Regan Harris Box Set

by Kelly Wood

  “Hey, Gracie.”

  Gracie jolted out of whatever place her mind had taken her. Up close she was breathtaking. Franky started to sweat underneath his new leisure suit. Even after weeks of meeting her for lunch, he was still nervous around her.

  “Good afternoon.” Her voice was like velvet washing over Franky and warming his heart. Franky loved her already. His heart beat harder as his nerves escalated.

  “Do you mind if I join you? A beautiful woman should never dine alone.” Gracie blushed. The rosiness in her cheeks enhanced her beauty. Franky used the same line every time. He’d be heartbroken if she ever turned him down.

  “Yes, sit, please.” Gracie scooted over to the edge of the blanket. Her hair was shorter than the preferred style now. She kept it shoulder-length. It looked lighter than the time that Franky had seen her at the show. Of course, that was a month ago and at night. Under the neon lights, everyone looked different. She looked down and picked at her sandwich, pulling off bite-sized pieces and putting them in her mouth slowly. Peanut butter oozed over the sides of the bread.

  “How have your days been?” Franky never confirmed or denied his membership at the club when she had asked the first time he joined her for lunch. He let the insinuation that his presence alone gave him every right to be here. Gracie was a woman too good for a lowly driver to have a shot at being with her. Even if that driver worked for one of the biggest names in town.

  “I’ll never adapt to this heat. It never got this hot back home.” She smoothed out the fabric of the dress. The dress was simple by Vegas standards, homemade. A stark contrast to the glamorous outfit he’d seen her in the first time. She lifted her hair off her neck, letting the slight breeze reach it. “How do you handle the heat wearing a suit? It’s just got to be torture.”

  Franky shrugged off the jacket, exposing a short-sleeved shirt underneath. If he’d known she was so sensible, he would’ve ditched the jacket from the start.

  “Thank you.” Franky sighed with relief when the breeze blew again. “Why do you prefer the outside?”

  “I’m not from around here, as you well know. Back home, well, my old home, I spent most days outside. I like it here, at the club, because the grass reminds me of home. I’d never realized just how brown the desert is.”

  Franky looked around at the grass and trees. Everything just looked green to him. What was so special about green? He glanced up at the mountains in the distance. Varying shades of browns and reds and blues stood out to him. He’d never considered Nevada to be beautiful or not. It was just what he was used to seeing. But, he definitely didn’t understand needing to see green.

  “I’ve never thought about it before. Huh. I’ve always lived here.” Franky pulled his sandwich out of the bag.

  “Oh. What exactly do you do again for work?” Gracie had asked him every time they’d met. Franky was running out of ways to dodge the question.

  “Um, this and that. I work for a hotel on the Strip.” It was only a half lie. He did work for the owner of a hotel on the Strip, just not doing anything that the owner would want broadcast. “What about you, Gracie? You find something yet to fill your time?”

  “Mary Frances and Garrett want me to take my time and adjust to Las Vegas first before making a life decision.”

  Maybe Franky was wrong about Mary Francis. Giving Gracie time to adjust seemed like a kind move to him.

  “That is nice. What do you think so far?” Franky asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s... very different from the Midwest. I don’t know how to describe it. Not just the weather, but the people. Here, people want to be seen. There, people just go about their day. I guess, it’s just an adjustment to being looked at, and watched.”

  Franky couldn’t imagine Gracie not being noticed, even back in the boring Midwest. He wanted to reach over and touch her. He wanted to see her again, on a real date, but how to ask? Or should he keep running into her for now? He could find another way to see her. Maybe even go to one of the shows that the Bianchis loved to buy tickets for and then ditch out? They couldn’t be that bad. Franky took a deep breath to work up the nerve. His heart beat faster, but he decided to take the plunge and ask. If she said no, he would still ‘bump’ into her now and again for lunch, and one day she’d say yes to a date. He knew it because he wouldn’t give up until she did.

  “Gracie—”

  Gracie stopped him with a quick inhalation of breath. Franky looked up in shock, hoping she wasn’t in pain. He couldn’t see any obvious injuries on her, so Franky followed her line of sight.

