The Wedding Belle (Colorado Billionaires Book 4) Page 12

  The image of Zivo’s snarky face intruded on her pleasant thoughts, and the old pain clamped down on her heart once again. She braced herself against the tiles of the shower wall and waited for her breath to return. Why did that man still have power over her? The mere thought of him was enough to ruin the joy of her day. She steadied herself, deliberately erasing him from her mind, as if he were a colored pencil drawing. She had learned a lot about handling stress and gaining control of her own thoughts when she was in counseling all those years ago. Those skills had kept her from falling completely apart when Dr. Z turned on her in Denver. She forced herself to breathe evenly, then had a great idea. Every time she breathed in, the imaginary crumbly art eraser in her hand grew larger, and every time she breathed out, part of his face disappeared beneath it. In, out, and brush away the crumbs. At last she’d stopped shaking. But she chastised herself. Letting her walls down enough to enjoy Uly’s company had allowed Zivo’s despised face to catch her off guard. She’d work on that. She needed to be able to live her life without the specter of Zivo destroying her inner peace.

  She dried herself and got into her pajamas. She would quiet her mind in bed, and the only face she would allow herself to think about was Uly’s.

  That was surprisingly easy to do. She felt herself relaxing as Uly’s smiling face floated in her mind’s eye. What a nice guy. Well, he had his problems, and she knew he had at least one big secret. Maybe two. Or more. But then, so did she. Maybe she should come clean, tell him everything, and hope their secrets could cancel each other out.

  That would be the wise thing to do. But once again, the fear in her heart overruled her head. Sharing might bring her closer to Uly, but it might also send him running in the other direction, and the thought of him turning his back on her filled her with pain. No, she couldn’t take that chance.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Thursday, 6:00 a.m.

  The next morning Belle awoke to odd sounds. At first she was disoriented, filled with that strange feeling of not quite recognizing her surroundings. The quiet rhythmic splashing on the edge of her consciousness made her limbs yearn for movement, and as she came fully awake, she realized it was the sound of someone swimming in the pool beyond her sliding glass doors. In that moment, the events of the previous days came flooding back, and she felt butterflies of anxiety battling for supremacy over the tingle of excitement about her new life. The prospect of a swim in Lulamae’s pool sent the butterflies scattering, and she threw off her covers and changed quickly into a bathing suit, a blue one today.

  She felt a little awkward about greeting the day in a skimpy suit, so she retrieved a scarf she’d found in Mina’s boutique, full of blues and greens and large enough to double as a sarong. She wrapped it around herself under her arms and fastened it with a tidy knot. The sliding door opened silently and she slipped through to the courtyard.

  Her ears hadn’t lied. Lulamae was moving smoothly through the water, doing a languid breast stroke, keeping her head above water. Belle smiled. Her hostess reminded her of a stately monarch trying to maintain her royal dignity while performing aquatic maneuvers. She was impressed with Lulamae’s progress through the water and watched her swim around the corner to the other leg of the pool before padding quietly toward the chaises where Rita was arranging a breakfast tray on a glass table beneath a luxurious ficus. Rita smiled a greeting before returning to the kitchen.

  Belle was pleased to see three settings on the table along with the coffee carafe, rolls, and fruit. At least she could rest assured that she wasn’t intruding on Lulamae. She took a seat at the table and poured herself a cup, then leaned back to admire the beauty of the courtyard and inhale the delightful mixture of warm Las Vegas air, sunscreen, chlorine, and hot coffee. This was her idea of paradise. She wondered how Uly would feel about living in Las Vegas. Oh, she didn’t care about the bright lights and casinos, although they would certainly provide ample entertainment. But she was filled with a longing for her own private world with a pool, a shady tiled courtyard, and mornings so warm one was expected to wear practically nothing at an outdoor breakfast table.

  Lulamae emerged from the pool, balancing herself on the single handrail by the steps at the far end. Her cane lay on the tiles. She wrapped herself in a pale blue terrycloth robe, retrieved her cane, and moved carefully toward Belle.

