by Vella, Wendy
After collecting their bags, they walked out the doors into the cool weather to a sign that read Gelderman in large blue letters. The man who was holding it was in uniform.
“Is that a chauffeur?”
“It is.” Ethan snapped out the two words as they approached and the man lowered his sign.
“Relax, will you?” She took his hand in hers, and he gripped her fingers so tight she yelped, so he released them.
“Mr. Gelderman.” The man nodded his head, then took Annabelle’s bag and walked toward a long, sleek black limo, where he placed the bag in the trunk. Ethan handed his over and it was stowed in there too. He then steered her towards the back of the car. Opening the door, Ethan then urged her inside with a hand on her back.
“I’ve never been in one of these,” Annabelle said, sliding over the seat to make room for Ethan. The leather smelled nice and there was so much space, she was pretty sure she could lie on the floor between the seats.
“I grew up in them,” Ethan said in a cold, clipped voice as he closed the door and sat as far from her as he possibly could. His eyes were on the view outside.
“How far are we from your home?”
“We’re not traveling the entire way in the limo. This is just taking us to where the helicopter is waiting for us.”
“Oh, God, are we flying again?”
She saw a small smile pull at his lips as he turned to face her.
“I thought you were okay with flying now.”
“I am, but two different flights in one day is pushing it.”
“You’ll be fine. I’m flying us.”
The smile then fell from his lips and his face closed up again. Thirty minutes later they were getting out of the car, and Annabelle wondered why they hadn’t just taken a cab, but she kept that thought to herself.
“Good to see you, Ethan.”
He’d walked ahead of her into a large hanger. A short man dressed in a three-piece suit approached holding out his hand, which Ethan shook.
“Been years, Steve.”
“At least five. You been home at all since you left?”
Annabelle watched Ethan’s shoulders stiffen as the man questioned him.
“A few times.”
“Well, it should be a mighty fine catch-up for you all. See you at Hope’s wedding.” The man called Steve then slapped Ethan on the shoulder, gave her a nod, and walked out of the hanger.
Ethan led her to the helicopter silently, then helped her in and did up her harness, all without talking. Annabelle let him because he was obviously tense and she didn’t want to increase that tension by questioning him further, considering he was about to fly.
They were soon in the air and Annabelle had her first glimpse of the countryside. It was so different from Howling, but lovely, with its hills and sprawling pastures.
“Wow, would you look at that?” Annabelle pointed to a large white building up ahead. She saw herds of cattle grazing and plenty of outbuildings as they flew closer. The white house itself forked off in various directions from a center section that looked to be a few stories high. There were long white fences around paddocks, and as she approached, Annabelle saw the impressive entrance.
“It looks just like the house on Dallas.”
“That’s where I grew up.” Ethan’s words held no emotion, no joy at returning home, and his face was blank.
“Oh, my. You weren’t kidding about the money, then.”
“I made my own money, Annabelle, and inherited from my grandparents. I take nothing from him.”
“And I bet that really sticks in your father’s craw,” she said, watching him now.
“You could say that. Now we’re going to land, so shut up.”
“I’m a friend, remember, Ethan? But I’ll push back if you keep talking to me like that.” She said the words knowing that he wasn’t striking out at her, but they still needed to be said. He didn’t reply, instead bringing the helicopter in to land.
The landing pad was situated a fair distance from the house. She watched a golf cart appear out of one of the buildings and head toward them as Ethan began to unclip her harness. When he’d finished he looked at her.
“This was a mistake, Annabelle. I should never have brought you with me, but now you’re here I’m going to say that this is going to be hell, and I’m sorry you’re going to be dragged into it. I’ll apologize again for anything I do that upsets you.”
His blue eyes were clouded with a mix of emotions that she couldn’t read, but she saw the uncertainty in them so she reached out to cup his cheek.
