Celia's Knight (California Love Trilogy Book 3)

by Samantha Lovern

  Randi nodded, took a few more bites and then ask another question. “Do you think she wants Martin? I mean down deep was she in love with him, or do you have a clue?”

  Mike gave this some thought, ate a few more bites and shrugged. “I don’t think I’m a good judge. Did she come out and say she loved him? No. Do I think she wants him back, maybe. But to me, the big question is, why?”

  Randi glanced over Mike’s shoulder and after a thoughtful moment asked, “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve talked to Celia and she knows it’s over. I think she’s looking for revenge. Mind you, I’m not saying she’s faking. I don’t know. I’m just saying if she is faking, I don’t think she wants Martin. I think she wants to put him in his place.”

  *****

  Randi was a bit surprised at how candidly Mike was talking. After his last comment they both became quiet and sat eating. She was mulling over the things he’d said and wanted to ask him one more question, but she wasn’t sure if she should.

  Part of her knew the answer. Mike was here. Mike was concerned about Celia so that said he had feelings of some kind for her. “Did you know Celia before she and Martin started dating?” she asked instead.

  “No. I met her after they started dating.”

  Randi nodded slowly as this answered her question. Yes, Mike had feelings for Celia. If there was no prior acquaintance then something was going on.

  Martin had told her how Celia had doted on Mike and though he didn’t seem like the type to fall for such antics, something had happened.

  Randi tried to think of something to say, but nothing came. She glanced at the man before her and noticed a band-aid on the back of one of his hands. Trying to make a joke and break some of the tension in the room, she smiled, pointing. “Cut yourself shaving?”

  The question was one from her childhood that she would ask her dad no matter where he wore a band-aid. Mike tilted his hand over and shrugged. “I did this working on a house - the one I’m remodeling with Celia.”

  “I think I recall Martin talking about that. Remodeling an old house does not seem like a favorite past-time for someone like Celia.”

  Mike laughed. “No, it’s not. She’s doing it for the money. I’m doing it because I love restoring old gems.”

  “Does she help?”

  Mike chuckled to himself and shook his head. “I’ve gotten her to hold a board once or twice, nothing much more than that. She does hang around to talk and watch.”

  Randi nodded still wanting to ask if he had feelings for Celia but she knew it was not her place to question him. Inside, she had to think he did care. If he didn’t, why would he be so upset and why would he even be here now?

  “I don’t care what he wants, he’ll do what’s best for Celia.” That was the last thing Vicky Carson said as she walked into the waiting room. She stopped when her eyes met Randi’s, and after a few seconds, she regained her composure.

  Vicky walked to the refreshment table, poured two cups of coffee and then, she and her husband walked over to a window. They whispered for a few moments and Randi knew they were talking about her.

  She wanted to rise and leave. She felt so out of place. She knew they did not want her there and, at that moment, she wished she wasn’t there either. When Vicky finally came over to the couch, looked down at Mike and spoke, Randi felt like she’d been put in her place.

  “I suppose that Martin is still in visiting with Celia. Poor thing. She has no idea what’s taken place over the last few weeks. It’s good of Martin to think of Celia at a time like this. I know that it’s best for now.”

  Mike only nodded. Randi couldn’t even make herself look up at the woman. She knew there would be a gloat of a smile on Vicky’s face. What could she say? ‘Yes, I have a great boyfriend and though he can’t stand your daughter, he’ll do what’s best for her in the long run.’

  There was a bit of silence and Vicky spoke again. “I know this is difficult, dear. Candy is it?”

  Randi knew this time she would need to face the woman so she put on an ‘I’m so sorry smile’ and shook her head. “It’s Randi. And, yes, I’m sorry this happened to your daughter.”

  She couldn’t think of anything else to say. The woman was gloating and Celia, lost memory or not, had won this round. “Martin is such a dear,” Vicky began, taking a seat. “He’s put us up in a nice hotel and had a cab pick us up though I do think we’ll need to rent a car. Don’t you think so, Edward?” she asked, looking up at her husband.

