What was it Sallie used to say when something was after the fact? Too much, too little, too late.
The story of my life, Fanny thought as she stepped into the shower.
16
Simon Thornton knew his eyes were as wild-looking as he felt. For one crazy moment he debated putting his booted foot through the television screen. He looked around the oversize cabin he and Fanny had called home for three years. Everything he was seeing shrieked Fanny, Fanny, Fanny.
In his gut he knew she was never coming back. In Fanny's eyes he'd done the ultimate, the most unforgivable thing possible; he'd ignored her. He'd given her an ultimatum. You're doing to me what Ash did, and I will not tolerate it. He wasn't Ash. Hell, he hated his brother's guts. Whatever Ash did Simon always made sure he did just the opposite. Where in the hell did Fanny get off saying something like that?
Four months of silence. On his part. He regretted that silence now. If he'd just given a little, bent a little—
Simon threw more clothes in his bag. If he put the pedal to the metal he could make John Wayne Airport and be in Vegas before midnight. His shoulders tensed when he heard the snap of the locks on his suitcase. The sound was an ending sound, if there was such a thing. Perhaps, he thought, the word he was looking for was terminal. Suddenly he felt sick to his stomach.
Simon carried his bag down to the kitchen. He looked around. In the beginning the kitchen had been his and Fanny's sanctuary. They'd sit for hours at the old scarred table, talking, drinking coffee or tea, the dogs at their feet. The kitchen had always sparkled. Now it was dreary and grimy. The braided rugs in front of the stove and sink were dirty and stained. The green plants were limp and yellowish-looking. Piles of dirty dishes were everywhere. The copper-bottomed pots hanging from hooks on the rafters had lost their luster. The stove was full of grease and dirty fry pans. The magnets Fanny collected for the
272 Fern Michaels
refrigerator had shifted to the bottom because he constantly slammed the door. He knew there were bugs in the sink and ants on the floor. He didn't care. He didn't much care about anything these days.
He pressed the intercom and spoke to his kennel manager. "I'll be gone for a few days. Take care of Tootsie and Slick till I get back. If you know of anyone who does housecleaning, will you call them to clean up after me. Pay them out of petty cash. The key to the back door is under the mat. I'll see you when I get back."
Simon looked at his watch. By midnight he'd be face-to-face with Fannv.
Fanny slipped into her red velvet gown. She smiled when she stroked the faux ermine trim. She'd made the dress herself, and one for Bess, just this week. She grinned when she settled the furry white cap with the red tassel onto her head. She couldn't remember the last time she was this excited. Was her excitement due to Ash's arrival with little Jake, the anticipation of seeing the crowd's reaction to the holiday decorations, or was her elation due to a man named Marcus Reed? All of the above.
Whatever it was. it was heady indeed. Something tugged at her memory-', something she meant to do. It concerned Ash. but what was it? .Ah. Daisy's kennel. She wanted Ash to take it back to Sunrise so she could use the space to line up all her shoe boxes. Fifty pairs of shoes, as she'd found out. took up a lot of room. Well, she might as well drag it out now and put it by the front door so she didn't forget again.
Daisy sniffed and barked as Fanny dragged the huge crate to the foyer. 'Take out everything. Daisy. You aren't going anywhere, so relax."
The little dog pawed at the small quilt and a stuffed toy that had been left behind. "What's that 9 " Fanny asked as she bent down to pick up a manila envelope. She stared at the return address, at hers and Simon's name and then at the date. The
thick package was four months old. "Damn you, Simon, you could have told me you put this in the kennel," she muttered. She didn't have time to look at it now. She'd do it later when she was in bed. Five minutes to go.
The private penthouse elevator whisked Fanny to the lobby. "It's wonderful!" she shouted as she looked around at her employees. All the girls wore short skating-style red velvet outfits and caps trimmed in the same faux ermine as her own gown. The men wore red velvet Santa suits and shiny black boots.
"Bess! You look gorgeous."
