by Zoe Adams
He was also studying the people in his inner circle. He didn’t know if he had ever studied human traits more. Presently the eyes and ears of his inner circle of help were becoming an irritation. Any one of them had full access to his personal itinerary and life, and he had tight bonds with many of them. He had been under the secretive and protective eyes of his friends-slash-assistants his whole life, and his extended family was tight.
Royce felt justified in his pursuit of a calmer and cleaner way of life with Susanna. Now that he was living in less populated areas, it was time for everyone to settle in around him, and he wondered how close they should really be.
It made him feel like he was continuing the Blackwaters’ tradition by developing another strategically placed stomping ground. He greedily thought of the land that belonged to Susanna’s family. He would eventually push his opinions on those as well. Whether they wanted to keep the land empty with buffalo, or just empty, he was all for it being his neighbor.
All in all, the marriage was auspicious for Royce, in more ways than one. It kept him grinning.
The house he was having built beside the Hanson Ranch was just a trifle of what he really wanted to build there. He had made sure it was huge but built to look small. There would be the hidden passages from his bedroom to the lawn, garage, or three floors down to his laboratory.
The house would be built to last, and protected forever. He was going to ensure it, and it always pointed him right back to Susanna. With these new purposes in mind, he felt a freshening come over his body. He was too wise to feel like a twenty-year-old again, but the realization felt like a second chance at life, even though it was his first marriage.
It was a double whammy that his signature house would also be the location of his wedding. He was not to be outdone. Erecting a semi-permanent structure in two weeks was a tall order. The huge marquee would be set up on the flat expanse of concrete. He had insisted on building temporary enclosed bathrooms with real plumbing and toiletries.
Nothing was left to chance. Royce wanted his wedding to have no comparison, and he carried the majority of excitement. Susanna had already had a big wedding years ago, and so had already gone through the stress of planning a party where she was the center of attention.
Royce smiled to himself. He could understand if the thrill had worn off for her.
The only thing she had claimed was the design of her white dress. Royce didn’t like secrets, and he knew it would be very easy to indulge himself on the cut and style of the dress, but he held himself back. If Susanna wanted to surprise him with something he hadn’t seen yet, then he would let her. He had tasted her goods already, and was sure her taste in clothing would match.
She never disappointed him, and he had no qualms about flying in the private French designer to cater to her. He was experienced in pleasing women, but Susanna didn’t ask him for much, and that gave him even more motivation to please her.
He stopped his mind from wandering. He could spend hours and days thinking about her. The week flew by quickly, and soon it was just another fabulous memory of a life with Susanna.
***
On Christmas Day, Royce insisted they go through with the traditional holiday bash of the Hanson family.
Susanna was stalling in front of the mirror. She saw her reflection of skin still pink from the hot shower. Slightly damp hair hung straight down her back, and it looked golden in the soft bedroom light. Her red velvet dress was off the shoulders with long sleeves that tapered tightly at her wrists. She didn’t remember picking the dress out, but didn’t mind.
Royce was the picture of smoldering masculinity. Large shoulders filled out his suit, and he looked like he was going to break that tuxedo. Their eyes locked through the mirror, and he placed his arms protectively around her waist.
“You look beautiful,” Royce said.
“Thanks.” Susanna was slightly distracted.
“You even look beautiful when you’re nervous.” This got a smile out of her, and he continued, “Relax, everyone knows we’re building a house together. Telling them we’re getting married next week will be easy.”
“You don’t know my parents,” Susanna worried out loud. “If we get married next week, then my mom won’t have enough time to invite her social clubs.”
“Why is that bad again?” Royce teased. “Who cares? This is about us, so we won’t let anyone push us into their plans.”
“Who cares?” She answered her own question smartly. “My parents care. Sure, there’s a rift in the family, but no one outside the family knows. My parents are very concerned with the gossip in a small town. If I got married without Father Bart, my parents would never live it down.”
“Yes,” Royce said softly. “Then there is the matter of my jealousy. You have a normal family, with somewhat normal parents. How many times have I wished that for myself?”
She smiled and leaned into him for support. She knew he understood that she wanted to downplay his wealth. She had her own reasons, with so much water under the bridge with her mother. It didn’t matter what her reasons were. Royce agreed they should not make a big entrance.
George drove them to the Hanson home that flourished in the historic district of town. The brick house was aged a century and a day, and it had been in the Hanson family for half that time.
Susanna and Royce arrived just in time, and they dropped the knocker on the stained glass doors that had not changed her whole life.
Linda opened the door with wide eyes, and quickly moved aside for her guests. She politely inquired about the roads that had been the topic of every reporter and every living room conversation throughout the previous snow days. She pattered away to check in with some party technicality, leaving Royce and Susanna alone in the hall.
“Are you going to show me your old room?” he asked with a sexual glint in his eyes.
“Yeah, right. It’s been remodeled twice since I moved out, and now it’s a workout room.”
She kissed Royce lightly before she led him to the parlor. The family and its extensions were already gathered comfortably with drinks and seats. Susanna ladled the signature eggnog into little crystal cups, before being pushed along the procession of in-laws and ex-laws. It was a traditional holiday with everyone on his or her best behavior. The atmosphere was perfect for meeting a man like Royce.