  Belle murmured, “Good morning, Lulamae. It’s so beautiful here. You have everything a person could want.” Inside, a tiny voice said, Almost everything.

  Lulamae beamed. She took a few seconds arranging her descent into the chair at Belle’s elbow, hooking her cane over the back.

  Belle held the carafe aloft, and Lulamae nodded. “Oh, yes, cherie. Most definitely.”

  Belle poured, then set the carafe back on the tray. “How do you ever leave this spot?”

  Lulamae pulled her shoulders up around her ears and chuckled. “I hardly ever do, frankly. Of course, between eleven and six it’s way too hot to stay out in the summer. But I get up very early, and if I’m not on the computer, I take a nap in the afternoon, so it works out perfectly.” She reached for a croissant. “You swim anytime you like, now. You don’t have to be waiting on me or asking permission.”

  Belle took a quick, sharp breath. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  Lulamae arched her left eyebrow. “No special power involved. I merely observed your expression of longing every time you look toward the water.”

  “This is so heavenly,” said Belle, already untying the knot in her sarong.

  “I agree.” Lulamae looked pleased.

  Belle smiled in gratitude, then dived cleanly into the pool. The feel of the water was like cool satin against her skin, and it freed her mind. She felt her worries peeling away with every lap she swam. The shape of the pool kept her speed down, and that was nice. So often when she went to the pool in Denver, she felt compelled to race from one end to the other, over and over, like some demented shipwreck survivor desperate to reach land. But this was more like dancing. She felt so graceful in the water, and it was the perfect viewpoint from which to view the world. The water lapped gently around her as she rolled onto her back and kicked lazily, her hands above her head to keep her from bumping into the side of the pool. It was so close to perfect, although a tiny empty space right under her heart told her something was missing. Still, it was very close to what she imagined paradise should be.

  She drifted and stared up into the early morning blue of the sky, not yet bleached by the day’s heat. She could float here forever, and wondered idly if Rita could simply put her lunch tray on an inflatable pool toy and shove it out to her. That made her laugh with delight, and she broke her own spell. She abandoned her back float and swam to the edge of the pool.

  Uly had managed to emerge from his room without her help. He was pulling the blue protector over his cast and securing it. Belle barely noticed what he was doing. She was too busy staring at his physique. He wore nothing but bathing trunks, and his legs were as well developed as his arms. It took her breath away. He was beefcake but not beefy. Every muscle was defined, but he didn’t look like the greased-up bodybuilders in the magazines, their neck cords straining for attention. No, he had a smooth, soft look about him that made her want to run her hands over his biceps, down his chest, and— She stopped herself, feeling a blush rise as her gaze moved to his thighs. More muscle there. The body of a man who had done physical labor for a long time. The nursing part of her brain filed away the information that his bruises had reached the yellowing stage and only faint smudges of purple still colored his torso.

  What Uly was actually doing didn’t click for her until he stood up and hopped toward the pool. Straight toward her. Her eyes grew wide, then squeezed shut as he cannonballed into the water right next to her. The splash spread several feet over the tiles.

  Lulamae called from her chair, “Don’t make me have to refill that pool.” But her tone was light and teasing.

  Uly erupted from the water l
ike a beluga rising for air. Water droplets glistened on his perfect skin. Belle started to say good morning, but just as she opened her mouth, he pushed an armful of water in her direction and she ended up sputtering and choking.

  Uly was next to her in an instant. The heat of his body pressed against hers made her gasp, and she found herself between the wall of the pool and his sculpted chest.

  “Sorry,” he said gently. “I didn’t know you were going to open your mouth. I love splashing in the pool.”

  Belle’s gray eyes were locked into his baby blues, and the little voice inside said, Breathe, silly girl. She said softly, “Good morning. Feeling better?”

  Uly looked like a little boy interrupted in the middle of some mischief. He looked away, then returned to capture her gaze again. “Better,” he nodded.

  Belle gave him a lopsided smile. “Are you going to swim? Or is this some new way of sharing sunscreen?”