“Ethan, I’m not fragile. I’ve had hardship, been sworn at and yes, even backhanded a time or two, so I won’t break if someone throws a few harsh words my way. But just remember I’m in your corner, and that this is about Hope and her special day. Together we can manage to get through the next two days, I’m sure.”
He closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them, she saw sadness.
“Give me the name of the man who back-handed you.”
Annabelle ignored his words. “Smile for me, Tomcat. Let me see the man I know.” She touched his mouth.
“God’s truth, Annabelle, I can’t find one right now, but if you kiss me…”
She did, brushing her lips over his just before the door opened.
“Mr. Gelderman.” The man outside was in uniform and gave Ethan a smile. “Glad to have you back, sir.”
“Thanks, Al.”
Annabelle took the back seat in the golf cart so Ethan could sit next to the man he’d called Al and catch up. This gave her time to look around. The place was so big. They drove along a path that was bordered with flowers. Around it the grass was cut short, and the fences were level. There were no weeds or anything out of place. It was pristine, immaculate. Everything her eyes fell on was big and expensive. She wasn’t used to this kind of excessive wealth, so it was an amazing sight, but she wasn’t sure she’d want to grow up surrounded by it. Having no money hadn’t been fun either, but this…this was just way too much.
They drove around to the front of the house, and that was even more impressive. Four huge columns and steps led to a fountain spouting water from two gold lions standing on their hind legs. She must have made a noise because Ethan turned to look at her, but she carefully schooled her features into a pleasant smile.
“Thanks,” she said to Al as she climbed out and reached for her bag.
“I’ll take that, Ms. Smith.” Al had it in his hands before she could grab it.
“Okay, sure.” She didn’t ask how he knew her name, just followed as he led them up the steps and into the main entranceway. Ethan prowled at her side. Inside, tall palms flanked the front door and a large picture of a man who looked like Ethan resided on the wall facing the doors.
“Your father?”
Ethan nodded but said nothing further. His face was tense, his eyes hooded as he avoided looking directly at her.
“The family is waiting for you in the conservatory, Mr. Gelderman.”
A woman in uniform who Annabelle guessed was a maid arrived as they reached a round room with really high ceilings. There were three exits, two near impressive sets of stairs on the right and left, and a middle one on the same floor. The chandelier above her was so big her mouth literally dropped open.
“Thanks, Ellie.” Ethan said, then took Annabelle’s arm and started for the set of steps that led to the left.
“Is this weird for you, after washing your own shorts for so long?” Annabelle said, walking at his side. The carpet was so thick her heels sank into it.
“I’d rather be back in Brook washing my own shorts.” His words were strained, so Annabelle slipped her hand into his and entwined their fingers.
“I’ve got your back, Ethan, remember.”
He stopped and pulled her into his arms, her front pressed to his. He didn’t speak and Annabelle felt the thump of his heart against her chest as he rested his forehead on hers. Each muscle was taut, as if it his body w
as preparing to be attacked.
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“I have to say this is a whole other side to you, Gelderman. Kind of wimpy but sensitive. I like it.”
He snorted and gave her a final squeeze. “You stay sassy for me, Smith, and I just may get through this.”
Annabelle saw wealth everywhere they walked. Then she heard the hum of voices ahead. Ethan’s fingers tightened around hers, making her own tension ratchet up several notches as he led her through a set of double doors.
She saw the man first, and knew it had to be Ethan Gelderman Number Four. He was sitting in a high-backed armchair. He was as big as Ethan, but his hair was gray and the eyes were the color of the caramel in the middle of Buster’s double chocolate muffins. He was smiling, and to Annabelle he didn’t look like an asshole, but she knew appearances could be deceiving. His broad shoulders were encased in a pale blue business shirt that he wore open at the neck, and beneath it were charcoal grey trousers. His cowboy boots were black to match his belt.
