not a concert pianist like you?”
Vicky made a face. “I’m not one yet. And thanks to my jerk of an ex, I won’t have another opportunity at a competition for—” She sighed. “Well, let’s just say it takes money and time to enter these things, and months of rehearsal to make a good showing.”
Jason held up the fax. “This agreement could take care of the money part.”
Vicky pressed her hands together and touched them to her lips. “Yes, it could. And that’s why I called you. Can we discuss the details?” She waved at the sofa, and they sat down side by side.
“You’re not horrified that I want to hire a bride so I can save my inheritance?”
“Are you kidding? If I had an inheritance to save, I’d do just about anything if it were big enough. Being poor stinks. What would I have to do, exactly?”
“First thing, you need to play the part of my fiancée until we can get a license and get married. We have to wed before the end of the year to meet the requirements of the will.”
“Your agreement says no sexual relationship will be required.”
“Right.”
“Is it a real marriage without that?”
“It will be a legal marriage, but I’m not buying sexual favors. Any closeness will be up to you.”
“Will you be seeing other women while we’re married?”
Jason paused.
Vicky said, “You hadn’t thought about that part, had you?”
Jason frowned. “I admit, my brain hadn’t jumped that far ahead. But no, if we’re married, we have to avoid seeing other people. I don’t want my grandmother to find a reason to challenge our union. So for the minimum of one year, we should not see other people. Is that a problem for you?”
Vicky laughed, a harsh empty sound. “Not at all. In fact, I look forward to having an excuse to stay away from partner hunting for a while.” She dropped her eyes to her lap. “There’s one thing. My mother is in financial difficulty. She’s afraid she’s going to lose her house. I would need part of this money up front.”
Jason nodded. “Once we sign the agreement outlined in the fax, we’ll set up an account for you with half the money up front, the other half at the end of the twelve months. Okay?”
Vicky’s eyes widened. “Half? Five hundred thousand dollars?”
“Is that enough to save your mother’s house?”
“God, yes.” She fanned herself. “I could pay off both her mortgages, enter every competition in the country, and still have money left over.”
Jason smiled. “Whatever you want. Of course, you’ll have to hang around with me, looking like my fiancée until we can marry.”
“Can we make sure Darius doesn’t bother me anymore?”
“Your ex? Hell, yes. We can hire bodyguards if you want. There’s even a Thor Security here in town. I saw the sign when I stopped at The Muffin Man for breakfast.”
Vicky said, “All right, then. Are there papers for me to sign?”
“You’ll do it?”
“The way this agreement is worded, it will be like a one-year job contract.” A job that would free her from financial worry, get rid of her ex once and for all, and even make it possible for her to win her mother’s affection. “Yes, I’ll do it.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Jason was jubilant. “Great! I’ll have the lawyers modify the agreement to include half the money up front. Where’s your phone?”
Vicky handed it over.
Jason added his number to her contacts. “Now you can reach me whenever you need to. Did you want to come with me?”
“To see your lawyers?”
“Lawyers are like crabgrass. They’re always around, waiting to be watered. They’ll come to us, once I tell them when and where.”
“Wow. You really are rich.”
Jason shrugged. “My grandmother is rich. I’ve been getting an allowance. But now that she’s rewritten her will with this marriage stipulation, once I comply my share of the family money will escalate dramatically while she’s alive, as will my role in the family enterprises. This arrangement will benefit us both.”
Vicky thought for a moment. “Would you mind driving me to Mina’s Boutique? That’s where Madlyn works, and I told her after we talked that I’d ask you to bring me by to meet her employer.”
“Sure.”
“Give me a minute to change. These are Madlyn’s clothes. I’ll be more comfortable in my own.” She headed upstairs.
Jason stood and stared out the front window, lost in thought.
Now that he was well on his way to resolving the problem of his inheritance, he had time to think about what Clayborn had told him about his grandmother. Could Dolores be losing it? She seemed to be completely in charge whenever he spoke to her. But Clayborn had known her a long time, and if he was concerned…. He started making a mental list of things to check on.
Vicky reappeared and interrupted his reverie. She was dressed in tailored black slacks, black flats, and a white blouse. She wore a pastel green scarf around her neck and was slipping her arms into a short black jacket as she spoke.
“Now I feel normal again. I love Madlyn, but her taste in clothes is very different.” She zipped the jacket.
Jason gave an approving nod. “You look ready for business. Shall we?”
They drove in silence. Jason glanced sideways at Vicky. She was watching the scenery. He found her quiet beauty a perfect fit in the Jaguar. He wondered if she had a fun-loving side, or had piano practice dominated her life? She certainly had family issues. But then, so did he.
“Here we are,” he said as they pulled up in front of the boutique. “I’ll be back in an hour. I need to make some calls. Check on my aunt. That sort of thing.”
“Thanks for the lift. I’ll see you in an hour. Oh, wait. Do I refer to you as my fiancé?”
Jason grinned. “That would be excellent. I’ll be back soon.”
