by Mollie Molay
At the renewed giggles and knowing looks, Arden wondered if Luke was aware her blood had turned to molten lava. The last thing she wanted him to know, considering her wandering thoughts. “Cindy, please!” she whispered.
“Well, here you go,” Cindy said as she handed the gifts to Arden. “There’s enough stuff here to get you started. At least for your wedding night, anyway.”
In the dim recess of her mind, Arden heard her father’s voice thundering she was headed straight for the road to hell if she left her wedding. Judging from the speculative looks everyone was giving her, and the thoughts of the forbidden fruits of desire that tempted her, she was ready to believe she was well on her way.
Especially now that she’d let everyone believe she was Luke’s wife when she wasn’t his wife at all.
“I’ll donate another flight bag to carry all of the gifts you ladies were nice enough to give Mrs. McCauley,” the tour leader said. “Here you go!” She helped Arden put the gifts inside the bag.
“Say, wait a minute! I just thought of something you can use for underwear in the morning!” Cindy Gaithers reached for her overnight bag, drew out a brief red and white two piece string bikini and waved it in the air.
“Underwear?” Her heart caught as Arden caught a glimpse of the frankly assessing look on Luke’s face. How could she put on a string bikini if his mind was wandering down on the same tempting paths as hers were taking?
More to the point, how could she stay out of trouble when her senses were responding to that look? Especially if they were going to spend the rest of the night together in the tiny roomette.
“Sure,” Cindy assured her. “It’s better than nothing. If you’re lucky enough to have a shower in that room, like Henry said, it will give you a chance to shower and change into something comfortable and fresh. Too bad we couldn’t find a dress for you.”
“Thank you.” Arden cringed as a dozen interested male eyes studied the bikini then swiveled back to her. Why did her wedding night have to be so public?
“Sure, I won’t need it where I’m going,” Cindy assured her with a wink and an inviting glance at her husband. “When I get home, Henry and I are going straight to bed.”
Arden felt herself flush as she pictured herself wearing the too-brief garment. Avoiding Luke’s eyes, she hurriedly rolled the bikini into a small ball and stuffed it into her new flight bag. The charade of masquerading as Mrs. McCauley and being left alone with him in confined quarters loomed larger than life.
A bikini! Luke blinked. How was he going to get through the rest of the night with the picture in his mind of Arden wearing the two mere slips of silk that didn’t look as if they were large enough to cover a Barbie doll. Or if she chose to wear the donated nightgown that didn’t leave much to the imagination either.
On the other hand, things were really beginning to get interesting. He watched as other brides gathered around Arden and chipped in their advice on how she should go about her wedding night. He hid his amusement at the chagrined look on Arden’s face. What must the naive Arden be thinking now?
He felt sorry for her. Enough was enough. As her husband”, he felt it was time to put an end to the shower. He made his way to her side and took her by her arm. “Time to go, if we’re going to get any rest at all.”
Cindy Gaithers burst into laughter. “Rest! Who’s kidding whom?”
“Hey, wait a minute!” Henry Gaithers elbowed his way through the chattering brides. “Maybe you ought to sign those traveler’s checks before you forget”
Taking care to speak softly into her ear so no one could overhear, Luke slid a protective arm around Arden. “Are you sure you want to do this? I’m still willing to give the man my check.”
“Yes, I know you are, and I appreciate it,” she answered. “But it’s time for me to start taking care of myself.” She rummaged inside her purse for a pen. “I’ll need a flat surface so I can endorse these checks.”
“Use my shoulders,” Gaithers said hurriedly as he turned his back. “The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Cindy and I can get home to bed.”
“And so can the McCauleys,” Cindy interjected.
Cindy laughed. Someone whistled. Arden blushed.
Luke gave in. Arden was right. It looked as if she would have to take care of herself after tonight. She may not have paid attention to everything he’d told her about himself, but it was obvious she’d heard the goodbye in his voice. It was just as well.
