Love Takes All

by J. M. Jeffries

  “We can try to get to all of those, but Hunter and I have other things to check out.”

  “I know, Mom, but you said you wanted to come here because it’s kid friendly. Don’t you think we should check out the kid-friendly parts first?” She popped another french fry into her mouth.

  “She has a point,” Hunter said after a drink from his soda.

  She leaned toward Hunter. “Yes, she does have a point, but it’s not always good to give in to her even if she has logic on her side.”

  Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Translation—she keeps you on your toes.”

  And then some, Lydia thought with a fond look at her precocious daughter. “Exactly.”

  “Mom,” Maya said dramatically. “It’s true.”

  Lydia sighed. She’d wanted a daughter who thought for herself and Maya added her own unique twist to that. “Let’s get going if you want to make the acrobat show.”

  Hunter paid for their lunch and they set off for the theater showcasing the Chinese acrobat show. As they waited in line for the doors to open, Maya’s eyes were caught by all the acts that had been staged around the theater. Jugglers, clowns and magicians entertained the crowds of children clustered about them.

  Lydia took photos of everything. One thing she noticed was that the casino wasn’t nearly as crowded as the entertainment areas. Like Las Vegas, Reno was making itself over as a family friendly entertainment venue. Even Miss E. had commented that the casino areas had been reduced in size to make room for more entertainment.

  The Chinese acrobats were marvelous and even Lydia was enchanted with them and their impossible body movements. Maya clapped and screamed. She covered her eyes when the acrobats appeared to do something dangerous and she watched with amazement as they moved.

  Afterward, they stood outside the theater trying to decide what to do next.

  “I’m hungry,” Maya said.

  Hunter looked surprised. Lydia simply smiled. “Of course you are.”

  “How about some ice cream?” Hunter asked.

  Maya nodded enthusiastically. They stopped at a small café and sat down at a table. The café was all bold yellow and blue with a ceiling that was painted like a huge tent.

  “We’re going to have to come back later,” Lydia confessed to Hunter once they’d placed their order.

  “Yes.” Maya clapped her hands.

  “Not with you, pumpkin,” Lydia said.

  “But Circus Circus is for kids.”

  “That’s true,” Lydia replied. “Let me explain what I’m thinking. I noticed there are more people in the entertainment areas than in the casinos and I want to know if it’s the same after dark when children are in bed. So we need to come back to study that.”

  “Why?” Hunter asked curiously.

  “I know my job is getting the spa built, but I’ve been thinking about the hotel and casino as a whole. If I were a guest in the Mariposa, I would want everything the hotel has to offer. And as the owner, I want my guests to stay in the hotel, shop, gamble, relax and eat without leaving the premises. We can’t compete with the big boys, but we can offer the best of everything. And I want to know what works. Do we need to make the spa a more prominent feature, or the gambling? I want to see what the night life is like in order to figure this out.”

  “This isn’t just a hobby for you, is it?” Hunter asked.

  “Do you think I’m just dabbling?”

  “Lydia, you can spend the rest of your life doing nothing. And a lot of people, if they were in your shoes, would be doing exactly that.”

  “I’ve done that and that is a discussion for when we’re alone.” She shot a meaningful glance at her daughter. She wasn’t about to tell any details about her marriage in front of Maya. She’d spent her entire marriage going to charity lunches, arranging flowers, shopping and grooming. She was a mom and a wife and she liked being both. What she didn’t like were the endless hours left to fill. And when Mitchell and Maya were gone, she had felt a longing to do something more, to accomplish something else.

  Her mother would have argued that doing charity work should have been fulfilling enough. Lydia had understood the need for supporting charities, but she wanted something more. She had noticed so many of the women in her social sphere supported charities, not because they believed in them, but because they had something to do to fill the endless hours of their lives.

  She sighed. “I have so much to think about, to talk about with your grandmother and Reed. Coming here to Circus Circus has been an eye-opening experience.”

  “In what way?” Hunter asked.

  “Have you noticed that the slot machines here don’t even chime anymore? Everything is digital. The Mariposa is so old school.”

  “Didn’t you visit casino before the poker game to see what you were getting into?”

  “I’m ashamed to say, I didn’t.” Lydia dropped her gaze to her plate. “I thought casinos were slot machines, roulette wheels, cocktail waitresses in skimpy little outfits and high stakes poker games.”

  “They still have skimpy outfits,” Hunter said with a chuckle.

  “We have to rethink the shopping area. There are shops everywhere here, not grouped together like the Mariposa has them.” She gestured with her hand to include the nearest shop, which sold magic tricks. A line of children stood in front of a table watching a woman doing magic tricks with cards.

  “And to think this was just supposed to be a fun day with your daughter,” Hunter said with a wry smile.

  “I’m having a wonderful time.” And she was. She enjoyed being with Hunter and Maya. She enjoyed the crowds, the action and the excitement. She enjoyed knowing she was an owner. Every time she thought about the future she saw herself involved with Maya and being Mitchell’s dutiful wife, but now she saw a future for herself. Her mother would have told her how selfish she was and a part of her would have believed her.

