Her Billionaire Betrayal (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 3)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  His gaze found her once again, but she wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she sat quietly, watching the dancers finish their last sequence. A small and gentle wave of happiness brushed up against the shore of Cole’s thoughts. He liked Indigo, and to his surprise, he wanted her to like him back.

  Chapter Six

  The following Saturday, Indigo sat on the bleachers to watch the last of the lesson and rehearsal. Earlier, several parents asked questions about the costumes. Indigo had shown Cara’s sketch, along with a few of her own, and the swatches of rich green fabric. The adults passed around the folder holding next summer’s promises and plans, creating a growing enthusiasm within Indigo. This was Indigo’s third visit to the studio, and already it was beginning to feel like home. She had arranged the curtained area where she worked to fit her particular needs, and Cara and Phillip were accommodating and joyful to be around.

  Their company and the youthful vibrancy of the kids filled her with cheerful anticipation each time she stepped through the heavy door of the dance studio, a new experience Indigo eagerly sought. She couldn’t remember the last time she had looked forward to anything.

  Even though Cole sat in the bleachers not far from her, she tried not to attach that hopeful delight to Cole’s company. After all, he was simply the money behind the operation. He wasn’t responsible for the way Cara and Phillip ran their studio or the enthusiastic energy of the kids. Still, his presence lingered on the periphery of Indigo’s thoughts, and she tentatively made room for it.

  They had gotten off to a rough start, but his gentle and respectful manner around Sam’s death softened her. Most of the time, when folks learned she was a widow, their eyes would dart off to the side. Suddenly, they had someplace they needed to be or some urgent requirement to attend on their phone. But Cole had met her in that harsh and awkward place without any distress.

  It was also apparent that Cara and Phillip thought highly of Cole. To them, he wasn’t just the finances; they were friends. It showed in how they treated each other with relaxed affection. She and Kelsey shared the same amenable closeness.

  Settling into her seat, Indigo watched the kids and then Cara and Phillip glide across the floor in the effort to show a move or dance step. This place and these people invigorated her, almost propelling her to take the floor herself. She kept her feet tucked under the bleachers and blushed. Kelsey would give her a little push, but Sam wouldn’t dance with her. Even now, she pictured his green eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled at her from behind his reddish-brown beard. “You go right ahead and dance, my girl,” he’d say. “I’ll just watch, if you don’t mind.”

  They’d had to practice for their one dance during the wedding reception, which turned out to be nothing more than a sway for a total of two minutes. Although Sam was affectionate and loving, he hated the display of dance and flat-out refused to take the floor again. A sad smile came to Indigo, but she didn’t let it linger. The kids didn’t need a sad or morose seamstress. They needed someone who could cheer life. After all, wasn’t their dance a celebration? Just watching them lifted her spirits.

  Maybe she could take some lessons. She tried to dismiss the idea, but its bright beam wouldn’t leave her alone. Surely, Cara and Phillip taught all kinds of people to dance—even young widows who weren’t particularly interested in having a partner.

  The unbidden and charming picture of Cole as a dance partner flashed through Indigo’s head, scattering happiness in its wake. The thought made her blush deepen, and she resisted its toehold in her mind. But it wouldn’t leave her alone. Instead, it skipped through her like rocks moving over water, grabbing her attention, creating its own ripple of thought. The blush spread to her neck and ears, and she furrowed her brow in order to concentrate on the kids. Some couples were stiff and seemed to count their steps, their movements wooden and scheduled. Phillip and Cara moved among their students, encouraging them to supple their bodies and bend with one another and the music. All of the kids worked hard, their faces glowing with a sheen of sweat.

  Indigo turned back to her sketch as Cara and Phillip stopped moving. She glanced up at the dance floor just in time to see Cara turn to the parents watching from the bleachers. “Cole?” Cara held her hand out.

  Indigo snapped her head around to see Cole offer a casual smile as he made his way down the bleachers. Did he dance? Indigo’s heart beat up into her chest, her skin breaking into a warm sweat.