"Then it must be true. John said the same thing. You look beautiful, Fanny. The outfit is very becoming. My thick waist doesn't do this gown justice the way your twenty-six-inch waist does. Remember now, get under the sleigh, and when the doors open you yell, Merry Christmas!"
"Bess, that's pretty corny."
"Your patrons expect it. One minute to go!"
"Open the doors, Neal!"
The police and security guards held their arms out to allow the first four guests through the front doors; Ash in his wheelchair, Jake on his lap. Billie Coleman Kingsley was on his right, Thad on his left.
Fanny ran to the front of the casino. She kissed Ash's cheek, hugged Jake, whose eyes were so wide they almost popped from his head. "Thank you for coming," she said to Billie and Thad.
"We wouldn't have missed this for the world. You made the news in Washington, D.C. It was one of those television channels that gives a little synopsis of what's going on around the country. Thad gassed up his plane the minute we saw it, and here we are."
"We have to get out of the way."
"Fanny, I don't know what to say," Ash said.
"Don't say anything until you see the village. Take Jake to the hanging gardens, and I'll join you as soon as we fill up."
"The Strip's empty, Fanny. I think everyone in the world
274 Fern Michaels
is outside. I think there are more people here than we had for the grand opening. This is your grandma Fanny, Jake."
Jake stared at the red gown, his little hand reaching out to touch the fur. "You get me Santy Claus hat, Pop Pop?"
Fanny removed her hat in the blink of an eye. She handed it to Ash, her eyes filling with tears. "He's so beautiful, Ash."
"Yeah, I know," Ash said gruffly as he settled the white fur cap on his grandson's head. "It's a red snowball, sport." The little boy giggled as he tickled his grandfather under the nose with the red snowball.
"We'll see you later, Granny," Ash laughed. "We're in room 2311. He had two naps, so he can probably hold out till midnight. You might want to tuck him in."
"Oh, Ash, yes I would. Let's meet at the entrance to the village say around ten-thirty and see how he's holding up. I sent some presents up to the room earlier. Big red bows and all that. Our kids used to like the paper and bows better than the presents. The empty boxes, too. They used to play with empty boxes by the hour."
Ash stared at Fanny, his face blank. "I never knew that, Fanny."
"I know, Ash. It's all right. It wasn't something important. It was a memory. You better get to the village before the crowds become too dense. Besides, I think that little guy is about to explode. Get his picture taken with the Santa. Be sure to get one for me."
"Okay. You ready, sport? There's a big guy in there in a red suit who is just waiting to ask you what you want for Christmas. You got your list ready?"
Jake fished in his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He waved it triumphantly in Ash's face.
' 'It's almost like a miracle, isn't it, Fanny?'' Billie whispered.
"That's strange, Billie, I was thinking the same thing. That man is not the man I was married to. I like the man I was jus talking to. Am I crazy?"
bitterness for so long. Jake looks like one of the cherubs on a Christmas card."
"Ash said I can go up to their room and tuck him in later."
4 'I hope this visit is everything you want it to be. I don't suppose Simon is coming, is he?"
'That's right up there with the Pope coming to Vegas, Billy. He did call earlier, and it wasn't a nice conversation. I'm not discounting the fact that he made an overture, but he made it in anger. I could hear it in his voice. I don't feel the same way about Simon anymore, Billie. I want to,
but something in me died. It's the same feeling I had when Ash and I split up. Simon asked me if I wanted him to come for Christmas, and I said no. I said no because I'm sick and tired of stress and strain. That's what holidays are, you know. I refuse to put myself through that ever again. Daisy and I can manage just fine. I think I'll get her a playmate."
' 'I hear something in your voice, Fanny, and there's a strange look in your eyes. I want a full accounting."
"Later, when things quiet down, okay?"
"Okay. Now I better find Thad. He's got money from his colleagues, a dollar each, to play. Big spenders. I wish they'd be that frugal with our tax dollars."
Fanny laughed as her eyes searched the crowd. It wasn't until a long time later that she realized she was looking for Marcus Reed. The realization made her warm all over.
