by Leanne Banks
Tina giggled and rolled her eyes. “Now we have the real answer. I could use a good meal, too. Crab sounds especially good.”
The thought of crab turned Bridget’s stomach. “Or even a nice sandwich. You know where we can find a good variety of food, Tina. Where should we go?”
Delighted to give the attention back to her sister, Bridget joined her sisters for a late lunch. Her phone rang during their meal and she excused herself to take the call. “Ryder, talk to me. I swear it feels as if it’s been three months since I heard your voice.”
He laughed. “Same here. Are you having fun with your sisters?”
“For the most part,” she said. “We still haven’t figured out what’s wrong with Phillipa, but I think it’s a man. I’m hoping she’ll talk with us. It’s always more miserable to suffer by yourself. And whatever your problems are, they seem ten times worse if you don’t share. Speaking of worries, how are you and the twins?”
“The only way the twins and I could be better would be if you were around,” he said.
Her heart went squishy at his words. “Oh, that’s so sweet. They’ve probably already forgotten me.”
“No chance.”
“You know, the other day, I was wondering, did you ever think you were going to have children? I know becoming a doctor was important, but did you ever think you would start a family?”
“It wasn’t a priority,” he said. “My career was always number one…. Just a moment,” he said and she heard him talking with someone else. Then he came back on the line. “Listen, I need to go soon. Are you okay? I’m hearing something in your voice.”
“Oh, no,” she said, lying because she knew she didn’t have time to discuss her real feelings. “It’s just family stuff.”
He paused a few seconds. “But you mentioned starting a family. What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” she insisted. “I was just thinking about how you’d been thrust into the position of being a father so quickly. I wondered what your original plans were.”
She heard him give a quick response to someone on the other end of the line. “Are you pregnant?”
Shocked at the accuracy of his question, she sucked in a quick breath. Something inside her insisted on denial. She would figure that out later. “Oh, my goodness. How could I be pregnant? You and I are so careful.”
“Nothing provides perfect protection except abstinence,” he said.
“Oh, that’s ridiculous. We’re fine. We’re perfectly fine,” she insisted, her heart racing.
“Thanks for the reassurance,” he said. “You and I both have enough going on without adding a baby to the mix.”
“So true,” she said, but her stomach twisted viciously.
“I have to go. I’ll call later.”
“Ciao,” she said and stared blindly at her cell phone. What if she was pregnant? It was clear that Ryder didn’t want another baby. How would she handle this? Would she have to do it all alone? Panic raced through her. She broke into a cold sweat. She shuddered at the possibility of dealing with her family’s disapproval and interference.
“Bridget,” her sister Tina said, breaking her out of her reverie. “The food’s been here for several minutes. What’s wrong with you today? You seem totally distracted.”
Bridget took a breath and pulled herself together, forcing a big smile. “Oh, Tina, you know how I am. If I’ve got more than one and a half things on my mind, I’m distracted. I’m still thinking about the babies and the medical program for Chantaine. I need that sandwich. Thank you for coming to get me,” she said and marched back to the table, praying her sister wouldn’t ask any more questions.
That night, Bridget and her sisters dressed at her suite at the hotel. She felt as if she were on automatic. A green dress. Green was a good color for her. Mineral powder, subtle eyes, bold, red lips. She didn’t feel bold, but she needed to be confident. She needed to be someone bigger than her current self because her current self was feeling confused and vulnerable. Lord, she hoped it was late PMS.
She gave her sister Phillipa a hug. “You look fabulous.”
“You overstate,” Phillipa said. “You always have.”
“Not this time. Look at how gorgeous you look,” she said, pointing to the full-length mirror.
Tina stepped into the room from the bathroom. “What are you two arguing about?”
“I told Phillipa she looked fabulous and gorgeous and she said I’m exaggerating and I said I’m not,” Bridget said.
Tina walked to Phillipa and put her hands tenderly on her cheeks. “For once, Bridget understated.”