  The kids kept moving, and Phillip continued to encourage them as Cole moved onto the dance floor and took Cara into his arms. The woman smiled as she and Cole began moving to a simple waltz.

  The air surrounding the bleachers practically crackled with interest, and everyone sat as if at attention. Indigo couldn’t take her eyes off the handsome couple, her gaze primarily drawn to Cole. His grace moved her, and the feeling of having him pluck the strings of her own private music within her made it hard to breathe. Her earlier desire to dance turned into a deep yearning. What would it feel like to swoop and dip in step with Cole Demetrius? She longed to take Cara’s place and feel Cole’s strong arm around her waist while moving to a rhythm that could bring them together. Her legs lost their strength at the thought, and her breath stopped at her throat. She was grateful to be sitting.

  “Wow,” one mother whispered. “I guess me and my husband are going to be signing up for dance lessons.”

  Indigo risked a glance toward Pamela, who sat unblinking, her eyes holding a cold look with a trace of meanness. The woman’s lips tightened into a thin line as her lower jaw came forward in anger, making Indigo recall their conversation from last week.

  A candy-sweet look came over Pamela. “He’s the nicest man.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard that from several people.” Indigo’s sixth sense rose, and her guard went up as Pamela’s heavy rose perfume reached her like an ominous fog.

  “He’s lived here a little over a year, I guess. He’s got the cutest little cottage I’ve ever seen. Well, it’s not exactly little. It’s about forty-five hundred square feet. The bedrooms are massive, and they all have this incredible view of the lake. Oh, and you should see the kitchen. Not that he ever cooks. He has staff for that sort of thing.” Her voice took on a haughty tone.

  “Sounds lovely,” Indigo murmured noncommittally. Shock struck her at the idea of Pamela visiting Cole’s home. She chided herself. She had no business caring about who visited Cole.

  Pamela continued, “He’s paying for all of Isabella’s lessons and everything else she needs. And she’s not the only one. Probably two-thirds of the kids on the dance floor are under some form of scholarship from Cole.” Her voice lowered. “Even though Eureka Springs is a known arts community, not all of us can afford it. Cole has been a godsend.”

  Indigo squirmed in her seat. She preferred not to discuss Cole, but she couldn’t discern the reason.

  Pamela continued, “He’s always taken a special interest in Isabella. After all, she’s the one with the most talent.”

  “Yes, I’ve noticed Isabella’s grace. How long has she been dancing?” Indigo hoped to change the topic toward Isabella.

  “Since she could walk. She got it from me. I danced right until my divorce. I used to teach until we moved here.”

  Indigo gave Pamela a quick look. She was of medium height, quick and lithe in movement. Her thick shoulder-length brown hair, light-brown eyes, and rosy cheeks gave her a youthful appearance.

  Pamela continued, “Cole noticed Isabella right away. He hadn’t lived here very long when he walked into this very studio while she was working on The Nutcracker. Isabella was the lead, and he was immediately impressed by her and wanted to sponsor her. Of course, I couldn’t be more pleased.” She leaned toward Indigo, her breath moving Indigo’s hair and hitting her cheek with moist heat. “I hope you’d be able to see by now that Cole and I have an …” She appeared to be searching for the right word. “Understanding.”

  Pamela’s words pushed Indigo into an unfamiliar anger. Indig
o hadn’t observed any special relationship between Pamela and Cole. If such an understanding existed, it wouldn’t require any clarification. Why did Pamela feel the need to explain it to her? The whole thing provoked Indigo. She needled Pamela. “I hadn’t noticed. What kind of understanding would that be?”

  “I don’t want to get into particulars. It’s no one’s business, really. But I want you to recognize that my future is attached to his.”

  Alarms rose in Indigo, but she kept her voice even. “Yes, of course. If he’s sponsoring Isabella through dance and other activities, I can understand how the two of you would work closely.”

  Pamela put her arm through Indigo’s, moving closer. Her voice took on a deeper personal tone. “It’s more than that,” she confided. “His future is also attached to mine. Got it? That means no sashaying around the billionaire. His promise is to me.”

