by Duke, Regina
They dawdled over gourmet burgers and salad, passing small talk back and forth. At last Tony texted Lulamae to see if she needed anything. No sooner had he done so than he received a response.
Merci for checking on me, darlin’, now come back here right away! A crisis is brewing.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Darcy was alarmed. “A crisis? Do you think she’s okay?”
“I suspect that the crisis has nothing to do with her health.”
“Oh dear, I hope my mother isn’t the crisis.”
Tony looked at her askance as he paid for their lunch. “Where did that come from?”
Darcy gave a little shrug. “From a history of living with her? Watching her chaotic approach to life?”
“She’s a school teacher, right? How chaotic can that be?”
Darcy laughed as she followed Tony out the door. “You’ve never been in a classroom, have you?”
Tony held up a finger. “I beg your pardon. I went to school.”
“Good. So you know how unruly kids can be sometimes.”
He opened her car door. “I do recall a few occasions when my math class managed to bring a substitute teacher to tears.”
Darcy got in. After Tony slid behind the wheel, she said, “See what I mean?”
“Well, let’s go up to the suite and see what’s going on.”
To Darcy’s surprise, the suite was full of people. Thor and Ashley, Uly and Belle, Axel and Taylor, and Austin with his camera equipment. He was quietly taking photos of the others. At first, Darcy was puzzled, then she realized that all of them were important to Lulamae, so he was recording their family gathering. Darcy greeted them all, silently congratulating herself for being able to put names to faces, and gravitated toward the sofa where Lulamae was holding court. Spreading her hands in a silent question, Darcy said, “You scared me with that crisis message. Is everything okay?”
Lulamae swayed a tiny bit from side to side.
Darcy narrowed her gaze. “Are you drinking with pain meds again?”
Lulamae put a finger to her lips. “Hush, don’t tell. Besides, just this mimosa, I promise.”
Tony perched on the arm of the sofa next to Lulamae. “What’s going on? We came back like we said we would.”
“You came back because I texted you to.”
“Okay, you win. What’s up?”
“Your father called me this morning.”
Tony stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. “And what did King Lester have to say?”
Lulamae laughed, and thanks to her pain meds and the mimosa, it turned into a high giggle.
Darcy reached out and gently removed the mimosa from her hand. “I’ll hold this for you,” she said sweetly. Then she darted a glance around the group as she asked, “Did your godchildren let you imbibe with your pain meds?”
Ashley looked grim. “Lulamae, you told us you were off the pain medication.”
Darcy pinned Lulamae with an accusatory stare. “You little stinker. No more booze for you today.”
Lulamae pretended to pout. “I pay your salary,” she whined.
Tony shook his head. “She’s on my payroll, too, and we are still scouting locations for our movie.”
Uly boomed, “Movie? What movie?”
Tony placed an arm around Darcy’s shoulders. “The movie that will make Darcy a major superstar.”
Darcy gazed up at him fondly. “I wasn’t going to spread that around. After all, you might want to change your mind, considering what it takes to produce a film.”
Tony gave her a half smile. “My money isn’t doing anything right now except making my bankers very happy. Besides, making a movie together sounds like a fun way to spend more time with you.”
Uly pointed at Tony. “You dog. You’re sweet on Darcy!”
Tony closed his eyes and tried to exhale the frustration out of his body. “Gee, Uly, try to be more obvious,” he said sarcastically.
Thor and Austin laughed. The ladies were not as amused, and Uly’s wife wagged a finger at him. “I thought you said your boyhood jealousies were over and done with?”
Tony was taken aback. “Jealousy?”
Uly kicked at the carpet like a ten-year-old caught cheating on a test. “You were always better at sports than me. And it got under my skin.”
Darcy suppressed a smile.
Tony said, “Well, you guys got all the cool toys. Lester always said we could have expensive toys after he’s dead and gone.”
That elicited some nervous laughter. Darcy linked her arm with Tony’s. Her first impressions had been accurate. He had family hassles, just like her. “I hope this means you two will stop annoying each other. Truce?”
Tony nodded. “Truce. What about you, Uly?”