  Guy Bianchi walked toward them from the clubhouse. Guy wore shorts that had once been long pants. The frayed edges hung down from where the material had been cut. A white t-shirt covered his chest, but his physique was clearly visible. Guy walked with the grace of a natural athlete, all fluid motion. Unlike Franky, who jerked and halted his movements.

  Guy was supposed to be on Lake Mead all day with his brothers. Franky envied Guy for many reasons, but today, it was how Guy looked cool and comfortable compared to Franky’s suit. And how Guy still looked like he belonged here even dressed for boating while Franky stuck out. Franky hid his discomfort with a smile and a wave.

  “Who is that?” Gracie asked, fanning herself with her left hand. She sat up straighter and smoothed out her dress again. Franky noticed the charge in the air and frowned.

  Franky waited for Guy to get a little closer before answering her so he could introduce them, even though he didn’t want to.

  “Guy Bianchi meet Gracie. Gracie, Guy.” Frank choked the words out. He thought frantically about how to get rid of Guy and salvage what little time he had left with Gracie. He definitely couldn’t ask her out with Guy standing here. He cringed at the ribbing he would receive from all of the brothers.

  “It’s a pleasure. You’re the Costas’ niece, right?” Guy made himself at home next to Gracie. Franky begrudgingly moved aside to make room. Franky rested his weight on his hand, now firmly planted on the grass since Guy sat down.

  “Cousin, Mary’s to be precise.” Grace blushed but never broke eye contact with Guy.

  “Cousin, right. How about I show you the town? It must be hard to be new somewhere.”

  “That sounds lovely. When?”

  “Now?”

  Franky’s hand squeezed into a fist. The sound of tearing grass reached his ears even though they were ringing in fury. Of course, Guy made asking a beautiful woman out that easy. Franky missed his shot trying to be polite and make small talk.

  “Okay,” Gracie said.

  Franky cleared his throat. “Um, Guy, we were just finishing up lunch...” Franky tried to interject. Both Guy and Gracie ignored him. They stared into each other’s eyes, unmoving. Franky wanted to stick his hand in between their faces and yell, “Yoo hoo!” Not that either would notice.

  Franky nudged Guy in the shoulder, hard.

  “Why are you here?” Franky asked.

  Guy turned his attention toward Franky. “Dad needs you. We stopped here for lunch on the way to find you.”

  “He needs me now?”

  “Yes.” Guy turned his back on Franky, clearly dismissing him. “So, Gracie...”

  Franky tuned him out. He wanted to send Guy on his way and continue his talk with Gracie, but Antonio came first. As much as Franky wanted Gracie, she wouldn’t get him out of his crappy life, but Antonio could. He had to keep his priorities straight.

  Frank gathered his lunch and stood to leave. He stared down at the two, laughing and flirting. He debated interrupting to say goodbye, but what was the point? Frank walked across the grass looking back only once at what might have been. He couldn’t even be mad at Guy. What man wouldn’t be attracted to Gracie?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Relief flooded through me when I realized it wasn’t my grandma being arrested. She had the potential in her, so I’d been scared for a moment until I’d seen the woman’s face. Even though she looked nothing like Grams, my mind hand jumped t
o that conclusion. I turned away and entered the elevator. Before the doors closed another couple jumped on. I stepped back, giving them room.

  “She pushed him. They said so on the news,” the woman said.

  “There’s no way. Did you see how frail she is? And short? The balcony walls come up to my elbow. There is no way she’s got enough strength and inertia to get him up and over the edge,” the man answered.

  “We’ll see. If she isn’t at fault then why did they arrest her?”

  “Innocent until proven guilty,” the man pointed out.

  “Yeah, right.”

  I could see the woman roll her eyes in the mirrored surface of the elevator doors. I ignored them for the rest of the ride as their conversation drifted to their plans for the evening. The doors opened to my floor and music filled the hallway. I ran to my room with dread.

  I popped open the door and stared in shock. My mouth hung slack. The furniture was pushed aside to make room for a dance floor. The music was deafening as bodies pulsed to the beat. Somehow, my grandmother had made forty friends who were wiggling like Jell-O in front of me.

