“I see Carl checked out. I’m assuming he’s on his way to Los Angeles for his new life.”
Nina nodded with a happy smile. “Free at last.”
He minded having Carl around, and felt awkward at times while talking to her ex-husband. “Why help him? He’s not your problem anymore.”
“He was my problem. I took over so much of his life and ran it for him, he didn’t know how to take charge for himself. Talent alone isn’t enough to be successful in Hollywood. You’ve lived in Washington, DC. That’s a tougher town than Hollywood any day.”
“Living in DC is all about compromise. I didn’t know how much I hated it until my grandmother won that poker game.”
“Then why stay? You could have work anywhere.”
“My best army buddy, Danny, started the business and asked me to help get it off the ground. I did that. I gave him three years. The business is thriving and I needed to move on.”
“If Anastasia has her way...”
“She won’t. Her father is the kind of man you sell your soul to, and I’m not selling.”
“I already know that, but does Anastasia know? She is a woman on a crusade.”
“I have to convince her that what she wants and what her father wants isn’t going to happen.” Scott liked his new life. He wasn’t going back.
“I’m going to tell you that saying no to the senator is like putting a bullet in your own brain.”
“I know where a few bodies are buried.”
“Ones you’re connected to?” Nina asked curiously.
“No.” He was tired of dirty deals and backroom politics. “My future is working for my family. At first, I thought my grandmother was insane, but I’ve discovered she’s the smartest cookie in the box.”
“She is that. Miss E. is amazing. And so is Lydia. Neither one blinked about the ten-million-dollar jackpot. I wasn’t expecting them to be so comfortable or open-minded about it.”
The waiter returned with bread rolls. “The rolls are salt-crusted sweet bread baked on site especially for our guests and are accompanied by honey butter and apple butter.” The sommelier stepped forward holding a bottle of wine that he uncorked in front of them. “The wine,” the waiter continued, “is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from the Ripe Vine vineyards, a winery right here in the Reno area.”
The sommelier poured a little wine into a large, round goblet. Scott swirled the wine in the glass and then gently sipped it. The bouquet was fruity and tart, but he was sure it was perfect. He nodded and the sommelier poured wine into Nina’s glass and then more into his own. The waiter and the sommelier withdrew discreetly.
Scott loved this restaurant with its subdued atmosphere and unobtrusive waitstaff. It was made even better by Nina sitting at his side. He just wasn’t sure how he could entice her to stay longer.
As Nina nibbled on the bread, her eyes went wide. “Wow. I need to steal one of these rolls for my dad.” She broke it apart and put a dab of apple butter on one piece and honey butter on the other and tried each one with a sip of water in between. “This is amazing.”
Scott tried a roll as well and was impressed. “Make sure Donovan gets one, too.”
“I should have brought a bigger purse.” She laughed.
They fell into comfortable silence.
“I need to make a trip to the restroom,” Nina said, sliding out of the booth.
Scott watched her as she strolled around the tables, her body swaying gently, the red dress catching the candlelight from the different tables. She was exquisite and the thought of how the night would end made his heart pound so loudly he was certain the whole dining room could hear.
He wanted a relationship with Nina. For the first time in his life, he had the chance to settle down and explore his goals. While in the army he’d been busy doing things he couldn’t talk about. As a security specialist with his friend, his life had seldom been his own and now that he had the time, he was becoming involved with a woman who couldn’t sit still. At times, he could feel her mind racing, feel her constantly developing ideas. He was totally unprepared for Hurricane Nina and he prided himself on being prepared for everything.
“As I was walking back I saw something interesting,” Nina said when she returned to the table. “Isn’t that your security guard, Gary White, at ten o’clock?”
Scott carefully glanced in the direction she indicated. He could just make out Gary’s profile and he frowned. “Yes, that’s Gary. He’s with Louisa Biggins. Her father, Jasper, originally owned the Casa de Mariposa.”
“Call me cynical, but doesn’t that seem odd to you?” Nina surreptitiously glanced over her shoulder.
Scott shook his head. “Maybe they’re dating.”
Nina tilted her head. “If I were as beautiful and rich as she is, he is not the man I would choose to date.”
“Nina, are you a snob?”
“I’m realistic. Rich and pretty means you get to be the one who picks.”
“But you are rich and pretty.”
“And look who I chose,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Scott chuckled. “You’re making me feel like a car.”
“Yes, a beautiful, American muscle car. Powerful. In control. Fast. Sleek. Who wants a Bentley when I can have you parked in my driveway?”
“Now that I’m all blushing and hot,” Scott said, “we’re just having fun, right? You and me.”
She paused. “Are we? I thought...”
“Where are we going, Nina?”
She studied him for a moment before answering. “I don’t know. Where do you think we should go? I kind of like what we have.”
Scott wanted more, but he was not the kind of man to make a decision like this until he knew what she wanted. He wasn’t the kind of man to step into a minefield without seeing a path. Nina wasn’t a minefield, but the path he saw was littered with complications. She was totally focused on her career and very good at what she did.
