A Stormy Spring

by MacKenzie, C. C.

  Dressed in low slung yoga pants and a matching skinny vest of pale grey, Becca was showing her mother a tricky manoeuvre. Amelie relaxed on a couch nodding as Becca jotted down a couple of changes to her work.

  ‘I am going up to change,’ he told them. ‘Shall I show you to your room, Amelie?’

  They all moved up the stairs, Lucas leading the way to a bedroom that was placed as far as possible from his. If Becca noted it, she made no sign.

  ‘By the way,’ he said as he left them in Amelie’s room. ‘Burt Lindstrom is in town and I’ve invited him to dinner with us tonight. You know what he’s like, Becca, so dress casual.’

  After, Lucas left, Amelie Babineaux sat on the bed.

  ‘Come, and sit next to me, Cherie.’ She waited until Becca sat next to her and pulled her close. ‘How are you?’

  Becca’s throat closed with the weight of swirling emotions; guilt, sorrow and grief.

  ‘I’m a mess, mama. I’m having twins.’

  Her mother simply inhaled a deep breath and hugged her tighter.

  ‘Lucas is a good man. He will be a good father.’

  All the fears, the anxieties tumbled out of Becca and she met her mother’s eyes.

  ‘I can’t open my heart to him or anyone. I can’t take the risk of losing the people I love. It hurts too much.’

  Amelie shook her head and a sharp look entered her eyes. ‘It is supposed to hurt! I did not bring up a coward!’

  She knew that, of course she did. ‘I don’t want to love again. I put all those dreams, a family, a husband, aside. I didn’t want this!’

  ‘I am here for you.’

  ‘I’ve brought you enough grief, Mama.’

  ‘No. You have brought me nothing but joy. Are you telling me you cannot love your children?’

  Becca shook her head. ‘No, of course not.’

  ‘So, it is Lucas you are withholding your heart from?’

  Was she? ‘Everything is too intense between us. It’s not like it was with Rick.’

  Her mother kissed her cheek, stroked her hair. ‘That does not mean it is wrong. It means it is different, and thank goodness for it.’

  Becca bit her bottom lip, and confessed, ‘I sleep in Rick’s shirts.’

  ‘Ah, darling, you miss him. That is perfectly normal.’

  Her mother’s vivid blue eyes were searching and filled with an anxiety that had Becca take another breath. ‘No. I use them as a shield against Lucas, to give me space.’

  With a shake of her head, her mother took her hand. ‘You are afraid of him?’

  ‘Terrified.’

  ‘Then you must tell him. Communication is key in any relationship. Lucas does not appear to be a monster or a bully. And I believe he cares for you very much. Talk to him, give him a chance.’

  She would talk to him, Becca decided.

  Just not yet.

  Burt’s big laugh boomed through the orangery as Amelie wiped her streaming eyes.

  You got a lot of bang for your buck with Burt, Becca decided.

  He was an Australian who looked as if he should be running one of those cattle stations in the outback rather than being a theatre and film impresario. He was a big bear of a man in his sixties with a thick head of strong grey hair. His tall tales were legendary and as those wicked eyes settled on hers, Becca couldn’t help but smile.

  ‘I don’t believe a word of that,’ she told him trying and failing to keep a straight face.

  ‘As true as I’m sitting here. We had to fly in a doctor and nurse to have his pecker unpicked from his zipper. Since we were in the middle of the rainforest it could’ve been nasty,’ he said referring to a star that was known for his action films.

  His eyes still held hers as he sipped his wine. ‘Good to see you back. Justin’s been doing a great job.’

  Becca blinked. ‘I’ve never been away. Justin’s dealing with the contract negotiations leaving me in the studio where I belong.’

  Those dark eyes went sharp now. ‘He mentioned he was working on the final number, said he’d have it ready in a couple of days.’

  Selecting a fat strawberry Becca missed the lightning look Burt exchanged with Lucas. ‘Actually, I’ve sorted it. I’ve been working on it here.’