Susanna’s brother Jason stood from the curved antique couch and gave Susanna a one armed hug. “There is my favorite spinster,” Jason teased her.
Susanna didn’t miss a beat. “I would rather be alone than with someone I don’t like.”
Royce seemed ready to add a few valid points to her opinion, but instead watched as she fought her own battles.
Susanna turned to Royce and raised her eyebrows. “He’s just mad that I won’t hang out with his friends.”
Royce relaxed as she took his hand and introduced him to the thirty-some people milling around the room. Susanna’s grandmother took a real shine to Royce, and the rest of the family followed suit. That is, except for Dayna, who had already met Royce, and given him a full stamp of approval, and Susanna’s mother Linda, who barely accepted anyone.
Susanna and Royce reached the other side of the room, but there was nowhere left to sit. The walls were lined with pictures of generations of straight teeth and wide set blue eyes.
The dinner party began around the large oak table, and passed smoothly into dessert. With the traditional ham dinner disposed of, they gathered in the antique parlor around a nearly perfect pine tree. Gifts, pleasantries, and glances were exchanged in quick order.
Susanna and Royce looked at each other, and the moment had arrived. Royce sent a quick text, and then his phone was put away. He stood up and pulled Susanna with him.
He began, “It’s been a pleasure meeting everyone tonight, and sharing this holiday with you. Now, I would like to propose a toast to many more Christmases with the most amazing woman I have ever met.” He grinned wolfishly to the gathering that had turne
d their attention to Susanna.
Royce lifted his glass. “To the most beautiful and smartest woman…who has agreed to marry me.”
No one was really surprised about the wedding. Susanna opened a blue velvet box she had brought, and invitations were passed out.
Complete silence greeted the announcement, and the couple smiled at each other. Royce pulled her into his arms and gave her a sound kiss. They waited while invitations were read and digested.
“The wedding is next week?” Linda’s eyes were startled. “That’s not enough of a notice for a wedding.”
Susanna was prepared for her mother’s complaining, and handed her sheets of paper. “Here’s the guest list of everyone who will be receiving invitations tomorrow.”
Linda read the list quickly and found plenty to complain about. In fact, there was a chorus of concerns coming from different sides of the room.
Susanna’s father stood up, and everyone fell silent. For all of Susanna’s toughness, she was still a daddy’s girl. He was the first to offer congratulations when he gave her a hug, then he turned and stuck his hand out to Royce.
“Congratulations, son,” he said.
Susanna knew being called a son was the best thing Royce could have heard, and he smiled broadly.
“Just let me know if you need anything,” Uhlrig offered kindly.
“That won’t be necessary,” Royce reassured. “We wanted to make it as easy as possible, especially on such short notice.”
There was a knock on the front door and ‘who could that be’ was echoed throughout the room.
Royce continued his explanation loudly, “That would be my friends Lawrence, George, and Frank bringing the bridal party’s attire.” He put his arm protectively around Susanna and said, “We thought this would be a great Christmas surprise for everyone.”
The men entered the already full room with arms overloaded with boxes. Susanna stood by as the gifts were opened carefully. The bridal party’s clothes and shoes had been previously picked and purchased. Everyone present was looking over the finery. Navy blue suits came in three pieces with crisp white shirts. Velvet blue dresses that caught light and shadows concurrently were feminine and long. They were held up hesitantly before being repacked. Everyone was shocked, and the evening ended on a subdued note.
The celebration of a superior child being born was over. Winter cars set out in different directions in a whiteout of floating snowflakes. The car windows fogged up and fought with stacked gifts for visibility. Royce and Susanna’s truck slowly trudged back to the prairie. They strained their eyes in the falling snow that blurred the depth ratio to less than ten feet.
“I can’t believe people live in this frigid climate, and actually go out in this weather,” Royce complained.
Susanna laughed at him, since it had all been his idea in the first place.
Chapter 19
Enemies of Joy
Royce knew what he liked, and dressing Susanna was a big hobby. Clothes made of cashmere and velvet always arrived for her. They were so soft and comfortable that Susanna was always overdressed around the house. Today, her dress was aquamarine. It was painted to her chest, before box pleats fell from her hips to her knees.
It was two days before the wedding, and Royce’s grandmother had arrived in subdued finery. There was a new air of excitement in the prairie house as it received royal company. Eloise greeted her grandson like it had been years since their last visit. She was a classy woman of circumstance, and knew how to make anyone comfortable under any condition.
Royce and his grandmother were discussing the color and sound of winter, sitting side by side on the couch, their heads bent toward each other. Susanna ignored them from her laptop on the table. She pushed her legs straight out before her, and pushed her arms into the air. A sigh escaped from deep inside of her.
Things were going quite smoothly in her life with Royce. She could not have anticipated this sort of future a few months ago.
Susanna had perfected the order of work in her last life on the ranch. Her days were still full, but now it had morphed into running a household, or two.