  Thinking about her mother reminded her she needed to call and let her parents know what was happening. She tended to avoid talking to her mother because she was still upset that Lydia had abandoned them for Reno as though she’d shamed the family. Caroline Fairchild was all about visibility and status. For a moment, Lydia wondered about her father, Andrew Fairchild, and how he felt. He’d never voiced his opinion. During her childhood, he had kept his distance from her, always a shadowy figure in the background of her life, who always had a disapproving look on his face. The only time she remembered her father smiling at her was on the day she married Mitchell.

  The remainder of the afternoon was spent indulging Maya with her cotton candy obsession, her desire to learn to walk the high wire and how Hunter arranged for her to go backstage and meet all the dogs. That was the moment Lydia knew she would no longer be able to sidestep getting Maya a dog.

  By the time they returned to the Mariposa, Maya was half asleep, clutching a stuffed dog she’d chosen from one of the shops because it resembled one of the dogs in the show. Maya looked so happy Lydia could hardly take her eyes off her. She glowed with such contentment, while Lydia soared with her own happiness. She liked being with Hunter. He made everything fun and his attention to Maya made her glow in a way Mitchell had not.

  Hunter carried a sleepy Maya into the Mariposa. Cradled in his arms, she looked so small, so vulnerable. Hunter had been sweet to Maya all day. Lydia couldn’t help but think what a wonderful father he would make someday. She tried to imagine him with a loving woman against his side and a child clinging to him, but the only vision she had was of her hugged tight against him with Maya holding his hand. She shook her head to banish the vision.

  * * *

  The lobby was in chaos. David and Leon glared at the concierge and hotel manager. Miss E. had one hand out and the other clenched as though she wanted to hit someone.

  “I ordered a limo for seven o’clock
sharp.” Leon looked pointedly at his watch. “It is now five minutes after seven and no limo.”

  “Sir,” the concierge said in a soothing tone, “I have no booking in your name for this time.”

  “This is an abomination. What kind of sub-par, ramshackle hotel are you running here?” Leon slammed his fist down on the counter. “I get better service from a fast food place.”

  “Leon,” Miss E. said firmly. “We offered you a free ride and a free dinner and you’re still upset.”

  Hunter approached the group, holding Maya tightly in his arms. She opened her eyes drowsily and made some comment he couldn’t hear. “What’s the problem here?”

  Leon turned to glare at Hunter. His gaze took in the sleeping Maya and grew even angrier. “What are you doing with my sister?”

  “Just carrying her.”

  “What kind of man exhausts a child like this?”

  Lydia stepped between Hunter and Leon. “Leon, what’s going on?”

  “This hotel is nothing but a travesty. The food is inedible and pedestrian. The staff is surly and uncooperative. And I think one of your blackjack dealers is cheating me.”

  Hunter had to think about that statement. For a second he had visions of two bananas walking hand in hand.

  “The service,” Leon continued, “and staff is shoddy at best. You don’t have enough complaint forms for me to fill out...and...”

  “Leon,” Lydia broke into his rant, “do you really think that by condemning my hotel and casino, you’ll win custody of my daughter?”

  Maya stirred sleepily in Hunter’s arms. Hunter wanted to cover her ears.

  “I can’t believe you’re letting a fine young woman grow up in a place like...” Leon glanced around the lobby, contempt apparent on his face.

  “Like what?” Lydia said in a calm tone.

  “Like a barbaric, uncouth...” Leon stopped, looking around as though searching for inspiration.

  Lydia tilted her head. “You have a lot of nerve calling my casino barbaric and uncouth. I know where your children lived before your father stepped in and found them someplace decent.”

  “Don’t you bring my children into this.”

  “Really? You’re willing to question me about how I’m raising my daughter. I think I’m being more than fair when I question how you are raising your children. You have an offer for a free limo and free dinner on the hotel. I’ll be happy to help you pack up your things and arrange for you to stay in another hotel. Or take you to the airport.”

  “We do have the right to refuse service to people,” Hunter said calmly. Maya had woken up and struggled to be put down, her eyes wide as she took in the scene being played out in front of her. Hunter wanted to shield her, but too much had already been said.

  An elevator door opened and Scott exited. He glanced around and then made his way to Hunter. “I was informed there’s a disturbance.”

  Miss E. glared at Leon. “Just a minor one.” She quickly explained the problem to Scott.

  Scott looked Leon and David up and down. “Gentlemen, either we take this conversation to my office, or we go outside. Either one is good for me.”

  Leon glared. “Are you threatening me and my brother?”

  “No, I’m just offering to help you take your bags to your car and be on your merry way.” Scott cracked his knuckles.

  Leon wet his lips nervously, his gaze darting back and forth.

  “What’s your decision?” Scott asked, leaning against the concierge’s desk.

  Hunter tried not to smile. Scott being intimidating always made him want to laugh.

  Lydia looked shocked, but Miss E. smiled proudly with her “that’s my boy” look on her face.

  Leon stuttered. David shrugged, always the follower. “We’ll take the limo and the dinner.” With a hand around his brother’s arm, David pulled Leon out the door.

  “This isn’t over, Lydia,” Leon said before the doors slid open to the cool desert evening.