  Burt showcased white teeth in a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘Yeah? That’s great. How about we go over it now?’

  Puzzled by the sudden change in the atmosphere but too polite to show it, Becca shrugged.

  ‘Sure, if that’s okay with everyone else?’

  Lucas stood and took her hand. ‘Why don’t we show Burt what you’ve done to the ballroom?’

  ‘Well, isn’t this something? What a great floor! All you need are mirrors along that far wall and a barre and you’re sorted,’ Burt said as he made a beeline for the baby grand piano and settled his bulk on the stool.

  Becca kicked off her shoes as Burt lifted the lid. Tickling the ivory keys, his big fingers demonstrated the dexterity and touch of a maestro as he launched into the number. She moved through the routine wearing nothing but jeans and a T-shirt, losing all inhibitions as she threw her heart and soul into dance.

  When it finished, Burt’s brow was creased as he scanned her paperwork.

  ‘Show me how you sorted that wonky transition in the fourth number.’

  She walked over to four A4 cardboard boxes in the corner and pulled out a file. Padding back, she flicked through it and found what she was looking for. ‘It was fixed on the 11 January.’

  ‘Let’s try it.’ Burt thumped out a jazzy number and once she caught the beat Becca touch-stepped and hip-swung into the number.

  When it finished to applause from Amelie, Lucas stepped forward.

  ‘It is late and enough excitement for one night. You are looking pale, querida.’

  Becca wanted to be annoyed by his usual high handed behaviour. However, her head was beginning to pound behind her right eye.

  ‘What’s this? Have you been sick?’ Burt wanted to know.

  With a quick look at Lucas, Becca shook her head. ‘No, I’m pregnant and have been told to take it easy.’

  Stunned, Burt stared at her and then Lucas for a long moment before he crowed with gleeful laughter. ‘By God, I never thought I’d ever see the day! Lucas, you dog!’ He stood to give Lucas a manly hug before punching him energetically on the shoulder.

  ‘That is his way of saying congratulations,’ Lucas told Becca and Amelie apologetically as he rubbed his shoulder.

  Her mother gave both men a grin. ‘If you are going up, Becca, I’m coming too. It has been lovely to meet you, Burt,’ Amelie told him with a shy smile.

  Burt redeemed himself by bowing low over her hand and wiggled a big bushy brow. And Amelie astounded her daughter by blushing like a girl.

  ‘The pleasure has been all mine, ma’am,’ Burt purred like a big lazy lion.

  Burt kept the smile on his face until the women had left.

  Eyes like ice, he turned to Lucas.

  ‘What the fuck is going on?’

  ‘Whisky?’

  ‘Make it a double,’ Burt growled. With a worried frown he flicked through the file of Becca’s work. ‘That pansy faced pretty boy bastard has taken the credit for every piece.’

  Lucas handed him a square chunky glass.

  ‘Thank you for coming at such short notice. But I felt time was of the essence.’

  ‘That kid’s had the stuffing knocked out of her and he does something like this?’

  ‘Tell me about them.’

  Burt sat back and simply stared at him. ‘Well, hell, Lucas. She’s carrying your baby. I’m assuming a certain intimacy here.’

  ‘She’s refused to marry me.’

  Now Burt simply goggled. ‘Sensing a story here.’ At Lucas’s bland stare, he shook his head. ‘Shit. Okay. They’re the best. First used them four, no five years ago. Becca’s the creative talent, but has no more idea of business than a puppy. Justin’s the driving force. He’s petulant and sneaky.
I actually asked him about Becca and why her name wasn’t on the contract we’d drawn up and he said she was unwell and not pulling her weight, blah, blah, blah. To tell you the truth I kept waiting for him to appear this evening.’

  ‘He refused the invitation. To be fair I didn’t tell him you would be here.’

  ‘Just as well, I’d have planted a fist in that pretty mouth of his.’

  Burt paced to the pile of boxes, crouched down and rifled through the files. ‘Every single routine all written in her own fair hand. I’m going to have to tell her, Lucas. Becca has the right to know.’

