Paradise Disguised

by Liliana Hart

  But when the morning had come, she’d been unable to trust he’d been sincere, and he didn’t have the heart to push her any more. She’d looked defeated and tired. He’d decided the best thing to do was let nature take its course and leave her alone.

  The flight back to Paradise had been strained and silent until he’d dropped her off at her house. Now that he had a chance to think about it, he guessed he had given her an ultimatum. That had been two weeks ago, and he still hadn’t seen her around town. Absence did make the heart grow fonder. He hoped she felt the same way.

  “And that conversation gave you the confidence you needed to buy an engagement ring equal to some people’s yearly salaries?”

  “No, but I have confidence in Anna. I know she loves me, she just has to get over this fear of not being able to control what happens in the future and learn to trust me a little.”

  “I saw her this morning,” Mitchell mentioned casually. “I took her through the house. She seemed pleased with the progress.”

  “How’d she look?”

  “She looked sad. I told her I missed seeing her smile, and then I told her you were miserable and never let me get any work done anymore, so would she please come to her senses and give you a break. And then I kissed her passionately and made her forget all about you.”

  “In your dreams,” Dylan said, laughing.

  “And they were damn good dreams too, my friend. Now can we please get back to work? I’d like to be able to take my yearly vacation to Cancun. The women so look forward to my visits.”

  “I bet,” Dylan said. “Why don’t you ask Mel to go with you? I bet the women would start looking forward to her visits too.”

  “Shut up. Isn’t that the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard? She’s no more a lesbian than I am, but for some reason she’s scared to death of me.

  “Well, you’re not as good looking as I am. And I hear there are other parts that don’t measure up as well.”

  They were both laughing uproariously when Janet knocked on the door and walked in without waiting for an answer. She smiled at their antics, used to the relaxed atmosphere around the office.

  “I see the two of you have already finished the contracts I put on your desk this morning,” she said, glancing at the untouched folders that lay on Mitchell’s desk.

  “Oh, yeah,” Dylan lied smoothly. “We’re all caught up.”

  “Good, because I brought in a few more for you to go over. They need to be finished this afternoon,” she said smirking at their grimaces. She was used to keeping her boys in line, and she knew just what buttons to push to get the results she wanted. You couldn’t be an executive secretary and not know how to manipulate the people that worked there.

  “Fine, fine. We’ll get them done today. Looks like we’ll have to postpone our trip to Shiney’s until later tonight Mitchell.”

  “Whatever, as long as you’re the one buying,” Mitchell said, already reading the contracts.

  “Oh, and the new contractor you hired stopped by earlier to pick up a couple of the new clients you don’t have room for. He went out to the sites to get a better feel for what the clients want. I have to say, Dylan, you have great taste in men. He is something scrumptious to look at,” Janet said, winking at a laughing Mitchell.

  “I didn’t hire him because he looked scrumptious, as you put it,” Dylan said peeved. “I hired him because he’s damn good at his job. I got lucky luring him away from the firm he was at before.”

  “Hey, let me ask you something,” Dylan said before she could walk out of the room. “What do you think about this?” he said, pulling the ring out of his pocket for her to see.

  “Why Dylan, I didn’t know that you cared,” Janet said, batting her eyelashes and drawing a laugh.

  “No, I mean, as a woman, is this something you’d like?” Dylan asked, a little unsure of himself.

  “It’s beautiful. Any woman would love that. It’s huge and it’s sparkly, what more could you ask for? I didn’t know you were thinking of getting engaged.”

  “I bought it for Anna.”

  “I didn’t think the two of you were seeing each other any more,” Janet said, confused.

  “Thank you,” Mitchell said applauding. “Everybody sees the pattern except for you buddy.”

  “She just needed some time off to think,” Dylan said, looking at the ring once more before putting it back in his pocket. “She’ll come to her senses soon enough.”