He watched in his rear view mirror as she prepared to enter the boutique. His grin faded as his thoughts turned to the business at hand. First, a call to Gracie. He wanted to report that so far her idea was working splendidly.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jason waved and drove away. Vicky smiled after him. Not such a bad guy after all. She took a few moments to collect her thoughts before she went inside. A lot had happened since Madlyn left her that morning. There was a bench in front of the store window, and the walkway was covered. That was good, because Colorado’s weather could change quickly. In the few minutes since Jason dropped her off, the October sun had become obscured by a cloud and the temperature dropped ten degrees. She sat on the bench and crossed her arms, glad she’d worn a jacket.
Maybe she’d buy some new clothes. But not yet. She didn’t have money yet. All she had to do was marry Jason Darby. Then she’d be able to shop. What a sacrifice, marrying a man who looked like a Playgirl model. She felt a prickle inside. Yes, he was attractive. But this was business. He made that clear. She was doing a job. A very well paid job. An enormously well paid job. Okay, so she’d fallen into a pot of honey. And on top of everything else, she’d be able to help her mother out. She could start entering competitions, too, with her own funds.
When she woke up that morning, her life was in turmoil. Now, after a long talk with Jason, things were falling into place. She couldn’t help but be pleased. She stood up and wen
t into the boutique. Time to tell Madlyn about her good fortune.
The interior of the boutique was a cacophony of music, laughter, and color. So many hues strewn about everywhere. Vicky was surprised by the number of people in the place. From the corner entrance she searched in vain for Madlyn. Four customers were moving slowly through the racks. Another group waited on chairs for the fitting rooms at the rear. People flowed in and out of a back room next to the fitting rooms, and swinging doors in the rear revealed a storeroom packed with merchandise and offering hints of other surprises. A Siamese cat meowed loudly and rubbed against any ankle that would tolerate it. An alcove to her left held tables and chairs and an old-fashioned coffee cart. A sign hung from the ceiling: Muffin Man Annex. Every chair was taken. Customers with shopping bags at their feet sipped caffeine and nibbled on pastries from the bakery. Music floated in the air, a pop singer she wasn’t familiar with.
Madlyn appeared at last, carrying a stack of white boxes from the storeroom.
Vicky raised a hand, trying to catch her eye.
Madlyn saw her and grinned. “Be right there.” She moved through the crowded shop like a ballet dancer and set her boxes on the floor next to one of the tables in the alcove where a very pregnant woman was eating a Mexican wedding cookie. “Here you go, Mrs. Garrison. These should look great with your outfit for the exhibit opening. Excuse me while I take care of Vicky.” She waved vigorously in Vicky’s direction.
Unsure, Vicky took a step toward her. Madlyn nodded eagerly. Vicky walked over to the table. “I’d like you to meet Ashley Garrison. Her husband owns Thor Security.”
The lithe brunette held out a warm hand. “Ashley Clair Garrison,” she said. “Nice to meet you.”
Vicky shook her hand. “Same here. Vicky Winn.” She gave a little gasp as she realized she was going to be Vicky Darby soon. “Er, for now. I mean, today. That is—”
Madlyn laughed and Vicky relaxed.
“Vicky is my best friend from school. She’s a pianist. I was hoping she’d play for us.” She looked eagerly at Vicky.
“Oh, yes,” encouraged Ashley. “Please play for us.”
A gray-haired woman with sparkling eyes and pink cheeks approached the group. She wore a long forest green skirt, Birkenstocks, and a sweater woven in fall colors. “Is she the one? Is this your musician friend?”
Madlyn nodded. “Vicky, this is my boss, Mina. She owns the boutique. She and Ashley also have a gallery up the street.”
Mina took Vicky’s hand and shook it vigorously. “At last. Madlyn said you’d come play for us. Oh, sorry. You’ll need that hand, won’t you?” She beamed with good humor.
“Nice to meet you,” Vicky said, overwhelmed. “Er, Madlyn, may I speak to you for a moment?”
Mina bustled away, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll turn off the stereo.”
Vicky turned her palms up. “What’s going on?”
“I told Mina about you, about losing your apartment and your boyfriend and all, and I asked if you could put a tip jar on the piano and play for a couple hours a day. Surprise!”
“Oh. Gee, that’s great. I mean, I may need a little time to get organized.” Her forehead crinkled and she lowered her voice. “Madz, I came to tell you my financial problems are almost solved.”
“You bet they are,” said Madlyn. “Everyone in town shops here. Before the end of the week, you’ll have invitations to play for parties and weddings. You wait and see. You’ll be the most employed piano player in the state. Screw Darius.”
“He came to the house,” Vicky blurted.
“Darius?”
“Yes. I sent him away.” She started to tell Madlyn about the rifle, but there were too many people around. “That’s not what I’m here for.” She leaned in close and whispered, “I’m getting married.”
“No way!” Madlyn’s exclamation drew every eye in the shop.
Vicky froze. A second later, she put a finger to her lips.
Madlyn mouthed, “Sorry.” She grabbed Vicky’s arm and pulled her toward the storeroom. Once through the swinging doors, she turned to face her. “You’re not marrying that scumbag Darius, are you?”