  ‘I do not think ...’

  ‘Becca has the right to know what?’ Becca said in a voice that chilled Lucas’s blood.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Lucas and Burt rose to their feet as Becca stepped into the room.

  She’d caught the last part of their conversation and now kept furious eyes firmly on Lucas.

  ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘I thought you were going to bed.’

  Outrage shimmered through her system. Who the hell was he to decide what she was to be told?

  ‘Don’t even think about playing me, Lucas.’ She turned and beaned Burt with a look. ‘What do I have the right to know? And don’t look at him, Burt, he’s not my keeper.’

  The headache behind her eyes wound the band around her head even tighter.

  Sinking onto the couch she listened as Burt told her the unvarnished truth.

  Her throat felt as if she’d swallowed sand. ‘There must be some mistake.’

  ‘Where do you keep your copyrighted notes?’ Burt wanted to know.

  Pressing the flat of her hand to her stomach to ease the hard knot of tension, Becca tried to think.

  ‘At the studio. Some are on their way to France with my things and some in a storage facility.’

  Lucas pulled his cell phone from his pocket and jabbed a finger. ‘John? We need the car.’

  Seriously alarmed now, Becca’s eyes flew to his hard face. ‘It’s late. Where are we going?’

  Lucas’s dark eyes met hers. ‘You don’t believe us. I can see it in your eyes. We are going to the studio to pick up your notes and you’ll be able to see the contract details for yourself. You have keys?’

  Her brain still refusing to compute, Becca nodded. ‘Yes.’

  But she spoke to thin air because Lucas had left the room.

  ‘Good, it’ll save us having to pick the lock,’ Burt said with unholy gleam in his eye. Becca realised that on one level the big Australian was having the time of his life.

  Lucas returned wearing a warm jacket and tossed one to Burt before helping her on with hers.

  She found herself bundled into the back of the Bentley with John at the wheel.

  Within fifteen minutes they’d entered the studio that had been the main part of Becca’s life for so many years. The scent of hard working bodies, damp clothes and talcum powder were so familiar and she realised how much she’d missed it. Feeling over emotional she led the way into the office space, slapped on the light and stopped dead.

  Every shelf was empty. Large packing boxes were stacked on the floor each one carefully marked.

  ‘Looks like we were just in time,’ Lucas murmured.

  Burt fired up the computer. ‘What’s the password?’

  Becca told him as she used sharp scissors to split the tape along the top of a box.

  She sank to her knees as she pulled out file after file of each dance including the ideas they’d kept and ones they’d discarded. Every single notation she’d made in the margins were there too along with brainstorming ideas.

  Lucas called John on his cell, barked an order and turned to Becca.

  ‘You do not have time to go through these now. John will take everything that belongs to you back to the house.’

  Burt printed out all the correspondence, the sincere sympathy in his eyes as he handed it to her almost undid her.

  With shaky fingers, Becca read through the proof of what the person who was closer to her than family had done. How he’d taken credit for her work. How he’d lied to Burt about her. And how he’d negotiated payments into a single bank account, his own.

  ‘He told me he’d set up a separate account for this contract. How it would help to keep the books straight for our accountant. But it was all lies.’

  ‘We will get back any money that he owes you, Becca,’ Lucas said in a soft voice.

  She turned on him. ‘It’s not about the damn money. I don’t need it!’

  He blinked at her. ‘You don’t?’

  ‘Of course I don’t. I’m a wealthy woman. My father and Rick left me well provided for. The house didn’t have a mortgage. I sold it at the top of the market....’ She stopped, fisting the papers in her hand and simply held her aching head. How many times had Justin made snide comments about her being a wealthy widow? He’d always had a chip on his shoulder about how he’d come from nothing and she’d been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she’d ignored it putting it down to his artistic insecurity that he wasn’t good enough.

  What she couldn’t understand was why had he’d done it and why now? He knew she’d have given him anything he needed especially if he was in trouble.

  ‘But, why were you living in that tiny apartment? Why didn’t you at least get yourself a cleaner?’