Phillipa closed her eyes and squeezed them tight as if she were fighting tears. “You two are being so kind. I know all of this is because you’re worried about me.”
“Well, it’s true we’re worried about you,” Bridget said.
“Bridget,” Tina said with a chiding expression.
“It’s true. It’s also true that I wouldn’t include fabulous and gorgeous in the same sentence if I didn’t truly believe it,” Bridget said.
Phillipa’s lips twitched. “You make a good point. The real you leaks out after a short time.”
Bridget lifted her hand. “What did I say?”
Tina sighed. “We just want you to be okay. You’re our baby,” she said, stroking Phillipa’s hair.
“I’m not a baby. I’m a grown-up. I can manage my life. I just need a little recalibration.”
“And you can get that here,” Tina said.
Phillipa smiled. Tina’s cell phone rang and she picked up. “It’s Zachary.”
Moments later, Zachary arrived in a limo driven by security. The three princesses and Zach rode to the charity ball. As they stepped outside the limo, they were greeted by flashing cameras and reporters.
“Welcome to Dallas’s premier Charity Ball, Your Highnesses. To what do we owe the honor of your presence tonight?” a reporter asked.
Just lucky, I guess, Bridget thought, but managed to swallow the comment.
“I live just outside of Fort Worth with my husband and daughter, and I’ve been so happy to receive visits from both my sisters, Bridget and Phillipa,” Tina said.
“Your sister Bridget has been in town for over a month. There have been rumors about her and one of our doctors—”
“We’re here tonight to celebrate the charity of the people of Texas, which is so much bigger than rumors, don’t you agree?” Tina asked. “It was lovely to meet you.”
They moved on to the next reporter, and Tina’s responses reminded Bridget why her sister had done such a superlative job representing Chantaine.
“She’s so good,” Bridget muttered.
“Times two,” Phillipa said.
“If only she could be in two places at once,” Bridget said with a sigh.
“You’re doing pretty well,” Pippa said.
“My time is limited,” Bridget said. “I don’t have Tina’s endurance.”
“Maybe, this once, you underestimate yourself,” her sister said.
“I think not, but I appreciate your kindness. On to our rubber chicken,” she whispered and was thrilled she could make Phillipa laugh.
“What are you two talking about?” Tina demanded.
“You don’t want to know,” Bridget said.
Tina shot her a curt micro-look before she plastered a serene expression on her face. Zach escorted the group inside to their table at the front of the room. They made small talk with the others seated at their table. Soon enough, announcements and presentations began. Bridget was stunned when Nic LaFitte stepped forward to receive an award of recognition. The Devereaux had a long-standing grudge against the Lafittes. Nic’s father had caused a humiliating scandal for the royal family. “What is he doing here?” she whispered to Tina.
“Zach says he’s a huge contributor here. Everyone loves him,” Tina said distastefully.
“They clearly don’t know him,” she said and nudged Phillipa. “Why can’t we escape him?” sh
e whispered. “Maybe it’s because he’s the devil and that means he can be everywhere.”
When Phillipa didn’t respond, Bridget glanced at her face and saw that her sister had turned white as a sheet.
Chapter Eleven
“I’m not feeling well,” Phillipa said. “Please excuse me.”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Bridget asked, her stomach twisting in concern for her sister.
“No, no. I just need a little air,” Phillipa said as she slowly rose and lifted her lips in a forced smile. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
Bridget watched her sister move through the perimeter of the room as surreptitiously as possible and felt worried.
“Where is she going?” Tina asked in a whisper.
“The powder room,” Bridget said. “She says she needs some air.”
Tina frowned and glanced at Nic LaFitte as he left the stage. “Do you think this has anything to do with LaFitte?”
“I can’t imagine that it would. I mean, none of us would get involved with a LaFitte. Not even the most rebellious of us and Pippa is nowhere near the most rebellious.”
Tina nodded and Bridget paid half attention to the speaker, more attention to her watch. “I’m going to check on Pippa,” she whispered.