The room looked the same. The men seated around the huge table looked the same. The sterling service was the same. The orchid flower arrangement had been replaced with festive greenery and poinsettias in deference to the approaching holidays.
"The Emperor is back."
"Just to visit. He brought his grandson with him."
"Our customers deserted us. Everyone is outside, waiting to get into Babylon. Who the hell thought Christmas decorations were important. Women!"
276 Fern Michaels
"Babylon is one of the seven wonders of the world. The Christmas decor is worthy of the establishment. It's time you all gave some serious thought to hiring a few women. Women have ideas. Women know what other women want. Most women are mothers and, consequently, anything geared toward children will hold a great deal of appeal. Women do not. I repeat, do not want to see tough-looking men in dark suits, cigars, and smelly rooms. They want flowers, bright colors, and an air of gentility. I told you repeatedly your old ways no longer work. Tell me, how many of you here made your way across the street this evening? A show of hands will do nicely." Every hand in the room went up. "Since money is no object, what seems to be your problem?"
"Who can compete with the Thornton name?"
The man at the head of the table shrugged. ' 'You asked me to assess the situation and to come up with a remedy. What do you do when you have an out-of-control fire?"
' 'Fire, shmire, what the hell does a fire have to do with the gambling business?"
"You dig a trench. Then you build a second fire so they slap at each other, at which time both fires are extinguished."
"You want us to burn down Babylon!" someone asked in amazement.
"NO." The single word was a thunderbolt of sound. "Does the word copycat mean anything to any of you?"
"You want we should make our establishments look like Babylon? They won't agree to that."
"All of you here told me money was no object. Are you saying you lied to me?"
"No. We aren't saying that at all."
"If you don't wish to fight fire with fire, then you will have to come up with some other remedy. Short of torching the building."
"We'll offer to buy her out. Things happen all the time.'*
"Those things will come back to haunt you. How many times do I have to tell you, your old ways no longer work?"
"Women don't know anything about operating a business. She'll run it into the ground in a year. We'll pick up the pieces."
"Let me show you gentlemen something," the man at the head of the table said. "These are P & L sheets for Mrs. Thornton's two companies, Sunny's Togs and Rainbow Babies. It's not important how they came to be in my possession. Look at them carefully and tell me this lady doesn't know what she's doing. All you have to do is look to your own businesses and then look across the street."
"She's stealing our business."
'WO. Mrs. Thornton is generating business by using her head. A detailed report of my findings will be in your superior's hands by the close of business tomorrow. Good-bye, gentlemen, and good luck."
"That's it! We paid you a million dollars for this!" someone shouted.
' 'You paid me a million dollars to show you what you were doing wrong. I showed you. I still contend Mrs. Thornton is no threat to any of you. She's running her business the only way she knows how, successfully. She has no interest in this side of the street. My original opinion stands: Mrs. Thornton affords you respectability."
"What's she building out there in the desert?" someone sneered.
1 'A state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitation facility for her daughter and others like her who suffer from muscle and nerve diseases. At our last meeting I suggested you might want to anonymously donate some monies to such a worthy cause. I'm sure Mrs. Thornton will be astute enough to figure out where the money came from and give credit where credit is due. Good day, gentlemen."
"How can we reach you if things change?"
"Your employers know how to reach me. Have a nice holiday."
278 Fern Michaels
It was almost midnight when Marcus Reed crossed the street to Babylon. He walked up to the plate glass window and stared inside. He felt like he was a kid again with his nose pressed close to the bakery window. His eyes searched the crowds and then he saw her. She was smiling at someone and talking animatedly. "Well-done, Fanny," he whispered, before he walked away.
Fanny turned when she felt someone was staring at her. Her gaze swept the room and then moved to the front of the casino. Her heart lurched when she thought she saw Marcus Reed. It must have been a trick of the lighting. She moved off toward the elevators. She crossed her fingers, hoping Jake was still up.
"Fanny. Jake and I have been waiting. He's so full of piss and vinegar he's never going to go to sleep. He loves those toys you bought him."