On a sofa to his right sat an immaculately dressed woman who Annabelle guessed was Ethan’s mother. She was wearing a pale green dress with an emerald necklace that seemed slightly over the top for the middle of the day, but then what did she know. It was from her that Ethan got his coloring. Her black hair was piled high and her cold, emotionless face was perfectly applied with makeup. Her eyes were the same blue as her eldest son’s.
“Mother, Father.” Beside her Ethan nodded, and a quick look at his face told Annabelle he had hidden everything away; he was now in control of his emotions. He wore a small, polite smile and his features looked like they’d been carved from granite. “This is my friend, Annabelle Smith.”
“Welcome home, son.” His father rose first. Coming forward, he hugged his son, who did not respond; Ethan’s hands hung at his side, fists clenched. Mr. Gelderman then turned and took Annabelle’s hand, raising it to his lips.
“Ms. Smith, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you also, Mr. Gelderman,” Annabelle said, and then he returned to his seat.
“Hello, Ethan.” Next to greet them had to be Hope, the bride-to-be. She was taller than Annabelle, and her hair was blonde with lighter streaks. She was dressed more casually than the others, but still in something Annabelle bet had cost the equivalent of two months of her salary.
“I’ve missed you,” Ethan’s sister then added, rising to her toes so she could kiss his cheek.
“Hope, you’re making a scene in front of Ethan’s guest,” Mrs. Gelderman said.
Scene? Annabelle looked at Mrs. Gelderman to see if she was serious. Hope hadn’t even raised her voice.
“Sorry, Mother.” Hope squeezed her brother’s hand, and Ethan returned the gesture but said nothing. The parents couldn’t see that their daughter’s knuckles were white as she gripped her big brother’s hands, or that their eyes spoke volumes before Hope pulled away to address Annabelle.
What the hell was going on here? The tension in the room was so thick Annabelle felt like she was choking on it.
“Hello, Annabelle. I’m Hope. Thank you so much for attending my wedding.” Her smile was strained.
“No problem. Thank you for inviting us.” Annabelle deliberately added the ‘us’ so that the rest of Ethan’s family would know they were there as a unit.
She then looked at the two other men in the room, who were obviously Ethan’s brothers. The first was built like his father and dressed the same, and she guessed he was the middle Gelderman. He looked smooth and confident, and Annabelle didn’t like the look in his eyes as he ran them over her body, but she had encountered that look before so she simply gave it back to him.
“My brother has been absent from Texas too long and seems to have lost his manners, Ms. Smith. Therefore I’ll rectify that and introduce myself.” He rose to his feet and walked towards her holding out one hand. His smile was polished and didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m Brad Gelderman.”
Annabelle didn’t acknowledge the squeeze he gave her fingers, instead giving them a good shake then releasing them. She then turned away from him, but not quickly enough to miss seeing the glare he gave Ethan, which just pissed her off more.
Annabelle wasn’t sure what she’d stepped into, but she knew the Texan standing silent at her side. Even though he flirted with every woman who crossed his path, she knew he was a kind man, a good friend and she didn’t like to see him looking as he did right now.
“And I’m Taylor.”
The last man in the room was dressed casually, like Hope, and his smile was shy as he stepped forward. Ethan took the hand he held out to him. Like Hope, Taylor stood directly in front of his brother, blocking the view of the others. Annabelle watched the brothers exchange a look before he turned to her.
“Hey, Taylor, really nice to meet you.” Annabelle shook his hand too.
Soon they were all seated, with Annabelle taking the chair beside Ethan’s.
“Ethan so rarely comes home, and when he does, he never brings friends, so your appearance here would suggest you’re special to my son, Ms. Smith. What is it you do in Howling?”
“I’m a nurse, Mr. Gelderman,” Annabelle said to Ethan’s father.
“Well, now, that does make me feel better. I like the idea that my son has someone on hand to help him, because he’s always been accident prone.”
The words, like the question that had prompted them, could in no way be classified as mean; in fact, they were the kind of thing a thousand parents would say to a girlfriend or boyfriend of a beloved child—yet, beside her, Ethan stiffened.