“I’ll go with you,” Tina said, and stood just after she did.
Bridget tried to be discreet just as Phillipa had been, but she noticed several heads turning in her direction. She immediately searched for the first ladies’ room and didn’t find Phillipa there. “Where is she?” she muttered to herself.
“I’m starting to get a bad feeling about LaFitte,” Tina said as they left the room.
“I can’t believe Pippa would be that foolish. She’s extremely intelligent and quite practical,” Bridget said as she scoured the lobby for her sister.
“I wonder if she went outside,” Tina said.
“It’s possible. She said she needed some air,” Bridget said, then spotted a coat closet and pointed toward it. “You don’t think she would be there, do you? It’s the last place I would look in this hot, humid weather and the door is closed.”
Tina glanced in the same direction and shrugged. “I don’t think so, but we may as well check.”
Bridget led the way to the door and stopped just outside, pressing her ear closer to listen. Hearing nothing, she cracked the door open.
“This is insanity,” Phillipa said. “It will never work.”
“Why not?” a male voice demanded. “If I want you and you want me, what is most important?”
“Want is a temporary emotion,” Phillipa said. “There are more important things than temporary emotions.”
“If that’s true, then why are you here with me?” he asked.
Tina gasped and the sound traveled through the door like a thunderclap. Seconds later, Phillipa and Nic LaFitte appeared in the doorway.
“Get away from my sister,” Bridget said.
“That’s for her to say, not you,” LaFitte said.
“You’re just using her,” Tina said. “You only want her because she can redeem your terrible family name.”
“Not everyone finds my family name reprehensible. Some even respect it,” he said.
“That’s respect you’ve bought with money,” Tina said. “Leave Phillipa alone. You can never be good enough for her. If you have any compassion, you’ll at least protect her reputation by leaving now.”
LaFitte tightened his jaw. “I’ll leave, but Phillipa will make the ultimate decision about the future of our relationship.” He glanced behind him and met Phillipa’s shocked, pale face. “Ciao, darling. Call me when you get some courage. Some things are meant to be,” he said and strode away.
“Oh, darling,” Bridget said and immediately went to Phillipa and took her in her arms.
Tina soon followed. “Oh, you poor thing. The LaFittes are so evil. It’s clear he intends to trick you.”
Phillipa’s face crumpled. “He was so kind to me,” she whispered.
“Of course he was,” Tina said. “He’s a snake like the rest of his family. And you’re too sweet to know the difference.”
“Are you saying he couldn’t possibly be attracted to me just because I’m me?” Phillipa asked, her voice filled with desperation.
Bridget felt her heart shatter at the pain in her sister’s voice. “Of course not,” she said. “You’re an amazing, beautiful and wonderful girl. You’re a precious gem and you must be protected from anyone who doesn’t deserve you.”
“And no LaFitte would ever deserve you,” Tina said.
Moments later, out of consideration for Phillipa, they left the event. Bridget and Tina fought over where Phillipa should spend the night. Bridget eventually won. “She shouldn’t have to ride an extra hour back to the ranch tonight,” Bridget said. “I have plenty of room in my suite. Along with the makings of margaritas or any other toddy she may require tonight.”
“But Zach and I could protect her from any unwanted advances from LaFitte,” Tina said.
“His advances weren’t unwanted,” Phillipa whispered. “I was attracted to him and wished he would contact me. I finally gave in and sent a message to him. He met me and that was how it all started.”
Tina sucked in a sharp breath, then silence fell in the limousine. Zach tipped back a glass of bourbon.
“Well, I’m glad you came to your senses,” Tina said.
Bridget gave Phillipa a hug. “We don’t need to talk or think about this anymore tonight. You’ve already had enough stress tonight. You’re due some rest. You can come to my room and fall asleep all snug and safe in your bed. You can think about LaFitte tomorrow if necessary. Tonight it’s not necessary.”
“You sound like that Scarlett O’Hara in the American film Gone with the Wind,” Tina said.