  They all watched in slow motion as Janet’s bracelet flew off her wrist when she lifted her arm to touch the ring. The loose clasp made it easy to come off, and she was always surprised she hadn’t lost it before now.

  “Hey, you’re welcome to come to Shiney’s with us tonight if you want?” he told her. He picked up the silver bracelet that always seemed to come unfastened and handed it back to her.

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve got a hot date tonight, and I’m expecting fireworks.”

  “She really needs to get that bracelet fixed,” Dylan said, putting the ring back in his pocket and looking at the stack of files in front of him.

  ***

  “Well, what do you think?” Anna asked Mel as she twirled around.

  “Of the dress or of the idea?” Mel asked.

  “Both.”

  “Well, I have to say from a lesbian’s perspective, the dress is hot. As far as the plan goes, I think you’re an idiot.”

  “Great!” Anna said, admiring herself in the mirror. The dress was pale blue and form-fitting, held up only by thin rhinestone spaghetti straps. She needed to look her best for what she had planned.

  “I’ve got to put myself out on a ledge if this is going to work. It’s my turn to put pride aside. I’ve finally come to my senses.”

  “I never would have guessed,” Mel said sarcastically.

  “I’ve been completely unreasonable. Dylan loves me, and I threw it back in his face. I’m going to have to face my fears and put my trust in him.”

  “Hello…That’s what I’ve been telling you from the beginning.”

  “I know, but it was something I had to figure out on my own. It was a mindset I’d ingrained since my mom died, and old habits are hard to break. But I’m going to knock his socks off tonight.”

  “I think he’ll definitely be surprised, and I think you’re father is going to kill you. But maybe people will stop talking about me.”

  “I could probably dance naked in the Towne Square and people would still talk about you,” Anna said, laughing. “Lesbians are hard to come by in Paradise.”

  “What was I thinking?” Mel asked.

  “I don’t know, because it didn’t work. Mitchell seems determined to make you admit that you like men.”

  “Yeah, he’s getting pretty serious about it, almost like it’s a contest of wills. Have you seen the new guy they hired earlier this week?”

  “No. I didn’t know they hired anyone.”

  “Mitchell told me they’re getting too many clients to get the job done exactly the way they want it, so they’re bringing in a new partner. I think he came from a firm in Houston. All I know is that he’s not hard to look at. This could be it, Anna. This could be my one and only.”

  “You know the saying about how a watched pot never boils?” Anna asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I think it works the same with love. I think it’s supposed to hit you when you least expect it.”

  “Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to give it my best shot,” she said, slightly deflated. “Do you really think you’ll be able to go through with this tonight?”

  “What’s the worse that can happen?”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  ***

  Jack Hollis hung up the phone, his hand shaking slightly at what the sheriff had told him. Anna had been getting threats for weeks and she hadn’t said a word to him about it.

  In fact, since she’d become her “new” self, she’d stopped talking to him about
everything. He kept up with her life just like the rest of the town—through the grapevine.

  He knew that she and Dylan had a pretty serious relationship going on, only Anna was the one too afraid to commit. He never would have seen that one coming if Mitchell hadn’t told him that piece of news.

  Sure Dylan liked to play the field, but Jack knew from the first moment he met the boy that he had a sense of honor about him. Dylan was just waiting for the right woman to come along and settle him down a bit. And Anna was that woman. Surely if she looked deep down inside of Dylan, she’d realize he was crazy about her.

  Jack had faith in his daughter. She’d come to her senses when the time came. She was just as stubborn and head strong as her mother had been, and lord knew it had taken him months to wear her down until she’d finally agreed to marry him.

  Now as far as the matter of threats went, he wasn’t about to stand by and let some maniac endanger his daughter. He’d already lost one woman he’d loved. No, if Anna refused to be in Dylan’s company then she had no choice but to stay in his.

  He watched as Mel and Anna walked down the stairs, arm in arm, giggling over some foolish nonsense just like when they’d been teenagers.

  “Well, well ladies. Don’t you look lovely tonight,” Jack said beaming at them.

