Chance For Love (Colorado Blues)

by Harrison, Ann B

  Chance turned and opened the door to his truck and climbed in, throwing the cane on the seat beside him. He started the ignition and cruised down the driveway to go and meet his wife-to-be in Las Vegas where he had already planned the wedding.

  ***

  Callie looked around the room. The bell hop stood at the door and coughed to clear his throat or get her attention. She looked at him, confused. “I’m sorry. Did I forget something?” She looked at her bag where he had left it on the end of the bed before the penny dropped. His tip.

  Shame rushed up her cheeks. She’d been so nervous the whole flight over, she’d completely forgotten about the local customs she read about in the traveler’s guide book she’d picked up at the airport before leaving Australia. Precious money she couldn’t afford to spend at the time, now almost wasted. “Sorry. Not thinking.” She hurried to grab her purse from the hippie bag on the small dining table and looked at the small amount of American change she had from the taxi. Until her new “husband” arrived, it was all the money she had left in the world.

  Callie apologized again as she handed over the coins. “I have to change some more money before I go shopping.”

  “Thank you, ma’am, that is very kind of you.” He gripped the coins in his hand and turned walking out of the room. The door shut quietly behind him leaving her alone in a strange hotel on the other side of the world.

  What the hell possessed me to think this would work? Callie walked over to the window and looked down on the famous Las Vegas strip. It was just after sunset and the lights of the casinos and the local attractions lit up the main street now packed with tourists. She wasn’t used to seeing so many people in one place roaming the streets and having a good time.

  When she had walked into the hotel to check in, she’d been assaulted by the noise of the casino and its gambling machines in the lobby of the hotel. Blown away by the people around her looking as though they were all in party mode, she’d stumbled into a couple of scantily clad ladies, spilling the champagne from one of the glasses onto the tiled floor. They were both hanging onto the arm of a slightly inebriated man dressed like a cowboy. He was wearing tight denim jeans, a checkered shirt, and a large Stetson jammed jauntily on his head. But it was his intricately worked boots that Callie noticed most of all.

  “Hey, watch yourself.” One of the women pushed her out of the way and she stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, landing ungracefully on her butt. Her eyes filled with tears of exhaustion and embarrassment. The carved boots she had spied a moment ago which had in all likelihood hood distracted her more than anything, appeared in her line of vision.

  Callie looked up. The man held out a hand to her and waited with a grin on his face for her to take his offer. Resting her hand in his, she let him pull her to her feet. “Best you watch where you’re going, little lady.”

  “Sorry, I was kind of amazed at all the goings on here. It’s not what I expected.” She stared as a native Indian in full dress waltzed past her, shooting flames from his mouth with the help of a flaming torch.

  “Does kind of blow you away now, don’t it?” He gripped her hand tighter and she took a step back. “Now that’s not right friendly of you, darlin’.”

  “Let me go, please.” She wrenched her hand free, gripped her bag firmly in her hands, and turned away toward the desk. The laughter from the cowboy and his lady friends followed her as she stood in line to check in, now wary of the strangers around her.

  When she made it to the desk, Callie gave her name hoping she wasn’t going to be told there was nothing for her. She was still unsure if this crazy jaunt was going to amount to anything or if she would be left with no money and no place to go. To come all of this way on the man’s word alone was irresponsible and stupid, but it was a last ditch attempt to make some money and pay off the families debts.

  “Yes, here we are, Miss Callie Lister, the Lido Suite.” The receptionist clicked a few keys and smiled at her. “Your passport please, Miss Lister.”

  Callie handed it over and watched as it was checked before it was handed back. The smiling woman tapped a bell beside her computer and a bell hop hurried over to take her bag. “Leo will show you to your suite, Miss Lister. Please call down for dinner when you’re ready. A butler is waiting by to serve you this evening as Mr. Watson felt you would be exhausted from your flight and would probably like an early night. Your car is booked for 10am tomorrow morning. Breakfast is available twenty four hours, but might I suggest you eat by 8am to make your appointment?” She handed the key to the bellhop. “Enjoy your stay Miss Lister.”