  Indigo’s pulse thrummed loudly in her ears, blocking out most of the sound in the studio. She didn’t expect this. She believed the relationship between Pamela and Cole was one-sided. Maybe she was wrong. And what did Pamela mean about sashaying? Frowning, Indigo swallowed her shock and distaste for this conversation. “I don’t follow you.”

  “Don’t think you can hide behind that wedding ring you wear. You may be married, but I see the way you watch him.”

  Indigo’s shock deepened into agitation. She didn’t know on what front to do battle first. Was Pamela’s accusation accurate? Did she watch Cole? Indigo shrank inside as that thought mingled with the other woman’s hint that she wasn’t true to her marriage vows. Her mouth went dry, but outrage overrode every other emotion. Her voice was low and controlled as she leveled her gaze toward Pamela. “You don’t know the first thing about my marriage, and don’t you dare drag me into your insecurities with your baseless accusations.” Untangling her arm from Pamela’s, Indigo would not stay on the defense. “Besides, are the two of you engaged?”

  Pamela seemed unperturbed. “Not in so many ways.”

  Indigo’s earlier impatience flourished. “There’s only one way to be engaged, Pamela, and it involves a promise to be married. Are you and Cole dating or promised to be married?”

  Pamela sneered. “That’s so like someone like you. So sure of yourself and your youth. Well, let me tell you something. There are a thousand ways to be promised to someone, and Cole and I are promised to each other. So keep your dirty paws off.”

  Indigo’s impatience sprouted into exasperation. “Like I said, you know nothing about me,” she countered. “And I’m not dirty. Keep your thoughtless opinions to yourself, and leave me be. I have my own promises to keep.” She scooched away from Pamela. The heat from the other woman’s gaze bored into Indigo, but she refused to give into it or turn her way. Pamela and her promise to Cole, whatever it might be, didn’t concern her.

  Still, Pamela’s allegation stung even now, a week later, while some pinprick of jealousy lingered deep in her soul, creating a well of shame. Since their discussion earlier this week, Indigo had thought of Cole often. And hadn’t she just watched him with her breath caught in her throat?

  Swallowing, Indigo tried to swat away the memory and its accompanying shame, but it hovered near making her jittery and shaky until Cole stepped out of time, breaking his and Cara’s rhythm. “Oops!” He laughed. “We knew it was too good to last.”

  “Not at all,” Cara replied. “You improve with each lesson.”

  Cole stepped away from Cara and began making his way back to the bleachers. “You’re very kind.”

  Cara moved back to Phillip and the students, and Cole turned to face Indigo.

  She blinked as troubled confusion spread through her. Did he know she was thinking of him? Could others tell? What to do? She wanted to turn her attention to something else in the room. Anything would do. She tried to study the kids as Phillip and Cara moved with them across the wooden floor, but the harder she tried to concentrate on the dancers, the more aware of Cole she became as he moved to sit next to her. Unfocused thoughts of Sam crowded Indigo, but their gauzy formations were hard to grasp. She missed Sam, but Cole’s warmth floated to her and Indigo longed to lean into its offering. The desire was new and unsettling. Feeling the undertow of startling emotions, she held herself together by keeping her posture stiff and straight. Now what? “Ummm, that was really great. I mean, wow. Who knew?” Indigo cringed inside, wishing she could glue her tongue to her teeth.

  “I haven’t been dancing for long,” Cole replied. “But I figured if I was going to help support the arts, dance specifically, then I should know a little bit about it, doncha think?”

  “Oh. Yeah. Absolutely.” She was about to continue when she caught Pamela shooting daggers at her from the other end of the bleachers. Their conversation from last week floated between the two of them. She glanced at the other parents, wondering if they thought she was after their sponsor too. She swallowed the rest of her words. Probably for the best. So far, she hadn’t said one intelligent thing.

  Cole looked at her closely. “You’re a little shaky. Are you all right?”

  Indigo wanted to wither away. She clenched her muscles. “Yes. I’m fine. Thanks. Just a little chilly, I guess.”