Uly nodded glumly. “Okay. But what will we talk about if we aren’t picking on each other?”
Belle nudged him in the ribs. “You’ll think of something,” she said firmly.
Darcy liked Belle already. “Okay, everyone, I know you love Lulamae, but please, she is still on pain medication. Do not bring her alcohol. Pretty please.”
Belle asked, “Are you a nurse?”
“No. I’m a would-be actress. But she hired me to help her while she’s mending, and I take my duties seriously.” The tensions in the room dissipated at last. Darcy took advantage of that shift in feeling to ask Lulamae, “What was the crisis you needed us for?”
Silence.
“Oh good,” said Darcy sarcastically, “because we haven’t had enough game-playing.”
Thor spoke up. “Tony and Axel’s dad, Lester, called Lulamae about an hour ago.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, I remember that part. Was that the crisis?”
Thor and Uly exchanged uncomfortable looks. Then Thor said, “He called to ask why Tony stole a ruby necklace from the wife of Count Hercule.”
Tony threw his hands in the air. “You see, Darcy? You see? This is why I haven’t had a cellphone since I went to Europe.”
“You didn’t steal that necklace,” said Darcy defensively.
Austin blinked in confusion. “What necklace?”
“Calm down,” said Tony. “The countess stuffed her necklace in my suitcase and didn’t bother telling me about it until I got to Eagle’s Toe.”
“She gave it to you?” asked Belle.
“Not exactly.” He knelt beside Lulamae. “So, my father does know the count and his wife, and that’s how the countess figured out where I am. But who told my father I was here?”
Lulamae raised a fragile hand.
Tony’s chin dropped to his chest.
“A week ago,” said Lulamae. “I just told him I had a dream, that’s all. I didn’t call and confirm after you got here.”
Darcy frowned. “You mean, Lester believes you have second sight?”
Lulamae tipped her hand sideways in the air, like a gull floating on the wind. “Sort of.” She dropped her hand. “But he figured my dream must have been accurate when the count called him and complained about Tony.”
“Is that the crisis?” asked Tony. “Dad thinks I stole a necklace?”
“Yes,” said Lulamae in a tone that told Tony there was more.
“And…?” he prompted.
Lulamae sighed heavily. “Lester says the count wants you arrested for grand larceny. Oh, and also, the countess is missing.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Darcy was horrified. “What?! That’s crazy.”
Tony was disgusted. “She isn’t missing. She’s on a plane coming to the US. She emailed me that much. She’s coming after her necklace. And now I know how she knew where I am.” He spread his arms and announced sarcastically, “So thank you, everyone, for reminding me of why I’ve been gone for so long. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need some time to think.”
Darcy felt a cold lump in her chest as Tony headed for the door. “Mrs. Franklin?”
Lulamae motioned for her to go with Tony, mouthing silently, Go calm him down.
&nbs
p; Darcy went gratefully. She had feelings for Tony, and she didn’t want to lose him because his family couldn’t keep their fingers out of his life.
She caught up with him at the elevator. “Tony, wait.”
He seemed pleased that she’d followed him. “Sure thing. Come on, I need to get away from things for a while.”
Darcy stayed close but said little. She didn’t want to become a person he wanted to get away from. They reached the lobby, and she was just about to ask, “Where are we going?” when the hotel owner…was it Mr. McAvoy?… waved at Tony to get his attention.
“Mr. Garrison? I thought you’d like to know that your shipment from Switzerland is here.”
For a moment Darcy feared that McAvoy was referring to the countess. A moment later he called to a young man in a half-buttoned bellboy jacket, who scurried over, buttoning his jacket as he approached.
“Yes, sir?”
“Bring Mr. Garrison’s shipment out.” McAvoy smiled broadly. “If you like, I can send him up to your room with it.”
The young man came back pushing a luggage dolly. Darcy relaxed. It couldn’t be the countess unless she’d been chopped up, dehydrated, and shipped in a Special Delivery box.
Tony seemed to know exactly what it was. “That’s great, Mr. McAvoy. Have him take it upstairs.” Then he headed out of the hotel.