He’d hated to have to say goodbye to her the first time; he didn’t know how he could bring himself to say it again. Not when he wanted so much to take her in his arms as a real husband would.
“Arden Crandall, I knew I would find you in the center of all this excitement!”
The crowd parted as Jane Peterson bustled up to her niece.
“Arthur,” she called over her shoulder, “I told you Arden would be behind this, didn’t I?”
Breathless from following in his wife’s wake, Arthur Peterson nodded his agreement as he struggled to catch his breath.
Henry Gaithers looked suspiciously at the endorsed traveler’s checks. “Arden Crandall? I thought your name was McCauley!”
“Crandall is my maiden name,” Arden answered quickly, before anyone else could ask another question. “I can give you identification to prove it.”
Gaithers looked doubtful. For a moment it looked as if he might change his mind. “Well, I don’t know about that. There are too many con artists running around. What do you think, Cindy?”
“Shame on you, Henry. If Arden says her maiden name was Crandall, that’s good enough for me!” his wife answered stoutly.
Luke stepped in front of Arden. “What are you doing here again, Mrs. Peterson?”
“Well, I never!” Arden’s aunt replied. “If you must know, Mr. McCauley, as long as her father isn’t here to stop her, I’ve decided it’s my duty as Arden’s aunt to save her from this foolishness!”
“Wow! Do you mean you two eloped?” Her interest piqued, Cindy asked brightly. “No wonder I felt there was something different between your wedding jitters and mine!”
Eloped! The romantic word sent the brides oohing and aahing.
Luke ground his teeth. Airing his and Arden’s personal history in front of strangers, even if it wasn’t true, was enough to send him up a wall.
It seemed as if from the moment he’d laid eyes on Arden, it had been one damn thing after another to put him into the limelight And all of them had revealed his identity. As for his ability to quietly fade into the sunset somewhere south of Cancún, it looked as if that was becoming less and less a viable option.
“Mrs. Peterson,” Luke said patiently, although inside he felt as though his nerves were wound tighter than a rubber band, “In spite of what you think, Arden is old enough to know what she wants. She doesn’t need saving. And if she did, I’m here to see to it.”
“Is this the way you intend to save her?” Jane Peterson asked, pointing dramatically to Arden. “Just take a look at her!”
All eyes swiveled to Arden.
The last of Arden’s curls had come loose from their mooring on top of her head and had fallen in uneven lengths to her shoulders. Golden tendrils fell across her forehead. What little makeup she’d had on to start with was off. Her face was pale with fatigue and embarrassment. The I Love NY sweatshirt he’d bought for her was wrinkled and covered with smudges. The white velvet wedding dress that showed underneath was more bedraggled than ever. As for her once-white satin shoes, they’d seen the last of better days.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
And never so endearing.
“She looks fine to me,” Luke said as he gathered Arden closer to him. “Look, Mrs. Peterson, Arden has explained everything to her father. Whatever he believes is between the two of them. If you care for your niece, why don’t you think about what this is doing to her and just leave her alone?”
“Hiram hasn’t seen what his daughter looks like since s
he ran away! But I fixed that After I told him what I saw, he’s sure to come here to bring her home!”
Arden cringed inside as all eyes swung back to her.
“Wow! This is better than watching the television soaps!” Cindy exclaimed happily. “So, what are you two going to do now that Arden’s father knows where she is?”
At the question, Luke felt as if he’d been socked in the solar plexus. What was he going to do now?
Arden stirred out of Luke’s arms and spoke up. “Aunt Jane, I’m sorry if I disappoint you. But I’m old enough to take responsibility for my own life. I told that to Dad. In time, I’m sure he’ll come to understand. I wish you would try to understand, too.”
“Humph!” Jane Peterson regarded Arden with distaste. “One thing I do know, young lady—marry in haste, repent at leisure!”
Luke was proud of the way Arden stood up for herself. She might not need him to defend her, but from the weary look about her, she looked as if she’d had enough.
It was more than time to put an end to the impromptu shower.
