by Regina Duke
“I see my ride is here, so I have a minute left. How about Chopin’s Waltz in D-flat Major, Opus 64, No. 1, also called The Minute Waltz?”
There was a scattered murmur of approval. By the time she finished, the murmur was a chorus of “Wonderful!” “Lovely!”
Jason approached the piano. “That was amazing.”
Mina plopped a Mason jar in her lap. “You made some money here today.”
Vicky gasped. “You’re kidding.” She counted out the bills. “Mina, there’s over a hundred dollars here.”
“And it’s all yours. I hope you can come back tomorrow.”
Vicky looked up at Jason. “Jason and I have some personal stuff to take care of, but as soon as we’re back in town, I’ll set up a schedule.”
“Good.” Mina tilted her head back to look up at Jason. “Oh, my stars!” Her knees gave out and she sat hard on the edge of the piano bench. “I thought you were dead!”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Jason’s brow crinkled in a question. “Willie? Is that you?”
Mina blinked up at him. “You scared me half to death. You look just like your father. You must be Jason, all grown up.”
“And you must be Wilhelmina, my mother’s personal maid.” He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s so good to see you. I didn’t know you were still in Eagle’s Toe.”
Mina got hold of herself and stood up. “Your mother was so generous to me in her will. I never expected to receive anything, and when she left me that little nest egg, I decided to follow my dream and open my own shop. What better place than here? After all, I’ve lived here all my life.”
“That’s terrific. I’m so happy for you. It looks like the business is doing well.”
Mina shrugged modestly. “I keep branching out, trying new things. I just opened a gallery down the street with an artist friend. Her husband owns Thor Security.”
“I’m impressed,” said Jason. “And now you have my fiancée playing piano for your clients.”
“Vicky and you? Well, if it isn’t a small world. How’s your grandmother? She almost never comes into town anymore.”
Jason hedged. “She was fine when I saw her yesterday. If you don’t mind, I have to steal Vicky away for a while. We’ve got some business to take care of in Pueblo.”
Mina patted Vicky’s shoulder. “You be sure to tuck that money away.”
“But it’s your shop,” said Vicky. “You should keep some of it.”
“Don’t worry. I got my share ringing up on those cash registers. As soon as you’re able, I hope you’ll come back a few times a week and entertain the customers.”
“I’d be happy to.”
Jason gave Mina a hug. “It’s so good to see you. But I could have sworn you were taller.”
“You were ten. Back then, I was taller.” Mina reached up and pinched his cheek.
Vicky tucked the bills into her purse. Madlyn waved at her.
“I’ll be ready in a moment,” Vicky said. She quick-stepped over to her friend, grabbing her jacket on the way.
Jason watched her move, admiring her lithe form and gorgeous blond hair. Her elegant fingers had made the old piano sing. She seemed like a different person from the frightened, uncertain woman who’d dropped the rifle on Madlyn’s porch. He angled closer, more to keep Vicky in his sights than to deliberately eavesdrop.
“Don’t forget,” said Madlyn. “I want to be there when you get married.”
“You will, I promise.” Vicky glanced over her shoulder at Jason who now appeared to be admiring ladies frocks on a nearby circular rack. She leaned close to Madlyn. “And you’d better tell me more about John Dare.”
“How’d you hear about him?”
Vicky made a face, wondering if Madlyn would notice the damage to the porch. “Long story. You never said you were dating a cop.”
“How could I? Darius had just dumped you. What was I suppose to say? Gee, too bad, Vick, but lucky me, I’ve got a new boyfriend, so there.”
“Okay, you’re forgiven. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Text me and let me know what’s going on.”
“I will.” She gave her a quick hug and rejoined Jason. “I think you’d look gorgeous in that ruffled skirt, sir,” she teased.
Jason dropped the fabric as if it were soaked in acid. “You ready?”
“Ready.” They left the store. “You seem to know everyone in town. How come I don’t remember you from high school?”
Jason held the door of the Jaguar open for her. “I know the people who used to work for my parents and my grandmother. As for school, maybe I was one of those quiet geeks no one pays attention to.”
Vicky gave a sharp laugh. “You? No way. Trust me, if I’d gone to high school with you, I would have remembered.”
Jason’s lips curled in a half smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment. The truth is, when my parents died, I was shipped off to a boarding school in California.” He circled around and got behind the wheel. A moment later, they were headed out of town.
“That sounds terrible,” said Vicky. “Why didn’t your grandmother keep you here? It’s not like she couldn’t afford a nanny.”
“That is the million dollar question,” said Jason. His voice was resigned. “I’ve never figured it out. I wouldn’t have come back at all, but before he died, my uncle Jerry made me promise I would do whatever I had to do to take control of the family fortune.” He fell silent.
“I’m sorry,” Vicky said softly. “I know what it’s like to feel abandoned by your family.” Her voice sounded like it came from a long way off.
Jason glanced in her direction. “You’re not close to your parents? I thought you said you wanted to help your mother with her house.”
Vicky nodded. “I do.” She shrugged to hide her confusion. “But not out of any sense of love or devotion. Is that terrible of me?”
He could feel her eyes on him, and he could hear the longing for validation in her voice.