Darcy trotted after him, wondering if he’d forgotten she was there. But he paused to hold the lobby door for her, then decreased his pace to match her smaller stride. “Do you like winter sports?”
“I thought we talked this already.”
“But did you enjoy them? The winter sports, not the inches of snow.”
Darcy laughed. “I got to go with my school on ski trips, and I loved it, but I never had the money for my own equipment.”
“Cool.” He opened her car door for her, then slipped behind the wheel. “That shipment was my skis and snowboard. Let’s go skiing.”
Darcy didn’t know what to say. “Now? With no winter coats?”
“Come on, I’ll buy you clothes in Gunnison.” He looked quite pleased with himself.
“Don’t you want to go back and pick up your skis?”
“Wouldn’t be fair. We’ll have to rent yours, right?” He shrugged. “So I’ll rent mine, as well. Besides, I’m already driving.”
“Should I call Lulamae?”
“No, I’ll text her later.”
Darcy chewed her bottom lip. Part of her was thrilled with the idea of taking off for a ski adventure, but what if Tony expected her to pay him back…in a way she wasn’t prepared to? She asked somberly, “No funny stuff?”
Tony crossed his heart. “With the soulmate who joined me in worshipping at the altar of Monty Python? Never.”
Darcy giggled and relaxed. “Well…okay.” She shivered with the excitement of it all and wondered why there was a tiny twinge of disappointment deep inside. “Are you sure they still have snow there?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not in Eagle’s Toe.” His jaw was firm.
“And you’ll tell Lulamae?”
“Yep.”
“I don’t want her to worry. How far away is Gunnison?”
Tony played with is phone for a moment. “About two hours away. That’s not bad.”
“It will be dark before we get back.”
“No problem.” Tony steered the car onto the Highway 50 on-ramp. “We’ll stay overnight and come home tomorrow.”
“But I’m supposed to be taking care of Lulamae.”
“You saw how many people were there in her suite. She’s having a great time. Really.”
“But…but I can’t let you spend all that money on me. That makes me very uncomfortable.”
Tony slowed the car and pulled onto the shoulder. “Look, Darcy, if I were a regular working stiff, bringing in…I don’t know, what’s the average wage now? Fifty thousand? If that were the case, I would also feel uncomfortable. And broke. But there’s a lot of money in my family, and when I turned twenty-five, a big chunk of it wound up in a Swiss account with my name on it. I promise you, we’re spending pocket money.”
“Wow.” Darcy swallowed hard. She tried to make a joke. “When I took my temporary position with Lulamae, I did notice that most retired ladies do not have a live-in staff and heated swimming pool.”
“Lots of money and luxury. That’s what you have to get used to if you’re going to be a famous movie star.” The ghost of a smile played across Tony’s features as he eased the car back onto the highway.
Darcy stared wide-eyed out the window, her heart pounding as she reminded herself he’d promised no funny stuff. But now the adventure was real.
* * *
Tony felt himself relaxing, truly relaxing, for the first time since he’d flown out of Switzerland. He enjoyed the drive to the mountains, with Darcy next to him. He hadn’t been to Colorado except for weddings, so he was almost as surprised as she was when it turned out the resorts still had enough snow to keep lifts running. As soon as they verified the snow level, he took Darcy shopping. There was no lack of specialty stores housed in quaint old mining-era buildings for them to select from.
“Just one ski outfit,” Darcy insisted. But she didn’t object when he piled a pair of flannel jammies on top of her ski clothes. He also picked up a couple of items for himself. Once they got to the ski resort parking lot, Darcy changed in the car while Tony dutifully looked away. The rental shop was more than obliging, outfitting them both, and they managed to get on the ski lift by four.
“Intermediate runs,” said Tony reassuringly. “I’ve read about the advanced slopes here, and I don’t think high school gym class prepared you for those.”
“I agree,” said Darcy.
Tony slipped gracefully off the chair lift at the appropriate moment, then grabbed Darcy to keep her from sliding backward down the hill. “Let’s start over here, out of the way, and no trick skiing until you warm up first.”
