The Wedding Deal

by Duke, Regina

  “That was perfect,” said Darcy. She narrowed her gaze at him and asked teasingly, “Why are you still single?”

  Tony beamed. “Because I only met you a few hours ago, and a lady usually expects certain rituals before the wedding.”

  “You mean, like dancing?”

  “Mmm-hmmm.” His voice grew husky. “If I’d met you two years ago, I never would have run away to Europe. Now I have to make up for lost time. Does this evening count as our prom?”

  Darcy giggled. She stirred her ice with a straw. “You know, I would love for this evening to continue….”

  Tony brightened. “So would I.”

  “But,” said Darcy, running a finger along his perfect jaw, “what would Lulamae think?”

  Tony was dumbfounded. “Ouch.”

  Darcy said sweetly, “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who was thinking about her when I came in.” She pushed her glass away. “All gone.” She kissed him gently on the cheek. “And so am I. At least for this evening.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “You’ll have to if we’re going to make up for two years during our stay in Eagle’s Toe.” She shooed him out of the booth so she could leave.

  He stood silently until she’d disappeared into the lobby. “Damn,” he murmured. “I’m in big trouble.”

  * * *

  Darcy awoke Wednesday morning to the jangle of the room phone. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and checked the clock radio. Eight-fifteen? She’d planned to be up and around by six. But then, the penthouse suite was incredibly quiet, and the drapes kept the early sunlight from invading the room.

  “Hello?” she mumbled into the phone. “Oh, Lulamae! Yes, yes, of course. I’ll get there as soon as I can.” She hung up the phone. Maybe she could get a ride from Tony.

  A sudden smile caught her off guard as she remembered the night before. She tried to stop smiling but couldn’t. She rolled out of bed and headed for the shower.

  Once dressed, she tried to reach Tony on the house phone. No answer. Oh dear, she’d have to take a taxi to the hospital. She wondered if he was oversleeping as well.

  She opened the door to leave the suite and found Tony, knuckles raised, about to knock on the door. The sight of him reinstated her smile. “I was just trying to reach you.”

  “Excellent. I had a lovely time last night.”

  “Me, too.” Darcy was afraid to say much else, since she hadn’t had coffee yet.

  “Did Lulamae call you this morning?” he asked.

  Darcy was surprised. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “Because she called me first.”

  Darcy laughed. “She wants out of that hospital.”

  “Let’s go get her. There’s coffee in the lobby.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  Armed with coffee in biodegradable cups, they loaded up on caffeine on the way to the hospital. When they entered Lulamae’s room, she made it clear she was ready to go.

  “Oh cherie, I thought you’d never get here.” Lulamae stretched out both hands toward her, and Darcy clasped them in hers.

  “Mrs. Franklin—”

  “Lulamae, remember? Tony, I knew you’d bring her right over. Now, you both pull up a chair.”

  “Are you all right?” asked Darcy.

  “Yes, I’m fine, but one of the nurses found my little bottle of vodka, and I’ve been miserable ever since.” She put on an Academy Award-winning pout.

  Tony laughed out loud. “Oh Lulamae, you can still work it.”

  Lulamae’s pout turned into a smile. “Darcy, did y’all enjoy your supper at Thor’s place?”

  Darcy and Tony exchanged glances, and Darcy giggled. Tony said, “Your phone call saved us from lukewarm catered food.”

  “I called you last night? I don’t remember.”

  Darcy said, “When we got here, you were sound asleep. The nurses didn’t want us to wake you. Do you have to spend another night here? Our suite at the hotel is so much nicer than this.”

  “Is there chocolate?”

  “Yes! How did you know? It’s what I had for dinner after….” She stopped short.

  Tony saved her. “We went dancing,” he said. “It was lovely.”

  Lulamae’s eyes twinkled. “Dancing is good. Now I need chocolate. It has curative properties, you know.”

  Tony gave her a lopsided grin. “You want me to go buy some?”

  “Gift shop is closed,” said Lulamae sadly. “Maybe…maybe you could bring that wheelchair over here and take me outside for fresh air?” She looked hopeful.

  “Of course,” said Darcy.