“And where do you work?”
“In a clinic in Howling.”
“How nice for you. I understand that it is a small town, and of course leaving it would have been difficult for you, I’m sure. It’s my understanding you were raised there.”
Ethan hadn’t told him that, because Annabelle knew how much he hated his father and would share nothing with the man, so Mr. Gelderman must have had her investigated. Looking into his eyes, Annabelle realized that the smile he’d been wearing since they’d entered the room wasn’t nice at all. It was like Brad’s, totally fake. It was then that she saw the real man in the depths of his eyes, the controlling head of the Gelderman family.
Had Ethan not told her that this man was an asshole, perhaps it would have taken her longer to work that out, but she would have got there. She was sure he was a master manipulator, but he did it all behind a smiling veneer.
She shot Ethan another look. She couldn’t believe he was just sitting beside her quietly, looking forward, a blank expression on his face. The Ethan she knew was never still or, for that matter, quiet.
“How many times have you patched up my son, Ms. Smith? Quite a few, I should imagine? Is that how you met?”
“Ethan’s not accident prone, Mr. Gelderman,” Annabelle said, her smile matching his. “I’ve known him for years and I’ve never seen him so much as trip on a curb. In fact, it’s a constant cause of annoyance for us, his friends.” She put emphasis on the word friends. “We get pretty tired of just how perfect he is.”
“Perfect!” Mr. Gelderman let out a booming laugh. “He must have changed some, then, Annabelle.”
“You know how it goes, Dad. They all feel like that about him at first,” Brad said.
The other family members all just sat quietly and listened to Mr. Gelderman and Brad, no one coming to Ethan’s defense.
“True. Give it a while, honey,” Mr. Gelderman said, and while the honey hadn’t been followed by a leer, Annabelle wanted no one but her Texan to speak to her that way. She was also allowed to insult Ethan, and even watch his friends in Howling do it, because they were never mean, but she was damned if she’d sit by and watch his family do it, especially when she knew they weren’t just teasing.
She knew enough about Ethan to know what kind of man he was. Jake had told her about their time together in Iraq and how tirelessly Ethan had gone abou
t his duties, and she’d spoken to a few tourists he’d flown around Oregon. Each one had loved him.
“I’ve known him for a long time,” she said, “and I don’t see my opinion changing anytime soon. In fact—”
“We’ll see you for dinner this evening.”
Ethan cut her off and then stood, taking her with him, his fingers biting into hers as he pulled her to her feet. Seconds later they were leaving the room, after she’d flicked everyone a wave of her hand. Only Hope and Taylor had reciprocated, Annabelle noticed. Ethan was almost running by the time they reached the stairs going down, his long legs moving so quickly that Annabelle had to run to keep up.
“Ethan, slow down.”
He didn’t answer, nor did he slow down, and once they reached the ground floor they turned left and went back under the stairs. Since he had a firm grip on Annabelle’s hand, all she could do was follow his long, angry strides. They walked down one hall after another, and she saw more of the wealth he had been raised in. Then suddenly he stopped before a door, opened it, and dragged her inside.
The room was huge, and the bed situated in the middle of it was big enough for Annabelle to lie across and not touch the sides. There were two sofas, and a TV that took up half a wall; another wall was closets, and she could see a pool through a set of French doors. Ethan walked deeper into the room, taking her with him. She saw another door in the far wall—it was towards that that he headed.
“This is your room,” he said after opening it.
She walked past him and inside. This room was not quite as big, but it was close. The bed was covered in a thick, soft red blanket; the carpets were black and white, and the walls were white with several beautiful pieces of artwork hung around them.
“How’d you know we’d be staying here?” Annabelle went to the windows and looked out at the darkening skies. She could see the pool and some flowerbeds, but not too much else now.
“Because I slept in that one for years.” He was pointing back through the doors. “I’ll come get you for dinner.”