The Wedding Deal

by Duke, Regina

  “Thanks,” said Darcy. “Neither am I. And yes, I’d love to check out the suite. I’ve never stayed in a penthouse suite before.”

  Once they found the elevator and headed downstairs, Tony said, “By the way, thanks a bunch for looking after Lulamae. She’s pretty important to us all.”

  “She speaks very highly of her godchildren.”

  “Good.” He paused. “No significant complaints about Tony the Ski Bum?”

  “You don’t look like a bum,” said Darcy. The elevator doors opened and they headed for the parking lot. “Say, did you really abandon your equipment in Europe? Aren’t those things expensive?”

  “They’re not cheap,” said Tony. “Don’t worry. They’ll arrive in a day or two. I called one of those services that transports skis and stuff for travelers. Do you ski?”

  Darcy hesitated. “Well, I love wearing the outfits,” she joked. “And I took ski lessons in high school. I grew up not far from Lake Tahoe, and we’d all bus over to the ski resorts on Saturdays.”

  “Oh. Well, good. Maybe we can squeeze in a ski day while I’m here. There might still be enough snow in the mountains.”

  “Sounds like fun.” Darcy let him hold the car door for her. “My turn for a question. Why did you leave Switzerland in such a hurry?”

  Tony held up a finger, then closed her door. Once he slid behind the wheel, he said, “You’re a woman, right?”

  Darcy laughed. “Thanks for noticing.”

  “If you’ll tell me why you’re avoiding your mother, I’ll tell you why I left Switzerland. Deal?”

  “Deal. I need to be a woman for that?”

  “It will definitely help,” said Tony.

  * * *

  Darcy allowed herself a tiny smile. Maybe Tony wasn’t a jerk after all. He was certainly having the same family issues she was having. Or so it seemed. She wondered why there was friction between Tony and his cousin Uly. Maybe Uly was jealous because Tony had a normal first name. That thought provoked a laugh.

  Tony asked, “Something funny?”

  She shook her head, then turned to look at him. “Ulysses and Thor? Funny names.”

  Tony grinned.

  When they reached the Cattleman’s parking lot, they encountered a fender bender blocking the north lot access. Tony turned east up the street where they passed a storefront labeled Thor Security, then around the block to the south and back toward the Cattleman’s south parking lot.

  Darcy soaked in the small town atmosphere. Forest Hill was a small community nestled in the woods, making every home look like an isolated cabin. Her mother would do her big shopping in Auburn, which was quite a scenic place, but she was charmed by the historical brick buildings in the old part of Eagle’s Toe. “Oh, look! That old movie house is showing Monty Python and the Holy Grail! I’ve never seen that movie on the big screen.”

  Tony slowed the car. “Looks like the first show is at four. How about we freshen up and come see the movie? My treat.” He added sarcastically, “Better than babysitting Thor’s kids all afternoon.”

  Darcy nodded eagerly. “That would be great.”

  Tony looked pleased. “Good.” He flashed her a sideways look of approval. “So good to meet another Monty Python fan.”

  Darcy assumed a faux French accent and quoted, “I fart in your general direction!”

  Tony burst out laughing.

  They traded lines from The Holy Grail all the way to the elevators. “Do you have your key card?”

  “Yes. That was as far as we got before Lulamae stumbled.”

  “You can take the express to the penthouse,” said Tony. “I tried to book it, but Lulamae beat me to it.”

  Darcy held the elevator door and turned with tilted head. “So, you’re one of those…oh, what do you call them?…Rich people?” Her tone was full of mischief.

  Tony laughed but neither confirmed nor denied his status. “Shall we meet up at 3:30? The theater isn’t far.”

  “Sounds good,” said Darcy. She glanced at her watch. “I could stand to lie down for an hour. I’m still buzzing from the morning’s excitement.”

  “See you then.”

  She gave him a genuine smile, then let the express doors close.