The computer beeped with more incoming mail. She sat forward with a complacent smile in place, reading the email silently to herself. One out of ten emails was important enough for Royce to know about, and this was one of them.
Susanna rolled away from the table and faced the couch. Royce looked at her expectantly.
“What is it, Susanna?” he asked.
Susanna loved how he had started to pick up on her mannerisms, and she smiled before answering. “I just got an email from a guy who makes custom tiles. I want him to make slate tiles from the rock at the Deadwood mine.” She smiled coyly. “I wanted to surprise you with tiles that had veins of gold in them, but I can’t really go traipsing through the mine without you knowing.”
Royce and Eloise were a little dumbfounded at her brilliant idea. They were both staring at her with silent approval and contemplation. She misread their silence and pursued explaining.
She wrapped her hand around the big watch Royce had given her. “I know we have a lot to do, but I would like to go to the mine and pick out the stone so the tile guy can get started.” She met Royce’s eyes hesitantly.
He let out a silent humph that nodded his head back slightly. “I think that’s a great idea.” He stood up from the couch and walked toward Susanna. “How did I ever get lucky enough to find a woman like you?” He didn’t wait for an answer and bent to kiss Susanna on the mouth, then straightened and faced his grandmother. “I told you she was extraordinary.”
Eloise smiled. “Yes, it seems she has quite a head on her shoulders. I never would have thought of a gold streaked tile.”
Royce grinned. “I want gold tiles in all of my homes.” He redirected his attention to Susanna. “Would you like to spend the afternoon hiking through the goldmine?”
Susanna looked at him intently. “Are you recommending that I spend the afternoon without you?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Hardly. I’m thinking of making these tiles for all of my friends as well.” He leaned over Susanna and pulled her to her feet. “On second thought, maybe I’ll hoard them and keep them all to myself.”
He wrapped his arms around her tightly and they leaned into the embrace. They all knew he was talking about Susanna when he said, “I love surrounding myself with beautiful things.”
A quick double knock on the door distracted them, and Royce and Susanna were pulled apart by the intrusion. Susanna was closest, and turning on her toes, she opened the door in one fluid motion.
George reluctantly looked over Susanna’s shoulder and required Royce’s assistance. Royce looked torn between Susanna and George.
Susanna smiled calmly. “It’s all right if you have to leave.”
He took her hands. “I don’t want you to leave alone. I’m going to send Lawrence and Sarai with you.”
“All right,” Susanna agreed. “I’ll be ready in about thirty minutes.” Royce had a heavy hesitation in his eyes, and Susanna acknowledged it. “Its fine, Royce,” she said, shaking her head. “I know how to take care of myself.”
That statement caused Royce’s face to melt into a smile. “I know you can.” He leaned in for a goodbye kiss. “I’ll send Lawrence and Sarai to pick you up.” Royce stood back and addressed his grandmother. “I hope you don’t mind being left alone for a while.”
Eloise sat back. “I will be just fine by myself. To be honest, the time change has been a little abrupt, and I need some time to myself.”
“All right, Grandmama. I will check back on you soon.” Royce turned for one more departing kiss from Susanna. “Be careful.”
“You got it.” Susanna smiled at him and headed to her bedroom.
In her closet, she slipped out of the fancy blue dress and looked for more appropriate clothes. Folded on the top shelf were a few pairs of jeans. She looked them over and picked a tight, bright blue pair. She slipped them
on quickly, pulled a cotton t-shirt over her head, and looked in the mirror.
It had been a while since Susanna had dressed like a rancher. It had also been a while since she had done something without Royce, but she fell into the role easily.
Reaching into her lingerie drawer, she pulled out her pistol. She realized she had become quite comfortable with her complacency in Royce. It was a strange but somewhat reassuring feeling to check the chamber of the snub nosed pistol. The bullets realigned with a click.
She tucked the gun into its holster and hid it in the waistband of her jeans, covering the bulge with a soft flannel shirt. She grabbed her coat and hat and headed for the living room.
Eloise was sitting regally on the couch. Susanna joined her and waited for the bodyguards. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door, and she stood up and excused herself.
She greeted Lawrence and Sarai outside, and they walked to Susanna’s brand new Range Rover.
“I’ll drive,” she said as she opened the driver’s side.
She missed doing little things like driving. She realized the control freak inside of her had been put to rest a little reluctantly. It was acceptable to be a passenger when with Royce. He required beautiful and passionate arm candy, and she had accepted her role with grace. When she was without him, she was back in independent mode, and the feeling was not completely unwelcome.
The drive to Deadwood was a long one under normal circumstances, but today there were patches of ice on the road where the prairie wind had blown snow across the asphalt and left it to freeze. It slowed down the drive considerably.
Susanna was accustomed to howling wind and slippery roads, and she was glad she was driving.
Lawrence and Sarai made small talk along the drive. Susanna returned the conversation with her own special small town approach. She could sense the changes that had been born in her, especially in moments like these, when she was acutely reminded that these people thrived in well-populated areas. Throughout the conversation she realized they slightly looked down on her, and her limited knowledge of big city ways.