Vicky looked horrified. “Ew, are you kidding? That jerk. He bought my computer from the pawn shop and looked through my Facebook info to find your name and Eagle’s Toe. That rat.”
“You pawned your computer?”
“Long story. Over and done with. The thing is, Jason Darby asked me to be his wife.”
Madlyn gawked. “The same Jason you just met at the airport? Wait, his last name is Darby?”
“Yes. Her Highness is his grandmother. He’s very rich and we hit it off right away. Sort of. Well, after he showed me the financial details.” She made a face. “This isn’t coming out the right way. Isn’t it enough that I’ve met a gorgeous wealthy man who wants to marry me and make me rich? It’s going to be great. We’re getting married soon. I just wanted to let you know in case you get home and I’m not there. I’ll be with Jason. He wants us to spend lots of time together.”
Madlyn waved her hands in the air. “Wait, wait, wait. You come to Colorado and boom, you’re getting married?”
“I’ll explain everything in detail later, honest I will. Just not here with an audience. He’s coming back for me in a little while. I can play for your customers until then. And Madz?” She hugged her friend tight. “You’re the best friend anyone ever had. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I’ll make sure I have time to play for the boutique, okay? But I may be rushed today.”
“But Vicky—” Madlyn held her at arm’s length. “If you’re getting married, I want to be there. Understand? Promise me you won’t elope.”
“I promise.”
“And what on Earth did Darius want anyway?”
“Oh, he was trying to talk me into taking him back.”
“I find that hard to believe. He just dumped you three days ago.” Her brows lifted. “Oh, I get it. He lost, didn’t he? He screwed you over so you couldn’t compete, and then he lost. What a jerk. So now he wants you back for a booty call. That—”
Mina interrupted. “Girls, everyone’s waiting. Vicky, I hope you don’t mind. The promise of your live music has filled my little coffee annex.”
Vicky tilted her head at Madlyn, tossing the ball in her court.
“She can only play for a few minutes today,” said Madlyn. “My bad. I didn’t have a chance to tell her our plan before she got here. Turns out, she has a date with her fiancé.”
Vicky smiled. “Would you like to hear something classical?”
“Just go play whatever you would be playing at home,” said Mina. “We’ll understand when you have to go. I know sometimes Madlyn gets ahead of herself. And believe it or not, in the boutique business, that’s not a bad thing.”
Madlyn looked relieved.
Vicky followed Mina back through the shop. She shed her jacket on the way. As they approached the coffee alcove, people began to applaud. Vicky felt herself blush hotly. She was so glad she’d taken the time to change into her own clothes before leaving the house. Mina stood next to the upright piano and announced her.
“Ladies, we have a special treat today. A visiting pianist from California has had her poor arm twisted so hard, she may not be able to perform.”
Scattered laughter.
“But I hope it heals fast, because it’s such an honor to have her tinkle these antique ivories. Now remember, if anything sounds funny, it’s the piano and not the player.”
More applause. Vicky cursed the onset of stage fright. Then a little voice in the back of her mind said, “You never have to play again. You’re marrying Jason Darby and he’s paying you a million dollars.”
Mina completed her introduction. “Remember her name, because she’ll be entertaining at Carnegie Hall before you know it. Er, what’s your name again, dear?”
Vicky laughed. Her money worries were soon to be over. All the pressure was off. And her nervousness vanished. “Victoria Winn. T
hank you for that stellar introduction.” She made a big deal of finding the right spot on the bench. “This should do.” She reached out right and left. “Yes, I can reach all the keys now.”
More laughter.
Vicky caught Madlyn’s eye and winked at her. She held her hands over the keys in a dramatic gesture, then launched into a rendition of Beethoven’s Für Elise. The piano surprised her. She expected it to sound like a honky-tonk instrument, but it had a pleasing tone and was in perfect tune. Her surprise showed on her face as she finished the melody. As the applause died down, she quipped, “My goodness, that was pretty.”
Her audience loved it.
“Let’s see what else this piano has in store.” She raised her hands again, paused, then launched into Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee.
Murmurs of delight and appreciation rose from the gathered shoppers. People passing on the street stopped to look in. By the end of the piece, the place was packed.
The quantity of applause caught Vicky by surprise.
A nine-year-old boy piped up, “Does it have a march in it?”
Vicky cocked her head to one side. “Let’s find out.” She raised her hands over the keys, and a moment later was playing Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. Soon everyone was clapping in time, and the boy was marching around the alcove, saluting everyone he saw. When she finished the rousing march, cheers and applause shook the building.
Voices called out song titles. Vicky couldn’t remember the last time she actually enjoyed playing for an audience. It was such a joy to have others appreciate the years of hard work she’d dedicated to her art. And not a single person interrupted her playing to tell her what she was doing wrong. She played a few popular pieces by ear, inventing her own accompaniment as she went. She glanced about, looking for Madlyn. Her friend was busy at the cash register, ringing up people’s purchases. There were six customers waiting to be checked out. A second girl scurried from the stockroom to open the second register. Mina was looking very pleased. Before Vicky turned her attention back to the piano, she caught a glimpse of Jason slipping in through the front door. That made her decision about what to play next.