  Lydia hugged Maya to her. “Okay, Leon. If you say so.” Her tone was tired and dispirited. “This is really going to get ugly, isn’t it?” She pulled Maya to her and hugged her tightly.

  “Momma, what’s wrong?” Maya asked. “Why are you fighting with Leon and David?”

  “David and Leon are just unhappy right now.” Lydia ran a hand through her hair.

  “I don’t like Leon and David anymore,” Maya said firmly. “And they don’t like me.”

  Hunter could see anxiety in Lydia’s eyes and sense her every fear. He squatted down in front of Maya. “Don’t worry, sweetie. The adults will make everything right.”

  Maya didn’t look comforted. She gazed up at her mother.

  Miss E. held out her hand to Maya. “Come on, kiddo. Why don’t we go upstairs and get you ready for bed. Your mom and Hunter need to talk.”

  Maya took Miss E.’s hand and let her guide her to the elevator. She glanced back at Lydia once before allowing herself to be distracted by Miss E.’s infectious laughter.

  * * *

  Hunter watched the tension leave Lydia the moment she sat down on the rock, pulled off her shoes and dangled her feet in the hot springs. She pulled her hair loose and fluffed it around her shoulders.

  “I hate having my daughter be the center of all this unneeded drama.”

  Hunter sat next to her. He wanted to comfort her as much as he wanted to comfort Maya. “You didn’t start this fight, but you need to end it. And I’m telling you that those two idiots have pissed off the wrong people.”

  “Are you going to be bad cop?”

  Hunter shook his head, grinning. “I’m the nice one. Scott, on the other hand, was very well paid to be mean, nasty and underhanded, and he was very good at what he did.”

  “He’s not going to do anything to hurt them?” Lydia stared at the moon rising over the desert.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  Lydia leaned against him and he slid an arm around her. She sighed in contentment. “I wish they would just go away and leave me in peace.”

  “You’re going to have to make them go away,” Hunter said. The world was full of Leons and Davids who felt the world not only belonged to them, but they could order it to their satisfaction.

  “If their worry is just about money, I’m happy to share.”

  “They are not going to go away. No matter how much money you give them, they’ll run through it and come back for more. If your husband had wanted them to have money, he would he would have given it to them. Don’t shortchange Maya.”

  She splashed her toes in the warm water. Behind them, the lights in the pool area started to go off as the people began shutting the pool and adjacent cabanas down for the night.

  “Maya doesn’t need six hundred fifty million dollars,” Lydia said quietly.

  “Neither do David and Leon.”

  She glanced up at him. “You’re not helping.”

  “I hate bullies and I specifically hate bullies who try to leverage a child to get what they want. The worst thing you can do is give in to them.”

  “There you are,” Scott said as he walked down the pathway.

  “What’s wrong?” Lydia asked, tensing up again. “Is Maya all right?”

  “Maya’s fine, but you need to come to the lobby right now.”

  What new drama awaited them? Hunter thought as Lydia slipped her wet feet back into her sandals. He pulled on his socks and shoes and followed her into the hotel.

  Lydia strode purposefully through the long winding corridors to the lobby, where she stopped so suddenly Hunter ran into her.

  A tall, imposing man with graying hair stood at the desk. He wore an excellently tailored suit and power tie. Next to him stood a small, slender woman dressed in a beautifully shaped dress that hugg
ed her small, slender figure to perfection. From Lydia’s resemblance to them, Hunter knew immediately these were Lydia’s parents, Andrew and Caroline Fairchild. He almost chuckled. Somehow, he’d been expecting them to show up, too.

  “Mother,” Lydia said in confused tone. “Father. What are you doing here?”

  Her father gazed at her. “Lydia, my God, what have you gotten yourself into?”

  Chapter 6

  Lydia pressed her mouth together tightly to keep her angry retort inside. She started to think of something that would placate them, but couldn’t form those words either. She was twenty-nine years old and refused to be treated like a child any longer. Standing up to her parents wasn’t easy, but if she wanted a life out from under their thumbs, she knew she needed to find the steel inside her Miss E. insisted she had.

  Her father approached her with firm steps, his face set in lines of authority. “Lydia,” he said in a quiet tone, “if only you’d come to me for advice. I would have talked you out of this...this...poorly conceived adventure.”

  Caroline looked at Lydia with sadness in her eyes. “Everyone in New Orleans is so concerned that you’ve abandoned your senses after Mitchell’s passing. Now that we’re here we’ll fix this, we’ll find a way to extricate you from this dreadful situation you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  Lydia felt irritation rising. “Fix what? Do you know anything about painting a wall, or plumbing?”

  “Don’t talk back to your mother,” Andrew Fairchild said in a commanding tone.

  Patience, Lydia told herself. She pasted a smile on her face. “We need to get you a room and then we can discuss all your concerns in the morning.”

  “You are not brushing us off,” her father said.

  “Well, if you want to sit here and talk, that’s okay. I’ve had a long day and I’m going to bed. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast at seven o’clock. We can talk then.”

  “You know I never wake up before ten, Lydia,” her mother admonished her.

  “Unfortunately, on this side of the country, things start early. I have a daughter and I have a job. You will have to accommodate me.”