  Pinpoints of blush colored Uly’s cheeks, but instead of moving away, he pressed even closer. “That’s a marvelous idea. Maybe we should suggest it as an ad campaign.” His voice was soft and husky. “Big pharma might be very grateful.”

  Belle felt her breath catch in her throat. His scent was so pleasant and as scantily clad as they both were, it was nearly overpowering. Her forehead was pressed against his, and their lips were so very close that she could feel his breath. The little voice inside said, Paradise complete.

  Lulamae’s voice broke the spell. “Uly, there’s a call for you, darlin’.”

  Belle’s disappointment was echoed in the slump of Uly’s shoulders. A moment later, she said, “Wait here. I’ll get the phone.” She added very softly, “I don’t want Lulamae walking across wet tiles.” She turned and levered herself out of the pool in one effortless move. She smiled at Lulamae as she took the phone, then handed it to Uly.

  “Hello?” His forehead immediately creased into a frown.

  Belle sat on the lip of the pool, her feet in the water, watching Uly try to get a word in edgewise. After several seconds of sputtering and broken sentences, he said, “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  He hung up and handed the phone to Belle. “What’s up?”

  “My mother’s having a meltdown. She’s afraid her grandson is going to die in his sleep. We have to get back to Eagle’s Toe.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Uly was in no mood for swimming after his phone call. Once again, he felt like he was being torn between his mother and his father. Here he was in Vegas, doing what his father insisted he do, and he was being pulled back to Eagle’s Toe by his mother’s drama. He was tired of it. And he was tired of all the lies and intrigue. He decided in that moment, as he struggled to get out of the pool, that he was tired of the stupid cast as well. And that was one thing he could do something about.

  “Need a hand?” asked Belle. She braced herself and helped Uly out of the water. Once he got his good leg on the rim of the pool, he was fine. She retrieved his crutches for him.

  “Thanks.” Uly took his crutches and headed for his room.

  Lulamae called out. “Don’t skip your breakfast and coffee, Uly. Airplanes only move so fast. Your Mama can call 911 if things are that bad.”

  Uly paused to reply. “I know. I just need to get dressed. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

  Once he got to his room, he slammed his crutches down on the floor. They made no sound on the plush carpet, and he was glad. If they had, Belle and Lulamae would have rushed in to make sure he was okay. Well, he would be as soon as he got that cast off his leg.

  He hobbled to the shower, not bothering to pretend anymore that he needed to favor his ankle. He took a moment to remove the cast protector. After all, getting the darn thing wet was what this was all about. He thanked his lucky stars that Ahmed’s cousin had used plaster instead of fiberglass. He turned on the shower and stepped in, bathing trunks and all.

  Ten minutes later, he still had a cast and it was still hard and very heavy. The shower wasn’t getting it wet enough. He would have to soak it in the tub. This was going to take much longer than he’d expected. He wondered if he could find a hammer in Lulamae’s perfectly kept home. But now the cast was wet, and he didn’t want to drip all through the house. He’d have to tell them what he was doing. He’d have to confess that the broken ankle was just a ruse.

  He wished the ribs and contusions were also a ruse, but they were real enough. If all those bruises had shown up immediately, he wouldn’t have needed the stupid cast. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “What was I thinking?” he muttered.

  There was a knock at the sliding doors. Belle’s voice drifted in. “Uly? Are you okay? Lulamae is worried.”

  “Come on in,” he called. He might as well get this over with and worry about what she thought of him later.

  Belle slid the door open and entered.

  Uly’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was magnificent in her swimsuit, all long legs and firm arms. The nurses he’d had in Kuwait were nothing like Belle. He doubted many were. He stood there, dripping on the carpet, feeling miserable and defeated.

  Belle’s reaction wasn’t the one he expected. She looked him up and down, crossed her arms, and gave him a lopsided smile. “You finally got tired of that thing, eh?”

  Uly glanced left, then right. “You knew?”

  “That you were faking about the ankle? Pretty much. Want some help?”