One of the most attractive things about her was that she didn’t need a man to feel complete. She stood on her two feet and looked the world right in the eye. If she didn’t like what she saw, she changed it. She’d carved a career for herself out of nothing. She took some basic organizing skills and people skills and turned it into something really interesting. She was going to rebuild the Casa de Mariposa and her efforts would spill over and revive the whole town. In twenty years, Reno could easily rival Las Vegas and everything would point back to her.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, breaking him out of his reverie.
“I’m trying to figure out what you want.”
“Personal and professional? They aren’t the same thing.”
“Both.”
The waiter appeared briefly to refill their wineglasses and announce dinner was on its way. Scott nodded politely and turned his attention back to Nina while she seemed to be searching for an answer.
“Professionally, I want to do good work. I want to help my clients maximize their vision. I want them to be happy doing what they’re doing and make money.”
Scott could accept that. “What do you want personally?”
She thought a little longer. “I want to be queen of my own destiny.”
“I understand that. I’ve been at the beck and call of other people for the last twelve years. First in the army and then in security. I’m ready to take charge of myself, too.”
She smiled at him, reaching for his hand and running her fingers across the inside of his wrist. “When I was a child, my parents made my decisions. When I was married to Carl everything was about him. Now that I’m just me, I’m looking for the next phase in my life. The problem is I don’t know what it is.” She sipped her wine.
“I know you’ll find your way.”
“I know I will, t
oo.”
The waiter arrived with a tray holding the plates of food. He set each one carefully down, wished them enjoyment of their meal, and subtly faded back into the shadows.
Scott watched Nina cut into the Beef Wellington. A look of surprise crossed her face and she grinned. “This is good.”
“I agree.” Scott noticed that Gary White and Louisa Biggins were standing up, their meal finished. Gary draped a shawl around the woman’s shoulders and they walked out. Their waiter bowed politely to them, but they ignored him. Scott couldn’t help wondering what the two of them were doing. Somehow their meal didn’t seem like romance—more like business. He put that thought into the back of his head to examine later.
* * *
The Cowboy Palace was bright and garish with neon lights that blinked on and off at a frantic pace. The theater was round with a stage in the center. Nina and Scott had front row seats. Scott was impressed. When T.J. walked onto the stage he saw Nina, waved and blew her a kiss.
The concert was perfect. T.J. knew how to draw in his audience and give them a show. Afterward, T.J. invited Nina and Scott backstage. Scott was thrilled.
T.J.’s dressing room was unassuming and Spartan. No star treatment here. Nina and T.J. embraced and Nina introduced Scott. Scott was a little awed by this quiet man. He was tall and lanky and dressed in faded jeans, a plaid shirt and fancy-stitched cowboy boots that looked a little worn around the edges. He shook hands with Scott, his grip strong and callused.
T.J. offered bottled water to Nina and Scott. Scott twisted the top off the bottle. Nina set hers on the table.
“How are your parents?” T.J. said, sitting down on a sofa.
“They’re in town,” Nina replied. “They would have come tonight, but Dad is catering a private party and Mom is providing the music. Go on over later, they’ll be up and delighted to see you.” She gave T.J. directions to the hotel. She started telling him about her job and the New Year’s Eve party. In five seconds, T.J. agreed to be a part of the entertainment.
Scott was amazed and suddenly he understood how Nina worked. She had a way of making a person feel incredible. She listened to every word and made suitable comments. Scott sat back and watched. By the time T.J. March let them go, Scott was hooked.
In the car on the way back to the hotel, Scott said, “You had every intention of getting T.J. March to come to play for New Year’s Eve at the hotel before you even arrived at the show.”
She gave him an innocent look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Scott chuckled. “I’m really starting to understand you and I...I like you.”
Nina grinned. “Stick with me. I’ll make sure you have a lot of fun.”
“I already am.”
* * *
Nina didn’t know why she’d been invited to what appeared to be an intimate family get-together in Hunter Russell’s suite. She was just happy dinner wasn’t being served in Miss E.’s RV.
Hunter’s suite looked very similar to hers, only much larger with two bedrooms and a bath on one side of the living area and a master suite on the other side with the kitchen tucked in behind the bathroom. Like her suite, double doors opened to a balcony overlooking the pool. Once the whole family figured out if they were going to live on site or find other accommodations, Nina could see these special suites as a terrific draw as family rooms.
Caroline Fairchild bustled about the dining area setting plates on the table while Nina uncorked wine bottles. The spicy aroma from the covered dishes delivered from the kitchen revealed her father had done the cooking.
Lydia came in looking radiant in a lovely summer dress of yellow and white. Maya wore a matching yellow skirt and white blouse. Nina had brought Kong just for Maya to play with. The second Maya found Kong, she immediately picked him up and took him out of the way to play with him.
Scott uncovered dishes and placed them on the table.