  “Yeah, it can be cool in these dance studios, unless you’re dancing.” He grinned. “Let’s take a look at your sketches.”

  Relief flooded Indigo. Finally, she was on familiar ground. She opened her sketch pad and pulled out one of her drawings, handing it to Cole. A simple crewneck Lycra leotard with sheer chiffon for the shoulders and arms. Satin piping rounded out the neckline. “This would give the girls the needed professional look while allowing them to move and breathe while dancing.”

  Finally, intelligent words flowed from her. “If I want something flashier, I can use a sequined fabric for the bodice with the mesh neckline. Or if we’re going for a more elegant appearance, we could choose an overlay of lace on the Lycra bodice.” She handed him another sketch. “The skirt will take some thought. We can continue with the Lycra for a flat simple look that will flare when the girls dance. Or we could get really fancy and go with layers of chiffon and a stiff ruffled edge. That would give the skirt lift and body. Plus, it would mirror the edges of leaves. These are just a few choices.” Other ideas came to her mind. “We could go with a handkerchief hem, if we want something delicate.”

  “Can you show me?” Cole asked.

  Indigo’s racing heart settled, as did her words. She thumbed through her sketchbook until coming to a blank page and began drawing, the pencil scraping against the paper as she drew a skirt with a handkerchief hem. “We could even fray the edges.” Without looking up, she moved her pencil along the hem. “It would soften the appearance.”

  She glanced at Cole, who was giving her drawings his full attention. He wasn’t just prodding her ego. He appeared to be truly interested. Satisfaction stole into Indigo along with a warm draw toward Cole. Something about his company settled her. Sam was never much interested in her work. He loved the outdoors, and the details of hems escaped him.

  “This is lovely,” Cole murmured. “I’m sure the girls would love to wear any of these dresses.” He chuckled. “Or all of them.”

  The music stopped, and both Indigo and Cole turned toward the dance floor. The rehearsal was over. Had two hours really passed so quickly? The windows showed darkness.

  Cara and Phillip moved the kids from the dance floor to their parents; the children’s earlier exuberance was replaced with physical fatigue and a quiet hush.

  Cole handed Indigo her sketch. “Thanks for showing all of this to me,” he said as he rose from the bleachers, moving toward Phillip and Cara.

  A trickle of disappointment worked its way through Indigo, but she did her best to ignore it as she gathered her belongings. She and Cole were nothing more than workmates. Best to remember that along with her earlier conversation with Pamela.

  Hurriedly, she slouched into her coat. Pamela Smithers walked by just as she had one arm kinked in the sleev
e, bumping her and practically knocking her off-balance. Indigo caught herself as she glanced at the older woman. Pamela returned her look with a mean glare. Indigo tamped down a budding annoyance. Pamela had no right to try to bully her, but a creeping fear set in as Indigo peered at the other adults. Had anyone witnessed that exchange? What about her and Pamela’s conversation earlier in the week?

  Apprehension settled in Indigo like a blanket of damp snow. She was trying to create a new life here, and in a small town, it was important to maintain a decent reputation. If Pamela thought she was betraying her marriage vows with Cole’s friendship, others would follow.

  Embarrassment joined her misgivings. She was pulled toward Cole, but she needed to be careful for reasons other than her marriage. Gathering her belongings to her chest, she watched Pam cluck after her daughter. “You’re going to have to help your mama get to the car,” she giggled. “It’s pitch black outside, and these Eureka Springs sidewalks are going to kill me.”

  Isabella nodded but said nothing as she picked up her things without looking at anyone.

  Pamela continued, “Or maybe Mr. Demetrius would be a gentleman and help me out?”

  The general bustle in the room turned silent as all eyes focused on Cole, who was in deep conversation with Cara and Phillip.

  Indigo waited, and her breath stilled. What would he do? He couldn’t snub her in front of everyone; that would be rude and probably embarrass Isabella even more. But a part of Indigo wanted him to tell Pamela to take a hike in her stupid shoes.