by Peggy Webb
o0o
Molly didn’t take long to launch her plan of sending in the hotties.
Belinda got the first phone call the next evening after she and Reeve returned from dinner at one of Tupelo’s fancier restaurants. He had just removed her jacket and was hanging it in the hall closet.
“Call’s for you, Belinda. It’s some man.” Quincy was grinning when she held out the phone. It would be just like her to guess what Belinda was up to.
Reeve paused in the act of shutting the closet door. When Belinda took the phone, she heard a really sexy male voice asking her for a date.
“That sounds lovely.” She made herself giggle in the way that makes a man wonder what a woman is up to. “Yes! I’d be thrilled!”
“Was that a friend of yours?” Reeve asked after she’d hung up. He was trying to act casual, but she noticed he’d walked off and left the closet door wide open.
“No. Just someone who saw me at the restaurant tonight.”
“A perfect stranger called you?”
“Yes. After we left, he inquired who we were. Then he called me.” Belinda was enjoying her power. Reeve had held the reins far too long. “He sounded very nice,” she added.
Reeve made a visible effort at regaining his self-control.
“You have to be careful of strangers, Belinda.”
“Some of the best times of my life have been with strangers.”
His face got red, but still he held on to that iron control of his. Belinda decided to prod him a little.
“Just think of all the fun I’d have missed if I had turned Charlie Crocket down because he was a stranger.”
“The man who wanted to pick your plums?” Reeve enunciated each word as if he were spitting bullets.
Belinda laughed. “That’s the one.”
“And what was this man offering?”
“You’re asking me what he was offering? You’re asking me that? You, the absolute master of bribery and gestapo tactics?”
“Would you like to explain your accusations?”
“I think they are self-evident.”
“What do you consider bribery, Belinda? The dinner, the wine, the clothes?”
“Take your choice. I’m bought and paid for.”
“In that case I may as well get my money’s worth.”
His mouth came down on hers, and he kissed her with such savage fury both of them were left breathless. When he finally let her go, he stared at her as if he had never seen her before.
She didn’t dare speak, didn’t dare move. She barely dared breathe. The man she loved had just kissed her and she was in heaven—and in hell.
She drew herself out of his embrace and stood facing him.
“Did you get your money’s worth?” she said.
Her nerves frayed as she watched him, waiting.
Finally he said, “I’m sorry, Belinda. I lost my temper. It won’t happen again.” And then he turned and walked up the stairs.
She watched until he’d disappeared, and then crossed to the closet and shut the door before she went to her own bedroom.
She opened her computer and shot off an email to her friends.
From: Belinda
To: Molly, Joanna, Janet, Bea, Clemmie, Catherine
Re: Our Big Plan
That guy called and I said yes, but I think it might have backfired. Molly, make sure he knows this is not a real date, that he’s just doing you a favor. I don’t want to lose Reeve.
XO
Belinda
She didn’t even wait for a reply. Instead she got into her gown and lay sleepless in her bed, wondering if Reeve meant what he said about never kissing her again.
o0o
Reeve lay in bed, rigid with anger. That was all he needed. Some man interested in a casual fling coming along to take Belinda away from him. Just when everything was going so well.
He had shaped her and polished her, and now, when she was sparkling like a fine diamond, some fool was going to turn her head and talk to her about a trip down to the Bahamas or a fun weekend in Las Vegas. Then Reeve would be looking for another nanny for his children. They would be heartbroken.
Besides that, Quincy would never stop berating him for losing Belinda. In addition, he would once more be left alone, trying to juggle work and children and all the myriad details of his life that Belinda took care of.
He sat up and gave his pillow a vicious punch. Maybe things would look better tomorrow. Perhaps he was overreacting.
o0o
Belinda’s boyfriend was worse than Reeve had imagined, a big brainless-looking jock with a bone-crushing handshake. And what was that little outfit Belinda was wearing? It wasn’t big enough to cover a sneeze.
He said, “Have a good time, Belinda,” which was patently ridiculous when he meant exactly the opposite.
Then he hurried off to his office and shut the door. Work, that was the ticket. Forget about Belinda and the jock.
The evening dragged by, and when the car came back up his driveway he popped out of his chair like a man shot from a cannon. To make matters worse, he went to the window like some lovesick teenager. To spy, for God’s sake.
When the muscle-bound fool leaned down to kiss her, Reeve gripped the windowsill so hard his knuckles turned white. Thank God, Belinda had sense enough to end break away so the kiss landed on her cheerk.
He marched back to his desk, feeling a certain amount of self-righteous satisfaction. But it was to be short-lived.
The next day, much to Reeve’s horror, Belinda was suddenly a hot item in town. Men were suddenly crawling out of the woodworks, keeping the telephone lines hot trying to get a date.
Reeve stood by with tightly clenched jaws, observing the emergence of his creation into the social whirl. He didn’t even bother to meet the second guy who picked her up, somebody by the name of Jerry Orion, she’d said. It was none of his business.