  “I can’t afford to be off from work for too long but renting a car might be more economical. We’ll see what the doctors say about her long-term outcome.”

  Vicky nodded and smiled again. Thankfully, she turned from Randi this time and looked at Mike. “How do you know my daughter?”

  Mike stammered, paused at taking his last bite and glanced from Randi to Vicky. “I helped when Martin and Celia broke up. I moved her things. We ended up working on a venture together.”

  “Are you the one working on that old house? I told her that was a bad idea. You can’t sell houses in this market. I hope she’s not invested a lot.”

  “It’s a nice home. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble moving it.”

  “Good. Maybe we can take a look at it. I think this whole arrangement is strange. What does Martin think about you and Celia spending so much time together?”

  “I’m fine with it. What Celia does is her business,” Martin said, as he entered the room.

  “How was she?” Vicky asked changing the subject.

  “She slept mostly. We didn’t talk much.”

  Randi kept her eyes on Martin trying to read his mood but he was good at hiding his feelings. The only reassurance she got was a quick half smile he tossed her direction.

  “Did she talk about the party? I told her we’d handle everything. There is no use in upsetting her.”

  “She did mention the party, that we would need to advise the guests that it would be postponed. I didn’t say much. I told her to not worry about anything and rest.”

  Vicky didn’t glance at Randi as she spoke but kept her eyes on Martin. There was a snide tone in her voice as she rose and crossed her arms. “Do I need to remind you it could be detrimental to your career if anyone found out Celia has lost her memory and you were too self-absorbed to be there for her?”

  Martin stayed composed. Randi was amazed at how calm he seemed. She wanted to knock Vicky into next week.

  “I didn’t tell her and I’ll go along with this charade for a while. I’m not heartless but I know your daughter, and at the first sign that she’s faking, I’m gone.”

  Vicky looked a bit unsettled and said, “She would never do anything like that. She’s not desperate. I’ll hold you to that promise, but be warned, a mother grizzly has nothing on me when it comes to retribution. You will be the devoted boyfriend or you’ll pay dearly. I’ll see to that.”

  Chapter 10

  Ceasefire

  “Well, it looks like she’s done her homework,” Mike said, as Martin closed the door behind Vicky and Edward Carson. Martin walked to the couch, bent down and kissed Randi on the cheek and sat down.

  “What’s he talking about?” Randi asked, crossing her arms.

  Martin could see she was not happy and he didn’t blame her. He wanted to reach out and hold her hand but knew now was not the time. “It was a movie, one of my older ones and not a very good one. I was a park ranger. It was one of those animals gone wild movies and I had to fight it out with a mother grizzly.”

  Mike laughed. “If I recall, she all but killed you.”

  “Funny,” Martin said, letting out a sigh. “Like I said, it was an old movie. I was about nineteen and I wasn’t the star. I did, however, survive just like I’ll survive this.”

  Mike leaned forward on the couch and asked, “Well, what do you think? Is she faking?”

  Martin knew this was the same question Randi wanted to ask. She kept her arms crossed and waited for his an
swer. “To be honest, I don’t know. She was pretty out of it. She was in a lot of pain and I couldn’t read her. I will say that I wouldn’t put it past her.”

  Martin started to rise but Randi reached out and put her hand on his arm. “You want some coffee?”

  “I’d like a plate of fruit.”

  “I’ll get it.”

  “Thanks.” Martin wanted to thank her for more than just the fruit but for now, he’d let it go. He turned to Mike and spoke as honestly as he could, “Do you think we can call a truce. I’m going to need as much help as I can get. I can’t keep going in and out of this place. Someone is going to see me and when the press gets a hold of this, it will be rough.”

  Mike nodded. “We can call a ceasefire. It’s just frustrating. I didn’t mean to be a jerk. I just feel guilty. I told you to dump her. I felt later that it wasn’t my place to say that. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I took my frustration out on you.”