  Once she arrived at the penthouse suite, she changed her mind about lying down. The suite was gorgeous, and there was a magnificent view of the mountains to the west. Suddenly, exploring her digs was much more important than taking a nap. She found brochures about points of interest in and around Eagle’s Toe. One of them was for Gunnison as a skiing destination. She made a mental note to mention it to Tony. She rummaged behind the built-in bar and found Coke and fruit. She decided that caffeine was definitely necessary if she was going to spend the evening with people she barely knew. Part of her wanted to stay in and watch movies on the big screen TV, but hey, she was going to see Monty Python with a fellow fan. That would be something special.

  She opened her luggage and began putting things away in the closet and drawers. Her thoughts were never far from Lulamae, and she found herself musing about the whole “godmother” thing. Maybe if she asked a few questions, she could get a grip on that this evening. That, and Uly’s harsh teasing of Tony.

  The Coke was cold and divine right out of the can. She plopped down on the long sofa and stared out at the mountains until the sun began slanting into the room. She got up and closed the drapes, then wandered through the suite, touching everything and finding surprises everywhere. A box of candy (the good stuff) on the large table at the east end of the suite. Heart-shaped pillows on the beds in the sleeping area. Super plush towels in the bath, and not just one or two, but a whole stack of them. She felt a twinge of guilt about getting to stay here when Lulamae had to spend the night in the hospital. But then again, she didn’t seem to mind. It wasn’t like she didn’t have lots of special caretakers.

  She wondered how rich the Garrisons really were. It seemed to her that anyone who could donate on a grand level to a hospital must have cash to burn.

  Her tour of the suite was so entertaining, she was surprised when 3:30 came around. She ran a brush through her hair, checked her teeth, then headed for the elevators. As she took the non-express to Tony’s floor, it occurred to her that she hadn’t even opened her computer. But then, who needed email when surrounded with such luxury? This was how she was supposed to live, she just knew it. Now if only her career would cooperate.

  Tony opened the door before her second knock.

  “Gee, that was fast,” she teased.

  “Come on in. You can leave the door open if you like. I just need another moment or two.”

  Darcy would have been impressed by Tony’s room if she hadn’t already been overly impressed by the penthouse suite. She wandered through the room, as if exploring a museum. The Museum of the Rich and Superbly Comfortable. She spied a velvet bag on top of his dresser, tied with a soft golden cord.

  “No offense, but this looks a little frilly for a snowboarding athlete.” She lifted the bag a few inches off the dresser. “Family jewels?”

  Tony’s expression made her drop the bag. “That’s not mine.”

  Darcy eyed him curiously. “Do the maids leave presents in the rooms?”

  “No, no, of course not,” said Tony, lifting the bag. “I mean, it was in my luggage, but I didn’t put it there, and I couldn’t untie the cord so I’m not sure what’s in it.”

  Darcy backed away a few steps. “You aren’t friends with terrorists, are you?”

  He made a dismissive noise. “No way. An acquaintance stashed that in my luggage without telling me about it. If I’d known, I would have been a total wreck coming through customs.” He shook his head.

  Darcy held up her fingers and wiggled them in the air. “I have good nails, if you want me to untie the cord.”

  Tony hesitated for a moment, then held the bag for her to work on. “Might as well find out what the heck she was up to.”

  Darcy raised a brow. “Oh, a female acquaintance, eh?�
� She gave him a lopsided smile.

  Tony shook his head. “Not that kind. She’s an annoying acquaintance, and she’s married to a French Count. Or at least that’s what their letterhead claims. I don’t think the French have Counts anymore.”

  Darcy eased the knot open. “I believe they all lost their heads during the French revolution,” she said. “There you go.” She smoothed the cord but didn’t open the bag. “Very nice. Are you going to look?”

  Tony shrugged. “Might as well see what the old girl was going on about.”

  Darcy had the definite impression that the “old girl” had done more than drop a gift in his luggage behind his back. Tony’s face took on a certain look when he spoke of her.

  Tony opened the mouth of the bag, but before he could empty the contents on the dresser, Darcy said, “If it was a bomb, I think it would have gone off when I untied it.”

  He laughed, two syllables. “Ha, ha. Very funny.”

  Darcy folded her hands behind her back. “Gee, I hope it’s not her diaphragm.”

  Tony dropped the bag, and Darcy laughed out loud. He gave her a look, then picked up the bag again. “Very funny. Monty Python will seem tame after a conversation with you.”