Nina found herself off to the side watching Lydia and Hunter. They looked happy as they held hands. Nina wanted what they had and didn’t know it until this moment. She glanced at Scott who bent over Miss E., laughing at something she said. She caught part of the conversation as Miss E. apologized for Jasper being unable to attend because of a prior commitment.
Nina felt odd watching everyone, seeing them so happy and relaxed. She’d never been one to envy other people’s good fortune, but she had the feeling she was missing something. Something important.
Here she was, only two years away from being thirty, and she’d already accomplished so much. Scott had asked her what she wanted and the question stayed with her while she tried to answer it.
What did she want? She wished she knew. For the first time since she’d been ten years old, she didn’t have a clear goal in front of her. She felt adrift for not knowing.
Nine tried to analyze why she was feeling the way she was. She noticed Scott watching her, a curious look on his face.
Hunter handed out glasses of wine to everyone but Maya, who received grape juice. He called for everyone’s attention. Scott came to stand with Nina and she leaned into him enjoying the warmth of his body against her.
“Everyone, can I have your attention,” Hunter said holding up a hand.
Conversation died away.
Lydia looked happy as she gazed at Hunter. “We have an announcement to make.” The two shared a smile.
“We’ve decided to get married and we would like to do so on New Year’s Day.”
Everyone burst into applause. Nina clapped just as enthusiastically while turning over in her mind all the planning that would need to be done. They only had a couple months.
“Nina,” Lydia said, “I know you have a lot on your plate, but do you know someone who can help with the planning?”
“Of course, I know several somebodies. I’ll get on the phone and call them and see who is available to make your wedding happen. But I need to ask some questions.”
“After dinner,” Lydia said, “Hunter and I will sit down with you.”
Nina nodded. Hunter ushered people toward the dining table and got them seated.
“Can I be your flower girl?” Maya could barely sit still.
“Of course,” Lydia replied.
Food made its way around the table. Nina took double helpings. The roast looked deceptively simple, but she knew her father would have packed a lot of surprise flavors in it.
Nina glanced around the table. Next to her, Scott reached under the table to squeeze her hand. She returned the squeeze. Watching this family work reminded her of her family and how moments like this made her feel as though she were a part of something special.
“What’s going on with you, Scott?” Miss E. said. “I heard some rumbles about the new security procedures you’re putting into place.”
Scott buttered a roll. “Not to say anything mean about Jasper, but a few things needed to be overhauled.”
Hunter laughed. “Bro, that was very diplomatic. I’m proud of you.”
Scott glared at his brother and Nina hid a smile, trying not to laugh. Watching them was just the same as watching her own brothers bicker and tease each other.
“Everyone is being recertified in weapons. I have several workshops we’re doing in conjunction with the Secret Service about spotting counterfeit money, and martial arts mastery is also on the table.” Scott glanced around. “We’re not dealing with terrorists here, but ordinary people who get caught up in unusual circumstances and the security people need to know how to walk the fine line between keeping guests safe and still allowing them to have fun. And all this needs to be an unobtrusive as possible.”
Miss E. laughed. “Maybe I should hire a psychiatrist to help with that.”
Nina chuckled. “That might not be a bad idea.”
“You’re kidding,” Scott sa
id.
“No, I’m not. You’re making sweeping changes to the way things worked before. Even I can see some of the resentment building in some of the employees, especially employees who have been working here for years. They’re afraid they’re going to lose their jobs. They’re confused about the new rules and regulations. People always feel uncomfortable with change, but change happens.”
“We’re in the business of business,” Hunter said.
“And that means, you have to constantly reinvent yourself to stay current.” Nina nodded in agreement. “You’ll be able to take the momentum from my promotional campaigns for a couple years, and then you’ll have to come up with something new.”
Miss E. reached over and patted Nina’s hand. “That’s why I have you, dear.”
Nina felt flattered. She hadn’t even finished this promotion and Miss E. was already giving her the next one.
“And that constantly affects security.” Scott speared meat from the platter. “Because people come up with new and exciting ways to cheat with new scams, new ways of trying to beat the house and just new everything.”
“That’s progress,” Nina said with a laugh. “Progress isn’t always fun.”
“I can put a positive spin on this,” Scott added. “Job security.”
Everyone broke out into laughter.
“Who knew,” Miss E. said, “such a simple thing like winning a poker game could result in so much chaos and complications.”
“And you’re enjoying every minute of it,” Hunter said.
“I’m sorry Jasper isn’t here, but I’m sort of glad.” Scott poured gravy over his meat. “Nina and I saw his daughter, Louisa, at The Blue Velvet last week. She was having dinner with one of my people.” He’d tried to talk to Gary about the meal he’d shared with Louisa, but Gary hadn’t been forthcoming, leaving Scott with a mild sense of unease.
“Louisa wasn’t happy about Jasper’s decision to get rid of the casino,” Miss E. said, her voice troubled.
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