“Sounds to me like you’re trying to win her approval.”
“Oh, yes. In the biggest way possible. I feel like my whole life has been a series of tests. If I do everything she wants, eventually she’ll approve of me. If I pass every test, maybe I’ll be more important to her than her husband. If I win the next competition, maybe she’ll finally accept me as an equal. So when she called and told me she was going to lose her house, I said I might be able to help, and all of a sudden, I was ‘Vicky dear’ and ‘Vicky darling.’ I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear that.”
“We seem to have a lot more in common than I first thought.” Jason’s phone rang. He lifted it and said, “Darby here.”
His grandmother’s voice shrilled in his ear. He listened for several seconds, keeping his eye on the road. Finally, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be right there.”
He checked the traffic, then pulled toward a cross street. “Pueblo has to wait. You’re about to meet the source of my lifelong alienation. Later we can compare notes.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Where are we going?”
“My grandmother’s house. She’s in a panic. Someone just set off her security alarms.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Vicky kept her own counsel as Jason sped to his grandmother’s estate. The high surrounding walls, the tall swinging gates, the long driveway and the manicured acres of lawn made a deep impression on her. Jason’s family was definitely rich, beyond her comprehension of the word. The house was a white stone structure, but only as they drew near did she realize how big the place was. There was so much landscaped space around it, you didn’t realize what a mansion it was until you were right in front of it, staring up at the two dozen windows in the front of the house. The entryway was protected by a columned portico. One of the large double doors stood ajar. Jason parked the Jaguar next to a police car with its lights flashing. Beyond that was a black SUV with Thor Security on the door.
Jason got out and slammed the car door. “
Stay here!”
“I thought we were going to compare notes later.”
“I changed my mind. Wait in the car.” He charged into the house.
Vicky reacted angrily to the command. She muttered to herself, “I have a feeling I’m going to earn every penny of that million dollars. Stay in the car, my—” She got out and stomped toward the open door.
The entry way stopped her cold. She’d never seen such a house, outside of a movie theater. Marble floors, sweeping double staircases, and a rotunda effect with skylights in the dome and a cool filtered light all combined to halt her forward motion. An expensive looking oriental vase sat regally on an antique table by the front door. She had the distinct feeling that she was entering a different world.
It occurred to her that this was the kind of world her mother had been pushing her toward since she was a child. She remembered bedtime stories, not about princesses and happily ever after, but about hard work, long hours of piano practice, and the rewards that concert success would bring. Her mother’s eyes would gloss over as she described room after room of the magnificent home that would be Vicky’s some day, after she secured her place as one of the world’s greatest concert pianists.
Her reverie was broken by a sharp inquiry from the balcony. “Who is that?”
Vicky looked up to find Jason standing next to an imposing figure of a woman. She was tall, slender, gray-haired, and imperious. She was wearing a high-necked dress with a long skirt. It reminded Vicky of a different era. Diamonds glinted on her fingers.
There was no sign of the police or anyone else in the entry. Vicky ran up the stairs. For the first time in her life, she was grateful for the years she’d spent learning to carry herself with dignity and respond with grace to the sharp commentary of pompous competition judges. She pulled on all that training now, wearing it like a cloak in these intimidating surroundings.
“What is she doing? Send her away.”
As Vicky got nearer, she could hear the tremor in the woman’s voice. She slowed as she reached the top of the stairs.
Jason said gently, “I asked you to stay in the car.”
No, thought Vicky, you commanded me to stay. Aloud, she said, “I was hoping I could be of some help. Having an intruder is a very scary thing.” She moved forward at a decorous pace. “You must be Jason’s grandmother. I’m so sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I’m Vicky.” She extended a hand.
“Dolores Darby.” She shook Vicky’s hand with two fingers. “I’m not quite myself at the moment.”
The balcony was wide, almost a room in itself. Dolores gestured toward an Edwardian couch against the wall. It was flanked by antique tables and lamps. Jason held her elbow as she moved to sit.
Vicky was puzzled. Jason had talked about his grandmother as if she were some harridan who couldn’t wait to ship him off to boarding school, and yet this woman looked like it took all her strength to merely remain upright in the face of the current crisis.
“What happened here?” Jason asked, still standing.
Vicky knelt before Dolores. “You need some water. You’re upset. Jason, where is the staff? Isn’t there someone tending to your grandmother? She’s not all alone here, is she?”
“Good question. Where is everyone, grandmother?”
Dolores said, “They live out now. It’s too much fuss having them around. My personal assistant has a room here, but the others—” She lifted a bony hand as if it were too much to think about.
“Oh, no,” said Vicky. “How awful for you. The alarm went off and you were all alone?” She looked up at Jason. “Would you go get a glass of water? I don’t know where the kitchen is.”
Jason nodded and, after a moment’s hesitation, he left.
Vicky lay her warm fingers over Dolores’ cold hands. “Jason is here now. You don’t have to worry anymore. He’ll take care of everything.”
Dolores humphed. “He hasn’t been here in years.”
Vicky frowned. “Because you sent him away to boarding school.”
“Oh, yes. Quite right. He needed the best education. He’s my only heir.” Her brows knit together. “Who are you again?”