Darcy laughed. “Oh yes, that’s me. Trick star extraordinaire.”
“Do your boots feel okay?”
“Yes, they’re fine. I’m good at wearing shoes. I’m just a little rusty where the skis are concerned.”
They snowplowed down the slope, then got back on the lift. Their second run was a bit faster. By the third run, Darcy was beginning to show some of the style points she’d picked up in her high school lessons.
They skied until the sky was a dark indigo color and the western mountaintops were only visible thanks to the moon shining on the snow pack. At last, they turned in their rentals, sore but happy.
Darcy was breathless. “I’ve never had so much fun, ever! You’re really good. You probably want to try those expert slopes.”
“And leave you behind for some other guy to show up and whisk you away? No chance. I’m enjoying your company way too much for that.” He pulled her close in a quick hug. “Now...do we want to see if there’s room at the inn?”
“We could go skiing again early in the morning if we do,” said Darcy, her cheeks flushed with cold.
“You’ve sold me on the idea,” said Tony. “Let’s see if we’re lucky enough to score a room.”
“Or two,” said Darcy.
“Almost forgot. Two rooms.” But there was only one room available. Tony turned to Darcy at the front desk. ”Your call,” he said. “If we take it, I’ll sleep on the couch. Or chair. Or in the tub.”
Darcy laughed. “Okay, let’s take it.”
The room was plush and comfy, and there was a sofa in a small sitting room. They took turns freshening up in the bathroom, then went looking for food. Less than a block from the hotel, they found an old-fashioned cafe and Tony pulled Darcy down to sit on the same side of the booth he was on.
Darcy blushed. “Not much elbow room this way,” she said hesitantly.
Tony slipped an arm around her. “Is that better?”
Darcy giggled. “Much better.”
They took their time over dinner—beef stroganoff
with hot fudge sundaes for dessert.
“I’m stuffed,” said Darcy. “I hope I can roll out of bed tomorrow.”
“Your ski clothes should have a little stretch in them.”
Darcy thumped him on the arm. “Not funny!”
“So why are you laughing?” he teased.
On their way back to the hotel, Tony made sure to hang on to Darcy’s elbow. The snow around the resort was packed and slippery, and he didn’t want her to fall. He stopped at a corner shop and bought jelly beans and Coke. “Don’t worry,” he said, “I won’t force you to eat any.”
“No way are you getting all the bubble gum ones,” she retorted.
Tony grinned. “It’s a good thing I go for the cinnamon.”
Once they were settled on the sofa, with the TV guide scrolling on the screen, Darcy said, “Now that I have a phone again, I guess I should get back in the habit of checking for messages.” She pulled hers out of her purse and said airily, “What a shame. No messages.”
Tony’s grin faded when he checked his own. “Oh boy. Ten.”
“How on Earth? We only gave our numbers to Lulamae.” She clapped a hand over her mouth. “Why, that little mischief-maker. She must have given your number to...how many family members?”
“Let’s see…Axel, of course. And Thor and Uly... not surprised. And a couple messages from Lulamae, saying everything is fine and thanks for letting her know we went skiing. Oh rats. She gave my number to my dad.”
“What’s he have to say?”
Tony made a face. “The usual. How’s my ski bum offspring doing? Still don’t know what you want to do when you grow up?”
“Eew. That’s not nice.”
“He probably thinks he’s being funny. Lester has no sense of humor, trust me.” Then his face brightened and he started texting. “Watch me drive him crazy.”
Darcy looked over his shoulder and read, You’ll be happy to know I came back to the States to start a career. More later. Must plug in phone.
“What career?” asked Darcy. Then her eyes opened wide. “You mean…?!”
Tony smiled like the Mona Lisa. “Of course. Besides, I want to see you on the big screen.”
They snuggled on the sofa and pretended to watch a Godzilla marathon until they both fell asleep. Tony woke at three a.m. to find Darcy nestled in his arms. He straightened a crick in his neck, but delayed waking her for another five minutes. Just as he was about to whisper her name, Darcy stirred. The marathon was still playing, but now the movies were in Japanese with subtitles.