by Regina Duke
Ashley settled on the sofa and took a stiff swallow of her screwdriver. “Do you know Britney Beth well?” She squeaked a bit on the end.
Lulamae winked at her. “Cherie, I watched both those families grow from the start. Lord knows I can keep a secret or two.” She pinned Ashley with look. “So why don’t you tell me the truth?”
“Why not?” said Ashley.
“That was fast.”
“I’m impulsive at times. That’s how this all got started.” And she proceeded to explain the whole situation to Lulamae. She started at the beginning in the brown house and finished with the private jet. She even included the agreement on the napkin. Thirty minutes later, she added, “So far it’s working great. Thor and I have an agreement that benefits the both of us. I know he doesn’t actually love me.” She paused, then asked, “Do you think I’m terrible?”
Lulamae chuckled. “No, no, cherie, I think you are one smart cookie. You’re only wrong about one thing.”
Ashley’s brows knit together. “I am?”
“Thor is very fond of you. I saw the way he looks at you, the way he talks to you. He’s smitten.” She nodded wisely. “Smitten, I say. But how do you feel about him?”
Ashley’s heart soared at Lulamae’s evaluation. “You think he really likes me?”
“Smitten is not a word one uses for liking. You don’t know it yet, but you scored huge points when you dropped everything and jumped on that jet with him.”
Ashley’s face twisted with self-doubt. “You make me sound saintly when the truth is, I couldn’t stand to be left behind to deal with Britney Beth.”
“Don’t worry, cherie. Polly is there now. She’s a strong woman, one of the few that can put Britney Beth in her place. She’ll run interference for you. Do you have Polly’s approval?”
“I don’t know. She just arrived when Thor got the call from Tex. I haven’t had a chance to really talk to her yet. I was so worried that she’d think this whole thing was my doing.”
“Because you sent the text?”
Ashley nodded.
“You showed initiative, my girl. That’s important. Besides, most men haven’t got a clue about what they really need in life. You’ve helped Thor make that decision. Much as I myself helped my husband make his.” She winked at Ashley.
“You’ve made me feel so much better.”
“Good. Now finish your drink and tell me the rest of why you came.”
Ashley almost choked. “Excuse me?”
“I told you, I saw you in a dream.” She closed her eyes. “Mmmm, yes.” She opened them again. “Something about that long red coat of yours. You have a secret in your pocket.”
Ashley’s eyes widened with surprise. “Lulamae, you’re a psychic.”
“Not at all, cherie. Just blessed with some of the second sight on my mama’s side. She’s Cajun, from Louisiana. What’s in your pocket?”
Ashley pushed her shoulders back and moved to the table where Thor had laid her coat. She pulled the brochure from the inside pocket and returned to Lulamae.
“I found that in my old Bambi storybook. I thought once we got to Vegas, I could sneak away and check out New York, New York because that’s the casino she circled in the brochure. But what if it’s not a clue at all? It seems so silly now. She could be anywhere.”
“True. And if she’s really in witness protection, you shouldn’t look for her at all. What if her husband’s enemies are following you, hoping that you will lead them to her?”
“Oh, my. You’re right. I was so focused on finding her, I forgot about that.”
Lulamae’s tone softened. “You said your mother has suffered from mental illness. Have you considered that she’s not thinking straight? That perhaps she’s viewing her sequestration through her own sick eyes and not as a rational woman?”
Ashley sat back down and sagged against the sofa. “No. I didn’t.”
Lulamae reached out and patted her leg. “You had a terrible fright. It drove you into the arms of Thor Garrison. You could do a lot worse than Rooster’s youngest son.”
“Thank you.” Ashley sat up. “Speaking of Thor, do you know what happened to him in Texas? Britney Beth said she knows the details and she’s using it to blackmail him into marrying her. She keeps threatening to reveal it all to his mother.”