  “Regan!”

  I turned to see Passion heading my way. She carried a yard of margarita in one hand and a tray full of cookies in the other. As she got closer, the smell hit me. I knew those homemade cookies. I loved those homemade cookies. It could only mean one thing.

  Mom was here.

  Passion answered my unasked question with a bob of her head. She jerked her neck to indicate that I should follow her into the kitchen area. My mother was probably the first person to use it. Who else would come to Las Vegas, stay in a suite, and then cook?

  My mom measured flour into a large mixing bowl. She already had handprint flour streaks across the side of her jeans. She looked right at home. The once-large suite was feeling more claustrophobic by the minute.

  I pulled out a bar stool and watched my mom knead the dough. She was perfectly happy and in her element. My mother lived to feed people. Even strangers.

  “Um, who are all of these people? Why are you having a party? How did Mom get here so soon? And, most importantly, where is Gray?” I asked Passion.

  Passion laughed. Her head flung back and she laughed with her whole body, all the while moving her hips to the music. I may have mocked her name choice but it really fit her well. Everything she did, she did it full of passion. There was no halfway for her. I envied her that sometimes. She never seemed afraid of anything. When she gets proposed to, I would bet that she’d be married within twenty minutes. It was just her style.

  “Okay, how about in order. These are my friends. And some friends of friends. To celebrate Mom’s victory. She was here, in Vegas already, for a poker tournament. She won! Yay!” Passion threw her hands in the air and did a spin. “Lastly, Gray is on an errand. I think it’s cute that you thought he could handle us.” Passion cocked her head to the side and sipped her frozen margarita. I ignored her and turned to my mother.

  “Mom, why does Grandma think she snuck out if you were here the whole time?”

  “She did sneak out. You just assumed it was from home. It worked out well for me. I could concentrate on the game since I knew you had her. And I won!” She threw her hands up, mimicking Passion’s movement, sending white powder everywhere.

  “This was all a ploy? To what? Get me to babysit? Why didn’t you just ask?”

  “You would have said ‘no,’ silly.” Passion was cocking her head again. I wanted to strangle her. Of course I would’ve said ‘no’ to this madness. These people are crazy.

  My mom shook a rolling pin at my face. “Don’t go thinking we are all crazy. You’re just as bad. It’s a long line of crazy you come from. Just give in.” Now that her speech was over, she went back to rolling out more dough for cookies. I thought she was making sugar cookies this time. I snatched a piece of the dough and popped it in my mouth. Yep, sugar cookies.

  I gave up. I slouched in my seat and started to pick at a cookie still warm from the oven. In all of the racket, I didn’t notice Gray’s entrance until he was practically on top of me.

  “It’s all set,” he said as he leaned down to kiss my cheek. Dread welled in my body. Every cell inside of me told me to run for the hills. Whatever Gray had ‘all set’ was not going to involve me if I could help it.

  Passion clapped her hands and jumped up and down a few times before turning her full force on me.

  “Stay where you are!” She pushed down on my shoulders anticipating my need for escape, as she ran past me. A moment later the loud music was abruptly cut off. The silence was deafening. I could hear Passion herding everyone out and letting them know the party was over. I sent up a silent prayer of thanks. I had never been one for loud music. It hurt my ears, but apparently not Grams’s. She came around the corner with her own yard of margarita. A hot pink boa was around her neck. She used her hand as a fan to cool the sweat on her face. Knowing her, she had been in the center of the dance party.

  “Whew, what a good time. Dancing keeps you young.”

  “And thin!” Passion said, giving Grams a bump with her hip.

  “I thought it was whiskey,” I said. At least, that’s what Grams repeatedly told us throughout the years.

  “Whiskey goes with dancing... and bacon.” Grams stood next to my mom, picking at the freshly baked cookies.

  “Of course, my bad.” I injected a pound of sarcasm into the comment, but I didn’t think she caught it. Passion swatted at the back of my head before speaking.