  Tony asked, “Will the hospital charge us with kidnapping when we put you in my car and take you to the hotel?”

  Lulamae shrieked with laughter. “You know me all too well for a young man who’s been hiding out in Europe. Get me out of here. Please.”

  Tony’s eyebrows moved up and down. “One wheelchair coming up.”

  Darcy was worried. “Is it okay? I mean, if we take you to the hotel, will the hospital call it leaving without medical permission?”

  Tony said, “Against medical advice. I doubt it because they only wanted her to stay so they could show her how the Garrison family donations are being spent.”

  Lulamae clucked at him. “Shame on you, naughty boy. Such cynicism in one so young.” She threw off her blankets, revealing that she was fully dressed, right down to her shoes. “I’m ready for fresh air. And I don’t like hospital food, so let’s go to brunch somewhere.”

  Darcy took Lulamae’s elbow to steady her transfer to the wheelchair. She was still worried about her falling, but she certainly understood the desire to leave. Hospitals spooked Darcy, and maybe they bothered Lulamae as well.

  Once outside, Tony pushed the chair nonchalantly toward the parking garage. Lulamae was giggling like a schoolgirl, and Darcy wondered how many pills they’d given her that day. Once the car was moving, Lulamae began chatting nonstop, telling stories about the nurses and the radiologist. She had such a sharp wit that she had both Darcy and Tony laughing by the time they reached the Cattleman’s.

  “You two go on up to your suite,” Tony said. “I’m going to order us room service. Mind if I join you for brunch?”

  “Please do,” said Lulamae. Darcy blushed and looked away.

  Once Lulamae got into the suite, she was full of energy. Brunch was delightful. They had fruit and bacon and lasagna and toasted bread from Il Vaccaro. Dessert arrived a half-hour after the meal was delivered, with the spiffily dressed waiter making a show of lighting the baked Alaska.

  “Oh my, that is spectacular,” said Darcy. She squeezed Lulamae’s hand. “Can I work for you forever?”

  They all settled on the sofa to enjoy a pot of fresh coffee and jumped when the house phone rang.

  “The hospital?” asked Darcy.

  Tony got up to find out. There was a phone on the coffee table, so he didn’t have to go far. “Hello?”

  His long pause and the frown that took over his features made Darcy nervous. “Who is it?” she asked.

  Tony covered the mouthpiece. “It’s the front desk,” said Tony. “They say there’s a woman checking in who demands to know your room number.”

  “Who on Earth?” said Lulamae. “Sounds like something I would do.”

  Tony held up a finger as he listened. Then he announced, “The movie star’s mother demands an audience.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Tony held the phone out to Darcy, but she looked dumbstruck. He put one hand over the mouthpiece and his other arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”

  Darcy shook her head. “Trying to breathe. How did she find me? I thought she was driving to Hollywood.”

  Tony was confused. “I don’t get it.”

  Darcy took a deep, calming breath. “She emailed me yesterday…every day since Sunday, as it turns out. Saying she was on her way. But she only has my Hollywood address. Oh God, she’s going to find out I’m a failure!”


  Lulamae took her hand. “Don’t worry, dear. You haven’t failed at your chosen career. You’re merely taking a break to think things over.”

  Darcy looked miserable. “My mother will be so disappointed in me.”

  Tony was overcome with a wave of sympathy. “Hey, I know all about parents and disappointment. Lulamae and I will cover for you.”

  Darcy’s expression brightened. “Really? How?”

  “Oh, don’t you worry about that. By the time we get done with her, she’ll forget all about your detour to Colorado,” said Lulamae. She caught Tony’s eye and nodded.

  Tony spoke into the phone, “You say she’s checking in?… Okay…. Let me check with…” He saw Darcy’s head shaking no and Lulamae’s head shaking yes. Then Lulamae reached for the phone. Tony turned it over.

  “Hello? Is this Mrs. Summerlin?” Lulamae’s voice was sweet as pie. “This is Darcy’s agent. Darcy’s in a meeting with a very talented producer, so she can’t talk right now…. Why, yes, of course she has an agent. You need one in Hollywood…. My accent? Oh honey child, there are people from all over working in the industry.” She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Yes. We’re in the penthouse suite. Please do come by at six. Darcy will be back by then. We’ll have supper delivered. Oh, yes, I look forward to meeting you as well. Au revoir.” She hung up.