  The click of the door closing behind him brought her back to the present. She bit her lip. Never before had she stayed in a hotel and she never imagined she would ever in all of her life stay in something like this. It was like a palace. The lounge dining room she was standing in was almost bigger than the house she grew up in. A small white baby grand piano took pride of place over by a set of French doors with gold edged drapes pooling on the floor like a wave of melted bullion.

  A fireplace was set into one wall with a large portrait of a girl standing with a small dog at her feet. Callie shook her head. It seemed so out of place in this desert town but after the drive in from the airport, she doubted she could be surprised by anything else she saw. Double doors were slightly ajar and she walked over, taking a peek into the room beyond. A giant bed sat in the middle of the room, facing yet another set of French doors that opened onto a small Romeo-type balcony.

  Callie pushed open the door and stepped out to take a sniff of the night air. The sounds rolled over her body, the noise of it all making her wince. For a short time as they’d dropped down over the red hills of Nevada, she’d had the feeling she could be home in Alice Springs but that thought was quickly pushed to one side as soon as she stepped off the plane. Standing outside on the balcony only brought it all back. She was as far from home as she could imagine and the people she had met so far were nothing like she was used to. Flamboyant and loud, the surroundings gave her a headache. She stepped back inside and shut the door on the outside world.

  Callie explored the rest of her suite and discovered a bathroom to end all bathrooms. A deep tub was set in a marble surround, sunken into the floor. A tray on the edge of the bath held an array of pretty bottles and she sat down on the edge of the tub and picked one up. When she unscrewed the top, a soft and fruity perfume reached her nostrils and she breathed it in deeply.

  Before she could change her mind, she popped in the plug and turned on the taps. Callie poured the contents of the small bottle under the flow of water and watched the suds build up, covering the surface like fluffy clouds. She checked the door was shut in the lounge before shucking off her dusty worn leather work boots and threw them on the floor beside the bed. As she walked back into the bathroom, Callie undid the bottoms on her shirt, peeled it off her shoulders, and let it fall to the tiled floor. Her faded denim jeans quickly followed along with her panties and bra.

  She turned the light down to a soft glow before dipping her toes into the fragrant water filling the huge tub. With a sigh of pleasure, Callie folded her travel weary body into the suds and leaned back, resting her toes on the tap to give it a gentle push when the water reached just over the tips of her nipples.

  Buttons on the side of the tub were explored and when a soft rhythm of water pulsed around her body, she closed her eyes. The only sound was the flow of the water running through the jets in the tub which shut out all of the rush and bustle of the outside world.

  The soft tap on the door and a discreet cough woke her up. She squealed and covered her breasts.

  “Sorry, ma’am but dinner is almost ready to be served. Can I say around five minutes?”

  “Um, ah, sure. Just let me get dressed please and I’ll come out.”

  “I do believe there is a fluffy gown behind the bathroom door, ma’am. Perhaps you would be happier dressed in that tonight since you won’t be leaving the suite.”

  �
��Um, sure. If you think that’s alright.” She pulled the plug and sat in the cool water, watching it flow down the drain.

  “Entirely up to you, ma’am.” He cleared his throat and she heard the soft footsteps move away from the door.

  Callie stood up and reached for a warm towel from the heated towel rack beside the bath. She draped it around herself enjoying the warmth after the cool water. How long had she been in there? The time difference was messing with her head and she had no idea what time was anymore. It would probably take her a few days to get used to the new time zone and the best way to do that was to sleep through it.