  “Ladies, we have a lot to do. First thing on the agenda is dresses. We each need something new and beautiful for tonight. Second, hair and make-up. I called in a favor from the salon downstairs. The manager is sending two stylists to open for us only today! Here’s the game plan. We all go down to the mezzanine and shop. After you have found an outfit, you’ll get a quick shower before heading down for hair and make-up.” Passion clapped her hands in excitement. She grabbed my hand, trying to lead me away. I jerked free.

  “Wait. Why am I doing all this?” I asked.

  “For your wedding!” Passion looked exasperated as she answered me. I looked to Gray for help. He leaned against the door jamb.

  “You said we’d be married as soon as your family was able to get here... They’re here.” Gray raised his shoulders into a shrug.

  I looked around the room, taking in all of them one at a time. These were my people. It was the one concession to us getting married that I asked for. Truth be told, I found myself warming to the idea. It would all happen so quickly, I wouldn’t have any time to get nervous. And, I wouldn’t have to actually plan anything since Passion seemed to have everything under control. Of course, I’d probably be married by Elvis, and surrounded by showgirls, but who cared? It was the marriage that mattered, not the wedding. I nodded my assent. Passion pulled me off the stool, only pausing long enough for Gray to kiss me quickly.

  “I’ll catch up. I just need to get this last batch baked!” my mom yelled.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Passion snuck us into the theater through a secret entrance to show us the stage she’d be dancing on. Mom, Grams and I gave her a standing ovation while she twirled and leaped just for us. It was a fun sneak peek before the shopping got under way. I spent way too much money on three different dresses and two pairs of shoes. It was unanimous that I would get married in a soft ivory, knee-length dress. It was sleeveless with a lace overlay. I loved it. Classic. Simple. Not too fancy. It was actually the first dress we came across.

  Grams got a fire-engine red silk that would look great on someone half her age. She somehow managed to pull it off. Mom chose a simple gray sheath and Passion bought a two-piece ensemble that used almost as much material as my favorite bathing suit. Mom and I tried to steer her in another direction, but she listened to Grams. I guessed I should just be happy that Grams didn’t want to dress as Passion’s twin.

  Passion lightly tapped the back door to the salon. Passion had led us down an employ
ees-only hallway to the salon since the front was still blocked for opening tomorrow. I took in my surroundings. The walls were an institutional gray. Very drab and a stark contrast to the public areas. A maze of hallways broke off in every direction. I looked for signs pointing to different areas, but there weren’t any. I stuck close to Passion so I wouldn’t get lost.

  Passion sensed my hesitation and assured me that Tabitha was the best. I had no choice but to trust her since we were either going to the back entrance or to the lab of a mad scientist.

  A tall woman with a smart, black bob opened the door for us. Her hair matched her ensemble, all black. Her ivory skin glowed against the suit and her hair color. The bob was cut in such a severe line I feared it would cut her neck when she turned her head. Passion introduced her as Tabitha as they led the way to the chairs. Tabitha had me seated and a cape thrown over me quickly. She unraveled my braid, running her fingers through my locks. I closed my eyes and purred in satisfaction.

  “Darling, you have beautiful hair!”

  “Thank you.”

  “How much time do we have?” Tabitha asked. I locked eyes with Passion in the mirror prompting her to answer since I lost all control over my day.

  “What were you thinking, Tabby?” Passion asked.

  “Well, the ends need cleaning up a little. But, I was thinking some caramel highlights and a few long layers.”

  “I love it. Do it,” Passion said. I raised my hand to protest. Tabitha and Passion both look startled that I wanted a vote.

  “Wait. I’m not opposed... but... I don’t have time for upkeep. When the highlights grow out...” I let the sentence drop, hoping my point would come across.

  “No worries. I’ll do what’s called a shadow root. The highlights will start a few inches down and be very fine. More of a natural, sun-kissed look than a processed one.” I didn’t know exactly what she was talking about, but I agreed. I’d never been one to get too fussy about hair. It grew back, after all. The most effort I’d put in over the last few years was a regular cut and sometimes a quick henna coloring to brighten it up while Gray and I traveled.