  Uly hung his head. “Yes.”

  With Belle’s help and a few tools from Tex’s garage, it only took ten minutes to remove the cast.

  “Good Lord, that feels better,” said Uly. He was sitting on a chaise near Lulamae. She was shaking her head and chuckling.

  “I’m so glad you find this amusing,” grumbled Uly.

  “Oh, you are such a Garrison,” said Lulamae. “But you are my precious godson, and I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

  “Thanks. I think.” Uly sighed. “I’d love some hot coffee right now.”

  “For a price,” teased Lulamae.

  “What price?”

  Belle looked up from the detritus of the cast. She was gathering the pieces into a plastic trash bag. “The truth?” she guessed.

  “Bingo,” said Lulamae. “Don’t make me go take a nap and dream about it.”

  “Okay, okay,” said Uly. “It’s all messed up.”

  Belle patted his knee. “Your ankle is fine, so I assume you’re talking about the reason you had a cast put on in the first place?”

  Uly nodded.

  Rita appeared from the kitchen with a fresh coffee tray.

  Uly tilted his head at Belle. “How does she do that?”

  Belle matched his tilt. “I don’t know, but I want to find out.”

  Lulamae picked up half a maple donut. “Do what?”

  “How do you manage to have Rita appear at exactly the right moment?”

  Lulamae looked up at Rita and smiled. “That’s not me,” she said. “That’s Rita. She’s much more psychic than I am.”

  Rita set the tray on the table and giggled as she refreshed Lulamae’s cup. She poured all around, obviously pleased by the compliment. “Would anyone like eggs and bacon?”

  Uly’s eyes grew big. “Yes, ma’am, that would be wonderful.”

  Rita nodded and left.

  Uly got up from his chaise and walked back and forth on his newly freed ankle. “So much better.” He picked up his coffee. “Ladies, a man cannot eat bacon and eggs in wet swim trunks, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get dressed.” He lifted his coffee cup in a salute and trotted toward his room. “Free at last!”

  Behind him, Belle called out, “You’re not off the hook, mister!” She laughed at Uly’s hop and skip. He was certainly much more agile without a cast. She finished cleaning up the mess left by the destruction and tied a knot in the plastic bag. Then she stood and looked around.

  Lulamae said, “Rita will take it to the trash, cherie. Thank you for tidying up
. Now sit and finish your coffee.”

  Belle did so gladly. “What on Earth would make him fake an injury?”

  “He’ll tell us soon enough, or I’ll have Rita withhold his bacon and eggs.”

  Belle laughed. She sipped at her coffee and looked around the courtyard, already missing its charm and the pool. And now she wouldn’t even get to drive their new SUV into the mountains, either. After a few minutes, she felt her tension building up again.

  “I should get dressed, as well,” said Belle, fidgeting with her cup and spoon. “Now that I know we have to change our plans, all the relaxation has left my body.”

  “Don’t worry, punkin. That Airstream and the Escalade will be here waiting for you. Go on, get dressed. We’ll meet inside at the dining table. It’s starting to heat up out here earlier than usual.”

  “Thanks.” Belle trudged to her room, her flip-flops making a lonely thwack, thwack noise against the bottom of her feet. In her room — how quickly she’d come to think of this perfect girly room as hers — she dressed in comfortable pale green capris and a sleeveless white blouse with green polka dots, cuffless socks and her running shoes. Her limbs felt like lead, despite her morning swim. She wished she could stay at Lulamae’s forever.

  Sluggishly, she hefted her suitcase up on the bed and began transferring her belongings into it. Not even the promise of hearing Uly explain why he’d faked an ankle injury was enough to lighten her mood. She finished by checking the bath for her toiletries, then closed the suitcase. Time to meet the others.

  Uly and Lulamae were seated opposite each other at the dining table. Belle took the chair next to Lulamae and poured herself a cup of coffee. Rita had supplied the promised bacon and eggs, and Uly was eating with gusto. He paused to butter toast and glanced up at Belle.