  Darcy grinned. “Is she the reason you decided to come back to the States?”

  Tony grunted an affirmative, then turned the bag upside down and gave it a shake. The contents fell onto the top of the dresser, and Darcy’s grin froze, then faded. “Wow. She must like you a lot.”

  “Holy mackerel,” he muttered, staring at the dresser. “I was hoping I would never see her again, but I have a feeling…”

  Darcy nodded. “Like maybe she may come to collect her export?”

  Tony’s expression darkened. “This is not good.” The ruby necklace reflected light as if lit from within.

  “Is it real?” whispered Darcy.

  “Oh God, I hope not.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Tony scooped the necklace back into the velvet sack. “This is not good,” he mumbled.

  “Why would she put that in your luggage? Is it some kind of bribe? Or maybe she stole the necklace, and she wanted you to smuggle it out of the country.”

  “Very inventive,” said Tony. “But I don’t have a clue. She…” He hesitated. “You’re going to tell me why you’re trying to avoid your mother, correct?”

  “Yep. Even Steven.”

  He sighed. “Okay. She accused me of getting her pregnant. She made a big scene. It was too uncomfortable for me to stay there.”

  Darcy shrugged. “Is it your baby?”

  “No! I mean, that’s not possible. We never…I never…not with her. She’s not my type. And besides, she’s married. I never fool around with married women, especially the ones married to counts.”

  “Oh yeah, the dead French royalty.”

  Tony had to laugh. “Good one. Your turn.”

  “My mother thinks I’m in Hollywood making movies,” she said glumly. She walked over to the foot of the bed and plopped down. “I don’t know how to tell her that all those acting classes may have been for nothing.”

  Tony carried the bag of jewels in his hand as he examined the room.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Darcy.

  “I’m looking for a room safe.”

  “Try the closet.”

  He headed for the closet by the entrance. Darcy followed him. As he slid the closet door open, she pointed. “There it is.”

  “Thanks. Now…you were saying?” He punched the keypad on the safe, but nothing happened.

  Darcy said, “I’m trying to avoid telling my mother that I wasn’t tough enough for life in Hollywood. She thinks I’m down there right now, starring in some kind of movie, and I just cannot tell her the only offer I got was for a porn flick.”

  Tony leaned one shoulder against the wall. “I cannot imagine you in a pornographic movie.”

  “Thanks. I think.” Darcy ran her finger over the instructions for the safe. A moment later she punched in some numbers, then turned the handle, and the door opened. “There you go.”

  Tony felt irritation crawling along his neck. “I was just about to do that.”

  “I know,” said Darcy, as if it hadn’t been obvious that he couldn’t figure out the safe. “If you have trouble opening it later, just let me know.”

  “Great.” He shoved the bag into the safe, shut the door, and checked the handle. Safe and secure. “Let’s go see Monty Python.”

  “What are you going to do about that necklace?”

  “Don’t know yet. I guess I’ll have to email her and ask what the hell she’s doing.”

  “Good plan. Now, what do I tell my mother when I email her? Can’t call. No cellphone, remember? I couldn’t afford the monthly charges. What happened to yours?”

  “Like Uly said, I was hiding from the family. So I never got one. Just the laptop and email.”

  “Two peas in a pod,” said Darcy, sarcastically.

  “Let’s go.”

  The movie was just as funny as she remembered it, and seeing it on the big screen was a treat. The place was packed, and it took them a while to wend their way out of the theater. As the lobby emptied out, Tony spotted a poster for a live performance of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

  “I don’t get it,” said Darcy. “This is a movie theater.”

  The popcorn girl, a woman in her mid-forties wearing latex gloves, overheard them talking and volunteered, “The Eagle’s Toe Drama Society is refurbishing the place so we can use it for live performances on the weekends,” she said. “We show movies on weekdays to help pay for it.”

  Tony raised a brow. “This town is big enough to have a dedicated arts community?”

  The woman squinted at him. “You look familiar. Are you related to Axel Garrison?”

  “He’s my brother,” said Tony.

  “Ahh. That’s what it is. Well, you can check with your brother about dedication. He’s an expert.” She flipped the lid shut on the popcorn bucket and walked away.