Lulamae frowned. “I know there was a terrible fire. Thor was on duty and helped fight it. He saved the lives of two little children, but their mother died from smoke inhalation before they could get her out. I don’t know how that could possibly be used as a weapon against him. His mother already knows all of that. Unless—” She took a sharp breath and her eyes lost focus for a moment. When her vision cleared again, she said, “You’ve shared many secrets with me, cherie. Shall I share one with you?” She offered a sly smile.
Ashley was cautious. “Okay.”
Lulamae leaned toward her and whispered, “Britney Beth was adopted.”
“Does she know?”
“Yes, but her parents tried to keep it from her. I don’t think she ever forgave them for that.”
“Gosh, people keep giving me reasons to feel bad for her. And then she turns around and gives me more reasons not to. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being adopted, but I feel sorry for her that she took it hard when she found out.”
“That girl has had her share of problems, but haven’t we all?” Lulamae leaned back in her wheelchair. “As for your current dilemma, I have also harbored a desire to see the inside of New York, New York. I doubt the boys will be done talking for a while yet. Would you like to go?”
Ashley jumped up. “Could we?”
“Why not? Besides, we won’t go alone. Tex would never forgive me.” She raised her voice slightly. “Jackson?!”
A moment later, he appeared. “Yes, ma’am?
“Please be a dear and order the car around. We’re going out!”
CHAPTER FORTY
Ashley was an old hand at pushing a wheelchair, and Jackson was the perfect unobtrusive yet always present guardian and helper. By the time they reached New York, New York it was nearly midnight, but Jackson was constantly alert. He followed discreetly, except when throngs of tourists refused to yield to the wheelchair. At those moments, he was quietly cutting a swath in front.
Ashley could not stop staring at the lights, the slot machines, the bars, the restaurants. Everything was going full tilt, like a carnival on steroids that never closed. Tourists were everywhere, even at midnight, and the gaming tables were full. Couples in formal wear stood elbow to elbow with tourists in Bermuda shorts and flip-flops.
Lulamae pointed at a bench outside a bar in the casino. “Let’s sit over there for a bit and watch the parade.”
Ashley arranged the wheelchair as Lulamae requested. “What parade are we watching?”
“Why, sugar, the parade of life. Look at them all, traipsing by as if they orchestrated the whole thing for our amusement. Isn’t it grand? Jackson, be a dear and snag one of those cocktail waitresses. I’m feeling a bit parched. Would you care for a libation, Ashley dear?”
“Maybe just a sparkling water,” said Ashley. “I’ve had my quota of alcohol for the next month.”
Lulamae laughed. “Sit here on the bench, dear, and tell me what your mother looks like so we can spot her if she walks by.”
Ashley’s eyes widened with surprise. “Do you really think we stand a chance?”
“Not at all, sugar, but you wanted to come looking, didn’t you? And here we are. We’ll sit here and look until you feel like you’ve done your duty, and then we’ll go back to our hotel and sleep like babies.”
Ashley reached out and squeezed Lulamae’s hand. “How come you understand me so well? We only just met.”
“Like I said, my dear, I met you in my dreams. We had long conversations there, in a language no one else understood but us. That’s how I know you’ll be the perfect bride for Thor.” She leaned toward Ashley. “No matter what happens, no matter what anyone says,
or in the case of Britney Beth, no matter what anyone does, you remember what I’m telling you, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will.”
They sat and sipped their drinks for forty-five minutes, watching their private parade. When Lulamae handed her glass to Jackson, the outing was over.
“We’d best get back now, sugar. The menfolk will be wondering where we’ve gone.” She peered up at Ashley with serious black eyes. “Is duty done?”
Ashley took a deep breath and let it out. “Duty is done,” she said. “Even if my mother were here, I don’t know what name she’s using, and I don’t even know what she looks like anymore. What if she had plastic surgery?” she said, her eyes still restlessly roving the crowd. “And even if she didn’t, I haven’t seen her in fifteen years. I don’t think I’d know her on the street if she stopped me to ask the time of day.” Her breath caught and her hand shot to her mouth.
“What is it?” asked Lulamae.
“That man with the black cowboy hat. I think he followed us from Colorado.”