He shut himself into his office and set to work. He’d be leaving for Paris within the week, and he had a lot to do.
Finally he stood up to stretch and glanced at the clock with some alarm. Belinda had been gone three hours. Good Lord, how long did it take to see a movie?
Granted, they would probably stop for hamburgers on the way home. The young man was probably the hamburger type. On the other hand, what if he had driven Belinda to some dark country road and parked? Did people still do that these days?
Reeve began to pace. He needed to warn her about men like Jerry Orion. What kind of name was that, anyway? It sounded suspicious to him, like a fictitious name. What if he had let Belinda go out with a criminal?
He looked at the clock again. Three and a half hours. He started to call the police, then realized the folly of that move.
Reeve made himself stop pacing and sit down at his desk. The French project seemed to glare up at him.
Suddenly he lifted the file and a new, horrifying thought came into his head. There was no telling what would happen while he was abroad. He might even come back to find Belinda engaged... or married. After all, she was the most beautiful, most desirable, most charming woman in town. Thanks to him.
He clenched his jaw. Belinda was his. She was his creation. For a moment, Reeve let his emotions take charge as he thought of all the awful possibilities.
Then the businessman in him took over. He had never seen a problem that couldn’t be solved. He went into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee, then he came back to his desk and began to work out a solution to his problem.
Chapter Nine
Belinda figured she would go down in history as the most boring date of Jerry Orion’s life. Thank goodness, he knew this was only a game. And fortunately, he was the kind of guy who didn’t need help in being entertained. She could have been a pumpkin head sitting on a mop handle, and he still would have stayed out till past midnight, having a big time.
Finally she couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. She had to find out if this latest ploy was working with Reeve.
“I take it that means you want to go home?”
“Yes, please. And thanks for being such a good sport.”
“Anything for Molly Rakestraw. And just for the record, I’d have asked you without her proding if I’d known what a hot chick you are.”
He took her home, then kissed her goodnight and left whistling.
She saw light under Reeve’s office door the minute she got to the hall. She thought about waltzing straight over and knocking on his door, but then decided to play it cool and go upstairs.
She had her foot on the first step when Reeve opened his door. Light poured out into the darkened hall.
“Belinda.”
“Yes?” She hoped she’d used just the right inflection of aloofness.
“Would you come in here, please?”
He had gone back to his desk and was sitting in his chair by the time she entered his office. She sat in the chair facing his desk.
“Did you have a good time this evening?” he asked.
“Yes,” she lied, studying him closely, trying to gauge his feelings. He seemed extraordinarily relaxed.
“What did you think of the movie?”
“You know me. I love all movies.”
“Yes.” He smiled. “I know you.”
There was something strange about this interview, something unlike any of their other meetings, but Belinda couldn’t put her finger on it. She became wary.
“Is there anything specific you want to talk about, Reeve?”
“Indulge me a moment—please.” He actually smiled at her. She guessed that meant he was happy she’d gone out with Jerry. Maybe Reeve was even hoping Jerry would take her off his hands.
“Do you have plans to see this young man again?”
“Does my job hinge on my answer?”
“No. And please feel no compunction to answer if you don’t want to.”
“Since you put it that way—no, I don’t plan to see him again.”
Reeve smiled once more. Belinda held on to her composure, but it was hard. Keeping her love a secret from a cool and aloof Reeve was one thing; keeping it a secret from a warm and smiling Reeve was another. She folded her hands in her lap and watched him with all the quiet dignity she could muster.
Reeve fiddled with his letter opener. Such a nervous gesture was unusual for him. When he dropped it back to his desk with a clank, Belinda jumped.
“I suppose you want to get married someday,” Reeve said.
Married. What was Reeve thinking? She decided to play it light. “I used to think about that a good bit, but my best prospects got away.”
“Ah, yes. Charlie and Matt?” He studied her a while, then said suddenly, “Did you love them?”
“No.”
“But you considered marrying them?”
“At the time I thought it was a good idea.”
“I see.” Reeve picked up the letter opener once more and ran his finger down the length of the blade. His eyes were dark and unfathomable as he looked at her across his desk, then very carefully he put the letter opener back down on the desk.
“Belinda, I have a business proposition for you.”
“Another one?”
“Yes.” He smiled again. “This time I plan to tell you my reasons before I propose the business arrangement. All I ask is that you please hear me out before you say anything.”
“Agreed.”
“You know that after my wife died I had a hard time keeping a nanny for the children. I lost eight of them in two years. Some of them left of their own accord. I fired the others.” He paused to let that bit of information sink in.
“My household and, indeed, my very life, seemed to be out of control. I am a man who likes order and routine and a sense of permanence. I need stability and I want my children to have it, too.”