  Randi’s cell rang so it was taking a little longer to get his fruit, but it was a good thing. Martin didn’t care if she missed this part of the conversation. “Do you have feelings for Celia? I don’t care if you do. I’m not jealous or anything close.”

  Mike glanced at Randi and shrugged. “I don’t know. Sometimes I want to scream and other times I want to hold her.”

  “That’s Celia. She’s either hot or cold.”

  “She can be nice when she’s not trying to be this ice queen. She forgets sometimes when we’re busy working and talking. She becomes this other person - a person I like. It’s a shame but I’ve got to say that I’ve seen more of the ice queen than the other.”

  “It’s good. She needs someone like you.”

  Mike laughed. “Like me? What does that mean?”

  “You won’t take any nonsense. I let her push me around. I tried to be what she wanted and it didn’t work. She needs someone strong. She would never admit to it but she’s an overgrown, spoiled child who has gotten her way too many times.”

  Randi was off the phone in about five minutes and she handed a plate of fruit to Martin. He and Mike stopped their conversation and Martin began to eat. Randi explained that it was Nancy and that she needed to go back to work.

  Martin knew in the long run it would be best if Randi were not around. He left Mike in charge of waiting on the doctors and he and Randi slipped out to have some alone time. When they were in the car and heading out so Martin could pick up his truck, he spoke.

  “I hope you know the minute I see this is just a scam I’m out of here.”

  “I understand. I know I look irate, and I am. That woman! I wanted to give her a piece of my mind. I know Celia is her daughter and that she’ll take up for her even if she’s lying, but who does she think she is?”

  “I think you may be the real grizzly,” Martin said with a grin.

  “You better watch it. I have two trained attack dogs and they will tear you apart for a dog biscuit.”

  “I’m shaking in my shoes.”

  Randi finally laughed and it was good to hear that she was feeling more at ease. She pulled into the driveway and they climbed out of her car. Martin couldn’t wait any longer to hold her.

  He walked around the front of the car and pulled her into his arms. The actor in him created a scene. He brushed back her hair, placed his other hand on her waist and then, after building some tension, leaned in slowly and kissed her.

  The need to hold her was amazing. Also, here is where it was different from acting. He kissed her with real feeling. When he tilted his head, there was no trick Hollywood kiss. His lips parted and he could taste cinnamon.

  “I’m sorry all of this happened,” he whispered between kisses. “And, if you need to hear it, she is not going to come between us. I don’t have any feelings for her except pity.”

  Randi didn’t answer in words. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her face on his shoulder. It felt so good to hold her. “I love you.” It was getting easier to say, he noticed.

  She leaned back and smiled. “You don’t know how glad I am that you said it first.”

  “What does it matter?” Martin asked.

  “I know men. I know how hard it is for you guys to say stuff like this - even you actors who think you got it going on.”

  “What do you mean ‘got it going on’?” Martin smiled and Randi leaned back, looking at him.

  “I’ve dated a few guys and I’ve watched some of your movies. You’ve got some smooth moves. I’m not complaining. I know a lot of guys who could take lessons.”

  “Is that a compliment?”

  “It sure is, and thanks. It was nice to hear. I know this Celia thing is going to be rough but I’m not going anywhere. It’s going to take more than the likes of her to send me packing.”

  Martin smiled, stole one more kiss, and took Randi by the hand. “Come on. I need to change and pack a few things.”

  “Don’t you want me to say ‘I love you’ back, first?”

  “You’ll say it when you’re ready,” he teased, “and besides I’m pretty sure I know where I stand. You’re still here, aren’t you?”

  *****

  “What day is it?” Celia wanted to stretch but she knew better. Instead she settled for the nurse helping her with a pillow.

  “It’s Friday the 8th.”

  “Friday. I thought it was Wednesday.”

  “Sorry, dear. You came in Tuesday and today is Friday.”

  “Wow, I’m sleeping a lot. Did I have visitors or did I dream that?”