  Darcy stared, her eyes bulging. “Lulamae, I don’t know if that was a good idea.”

  Lulamae’s eyes twinkled. “I confess I was helped along by my pain medication and the cocktail, but at least you can maintain the illusion for a while. After all, expecting you to star in a movie ten months after you move to Hollywood is not realistic. Don’t you worry, it will all work out.”

  Tony’s mouth quirked into a crooked smile. “Her agent, eh? Who’s the talented producer?”

  Lulamae pointed a finger at him. “You, silly. Do you see anyone else around here to fill that part?”

  Tony laughed. “Okay. You’ve grown very fond of Darcy and you want to help her save face in front of her mother. I get it.” He shrugged. “Darcy’s actually the first woman who seems to understand the situation where my own family is concerned. So the least I can do is lend a hand. Besides, I wanted to help her first. I just didn’t know what role I’d be playing.”

  Darcy’s jaw dropped. “Do you know what a producer does?”

  “Does your mother?”

  “Hmm. Probably not.”

  “Then we’re good as gold. I’ll be the big-name producer, and we’re up here in Colorado scouting the location for your huge film debut. How’s that?”

  Darcy’s eyes shone with tears. “That’s so nice of you. How can I ever repay you?”

  Tony gave a modest shrug. “Don’t worry about it. Oh, if someone knocks on the door, you better scamper into the bedroom.”

  Lulamae laughed out loud.

  Tony and Darcy both stared. Tony finally asked, “How much alcohol have you had, dear lady?”

  Darcy pretended to be upset. “I’ll bet you drank that little bottle of vodka in the hospital, didn’t you? The nurses never found it. You just wanted to get out of there.”

  “Of course. Wouldn’t you?”

  “Definitely,” said Darcy. “Do we have to coordinate our stories? Or synchronize our watches or anything?”

  Tony went to the bar and poured himself a Coke. “That’s a good idea. The coordinating stories part. I think we can forego the synching of timepieces.” He perched on a barstool. “Here’s my idea,” he said, getting into the mood of Lulamae’s cover story.

  * * *

  After an hour of plotting and planning, it was obvious that Lulamae needed a nap. She’d no sooner settled on her bed than the house phone rang again. Tony picked it up.

  “Oh, hi Axel…. This afternoon?….” He shot a questioning look at Darcy. She shook her head vigorously. Tony nodded his understanding. “Sorry, Axel, Lulamae needs a nap, and Darcy should stay with her. And I have a dinner date at six. Before that, I need to go get a cellphone. But hey, we can spend tomorrow with you. How about a tour of your reindeer rescue? Okay, great. See you then for the grand tour.”

  He hung up and snapped his fingers. “Darn it, I need to stop by my room for a minute. Come with me?”

  Darcy looked to Lulamae for an answer.

  “You go on, cherie, but come back soon. I like being pampered and served my pain meds while leaning on my pillows.” She lifted a hand to stroke her face as if she were a diva.

  “All right,” said Darcy. “I sure owe you two a lot. Thanks for covering for me.”

  “Walk me to my room and I’ll pay for your cellphone,” said Tony with an exaggeratedly sexy tone.

  Lulamae called out from her bed, “Tony, you leave that hotel room door open while she’s in there, understand?”

  Tony and Darcy chimed, “Yes, ma’am.” Then they laughed and left the suite.

  Back in Tony’s room, they stood awkwardly, holding hands.

  When the silence grew uncomfortable, Darcy made a suggestion. “You have your computer here? Maybe we could check our email. You know, in case someone in Hollywood also thinks I’m made for the movies.”

  “Good idea,” said Tony. “Okay. Laptop. Over there, on the table.” He let go of her hand and booted up his laptop. Darcy stood behind him as he sat down at the table.

  “You want to check yours first?” he asked.