  Head hurting so bad she could barely focus, Becca closed her eyes against the too bright glare of the spotlights in the ceiling.

  ‘I told you, it was supposed to be temporary.’

  ‘Honey, you look like shit. I think we should get you home,’ Burt said.

  ‘Headache?’ Lucas asked in alarm.

  ‘A stinker. It feels like migraine.’

  Lucas cursed himself that they’d brought her along on this escapade.

  Utter fury jerked at the chains of his temper. If he got his hands on Justin, he’d kill him for this.

  He scooped her up in his arms and Becca didn’t resist or complain. She simply dropped her head onto his shoulder and that told him more than anything how unwell she was.

  Burt wiggled his fingers and bent towards the keyboard. ‘You take her home and send John back for me. I’ll email you all the juicy stuff. Justin’s been a busy boy.’

  In spite of the horrible situation Becca found herself in, Lucas couldn’t help but be thankful for the support of his friend. The man was like a child in a candy store. A frown creased his brow as he left with Becca who was too quiet and too limp in his arms. She now had two people in her corner that would make damned sure Justin Cope rued the day he’d stolen from her.

  As John gunned the engine and raced for home, Lucas heard his driver speaking to Moira on the hands free. Becca had captured the heart of his staff too and that was a first. He’d return once she was settled and help Burt. They weren’t breaking any laws Lucas told himself. Becca had let them in and given them permission to access the computer system.

  Once he got her back in the house, she collapsed into bed.

  She didn’t speak a word as he made her take a pill her doctor had prescribed for just such an event.

  Lucas lay beside her and stroked her hair until she fell asleep.

  Becca was naturally deeply upset, who could blame her?

  What started out as an exercise to find out what Justin Cope was up to had become too complicated. Tobin had turned up a major issue with Justin in the United States which had the potential to blow his relationship with Becca out of the water and would need careful and sensitive handling. He’d shield Becca from the worst of it for as long as he could. Lucas shivered. The thought of her being in the clutches of such a man made his blood run cold.

  Becca whimpered in her sleep and he held her close.

  She was too quiet and introspective these days and appeared unhappy living here with him. His heart clenched. The fear that had stalked him for days licked a familiar path up his spine. For the first time he faced the possibility he might lose her. He was doing
everything he could to make her happy by supporting her, loving her, but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps he wasn’t enough? Christ she would break him in ways he dare not think of if she left him.

  He would not think of such things. His priority must be Becca and their babies. And when had he ever failed to have his heart’s desire? All he needed was a little faith to believe in himself and in her. She had strong feelings for him. No way was she faking it when they made love. The attraction between them was undeniable. But the feeling persisted that something was terribly wrong. All he needed was patience and determination to get to the bottom of it.

  As he held her close, inhaled the wonderful scent of her hair, Lucas sent a heartfelt prayer to the Universe for guidance.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  It started with little things.

  There were no afternoon walks in the park. Becca was out when Lucas came home and no one knew where she’d gone. Initially he’d put her low mood down to the fact her mother had returned home but it soon became clear to him that something else was going on with her.

  Lucas asked her to join him for dinner and she did so with a reluctance that brought an ache to his throat.

  She was devastated by Justin’s behaviour. The bastard still refused to take her calls or answer her emails. Lucas wanted her to speak to a lawyer. But Becca refused point blank saying that if Justin needed money so badly then he was welcome to it. He must have, she said, been in serious trouble to do such a thing.

  Naturally, Lucas himself was not so forgiving.

  When Becca looked at him now he didn’t recognise affection or arousal but annoyance and a deep hurt in those big blue eyes that was driving him fucking crazy.

  Frustration with her attitude to roll over and let what Justin did to her go, without doing anything about it, caused arguments and tonight’s was no different.

  ‘You need to keep out of my business,’ she told him.

  Exasperation echoed in his voice. ‘You cannot let him get away with this. What if he does the same to another dancer?’

  Vivid eyes flashed into his. ‘And that would be my fault?’