He rose from his chair and stood gazing out the window at the darkness. Belinda didn’t say anything. She hardly dared breathe. Prickles danced along her skin, and she developed a nervous itch on her elbow, but she wasn’t about to scratch it. Ladies didn’t scratch.
Reeve turned from the window and walked to her chair. Then he squatted beside her and took her hand. “Your hand is cold.”
“Am I allowed to respond?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, my hands are cold—and yours are warm.”
“That makes us a team. I’ll transfer some of my warmth to you.” He took both her hands and chafed them between his. “Better?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
He studied her a long time before he said anything. Having him so close made her pulse race. She hoped she wouldn’t do anything foolish, like blurting out the truth.
“Belinda, what I am about to propose is going to sound shocking to you at first, but I want you to give it very careful consideration. You don’t have to tell me your answer right away. You can give me your answer in the morning.”
“The answer to what?”
He surprised her by moving to his desk, and then standing there all remote and formal.
“In less than a week I’ll be leaving for France. I’ve decided that the best way to ensure permanence in my household is to marry you.”
“Marry me!”
“This is strictly a business proposition. In return for your loyalty to me and my children, I will provide a generous income for the rest of your life and a house to be purchased for you at my death. Naturally, my children will inherit this house.” He gave her time to digest his proposal before he continued, “I won’t expect to exert any conjugal rights. I am not buying your body, just your loyalty.”
Had he lost his mind! She sat there in shocked silence.
“Belinda? Did you understand everything I said?”
“Perfectly. And I don’t know how you could doubt my loyalty.”
“I don’t doubt it, Belinda. I appreciate it, but there is no guarantee you’ll stay. You are a lovely young woman. You won’t always be content to stay in my house and take care of my children. Before long some young man will turn your head, and you’ll leave.”
Her head was spinning. Here she was, sitting in Reeve’s office listening to her dream come true. She should feel excited and happy. Married to the man she loved.
“If you agree to this proposition, we’ll be married before the week is out. I’ll arrange for all the necessary tests and legal documents tomorrow.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes, it’s that simple. I know this is unexpected, and you don’t have to give your answer tonight, Belinda. But I would like an answer in the morning.”
“What about love?” she whispered.
“I thought I made that clear. This is a business proposition, one I want to get settled before I leave to develop foreign markets for Lawrence Enterprises.”
“I know... you want to marry me for business reasons. Did you marry Sunny for love?”
“Of course.”
“Then how do I know you won’t fall in love again and divorce me—if I decide to marry you.”
“Belinda, love is well and good for the young and the innocent. I had it once, and I’m grateful for that, but I don’t plan to indulge in it again. A man with a family can’t build his life on emotion, but he can build it on careful planning.’’
“Like selecting the right stocks and investing in the right properties?”
“Precisely.”
“No,” she said.
“I beg your pardon.”
“I said No.” She stood up, barely clinging to control. “I won’t marry you under these conditions, Reeve. I am more than a good stock investment.”
“Of course, you are, Belinda. I didn’t mean to imply that.”
“You didn’t have to imply, Reeve. You said it outright. First I’m a project and now I’m a business proposition.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m sorry.”
He looked ge
nuinely contrite and more than a little puzzled. Still, she stood there quietly, not willing to let him off the hook so easily.
“Look, Belinda. Maybe we can work out a compromise. I’ll take you Rome, Paris, London. I’ll buy you a new car, jewels, whatever you want. Just name it.”
She wanted to slap him.
“If you think I’d sell myself to you or any man, you don’t know me at all Reeve Lawrence.”
Suddenly, he looked so defeated she almost felt sorry for him.
“What do you want, Belinda?”
“Now that I’ve turned you down, I want to know if I still get to keep my job.”
“Of course, you get to keep your job!”
“You don’t have to roar.”
“I’m not roaring.”
“Yes, you are. Furthermore, there’s something else I have to tell you.”
Reeve sat down like a man suddenly too tired to stand.
“I can hardly wait to hear,” he said. It gave her no satisfaction that he meant exactly the opposite.
“My name is not Belinda Diamond. It’s Stubaker.”
“Good lord.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Did somebody pay you to come into my home and ingratiate yourself to me and my family?”
“No. I made up the name so I could start my new life in Tupelo as a brand new woman. I succeeded, too.” She jutted out her chin and defied him to contradict her. “I wanted a name that was glamorous and sparkly and shiny, like the new life I imagined I’d have.”
For a moment his face softened, and she felt a wild hope that they could start over and somehow salvage a relationship that until tonight had been friendly and playful. And then that hard expression came back into his face.
“What’s your next revelation, Belinda Stubaker. That you have a criminal record?”
She felt as if she’d been socked in the stomach. Her fists clenched as she glared at him.
“No,” she said, “but I’m fixing to.”
“When?”
“If you ever propose to me again without being down on your knees, I going to shoot you.”
Chapter Ten
From: Belinda
To: Molly, Joanna, Janet, Catherine, Clemmie, Bea