Sean nodded. “I hope so, otherwise you might just be serious about this woman. And personally I find her fascinating.”
He knew what Sean was fishing for—a reaction. Instead of satisfying Sean, he picked up his glass and took a sip of wine. “She’s already taken. I’m escorting her to the premiere, remember?”
He nodded. “That you are. But that doesn’t mean she can’t be interested in someone else, does it?”
If he said yes, then Sean would have proven a point. If he said no, then Sean would set about to prove a point.
Luckily, he was saved by the ringing of the phone. “I’m expecting a call. Excuse me,” he said and stood.
“I’ll take my regular room. I’m exhausted and need a nap. See you later this afternoon?” Sean asked, standing.
Victor nodded and headed out of the dining room, thinking he wasn’t sure he was ready to face Sean and his usual pranks.
Annie heard the phone but didn’t think anything about it until Helena showed up and said in broken English, “Telephone.”
She nodded and picked up the extension next to her bed. “Hello?”
She was surprised to hear the lodge on the phone, calling to see if she wanted them to continue to hold her reservations. She was glad to know the man on the other end spoke broken English. She thought about it and then answered, “No. Thank you, but I’ll not need them at least for three more days. Can you cancel up through then?”
She was assured it was no problem before disconnecting. Five days. If she only stayed two weeks, then she would be leaving in a week. But she’d agreed to go to a premiere in less than two weeks, so she’d be staying at least three weeks…
She replaced the receiver and stood before the mirror to look at her outfit.
She had on a pair of blue jeans with a tiny braided belt and she’d put on the blue sweater. Instead of a secondary piece of clothing, she’d buttoned it up as a primary top. It looked great that way. They might not wear them like this in Holland, but they did in America. She’d seen others wearing tops like this and she liked the sweater so much that she decided to go for it.
Her pants were let out one-quarter of the way up—just enough room for them to slip over her cast—and then hemmed up the side. They looked great.
She wished she knew who to thank for the alterations.
She quickly combed her hair and then checked her makeup. She started to put her hair back up but paused.
It looked so stark that way. That was how she usually wore it since it was so long, but perhaps…
She thought about braiding it and then shook her head. She pulled it back into a ponytail but thought, too young.
With a sigh she gave up and walked out of the room—and nearly ran down Victor.
Catching her by the arms, he steadied her. “Why are you looking so glum?” he asked curiously. He had his coat in his hand and was headed toward the stairs. He released her and turned, slipping an arm behind her back as he did.
“Your hair!”
He grinned and ran a hand over his short hair. “Did I mention a barber was coming to cut my hair today?”
“No.”
He chuckled.
“You shaved your beard too,” she said noting how clean-shaven he was.
He nodded. “Back to the normal look.”
She thought if he’d looked like that when she first saw him, there would have been no mistaking him for who he was. Wow, he was drop-dead gorgeous.
Together they started toward the elevator. “It’s silly but I didn’t feel like putting my hair up and so I left it down, but it just looks so plain.”
“So change it.”
She glanced up at him. “What?”
He grinned. “Change it.”
He opened the lift and allowed her to go in first.
“Haven’t you ever thought about it?” he asked.
“Well, yes,” she admitted. “But…I just don’t know how I’d do it.”
“There’s a place in town I go to occasionally. As a matter of fact, the stylist that cut my hair today is from there. Let’s go by. Pick out something you want and have them design a new style. Yvonne will be able to advise you. She has exquisite taste.”
“You’re serious?” she asked and reached up to touch her hair.
He touched his own hair reminding her of his new look. “Yes. I’m serious.” He mocked her and she found herself laughing in return.
“When I got tired of this, all I had to do was cut it. Same with you. Or you can add highlights or a dozen other things.”
She thought about it and then thought how much she was saving by not being at the lodge. She had enough money to do something with her hair. “Why not?” she said and grinned.
“That’s the spirit,” Victor said and shot a fist up in the air.
She laughed. “To spirit.”
“Yeah,” he growled.
She shook her head, wondering what this man was doing to her. She’d only just left the dining room a short time before, her emotions in an uproar over going to a theatrical premiere. She’d made a mess of the table, spat water all over Sean Hampton and was so jittery she hadn’t been sure she would make it to her room before she collapsed.
But back alone with Victor he was able to calm her and change her glumness and worry into fun and laughter.
How did he do it?
She wasn’t sure how, but she did know she was certainly glad she had met him.
Chapter Nine
“I can’t buy this,” Annie said and laughed.
She held up an outrageous blouse that was so very European.
“It’d look great on you, especially with that new hairstyle,” Victor said.
She smiled up into his eyes. “You really like it?”
He reached up and cupped the back of her head. “I love it.” Gently, he massaged her head.
Someone cleared their throat.
They both turned toward the cashier. “Buy it, and I’ll take you horseback riding, after a fashion, later this afternoon,” he said.