  There was indeed a fluffy white dressing gown behind the door. Thick and soft, it was the thing dreams were made of. Never before had she ever dressed in something this nice and luxurious. She wrapped it around her body, groaning in pleasure as the fabric brushed against her skin. The marble flooring was cool on her bare feet and she slid on a pair of matching slippers, digging her toes into the soft clouds of comfort. The muffled sounds of someone working came from the lounge and she took a quick look in the mirror before venturing out. Callie looked tired and there was no getting away from that. Her body sagged from exhaustion and it was tempting to climb into the huge comfy bed in the other room. She’d even forgo dinner for the extra half an hour’s sleep she would probably get.

  “How lovely to meet you, Miss. Lister. My name is Bronson.” The elderly gentleman was dressed in a black suit and looked very classy as he set her place at the table. “I usually butler for Mr. Chance whenever he’s in town and it’s my pleasure to serve you while you’re here. I took the liberty of ordering you a meal tonight as I knew you would probably be tired and slightly thrown out by the time zone. Mr. Chance usually likes his steak so I ordered you his favorite dish.”

  Callie smiled and walked toward the table. It was set for one with a heated serving tray waiting beside it. She took the chair Bronson held out and sat down. The smell reached her making her stomach sit up and take notice before he even pushed her chair in. She held her hand over her belly as it rumbled.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

  “At least we know the meal will be appreciate, ma’am.”

  Bronson placed a napkin on her lap before he took the lid from the hot plate. He served her a medium rare steak with asparagus and baby potatoes dripping in a butter sauce. When Callie picked up her knife, Bronson held up a bottle of champagne toward her glass.

  “Uh, no thanks. I don’t usually drink.”

  He smiled at her. “Might I suggest a small glass just to help you sleep tonight? You have had an eventful day and I’m sure you want to be looking your best tomorrow when you meet Mr. Chance.”

  Callie blushed wondering how much the butler knew. “Thanks.” She watched him pour the golden liquid, mesmerized by the bubbles rising in the crystal glass. Once the glass was full, the butler left her alone to eat her meal in peace. She heard him wandering around in the bedroom and bathroom and dreaded what he might be doing. Cleaning up her mess was her job, always had been. She’d left her clothes strewn all over the floor and now felt ashamed of her laziness. Oh well, next time she would be a little bit more careful.

  The steak was tender and moist just how she liked it, but this was steak like she’d never had before. It was juicy and succulent, with a smoky tang that left her hungry for more. The flavors woke her up and she surprised herself by polishing off the whole meal. She made sure to sip at her wine too, lest Branson chided her. The bubbles raced over her tongue, and sparked an interest. She glanced at the bottle in the bucket of ice and couldn’t read a word the label said. Something foreign and strange.

  “Did you enjoy your meal, ma’am?”

  Callie jumped. She hadn’t heard him return to the lounge. “Yes, it was perfect. Thank you very much.”

  He cleared her plate and cutlery before setting another small plate in front of her. A single serve cheesecake with fresh raspberries bound in a nest of chocolate sat tempting her taste buds. “I really don’t think—”

  “Enjoy, ma’am. Mr. Chance insisted I feed you adequately. He dislikes women who try to survive on lettuce leaves or less.”

  She picked up the spoon and dipped into the cheesecake, taking a moment to savor the carefully created artwork. Once the dessert hit her tongue, she groaned in pleasure. The taste of white chocolate underlined with a touch of fruit melted in her mouth.

  Brandon smiled and nodded his head in approval. “Another of Mr. Chance’s favorites.”

  “I’m understanding why too.”

  “For breakfast tomorrow, I thought an omelet with cheese, and herbs, and whole grain toast with honey. Perhaps a pot of tea. Is that acceptable for you?”

  “You really don’t have to go to any fuss. I’m happy with just toast.”

  “Ah, but you have a lot happening tomorrow. After your appointment with Mr. Chance, you have a long drive ahead of you back to the ranch. I wouldn’t want you to attempt either thing without a decent breakfast.”

  She put down her spoon and looked at the butler, heat creeping up her cheeks. “You know what’s happening tomorrow, don’t you?”