Jackson was by her side in an instant. His voice reminded Ashley of Barry White. “Miss, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get Mrs. Franklin back to the Bellagio.”
Ashley was reluctant to doubt her own senses. She could have sworn she saw the man who claimed to be a Federal Marshal at the Bondy Lane house earlier that day. Was it only a few hours before? So much had happened. Maybe Jackson was right. It was late, and she’d had some alcohol. Maybe she was seeing things, or misinterpreting what was happening before her eyes. Only one thing was crystal clear. Lulamae was exhausted.
Ashley nodded compliantly at Jackson. “You lead us back to the car. I’ll push the chair.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
By the time the elevator doors opened in the lobby of the Bellagio, Lulamae was asleep in her chair. Ashley rode up silently, and Jackson seemed content with that arrangement. He didn’t speak at all until they were inside the Franklins’ suite.
Tex and Thor were there, waiting for them.
Lulamae stirred in her chair. Tex leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“I see what y’all are up to. Out gallivanting while the menfolk work.” His voice was tender and full of affection.
“I hope you don’t mind,” said Ashley. “Lulamae wanted to go see New York, New York.”
“She done wore herself out,” said Tex softly. “I’ll be taking her to bed shortly. Thor, you have the key to your suite? I hope it’s all right. They didn’t have any of the big ones left. I had to get you a smaller one.”
“No problem,” said Thor. “Thanks for everything. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Just try and sneak away without seeing us.” Tex clapped Thor on the shoulder like a doting uncle.
Jackson broke his silence. “I’ll see Mr. Garrison out.”
“Good night, y’all.”
Ashley picked up her purse and her red coat.
Out in the hallway, Jackson pressed the call button for the elevator.
“Mr. Garrison, I just thought you should know that someone was watching us while we were in the casino.”
Ashley’s brows rose. “The man in the cowboy hat?”
Jackson offered a tiny smile. “Not him, miss. You didn’t spot the man who was watching us. But don’t feel bad. You weren’t supposed to see him. Most likely, he’s unaware that I spotted him. He’s about six feet, medium build, brown hair.”
“Pretty nondescript,” said Thor. “Can’t say he sounds familiar. Could he have been following Mrs. Franklin?”
Jackson considered the idea. “I will keep that in mind,” he said somberly.
“Thanks for letting me know, Jackson, I appreciate it.” Thor offered his hand, and Jackson shook it.
The elevator dinged. “Your bags are in your suite.”
Once inside, Ashley slipped her hand through the crook of Thor’s arm. “Lulamae is a sweet lady.”
“She’s very special. She and Tex are my godparents. That’s another reason Tex wants to help me build my business.”
“Such wonderful people,” said Ashley. “When I met Britney Beth, I thought your life in Texas must be awful, being hounded by her and all. But now, after meeting Tex and Lulamae, I can see you grew up surrounded by loving people.” She smiled up at him.
The elevator doors opened.
“This is our floor,” said Thor, gazing down at her. “But frankly, I’m wide awake. What say we drop off your coat, freshen up for a moment, and go see some sights?”
Ashley giggled. “Great idea. Besides, if someone’s following us, why should they get to sleep?”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Thor used the key on the door of the smaller room Tex had booked for him and had the pleasure of seeing Ashley’s surprise yet again.
“Oh, my goodness.” She moved inside and twirled, tossed her coat and purse on the elegant dining table, and danced to the plush leather sofa. “Where’s the bedroom?”
Thor moved through the arch to the right of the living area.
“Back here! Very nice.
Ashley joined him. “His and her baths?”
“More like spas,” said Thor, wagging his eyebrows up and down.
Ashley shook her head in amazement. “This suite is twice as big as my whole apartment. What is this? Fifteen hundred square feet? My mother’s house isn’t this big.”
Thor ambled past the foot of the king-sized bed and through the arch on the other side, back into the sitting room.
Ashley floated after him. “I am stunned.”
“Tex and Lulamae’s suite is twice this size,” said Thor.