“In this case, she offered a nice bit of wisdom,” Bridget countered.
“Please don’t argue,” Phillipa said.
“We’re not,” Bridget said, giving Tina a strong glance. “Tina and I agree, don’t we?”
Tina took a quick breath. “Yes, we do. I think we all need some extra rest tonight. In fact, I think Zach and I will stay overnight at your hotel.”
“What?” Zach asked.
“Yes,” Tina said decisively. “We can stay overnight at Bridget’s hotel in a separate suite, of course. I’m sure Hildie won’t mind keeping the baby.”
“Yes, but—”
“In the morning, we can wake up and all have brunch together,” she said brightly.
“And if Phillipa sleeps in, then Mom and Dad can enjoy a night away from their little darling and Phillipa can visit you at the ranch later.”
Tina frowned, but nodded.
Moments later, they exited the limo into the hotel and Bridget and Phillipa took the lift to the penthouse. “Thank you,” Phillipa said after they entered the elevator.
Bridget took her sister’s hand. “We all need a break every now and then. If your sister won’t give it to you, then who will give it to you?”
“Yes, but Tina clearly hates Nic,” Bridget said in a shaky voice.
“All of us hate the LaFitte family. Part of it is not logical. After all, if Father had married the woman who married LaFitte, none of us would exist. Maybe we don’t like to lose. Plus there’s the matter of the LaFitte who killed one of our great-uncles.” Bridget sighed. “And, after all the bad they did to us, they’re so bloody wealthy and successful. That’s enough of a reason to hate them.”
“His mother is dying,” Phillipa said.
Bridget glanced at her sister. “Really. How?”
“Cancer. It’s been a terribly grueling experience. She’s currently near the end.”
Bridget took a deep breath. “I don’t wish that on anyone.”
“Neither do I,” Phillipa said as the elevator dinged their arrival to the penthouse.
Bridget clasped her sister’s hand. “You must promise me that you won’t think about this anymore tonight. You n
eed to take a break from it. It’s hurting you. More important, you can’t fix it tonight.”
Phillipa squeezed her hand in return. “I may not agree with a lot of what you’ve said, but it’s true that I can’t fix all of this tonight. I should just go to bed and try to sleep.”
Bridget nodded. “And get a massage in the morning. I’ll keep Tina away.”
“You’re usually nagging me to take on more palace duties. When did you become my fairy protector?” Phillipa asked.
“Oh, well, I’ll nag again soon enough. Enjoy the respite,” Bridget said.
The next morning, Bridget did just as she’d promised and arranged for a soothing massage for her younger sister. Tina would only be put off so long before she was knocking on the door of Bridget’s suite. Bridget opened the door. “We’re sipping lime water and relaxing on the balcony. Would you like to join us?” she asked. “And whatever you do, don’t hound her and don’t bring up LaFitte. I’ve got her nice and relaxed after her massage.”
Tina nodded in agreement. “We’ll take her out on Zach’s new boat.”
“But don’t try to matchmake,” Bridget said.
Tina frowned. “You don’t think a male distraction would help?” she whispered.
“No,” Bridget said emphatically. “Pippa has fallen hard for LaFitte. She needs to get over him before she moves on to the next.”
“You seem to have enormous insight on this matter. Surprising,” Tina said, lifting her eyebrow in a suspicious manner.
Bridget feigned an airy sigh. “Underestimated again. When will it end?”
After her sisters left, Bridget returned several calls. As soon as she finished, though, the quiet settled over her like a heavy blanket. She still hadn’t started her period yet. Tempted to wear a disguise and buy an early pregnancy test from a drugstore, she put it off. She never knew who was watching and who might discuss her purchase with the paparazzi. Perhaps by tomorrow…
Her cell phone rang and she saw Ryder’s return number on her screen. He was the one person to whom she hadn’t made a return call. Her heart hammered with nerves as she took the call. “Hello, Ryder,” she said.