“From the Flamingo Wedding Chapel?” Colin asked.
Clive smiled. “One and the same. At any rate, she told me that Bella and a ‘hunky Brit’, to use her term, had been by to visit. Seeing as Bella had mentioned to me that she’d met a handsome stranger that morning, I thought maybe she’d gone out on a date without telling me.”
Bella ignored Colin’s amused glance. Yes, guilty as charged, she’d mentioned him to her grandfather. He didn’t have to look so smug about it.
“Go on,” Colin urged him. “Did you try to phone or text Bella?”
It didn’t escape Bella’s notice that her grandfather paused. Was he trying to remember what he was supposed to say next? She glanced over at Colin’s grandmother but her face was beyond impassive. More like stone.
“As a matter of fact, I did not,” Clive answered. “My little girl doesn’t get out as often as she should. She’s young and beautiful. Any man would be lucky to spend an evening with her.” He gestured to Colin. “As you yourself found out.”
“Quite,” Colin agreed.
Mrs. Bladestone simply raised an eyebrow.
“Grandpa, please,” Bella protested. “How did you find me here?”
“Ah, that would be Wesley Jenkins. He called me just after he signed your marriage certificate.”
Wesley Jenkins. Caught off guard, Bella sat back in her chair and closed her eyes to keep the room from spinning around her. Again.
“You recognize the name, Bella?” Colin asked.
She opened her eyes. “I do. Wesley is the owner of the Yellow Rose of Texas Wedding Chapel.”
Colin frowned. “Why is that name familiar?”
“Most likely because you ran off and married Miss Johnson there.” Mrs. Bladestone took a sip of her coffee and then set the cup and saucer on the table in front of her. She brushed a tiny piece of lint off of her sleeve. “Surely you remember something of your own wedding, Colin?”
Bella couldn’t remember ever having met such a dismissive woman. Her every gesture, her every word, gave no indication that she even knew Bella was in the room. How could Colin be related to someone so ill-mannered? It boggled her mind. She shifted in her seat so she could better see Colin. “I told you about it yesterday morning when I was giving you directions.”
“Was that only yesterday?”
He read her mind. It seemed as if a lifetime has passed in twenty-four hours.
She turned back to her grandfather. “What precisely did Wesley say?”
“He told me the good news. Of course, he said he didn’t feel right about calling me when you both came in. He felt that if the two of you wanted your wedding to be private, it wasn’t his place to interfere. But he said he wanted to be the first to congratulate me.”
“And you believe him? Just like that?”
Clive frowned. “Now why would he lie, Bella? You’ve known Wesley for years and years. You should know he is as honest as the Texas sky is blue.”
Bella wanted to call him out on neatly sidestepping her question but Colin laid a hand on her arm. She took the hint and let it go.
Her grandfather’s gaze was keen. “You don’t remember any details about last night, Bella honey?” He leaned forward in his chair. “Because you know you can tell me anything.”
Bella immediately knew what he was asking. He wanted to know if she’d been hurt. She shook her head. “I was just exhausted, Grandpa, that’s all. I’m sorry if I worried you at all by not calling. The evening got away from me.”
“Quite the understatement.” Colin’s grandmother folded her hands neatly in her lap.
Bella locked eyes with the other woman. She was the picture of feminine delicacy and propriety. She didn’t look the least bit capable of bringing harm to a single soul. But Bella knew better. Every word the woman uttered was a double edge sword. “So, Margaret,” she said, deliberating using her first name, “how did you find out the news that your grandson had eloped?”
“From your grandfather. He tracked me down and phoned my suite very early this morning.” Her look was challenging. “You both can appreciate how shocked I was. However, Mr. Johnson appears to be the epitome of honesty. I have no reason to doubt his word, now do I? Finding you here in Colin’s suite rather validates his story, doesn’t it.”
“Where’s the marriage certificate?” Colin asked.
His grandmother shrugged. “Seeing as neither Mr. Johnson nor I were invited to witness the blessed event, I really couldn’t say.”
An uneasy silence filled the room. Bella didn’t trust a single word that the Bladestone matriarch uttered. She didn’t want her grandfather to say anything that wasn’t true. Theirs had always been an honest relationship, and she couldn’t bear the idea that this would change. She looked at Colin for guidance.
As if he sensed her unease, Colin took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. She returned the gesture. Like it or not, they were in this together.
Colin spoke next. “If there’s a shred of truth in what you two say, then there must be a paper trail. Bella and I will look around our suite for this alleged marriage certificate, and we’ll get in touch with the county clerk to see if a valid marriage certificate is on record with the state of Nevada.” He looked pointedly in turn at his grandmother and her grandfather. “If there isn’t, you owe both Bella and me an apology and an explanation, in that order.”
“What happens when you learn that Mr. Johnson and I are telling the truth?”
Colin’s voice was as smooth and unruffled as his grandmother’s. “Then Bella and I have plans to make.”
“Plans?” Clive asked.
Bella struggled to keep her facial features composed. She needed to follow Colin’s lead even though she had no idea what his next words, or actions, were going to be.