  Anna had finally talked Mel into pulling the big guns out in the hopes of dissuading the rumors currently floating around town. Maybe she’d get lucky and find the man of her dreams. Mel’s outfit was a bright contrast compared to Anna’s pastel blue, and matched her bubbling personality. The hot pink halter top and hip hugging Capri pants showed off her curvy figure.

  “And where are the two of you off to looking so stunning?” Jack asked.

  “We’re on our way to Shiney’s,” Anna said as she grabbed her purse and bent to kiss him on the cheek.

  “You know, girls,” Jack said, “that sounds like a great idea. Would you mind if I joined you?”

  He was thinking about the threats Anna had been getting and of her safety, so he didn’t see the embarrassed expression flit across her face.

  “Sure Mr. Hollis,” Mel said, barely containing her laughter. She ignored Anna’s imploring stare and gave her a wink instead. “This’ll be fun.”

  “Yeah, fun,” Anna muttered following close behind them.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Dylan and Mitchell settled themselves into a corner booth, nursing their beers and enjoying the live band that Shiney’s always had on family nights and the weekends. The smoke filled interior was controlled chaos, an art form that had been successful for decades with waitresses dodging bodies and spilled drinks and whoever was tending bar keeping up with the piling orders.

  They were somewhat secluded from the growing Thursday night crowd, preferring to observe instead of participate, and they looked over the menu in companionable silence.

  “What’ll it be boys?” Verna Shiney asked in her booming voice. Brian’s mother ruled the roost in the Shiney household, and she’d been taking orders and filling drinks for many years.

  “I think we’ll both have the special tonight,” Dylan answered. “I like the new band. I can actually hear conversations going on around me.”

  “I know what you mean. I couldn’t hear anything in my left ear for a week after that band from last time. I hear you’re still having a few lady problems,” Verna said with a wink.

  “I wouldn’t call them problems exactly,” Dylan said. “I just need to work on my persuasive techniques a little more. What do you say Verna, would you like to run away to Tahiti with me?”

  “Oh, you rascal. If I was forty years younger I’d take you up on it. I wouldn’t turn a fine specimen like you away. I have no idea what’s wrong with Anna. I helped diaper that girl. It makes me want to give her a good smack in the head,” she said, heading off back to the kitchen.

  “Ah, that’s what I love about small towns. Everybody knows your business.”

  “I’m glad I’m not in your shoes because that’s exactly what I don’t like about small towns. You notice no one ever talks about me,” Mitchell said.

  “That’s because you’re boring. Your lesbian girlfriend is more exciting than you are.”

  “Shut up. I think we’ve reached an understanding these past weeks, since you and Anna have screwed up everyone else’s schedule. We’ve become allies.”

  “So you’re telling me you’re not attracted to Mel?” Dylan asked with a disbelieving look on his face.

  “Nope. She’s not my type. She’s got a great sense of humor and she’s smart, but I’m just not attracted to her that way. All I want is for her to admit that she’s attracted to the opposite sex.”

  “I’ll bet you a thousand dollars that you make a move on her before the year is out,” Dylan said.

  “That would be completely inappropriate, and she’d kick my ass if she ever found out.”

  “Pussy,” Dylan taunted. “Ten thousand.”

  “You’re on,” Mitchell said. “And I would like my payment in cash, so I don’t have to declare it on my taxes if you don’t mind.”

  “In your dreams. You’ve never been able to resist an attractive woman, and now that a bet’s on the line she’s going to be damn near irresistible.”

  “We’ll just see about that,” Mitchell said, confidant.

  “What the hell’s going on over there?” Dylan asked, trying to see around a group of people. The area had suddenly become quiet and the only sound was the music coming from the band.

  “Well, speak of the devil,” Dylan murmured with a smile on his face.

  Mitchell turned around to see what Dylan was looking at and his jaw almost dropped to the floor. There was Mel, standing in the middle of the doorway, looking like he’d never seen her before.