  “I must admit I’m privy to Mr. Chance’s movements, yes. I had the pleasure of arranging the car and the venue for your nuptials.”

  “Must seem strange to you, me coming all this way to marry a man I don’t even know.”

  “Well now, far be it from me to make assumptions, ma’am. Mr. Chance does what he pleases and nobody would dare to question him why, least of all me, but I do suspect he knows what he is doing. I’m sure you are just what he needs too, at this time in his life.” He cleared away her plate and tidied the table while Callie sat there watching. She toyed with the stem of her glass and finally finished the champagne before handing it to the butler.

  “Well, guess I’d better get my beauty sleep then. Can’t show up for my wedding looking like I just dragged myself in from the back paddocks.”

  “I unpacked your bag and didn’t notice a dress for the occasion. Mr. Chance gave me permission to rectify that if I thought I needed to. I’ll have something sent up first thing in the morning. Sleep well, Miss. Callie.” He smiled and took the trolley, pushing it from the room.

  Holy heck, she’d forgotten to buy a dress. How could she even think of rocking up to her wedding with nothing other than jeans and work shirts?

  CHAPTER THREE

  Chance stood inside the office at the wedding chapel door, trying his best to avoid any hovering paparazzi who normally staked out these venues in the hope of scooping a story. The Elvis Presley Chapel was always busy and there was the chance that someone famous could sneak into Vegas for that quick behind the scenes wedding they seemed to love. There was a good chance they would be able to snap a picture of him and sell it for reasonable money. Chance was still a celebrity who drew crowds, and he hadn’t announced yet that his rodeo days were over.

  It might have been a tacky place to get married, but he thought the humor of it might help break the ice for Callie.

  He looked at his watch. 10:05. She was late and that would have been acceptable for the normal bride, but this was nothing like a normal wedding. And the last thing he needed was for anyone to catch on to what he was doing until he was already safe and sound at home with his new wife away from prying eyes.

  An involuntary sigh of relief escaped his chest as he watched the black limo pull into the driveway. The driver jumped out and hurried to open the door. Chance stood back from the window and waited for her to come in. When she was standing ready in the chapel he was going to make his appearance. Not being dramatic, just careful. The world wasn’t going to find out what he was doing until it was well over and done with.

  There was a tap at the door and Elvis popped his head through the door. “Ready when you are.”

  Chance wiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his black trousers and swallowed. Here goes nothing.

  Callie was standing at the altar in front of the El
vis impersonator, her hands gripping the small bouquet of rose buds he’d ordered for her. The pale pink of the flowers only highlighted the paleness of her skin. The simple cream lace sheath dress Bronson had picked out for her gave away nothing of the figure underneath it.

  She turned her head when he walked into the room and her eyes widened when she saw her future husband. Chance knew he wasn’t unattractive and he hoped it was his looks that made her eyes widen, not the cane he leaned on. The lineup of woman wanting to have a share of his time after a rodeo ride was testament to the fact that he was popular. She’d known about his injury. The advert stipulated as a cripple, he needed help to run the ranch. Perhaps she was expecting someone with more significant injuries, or perhaps it was the scar on his cheek that snaked up through his eyebrow that frightened her. Either way, it was too late for her to back out now. Not after he’d paid to get her this far.

  He leaned on the cane and made his way down the aisle toward his new bride. He noticed things now he hadn’t seen in her profile picture. The length of her neck and the way her brown eyes tilted at the corners giving her an exotic look that spoke of sleepless nights and warm bodies. He’d promised her sex was on the cards as this was going to be a marriage in more than name alone. Eventually he wanted children and yearned for the day he could teach a youngster of his own to ride and manage the ranch. Besides, a man had needs and with a wife who looked like she did, it would be hard to keep his hands to himself.

  “Callie.” Her eyes widened when he spoke her name. Chance held out a hand and waited for her to take it. She glanced down at it and licked her lips before she placed her tiny hand in his. He gave it a slight squeeze of reassurance. “Ready?”