Colin nodded. “If I was fortunate enough to marry Bella last night, then I owe her a proper engagement ring, not to mention a wedding band.”
“No luck?”
Colin shook his head. “Remind me why we eloped over a bank holiday weekend?”
To his delight, Bella grinned. She had a beautiful smile. He found everything about her enchanting, even the little creases on her forehead when she frowned were adorable.
“We don’t call them bank holidays in America.”
Colin sank into a chair, glad to be back in their suite and off of his feet. He was equally glad to be out of the craziness that was the Vegas strip. “What do you call them?”
“Long weekends,” Bella answered. She plopped into a chair beside him and kicked off her shoes. “And we didn’t actually elope, just keep that in mind.”
“There certainly doesn’t appear to be any proof of it,” he concurred. They’d spent the day hunting for a paper trail and had come up empty. The marriage chapel that they’d allegedly been married in had a ‘Gone Gambling’ sign hung out. Trying to reach anyone at the County Clerk’s office was futile due to the holiday weekend. “How long have you known the people who own the Yellow Rose of Texas Chapel?”
Bella shrugged. “Years and years, why?”
Colin shifted in his chair so he could better see her. Why on earth hadn’t some man snapped Bella up ages ago? She was intelligent, articulate, bright, and he’d bet almost anything, that she was as kind as she was good-looking. “Doesn’t it seem odd to you that we were allegedly married there last night and now they’re closed?”
He could tell from the look on her face that the thought had occurred to her too. She’d been remarkably poised after the shock of waking up in his bed had worn off. He’d never spent time with anyone else that he felt so comfortable with. It was as if they’d known each other for years, not days.
“What you’re really wondering, is if it’s likely that Wesley Jenkins is doing my grandfather a favor by going along with this ruse?”
“Precisely.”
“I don’t know. I will say this, Wesley’s not an accomplished liar. He doesn’t even sit in on Grandpa’s monthly poker games any longer beca
use his poker face is non-existent."
Bella clutched a throw pillow to her chest and studied him. “What about your grandmother? She hardly seems the sort of woman who would accept a surprise like this without having a very strong reaction.”
“You’re an astute judge of character, Bella. You’re right. News like this would normally have her putting together a team of lawyers to try to invalidate my marriage. So the very fact that not one member of her legal team has rung me today is suspicious.”
“None of this makes a bit of sense.” Bella flung the pillow onto the couch and got to her feet. “I’m going to have it out with my grandfather.”
Colin sprang to his feet and reached out for her arm. Keeping his touch gentle, he turned her toward him. “I’d rather you wouldn’t.”
When she looked up at him, Colin was surprised to see that her eyes were moist. The look of absolute confusion he saw there went straight to his heart. He took a step closer, and when she didn’t resist, he drew her into his arms. His breath caught as she leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair, wishing the moment could last forever.
Instead it lasted only a few precious seconds before she pulled back.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
Colin took a few steps back, sensing she needed the space. “I do.”
She fixed her gaze on him. “You do?”
He nodded. “The idea that your grandfather is being less than forthright with you disturbs you greatly. Am I right?”
He was rewarded with a nod and a smile. “Don’t you feel the same?”
Colin crossed over to the bar and poured soda water into a crystal hi-ball glass. He dropped in some ice and a lemon twist. No more alcohol for him until he figured out just what had happened the night before. He turned back to Bella. “I’m used to anything when it comes to my grandmother. Care for a drink?”
Her expression was sheepish. “Actually, I’m starved.”
He set his glass down. “Right, sorry, I know we ran around all afternoon without stopping to eat. Some husband I’d make.” He glanced down at his watch. “Shall I ring for room service or would you like to go out?”
Her saucy grin made his heart beat quicken.
“Hardly a question you’d ask on a real honeymoon, is it? Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d love some Chinese food. I know a wonderful place that is quiet and far off the strip. Are you game?”
He was. For anything she’d suggest, in truth he was game for far more than she’d suggest. He nodded. “Let’s go. Over Mongolian beef we can hash out our plans for tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
As they made their way down to the elevators, he gave her a brief run-down of his idea.
As the elevator doors closed behind them and they began their descent, Bella stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek.
Her touch warmed him. “What was that for?”
She grinned. “I find the idea of your grandmother being as uncomfortable as she’s bound to be tomorrow just delightful. Am I terrible?”
He smiled, grateful she couldn’t read his thoughts. Terrible? Try loveable.
Chapter 8
“Are you all strapped in, Mrs. Bladestone?”
Bella couldn’t resist the golden opportunity to needle Colin’s grandmother. “Which Mrs. Bladestone are you referring to?” she asked the helicopter pilot.
“Good heavens, it’s patently obvious that he was referring to me,” Colin’s grandmother snapped.
Bella’s grandfather, who was seated in front of Bella and Colin, grinned broadly. “I suppose we could start referring to you as the senior Mrs. Bladestone if that would make things easier for you.”
“I’ll thank you to keep your ideas to yourself, Mr. Johnson.” Despite the Nevada sunshine, her words were frost covered.