"Ash, if you want to go downstairs, I can stay with Jake."
"Tomorrow is soon enough. I realized I don't miss this place at all. You did real good, Fanny. I'm proud of you."
"Really, Ash. Did Jake love it?"
' 'Do birds fly? The kid ate it up. He asked more questions. He ate so much junk he's got to be high on sugar. Sunny would take a fit if she knew. He never gets candy, and once in a while she gives him a cherry Popsicle. She pumps him full of all kinds of vitamins and stuff."
Fanny nodded. "Hi, Jake."
"Hi."
' 'Did you have a good time tonight?''
"Yep. Santy Claus give me this."
"A net. What's it for?"
"Fishing. Where's the present, Pop Pop?"
"Right here."
The little boy ran over to his grandfather, reached for the present and handed it over shyly. "Is for you."
"Forme?"
"Merry . . . merry ..."
"Christmas," Ash said.
"Yep, Christmas."
Fanny unwrapped the small gift that had more cellophane tape than paper on it. "Oh, my goodness, a plastic goldfish."
"Me and Pop Pop caught it. Is a present."
"And a lovely one it is. Thank you very much."
"Do you want to play?"
"Sure." Fanny kicked off her shoes and hiked up her gown before she sat down cross-legged on the floor. "Let's build a castle with the blocks. You'll be the prince and Pop Pop will be the king. Polly will be a princess."
"What's Mommy?"
"Mommy's the queen."
"What's you?"
Fanny's throat closed tight. She struggled to swallow. Her eyes implored Ash.
"Who do you think she is, Jake?"
"Santy Claus's mommy."
Fanny started to giggle. "Okay, that's who I am."
At one o'clock Fanny called a halt to the castle building. "I think it's time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed."
"No."
"No? Are you telling Santy Claus's mommy no? Tsk tsk," Fanny said, clucking her tongue.
"C'mon, sport, let's hop to it. I want to see if there's any fairy dust on those back teeth."
"Okay, Pop Pop. I got it all out the last time."
"Yeah, I know, but it grows back really quick. Stand on the stool and do a really good job."
> "Fairy dust! Ash, you never cease to amaze me. He's wonderful. I can see why this place lost its hold on you."
4 'It works every time. The kid is just dying for me to find some in his teeth. He makes me laugh like hell."
"I guess you're good for each other. Is Sunny doing okay?"
"It depends on what you mean by okay. In my opinion she's doing lousy. She does her exercises, she eats right, she sleeps a lot, and her patience is at the low end of the scale. Tyler
280 Fern Michaels
wants to take Jake to New York. She's considering it. He told her he was dating someone. She seems okay with it."
Jake returned to the living room half-dressed, his mouth open for inspection. "I think you got it all, Jake."
"Goody. Wanna see?" he said to Fanny, opening wide.
Fanny plucked a sparkling sequin from the cuff of her sleeve. "Oops, looks like you missed one. Hold still. There, I got it."
"Wow! Did you see that, Pop Pop?"
"Boy are you lucky Grandma Fanny found that last little bit of fairy dust. Next time try to remember to brush harder." The little boy nodded solemnly as he hopped up on the couch. He curled into Fanny's arms.
"Tell me a story."
"All right. Once upon a time there was a ..."
"Out like a light. That's usually how far I get. Then he wakes up around three or four and wants to know what comes next."
"I envy you, Ash," Fanny said softly.
"Don't ever envy me, Fanny."
"You know what I mean. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Sunny's been hitting Jake. I don't mean a tap on his tush either. She gives him some pretty heavy-handed wallops. I told her if she did it again, I was going to call Tyler. I've suggested everything under the sun. She closes her ears. Her big thing right now is putting those gates back up. She thinks if she does that, it will keep you out. What she's trying to do is lock herself in. Or maybe she wants you to drive up and smash through them the way she did. Aside from that we have some good days. We watch television together sometimes. We cook together. We usually take a walk every day. Like I said, she sleeps a lot. Jake is with me all the time."
Vegas heat Page 28