“We’re going to get a few hours shut-eye and wait for the storm to break,” Luke remarked. He looked pointedly at Jane Peterson. “Why don’t you just leave well enough alone, forget about us and go on your own vacation?”
Arthur Peterson finally stirred himself. “Jane dear, the man’s right If Arden is really his wife, it’s none of our business. Come on, let’s go.”
“If Arden is his wife!” Jane Peterson studied Luke carefully. “Not that it makes a difference. I still say the man’s a criminal,” she announced to the spectators. “Just look at that handcuff he has around his wrist!”
Avid eyes fastened themselves on Luke’s left wrist. A few brides gasped. A man chuckled. “Say, I’ll bet this is a TV movie being filmed and nobody told us! Where do you suppose the cameras are?” he said, craning his head. “I want to know when it’s going to air on TV.”
Arden’s aunt silenced him with a cold stare. “How do I know this man hasn’t kidnapped my niece, or at least brainwashed her so she doesn’t have a mind of her own?”
Luke watched the mood of the crowd change. The damage had been done. From the looks of things, some in the crowd believed her. He didn’t care about himself, he was used to suspicious looks and questions. But it was different with Arden. Someday she might return home. If nothing else, he had her reputation to consider.
“No sir,” Jane Peterson added adamantly, “I’m not going to leave until I know Arden’s safe!”
Luke turned his full dark gaze on the angry woman. “Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to leave now before this goes any further.”
Arden’s aunt gasped at the menacing sound of his voice. Some of the starch seemed to go out of her, but not all. Women like her seldom gave up easily. Luke knew that from experience. Now he not only had Hoyt and his threats to contend with, he had this foolish woman on his and Arden’s backs. From her expression, he hadn’t heard the last of her.
“Well, perhaps,” she conceded. “But I won’t be far away. I’m going to keep my eyes on you. Call out if you need me,” she told Arden defiantly.
Luke managed not to groan. At the fringe of the crowd surrounding them, he caught a glimpse of a grinning Hoyt. And considering the attention their impromptu bridal shower was attracting, it was only a matter of time before the guy would be joined by a few other unwanted spectators, Airport Security included.
“Come on, Arden.” He took her arm. “It’s time to go now. I’m sure things will look better to everyone in a couple of hours.” He took in the expression on Arden’s unhappy face and drooping figure. She looked as if she couldn’t stand up any longer, and certainly not under her aunt’s accusing eyes. “Let’s say goodbye to everyone. And I do mean goodbye,” he added as he turned his gaze on Jane Peterson.
One thing he knew for sure: Jane Peterson’s eyes weren’t the only eyes he knew would be watching them.
THE KEYS Henry Gaithers had handed her seemed to burn the palm of her hand. In her exhausted mind, the gates of perdition her father had threatened her with appeared ready to swing open and swallow her.
The thought of being alone, totally alone, in a secluded roomette with Luke filled Arden with fear, desire and more than a little excitement. Excitement of the kind she’d been taught not to contemplate, except in a biblical sense and only with her husband.
An inner voice was urging caution.
Of course, so far everything had turned out all right. Meeting Luke had made her fantasy of someday finding a heroic and strong man had come true, even if nothing in her original fantasy had included a honeymoon night.
Being stranded with hundreds of strangers in a blinding snowstorm seemed to make the story and the spirit of Christmas come alive. The birth of tiny Noel Alcott had been a miracle. Luke’s thoughtful gesture of buying her gifts she might otherwise never have received on this strange Christmas morning had been touching.
The wedding reception and the bridal shower had taken her by surprise, but they’d added excitement to what would otherwise have been a long and dreary night.
Notwithstanding the theft of her luggage, tonight’s adventures with Luke had added spice, mystery and a sense of adventure on her road to freedom and independence. Even meeting her aunt and uncle hadn’t managed to ruin that for her. Not as long as Luke was with her. But all these adventures had taken place in full view of hundreds of people.
Now, being alone with Luke was a whole different story.