“I know, and I was stunned there, as well. But this one is doubly stunning because I’m supposed to sleep here. Oh, let’s turn everything on. Let’s raid the little refrigerator.” She scurried behind the bar. “Snacks!” She pulled out sodas and Perrier and fruit. “More snacks!” A bowl on the bar was loaded with packaged cashews and almonds. A gold box of chocolates sat nearby. “And there’s ice cream in the fridge.” She squealed like a little girl.
Thor tipped his nose in the air and feigned disdain. “What? No macadamias? No champagne? Well, I never.”
“Ah-ha!” Ashley reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a miniature bottle of Dom Perignon. “Champagne!”
“Well, thank God,” said Thor. “I thought I’d have to ask for a different room.”
Ashley laughed. Then she turned serious. “If Tex is paying for all this, I shouldn’t be adding to his bill by raiding the fridge. Daddy used to say hotels charge an arm and a leg for in-room snacks.”
“Don’t worry,” said Thor, tearing open a generous bag of salted cashews. “This is a business expense for Tex. Besides, you can bet that all this is included when you pay for a suite like this.”
“In that case,” said Ashley, popping the top on a can of Coca-Cola, “Cheers!”
Thor chose a Perrier and sipped from the bottle. “I’m going to freshen up a bit. Did you see our bags?”
“I’ll bet Jackson stowed them in the closet. Is he really their bodyguard?”
“Actually, Carlyle is the bodyguard-for-hire. Jackson is the business partner. He enjoys helping out and looking tough, so he escorts Lulamae around.”
“You’re kidding. He makes a great bodyguard.”
“He comes by it honestly. He was working security for the oil rigs and the teams my father took to Kuwait back in the day. They all became fast friends, and when dad saw an opportunity to make millions, he brought Tex and Jackson in on the deal because they were the men he trusted most.”
“Wow. I guess it really is who you know.”
“It does help.”
“But if Jackson is part of the business deal, why wasn’t he with you and Tex?” Ashley carried her Coke and the bag of cashews into the bedroom as Thor headed for one of the bathrooms.
“Jackson already knows me,” said Thor. He swung the door closed, then opened it again, long enough to add, “It was you he w
anted to get to know.”
Ashley plopped down on the plush duvet and pondered Thor’s comment.
“Me?” She sipped her Coke and nibbled on cashews, talking softly to herself. “Gosh, they wanted to meet me?” She set her soda and cashews on the bedside table and spent a few minutes in her own private bath. When she came out, she walked through the suite again and retrieved her cell phone from her purse.
Out of habit, she checked for messages from her father. His last text from the hospital bought tears to her eyes.
“Love you. Waiting for you.”
And he did wait. Once she arrived at his bedside, he took her hand and smiled. Half an hour later, he was gone.
Ashley wiped tears from her eyes and pressed the phone against her chest. She returned to the bedroom, settled on the bed, and sank back against a pillow. Still holding her phone, she picked up the TV remote and found the Weather Channel.
“Oh, my,” she murmured. “It’s twenty degrees tonight in Eagle’s Toe. Britney Beth will be thrilled. Not!” Then she giggled so hard, she burped soda bubbles. Embarrassed, she reached for a tissue. “Of course there are tissues next to the bed,” she whispered, “because in a perfect world, everything is within reach.”
The pillows were so inviting. Her phone slipped from her fingers to land on the bed beside her, and she fell fast asleep to the patter of the shower running in the bathroom.
Thor realized once he was in the shower that letting hot water pound against his tired muscles was not the thing to do if further partying was on the agenda. By the time he emerged from the shower and dried off, he was ready for bed. But he had promised to show Ashley the sights.
He stared at his clothes hanging on the towel bar. He didn’t want to put them on again. But his overnight bag was somewhere in the suite, and he didn’t want to prance naked in front of Ashley. He wrapped a giant towel around his middle and peeked into the bedroom.
He could see her reclining against the pillows on the bed. The Weather Channel cast a pale glow over the scene. He moved quietly to the folding closet doors in the wall by the TV. Their bags sat side by side, as Ashley said they would. He lifted his and headed back to the bathroom.