She laughed. “Okay. But I’m holding you to that.”
She pulled out her money and allowed Victor to help her count out how much she owed.
He took the bag and then slipped his hand behind her back as they started out of the store.
They’d been gone from the house for three hours now. Her haircut had taken nearly an hour and then they’d gone to the doctor. Finally Victor had insisted on taking her to some of the tourist shops. They had just happened to stop in this tiny boutique as an afterthought.
“How are you faring?” Victor asked now as they headed toward the car.
“I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had,” she said, feeling happy through and through.
“Me too.”
He opened the door and tossed the bag into the back seat. “Annie—” he started.
She glanced up, smiling. “Yes?”
A person riding by on a bike rang his bell and the mood was broken. “Nothing,” he replied.
He took the crutches and slipped them into the back seat.
“There sure are a lot of bicycles here,” she said seeing another pass by.
He nodded. “Everyone rides bicycles. I have some at home.”
She sighed. “I haven’t been on one in forever. I don’t know if I can still ride.”
“Well you aren’t going to be on one soon, either,” he said and looked pointedly at her cast. He opened the front passenger door for her and she lowered herself into the seat.
“Next week, the doctor said. A walking cast next week.”
He grinned. “I imagine not being able to bend your knee is truly a challenge.”
She nodded. “The doctor really is a nice man.”
Victor agreed.
He closed her door and went around to the driver’s side. Sliding in, he pulled it closed behind him, locking out the outside world.
“You have a well-insulated car,” she said, quietly, feeling the tension between
them.
“Annie,” he turned toward her. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair.
Her smile faded and her gaze focused on him. “Yes?”
He leaned forward and instead of kissing her, he rested his cheek against her cheek. She heard him inhale. Her entire body reacted to that simple gesture.
He whispered, “You’ve changed my life since you’ve been here. I wanted you to know that.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant or why he sounded the way he did.
The soft raspy whisper against her ear had her wanting more than talk. She turned her head only slightly, allowing her lips to brush just below his ear.
She heard his swift intake of breath.
A car horn sounded.
He pulled back.
Oh dear. Had she misread him? she wondered.
He turned his attention forward and started the car. “I just wanted to mention…”
He glanced around and pulled out into traffic. “Sean is a friend, but he likes to…well…”
“Yes?” she asked when he didn’t continue.
“Sean is Sean. We’re like brothers. He’s the best friend I have, actually. And he watches out for me. He’s a bit protective of me.”
She chuckled. “Protective?”
He chuckled as well. “It’s a long story. I wasn’t the happiest person when I started acting and I was very wild. Sean took it upon himself to rein me in somewhat and help guide my career. He helped me find a good agent and got me into some bit parts in his movies. That’s why we’ve been in so many movies together. Our on-screen meetings continued occasionally until this year. He found a great fantasy movie series and contacted me, telling me to read for it. We both got parts. We’ve done two of a three-part movie series already this year with the third one scheduled for next year. What I’m trying to say is that I hope you can be patient with him.”
She wasn’t sure what he was saying, but he was dancing around something. “You know I will. I’m a guest in your house. I wouldn’t offend someone else.”
She thought about asking him about Sean’s actions earlier, but then decided that it wasn’t important. It sounded as if he and Sean were very close.
Perhaps Sean hadn’t meant anything by his actions. She felt out of her league with these men anyway now that she realized just how experienced they were in the world.
Back at the house Victor slipped out of the car and came around to lift Annie into his arms.
He had tried to explain that Sean was suspicious about her. He’d seen it in the way Sean studied Annie. Victor wasn’t as cynical as Sean. Sean didn’t believe Annie really hadn’t known who he was. And Sean was out to force Victor to recognize something that he wasn’t ready to admit to. Didn’t think he could admit. Wouldn’t admit.
“Ready?” he asked and scooped her up.
She chuckled. “Yes,” she said after the fact.
He laughed as well and started up the stairs.
Sean worried about him. He knew about the bad relationship he’d had with his parents and that he’d not really gotten over it. Sean was certain that was why none of his relationships worked out. And maybe he was right.
Today in town had been wonderful however. Victor loved just holding Annie’s hand. He’d always been a physical person, even with his son, so he wasn’t surprised he liked to touch Annie.
But he’d almost kissed her in the car.
He’d realized he wanted that more than anything, and it had really shocked him because he was afraid he was feeling much more than simple friendship now—and he didn’t know when exactly that had happened.
Victor topped the stairs with his bundle, nodding back toward the car where he’d left the crutches when Helga came out.
It had taken every ounce of strength he had not to act on his impulse. When he’d felt her lips brush his cheek near his ear he had nearly come unglued.
He’d decided getting Annie home where he wasn’t alone with her was his best bet if he was going to keep from acting on his physical impulses.
He reminded himself again that relationships did not work out where he was concerned.