Chapter Eleven
“It doesn’t look like much, does it?” Luke remarked when he opened the door to the roomette.
“No, it doesn’t.” Arden ventured a smile as she glanced around the Spartan quarters. “But I guess it’s better than sitting on the floor in the cold for the rest of the night. This is bound to be warmer.”
At first glance the room looked to be hardly larger than a walk-in closet. At second glance it wasn’t much larger. A pull-down cot was latched to one of the undecorated light green walls. In the far corner, there was a toilet and a minuscule shower enclosed by a transparent curtain. On the wall beside the shower, a lone large towel hung from a rack, a large black-and-white clock above it. A wrapped utilitarian bar of soap was on a soap dish. By the door sat a lone chair.
The only relief the accommodations boasted was a bit of graffiti scrawled above the toilet—Mario slept here. Beneath it someone had added, Me, Too!
When Luke saw the sign, he hid a grin and covertly studied the size of the cot. Whoever Mario had been, he’d obviously been happy. Maybe the cot was big enough for two.
He kept his mind off the narrow bed with an effort. “As a matter of fact,” he remarked with a casual air, “the accommodations remind me of some aboard a tramp steamer. Of course, I’m sure cruise ships are different. Without the graffiti, of course.”
The starkness of the room troubled Luke as he unlatched and lowered the cot. Arden deserved more than an excuse for a bed. And certainly, after all she’d been through tonight, more luxurious accommodations than the small, stark room.
He thought of a South American custom where the marital bed of a newlywed couple was strewn with rose petals to ensure their fragrance would rub off on the lovers’ flesh as they joined to become one. And to ensure that their future life together would be as sweet.
He wished he could have managed to arrange a bed of rose petals for Arden.
Of course they weren’t really married and this wasn’t their wedding night, he reminded himself as he pulled his thoughts back to reality. And, considering his companion, the scenes he was mentally visualizing were unrealistic as hell.
From the quizzical look on her face as she regarded the bed, he realized Arden hadn’t changed that much from being a minister’s daughter. Dreaming of finding independence and adventure might have been natural for someone raised like her, but tonight’s adventures and their possible outcome was obviously a whole new scenario for her.
“Are you really goin
g to stay in here, too?” she asked, turning her questioning blue eyes on him. A frown crinkled her forehead as she glanced at him and back to the cot.
“I was considering it.” Luke sensed from the expression on her face the chances of anything intimate was fast becoming slim. Maybe he’d read more into her question than she’d intended.
“Where are you going to sleep?” Arden asked, staring as if mesmerized at the narrow bed. A bed clearly designed for single occupancy.
Luke smothered a groan. She may have told him tonight had been miraculous and fun, but spending the night alone with him in that narrow space was something she obviously hadn’t seriously considered.
“I can take the floor,” he answered with a rueful smile. “I’ve kinda gotten used to it.”
Arden tore her gaze from the cot, took a good look at Luke and felt herself blush. If he only knew, she’d gotten used to a few things herself—being warmed by his solid, male strength for one.
There was that air of sensuality about him that had dared her to consider something more. There was her longing to be held in his arms again, if only for a little while. To forget parental warnings and to revel in what her senses cried for—the taste of his hard lips on hers, the feel of his solid arms holding her to him, the scent of his maleness. To show him the love she felt growing inside her in spite of the few short hours they’d known each other.
And to forget they would be saying goodbye in the morning.
Margo’s off-the-wall notes she’d slipped into Arden’s bridal shower gift popped into her mind. It made her aware of the hesitancy in Luke’s voice that seemed to suggest he also wanted something more from her before they parted and that he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
She fought off the inhibitions that had been conditioned into her and thought of the possibilities at hand. One was becoming obvious. She would have to put aside the strict moral code she’d been taught if there was going to be any hope of making her fantasy of love with this handsome stranger come true. A fantasy that had been born almost in the moment she’d set eyes on Luke’s dark and mysterious appearance. And in the moment she’d found the real man beneath the surface.