  “Wow,” said Darcy. “Artsy-fartsy attitude as well.”

  Tony grinned. “I suppose we’d better head for my cousin’s house.” He shifted his gaze to the newly sanded brick walls. “Old building.”

  “And it smells like one,” whispered Darcy.

  * * *

  By the time Tony pulled up in front of Thor and Ashley’s luxury cabin, Darcy had managed to straighten out who everyone was. Mostly.

  “There will be a quiz later,” teased Tony.

  “Gee, thanks. Hey, before we go in…”

  “What?”

  “Why is Uly so mean to you?”

  Tony shook his head. “I don’t know. When we were kids, I think it was jealousy. I mean, Lulamae spent a lot of time with our families when we were kids, but she spread herself around so we all got attention. But she was huge in the lives of our Masters cousins, Austin and Clayton. I don’t think you met them yet. Their mother died when they were boys, and Lulamae spent a few years making Austin and Clayton feel like they had a mother figure in their lives.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” said Darcy sincerely.

  “There’s more, but it’s a long story. Maybe tomorrow? And I confess, the depth of Lulamae’s involvement with all of us is kind of a mystery. None of our parents will fill us in. Anyway, when it’s just me and my cousins, they don’t get on me like that. But with Lulamae in town…”

  “I feel like I should be with her at the hospital,” said Darcy.

  “Tell you what. That will be our ace in the hole. If they take too long to get to dinner, or if things get too irritating, we’ll excuse ourselves and go check on her. Sound good?”

  Darcy was relieved. “Perfect!” Tony got out of the car, and she waited a moment when it became clear that he was going to come around and open her door. When he did, she smiled a thank-you. As they approached the front deck of the huge log cabin, she asked, “Does Lulamae know about the countess problem?”

 
“Let’s keep our little secrets private, shall we? I don’t want to listen to any lectures about safe sex and paternal duty.”

  “You said it’s not yours.”

  “That won’t stop some people from interfering and offering unwanted advice.”

  Darcy nodded. “Are you sure we didn’t grow up in the same house?”

  Tony smiled. He was about to speak again when the front door opened and two toddlers screamed a greeting and ran straight for them. Right behind the kids bounded a large Doberman pinscher, adding his booming bark to the squealing.

  Darcy stopped short as the dog approached. Tony stepped in front of her, and when the dog leaped up to lick his face, he grabbed its collar and lowered it to the ground.

  Darcy let herself relax. “Thanks.”

  “Not into dogs?”

  “Dogs, I love. Canine guardians with big sharp teeth? Not so much.”

  Thor appeared at the open door. “Hello, Tony! Come on in. Odin? Freya? Come inside and eat your dinner. Rocky, get down.”

  Rocky left Tony and trotted back to Thor, taking the toddlers with him.

  Inside, they found Axel and Taylor on a love seat with drinks in hand. Taylor’s hair was still mostly blue, but her blond roots were showing. They lifted their glasses in a toast to the new arrivals.

  Darcy figured they were smart to park themselves on the love seat. Not enough room for the kids to climb on them, but there were a couple of chihuahuas bouncing up and down off Taylor’s lap. Ashley, Belle, and Uly were preoccupied in the controlled chaos of feeding the toddlers. Darcy followed Tony’s lead and moved to the bar against the right wall for liquid refreshment. “Just a Coke,” she said.

  “Me, too,” said Tony. “I’m driving.” He fixed them each a cold drink. “Let’s find a place near Axel and Taylor,” he said. “At least until they put the kids to bed.”

  Darcy agreed. She chose a wingback chair near the love seat, and Tony perched his rump on the ottoman in front of her chair. She leaned back and closed her eyes, letting Tony and Axel catch up on family gossip. After five minutes, she was lost in the ever-expanding list of relatives and estates and servant gossip. She wondered how they ever kept track. She was an only child, and as a result, she’d learned to cherish her privacy. Once every two years, her mother’s sister would come down from Oregon and spend a week with them in Forest Hill. By day three, Darcy was usually hiding in her room or finding reasons to meet up with friends from the drama club. But here, the pressure was much less. She decided to relax and let Tony handle the family stuff.