“Vicky. I’m Vicky.” She realized that Dolores had been badly shaken by the excitement and was reacting with confusion. “When was Jason here last?”
“Six months ago? A year? He was here for last year’s Ball.”
That must be the big Ball that Madlyn had mentioned. She glanced about. “Is that why the house looks so empty? You’re getting ready for a party?”
Dolores made a disgusted sound. “This year we’re having the party elsewhere. My secretary didn’t want to be bothered. I rented a hall at the Cattlemen’s.” She sounded stronger. Or was it more imperious?
Vicky smiled and patted her hand. “I’m sure it will be a lovely Ball. Please tell me you have help with that.”
“Of course. The party planner is handling all the details. She comes and reports to me every afternoon.” Dolores smoothed her dress.
Jason appeared with a glass of water.
Vicky soothed, “Please take a sip. It’ll make you feel better.”
Dolores’ expression turned very childlike for a moment. “Since you say please, I’ll take a drink.” She sipped, then sipped again. “Very nice.”
Vicky got up from her crouch and sat on the couch next to Dolores. “If it’s all right with you, we’ll stay a while and make sure everything runs smoothly with the police. Okay?”
Dolores looked alarmed. “The police? What are the police doing here?”
“Your security alarm went off,” said Vicky. “You called Jason, remember? And we came right away.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you very much. Jason, be a dear and see if our guests are in need of anything.” Then, as if she’d just remembered, she added, “They’re in the parlor.”
Jason looked alarmed. Vicky shook her head quickly, a warning not to argue.
“All right, grandmother. You stay here with Vicky. I’ll be right back.” He headed downstairs.
Dolores had another sip of water. “You have lovely hair, dear. Mine used to be blond like that. So full and natural. And your hands. Such beautiful hands.”
“I’m a pianist,” said Vicky, spreading her fingers to show her octave-and-a-half reach.
Dolores gave a little gasp. “Perfect hands for the piano.”
“Thank you. Do you play?”
Dolores stiffened and squeezed her eyes shut.
“I’m sorry,” said Vicky. “Did I say something wrong?”
Dolores opened her eyes. They were dangerously full. “You couldn’t know,” she said. “There hasn’t been music in this house since the accident.”
“You mean, Jason’s parents,” Vicky guessed.
Dolores nodded.
“That’s a very long time to be without music.”
Jason came out of the sitting room on the ground floor and took the stairs two at a time. “I’ve called Dee to come sit with you. Where’s your personal assistant?”
“She ran an errand, I believe.”
Vicky asked, “Who is Dee?”
“The party planner,” said Jason. “She’s been with the family since before I was born.”
“That’s a great idea,” said Vicky brightly, more for Dolores’ benefit than Jason’s. She turned to Dolores, “You’ll feel much more secure with someone you trust in the house. Don’t you agree?”
Dolores nodded and leaned back on the couch. “I’m afraid all this excitement has worn me out.”
“If you like, I’ll help you to your room. You can lie down for a while. I know if it was me, I’d be devastated.”
Dolores took a deep breath and regrouped. “That’s because you’re not from the best family.”
Jason barked, “Grandmother!”
Vicky patted his arm and gave him a conciliatory look. “Don’t worry, I know exactly what she means.” She smiled sweetly at Dolores. “You show me the way. I’ll just make sure you are all tuc
ked in. It’s a little chilly in here.”
Dolores gathered herself up. “Excellent. Good help is so hard to find these days.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Vicky, throwing Jason a wink.
Five minutes later, after making sure Dolores was warm beneath a quilt with her eyes closed, Vicky pulled her bedroom door shut and returned to the balcony. Jason stood looking down at the entry way. It was now a much busier place. Two uniformed officers were conferring with a blond-haired, blue-eyed Adonis wearing a black tee shirt with Thor Security emblazoned across the front. He glanced up and gestured to Jason.
“Mr. Darby? I’ve reset everything. It’s all secure. Let me know if you want a man on the premises.”
“Thanks, Thor. I’ve got your number.”
Neither of the policemen was John Dare. Vicky couldn’t help but check. One of them was keeping an eye on someone or something out of sight under the balcony. The other one looked up and spoke.
“We’re about done, Mr. Darby. We’ll escort this fellow to the station, and you can come down later and fill out a complaint.”
A man’s voice protested, “I’m telling you, this is all a misunderstanding.”
Vicky’s brows shot up. “I know that voice.”
The policemen pulled him toward the door.
Vicky’s jaw dropped. “Darius!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Jason turned to Vicky. “Darius? As in, ex-boyfriend Darius?”
Vicky rolled her eyes. “How many Dariuses do you know?”
“None, until now.”
Darius twisted his neck to look up at the balcony.
“Vicky? Is that you? Please tell these officers I’m not a criminal. I had an appointment.”
One of the officers shook his head in disgust. “You sure do now, buddy. You can explain yourself at the station.”
“Hold on,” said Jason. He trotted down the stairs. He noticed that Vicky held back. She paused halfway down and clung to the banister. Jason didn’t blame her. Darius was the man she’d been hoping to scare off with a hunting rifle.