  “I know there are several people here. But the only ones I can name off are two very handsome men, one is Mike, and of course, Martin Taylor, the actor.”

  Celia smiled. “Yes. He’s my boyfriend. Can I see him?”

  “I’ll go to the waiting room and tell him you’re awake.”

  “Thanks, please do that.”

  Celia shakily raised her hand to her lips, eating from a cup of ice the nurse had given her. She wondered what she looked like. It was probably a good thing that she didn’t have a mirror. She tried to think through the fog of her mind and recall what had happened the last few days.

  Slowly she remembered her conversations with her mother and Martin. He hadn’t pressed the issue about if she could remember anything. That was good. It showed that Martin was his usual kind, gallant self.

  She always could get him to do what she wanted. Martin was a gentleman, and that was his downfall. He just didn’t know how to tell a woman in need, ‘no’.

  Celia ate a few ice chips and fell asleep. She jumped when she felt someone touch her hand. Her eyes came open quickly but it wasn’t Martin, it was her mother. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, dear. How are you feeling? The nurse said you were awake asking for someone.”

  “Tired, and I think I’ve lost a few days.”

  “It’s okay. You need the rest.” Vicky moved close and started to work on Celia’s hair.

  “I’m sure I’m a mess.”

  “Well, you want to look your best when Martin comes by. He’s been here a lot.”

  “Is that girl with him?”

  Her mother gave her a look that implied ‘proceed with caution’ and spoke softly to Celia, “Be careful what you say. You never know who’s listening.” Vicky moved to the door and closed it and went back to the bed. “She’s been here some. She doesn’t like it that Martin’s coming to see you.”

  “I bet she doesn’t. What’s he saying?”

  “Nothing to me. I kind of warned him that if he didn’t go along that I’d call in the gossip columnists and let them know what a pig he was.”

  “I bet he didn’t like that. He was always worried about the press. I told him with bad publicity came fame.”

  Vicky nodded. “Even so, I don’t know how long it will hold him, but we’ll see. Are you sure this is what you want? Are you sure you want Martin in your life?”

  “I don’t know.” Celia closed her eyes and felt her mother’s loving hand on her cheek
and then felt those fingers in her hair again. Her mom always did know what to do to make her feel better. “I just want to make him pay. He made me look like an idiot. I want to do the same to him.”

  “I don’t know. It might be best to let things go, let him move on. It’s not that I care. I just don’t want you to miss out on something good.”

  Celia was about to go asleep again, but she was fighting to stay awake. “What are you talking about?”

  “I think while you’re focusing on Martin, someone else has been focusing on you. There is a very handsome young man in the waiting room who seems to be very worried.”

  The next time Celia woke there was a nurse at her side and her mother was gone. “Ma’am, we’re going to move you into a room. You’re doing better so it’s time to get you out of step-down.”

  “Can I have more visitors?” Celia came awake and looked at a second woman who came into the room.

  “Yes, you can. My name is Wanda and I’ll be taking you up to the 6th floor where you’ll have a private room. How long you stay will depend on how well you do.”

  “Thanks,” Celia said. “When will I stop wanting to sleep?”

  “Some of the pain medicine is doing that. The doctor may decrease the dosage and see how you get along. Right now your body needs to rest. Just enjoy the down time.”

  “That’s kind of hard to do. I’m not the type of person to just lie around doing nothing. I like to stay busy.”

  Wanda laughed as she began to get Celia ready to be transported upstairs. “Most women would enjoy a couple of weeks in bed, being waited on. But most of them work a forty-hour week or have kids.”

  “I don’t have kids but I’m always doing something.” Celia tried to think of what to say. What did she have in her life? “I’m working on a new house. Remodeling, it’s hard work and time consuming.” The words were out before she realized it.

  She began to backtrack. “It’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone.” The nurse didn’t seem to care. She nodded and began to work on moving the bed. Celia knew she would have to be careful and she also realized she didn’t have much going on. What was she doing with her life other than spending Martin’s money?