But Bella knew her grandfather wasn’t likely to take offense. It just never occurred to him to do so. “Well then how about we call you Margaret, or better yet, Maggie?”
She turned around in her seat and focused her gaze on her grandson. “Colin, why on earth are you dragging me all over the godforsaken American desert?”
“I wanted to make sure that you were able to do some sightseeing while you were here, Granny. Even if it is our honeymoon, we don’t mind you tagging along.”
“You needn’t try to sound so innocent.” She frowned at him. “For the record, I have never tagged along anywhere.” She turned her back to them and looked out of the helicopter window.
Bella glanced at Colin. His eyes were twinkling. Just where he’d inherited his sense of humor, she didn’t know. But it certainly wasn’t from his grandmother.
“Alright folks,” the pilot held up his hand to signal that he needed their attention. “Let’s run over a few last safety procedures here.” Once all eyes were on him, he detailed their flight plan south to Arizona and explained that the flight plan would take them directly over the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Bella knew enough to pay attention to the safety guidelines but once they were airborne she let her mind wander as the helicopter carried them over the city of Las Vegas and out over the Nevada desert. As they left the city limits behind, Bella felt a sense of weightlessness. She loved the feeling of heading toward unknown territory. The irony didn’t escape her. The path between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon was far better chartered than her own life at the moment.
Three days ago she wouldn’t have believed how off course her life could get. Accepting Colin’s offer to share a glass of champagne after her meeting had changed her life in ways she didn’t pretend to understand. Were they married? She was ninety-nine point nine percent certain she wasn’t, but come Tuesday she’d find out for sure. What was going to be harder to discover was why her grandfather and Colin’s grandmother seemed so adamant that she and Colin had eloped.
The idea was absurd.
And lovely in its own way. Not the idea that she’d consumed enough alcohol to not know what she was doing, that was embarrassing. She glanced over at him. His head was turned so that he could look down at the desert sand and chaparral below but she saw just enough of his profile to admire its strength. That he was handsome was without question, but there was something else that drew Bella to him. Colin’s innate sense of quiet strength, of dignity, of honor, and his intelligence were all equally attractive. He had a devilish sense of humor. He treated the people around him with respect.
She turned her attention back to the land passing underneath them and tried to focus on the pilot’s voice that was piped in through their headsets. Native American history and culture normally fascinated her, but she struggled to focus on his words. Instead her mind kept replaying scenarios of how this charade was all going to end.
Once they were on land, Bella took ahold of her grandfather’s arm and led him aside. Divide and conquer, she and Colin had decided. The dividing wasn’t so hard but the conquering she wasn’t so sure about.
“Well, I’ll tell you something, sugar plum. This surely is a treat for me.”
They stopped on the patio outside the visitor’s center and leaned against the railing. The panoramic view was magnificent. For a few moments they stood in companionable silence. Bella enjoyed her grandfather’s company, she always had. The fact that he was her grandfather aside, Clive Johnson was the most genuinely kind and optimistic person she’d ever met. She’d always thought he was the most honest as well. She hated that she’d been given cause to doubt his word. She sighed.
Her grandfather turned to her. “What’s the matter, sweetie? The Grand Canyon isn’t what you thought it would be?”
“No, it’s amazing. Although it does look more like a mural or a postcard than a canyon, don’t you think?”
“Things aren’t always what they seem to be.”
“Are you talking about the Grand Canyon or my so-called marriage?”
“There’s nothing so-called about it, Bella. Wesley Jenkins told me that you and C
olin were married in his chapel. Now you know I’ve called Wesley a friend for many a year. And I know that he knows just how much I love you. So I can’t believe that he would make up a story about you running off to get married if it weren’t true.”
Bella reached up to tuck her hair behind her ears, the wind had picked up. “But you believe that I would just head out to a business meeting, meet a stranger-”
“A handsome stranger,” her grandfather interrupted her. “Charming too.”
“Yes, he is both of those things, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Clive shook his head. “I disagree. I think it matters very much. We all have our soul mates. I had my Olive, and I knew the moment I saw her at a dance that she was the gal for me. So I can believe that you recognized your other half when you saw Colin.”
Bella rested her head on her grandfather’s shoulder. “Oh, Grandpa, you always make things sound so good. So real.”
“Love is real, honey. You oughta know that.”
Bella didn’t want to argue the point. “Back to the idea that I eloped. Really, Grandpa? You’d believe that I’d marry someone without thinking of including you? You should know me better than that.”
“Sometimes I think I know you better than you know yourself, Bella. I know you love your old granddad but it’s only natural that you’d meet someone and fall in love. Love makes people get carried away. Maybe you got caught up in the moment.”
Or maybe she’d tossed back several too many drinks.
“You do love him, you know.”
Bella’s head snapped up and she pulled back. “Are you asking me or telling me?”
“I’m telling you what I see plain and clear. I also see that it’s going to take you two kids a little while to see it for what it is.” He pushed back from the rail and held out his arm for her to take. “Come on. Let’s go for a walk and see some more of this hole in the ground.”
Bella slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “Lead on, Grandpa.”
The Wedding Chapel Page 6