  “Okay.” She bent forward and logged on to her email site. “No luck.” She scrolled through her messages. “These are all from my mother. Nothing new here.” She realized all of a sudden that she was leaning over Tony, and his body heat, combined with the scent of his aftershave, reminded her of their slow dancing the night before. A tickle ran down her spine, and she stepped to his side to put a few inches between them.

  “My turn.” Tony signed on to his email and scrolled through the ten messages in his inbox. “Junk, junk, junk. Delete, delete, delete. Oh crap.”

  Darcy was taken aback. “Oh crap what?”

  Tony pointed at the screen. “This is the reason I left Switzerland so abruptly.”

  “It must be the countess, right?”

  “Yes.” His voice grew alarmed as he read the email. “Oh double crap! She wants her necklace back.”

  “Does she know where you are?”

  “I can’t tell. She says the whole pregnancy thing was a ruse. She wanted to make her husband worry a little bit. She wanted rumors of her outburst to get back to him, and it worked. Now she regrets stuffing her necklace in my bag. Why do I attract these people?”

  “But no pregnancy at all, with anyone?”

  “No way. I’m not surprised. Who besides her husband would want her? She has an annoying accent, and she’s way too pushy. Travels with bodyguards.”

  “Bodyguards?”

  “To protect the rest of her jewelry, I assume. And partly for drama.” He kept reading. “No! No way!”

  “What?!”

  Tony had paled visibly. He turned to face her. “All this time, she was a plant. She said she knows my father. And she knows where I am.”

  “How?”

  Tony closed the laptop. “Thor? Uly? Axel? Lulamae? Take your pick. I’m sure they’ve all reported my whereabouts to my father.” He slumped in his chair.

  “Well, that’s all right. He’s family after all.”

  “And he probably told the countess I’m in Eagle’s Toe.”

  “Oh dear. I suppose she’ll want her necklace back as soon as possible.”

  Tony got up and went to the dresser. He pulled open the top drawer. Half a second later, he was digging through the contents. When he turned to Darcy, he looked like a kid caught with his hand in someone else’s cookie jar. “The necklace is gone!”

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Don’t panic,” said Darcy. “We put it in your safe, remember?”

  Tony slumped with relief. “Oh, that’s right. I totally spaced that.” He headed for the safe in the closet. “You do the honors,” he said.
>
  Darcy smiled. “Still can’t figure it out, eh? No worries.” She punched in a few numbers and turned the handle. The velvet bag was still there. “It looks lonely.”

  “Ha, ha, very funny.” He took it out and opened it. “It’s still here. Maybe I should ask the countess what the whole deal is with the necklace. But I’m so pissed that my father had her checking up on me….That makes me wonder if she pulled that whole pregnancy stunt at his suggestion. Why would she want to irritate her husband? Does that sound normal to you?” He put the bag back in the safe.

  Darcy shrugged. “Maybe she’s trying to make him jealous. There could be lots of reasons. But at least the necklace is safe. Frankly, my first impression was that someone was trying to buy your affection.”

  Tony grimaced. Then he put on feminine airs, fluffed imaginary hair, and said in a falsetto, “A boy just doesn’t know who to trust anymore. You never know what might be lying in wait around the corner.”

  Darcy locked the safe. “Yeah, right.” She turned and bumped right into him. “Sorry. Confined space.”

  Tony’s eyes danced, and the corner of his mouth went up in a smile. “Felt good to me,” he said. He reached up and touched her cheek with his palm. “If Lulamae wasn’t waiting for you, I’d try to talk you into staying. We forgot to leave the door open when we came in.”

  Darcy flirted back, “Oh, I’ll take care of that. I’ll open it right before I walk through it.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “Say, has Lulamae ever talked to you about believing she has second sight? I didn’t know whether to take her seriously or not, but she did tell me to pack for this trip before Ashley called to tell her about your visit.”

  Tony shook his head. “No, but she’s done that sort of thing before. I’ve heard my father and my uncle Rudy talking about it from time to time. Dad thinks she’s faking. Rudy is sure she’s the real thing, and aunt Polly swears by Lulamae’s ability. She does have a habit of turning up when she’s needed. Maybe she’s here to check up on Belle and Uly.” Tony’s tone of voice was warm and soft, as if everything he said was some kind of code inviting her to lean against him.