  Gone were the trendy clothes and funky hairstyle and in its place was a woman that could melt fire. The form-fitting outfit she wore accented all the curves he loved. Her lips were slicked the color of raspberries, and he had to restrain himself from wanting to taste them.

  “That was the easiest ten grand I’ve ever made, my friend,” Dylan said.

  “The bet’s not over yet,” Mitchell said, his palms sweaty but his mind determined to win. “And besides, your own problem just walked in the door.”

  Dylan shot out of his chair in a flash and looked back towards the door, unmindful of the attention he’d drawn to himself.

  Anna walked in directly behind Mel, dressed just as sexy, and leaned back to say something to her father. Great, Dylan thought, Jack would be with her tonight. He couldn’t very well pull her into a soul-searching kiss while her father was standing three feet away.

  “Shit,” Dylan said.

  “Exactly. You are screwed, not to mention how desperate you look. You’re totally ruining the image we’ve been building for so many years.”

  “What can I say? I’m a one woman man from now on,” he said, devouring the sight of Anna with his eyes. “What’s she doing?”

  “Looks like they’re going to sit at the bar to me. What the hell is Mel doing talking to Brian Shiney?” Mitchell growled.

  “Anna told me they’ve all been friends since grade school. They hang out all the time. In fact, I heard they were planning a trip to Las Vegas soon. They go every couple of years. Why, are you jealous?”

  “Hell no,” Mitchell said, seeing red at the thought of Mel taking a trip with anyone, “but that doesn’t mean I think she should be traipsing around dressed like that and flirting with every man she sees.

  “See there,” Mitchell pointed, “See how she’s hugging Walt Mooneyham.”

  Dylan burst into laughter at Mitchell’s absurdity. “Walt Mooneyham is ninety-two years old. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  “I’m not worried. I just think she should have a care with how she advertises her wares.”

  “Do me a favor and mention that to her. I love it when women kick your ass.” Dylan’s gaze wondered back to Anna, and his heart swe
lled with the love he felt for her. The need to get up and pull her into his arms was overwhelming.

  “Oh my, God,” Mitchell muttered. “That’s Jeff.”

  Dylan looked toward the bar again and saw Jeff Zimmerman, their new partner, make a smooth move so he ended up right next to Mel.

  Dylan started to laugh at the irony. “Looks like he’s making some headway. And I believe Mel is returning the interest.”

  “Like hell she is,” Mitchell muttered, then clamped his mouth shut when he realized he sounded like a jealous lover. “She’s a grown woman. She can do whatever the hell she wants. But I think Jeff needs to be concentrating on the piles of work on his desk instead of making time with the local ladies.”

  Dylan ignored Mitchell’s tirade and watched as Anna and Jack sat next to Mel on the barstools. It didn’t take Verna Shiney long to make her way over to the trio. He held his breath as he watched Verna look in his direction, and he knew Anna was now aware of his presence.

  She turned her head and their eyes met, held captive by the attraction that still shot like electricity between them. He smiled at her slowly, that devastating smile that melted her heart, and nodded in her direction.

  Anna froze. She knew there was a chance he’d be here tonight, but she thought she’d have time to get her wits about her and do some deep breathing exercises before she had to jump off the deep end.

  Dylan was confused by the look that came into Anna’s eyes. She looked worried and a little bit hesitant. And if he hadn’t missed his guess…nervous.

  He watched her get up off her stool, and his heart pounded harder when he thought she was coming over to see him. But surprise showed on his face as he watched her walk in the opposite direction.

  “She’s giving you the cold shoulder, bud,” Mitchell said, jabbing him in the ribs.

  “No she’s not, but she’s up to something. That look she gave me was anything but cold.”

  “Look, now Anna’s flirting with Brian. What’s with that guy making time with our women,” Mitchell asked.

  “Our women?” Dylan asked.

  “No, I didn’t say that,” Mitchell backpedaled. “I meant your woman.”