Sean knew how to push his buttons.
Had he not realized Sean had done something to Annie this morning when he’d carried her in, he probably wouldn’t have been so obsessed with kissing Annie.
He wasn’t sure what had happened, but he was certain Sean had said or done something to find out if what she’d said about not knowing Victor was true. Perhaps he was trying to find any hidden motives.
His friend could be ruthless sometimes. And now Victor’s mind was obsessing with Annie because of it.
Entering the house, he glanced down at Annie. “Should I put you down now or carry you into the library?”
“You have a library?”
He smiled. “Helga didn’t show you?”
“We saw the back half of the house.”
Helga showed up with the crutches.
Victor released her, allowing her feet to drop to the floor. He stepped back, reluctantly.
“Dank u, Helga,” Annie said graciously and accepted the crutches.
The maid nodded and hurried off.
“Well, well, well,” Sean said. He was just coming down the stairs. “What have we here?”
His eyes were on Annie.
“Hello, Sean,” Victor replied.
Sean finished coming down the stairs and walked up to Annie. “I say.” He reached up and ran his fingers into her hair. “This is absolutely stunning, sweetheart.”
Her eyes widened in surprise at his actions.
She glanced to Victor, who simply stood staring, his face a blank mask.
She pulled back simply by turning on her crutches to go toward the room Victor had indicated was the library. “Thank you. I like it too, Mr. Hampton.”
“Sean, sweetheart. Call me Sean.”
She didn’t look back or reply. Victor hadn’t said a word, and she was certain she saw something more than appreciation in Sean’s eyes.
Maybe Sean was just a very forward man, meaning nothing by it. Victor after all, was very physical. Actors had to be, she supposed, though she didn’t want Sean being too physical with her. Now Victor, on the other hand…
She paused. “I have to call my children and let them know I’m staying longer,” she said.
“You go on into the library. We’ll join you there shortly,” Victor said.
She nodded. “Dank u,” she replied.
Victor waited until the door closed before turning to his friend. “What was that all about?”
Sean blinked in surprise. “What was what all about?” he asked innocently.
“The charm you just turned on.”
“Are you interested?” Sean asked. His gaze pierced Victor.
Victor gave his friend a pointed look. “Of course not. As I told you earlier, she’s just a friend.”
“Then you don’t mind if I—?”
“She’s also quite innocent, Sean.”
“Please,” Sean rebuked. “She was married for several years. I wouldn’t call her innocent.”
“I’m not talking about sex, Sean,” Victor replied. “I’m talking about her spirit. She’s not jaded and hardened the way we are.”
“So, you care for her?” Sean asked.
Victor studied his friend. “As a friend.”
Something flashed in Sean’s eyes and then he shrugged. “As you wish. You won’t mind if I pursue her then?”
“Be my guest. Just don’t hurt her.”
What else could he say? Maybe it was for the best. He refused to deepen the relationship with her. He’d simply make sure Sean wasn’t alone with her while he was here. How hard could that be?
“If you’ll excuse me, I promised Annie we’d go riding when we got home.”
“In a cast?” Sean asked, surprised.
Victor smiled. “We’ll manage. I have a few plans up my sleeve.”
Chapter Ten
Annie
was so excited.
Victor was going to church with her.
At first he wasn’t going to go. But as they’d sat around after dinner last night, Annie had mentioned to Victor that Helga had told her that her sister had a friend who attended another church and Annie would like to go to it.
Victor had offered her his driver again. And Annie was about to settle for that when Sean had offered to go with her.
Alarmed, she’d glanced at him. She didn’t want to be alone with him in a car—but she certainly wouldn’t tell him not to attend church.
Sean’s offer had gotten Victor’s attention, which actually cheered Annie. He’d suddenly asked what type of church it was. Annie had explained it was very different from the first one she’d attended.
Nodding, he’d said very casually that he thought he would attend with her.
Sean had smiled smugly—at what she wasn’t sure—those two had secrets constantly going on between them—and then he’d said he’d be ready in the morning.
Victor had helped her upstairs afterward.
And now here it was, the next morning, and Annie was heading down the elevator, barely able to contain herself.
She couldn’t believe Victor was going to church with her.
She’d known he’d been watching her for several days now, and often when it was only she and Victor in the room, he would sometimes question her about her life as a Christian.
He shrugged it off, but she thought it had something to do with his past.
Coming into the foyer she found both Sean and Victor waiting.
Sean smiled politely and Victor came forward. “You’re looking beautiful this morning,” he said and took her hand.
He didn’t look really happy about going, but he did seem to be appreciative that she was wearing the sweater he’d bought her.
“Thank you.”
“Ravishing,” Sean said.
She nodded politely.
Victor escorted her to the car and assisted her into the back seat, sliding in after her.
Sean went around and climbed in on the opposite side.
Great. She was stuck in between them.
Among the Tulips Page 10
