“Perfect fit,” she said. She held up her hand and wiggled the fingers on her left hand for him to see.
“Bella, if it’s not what you want-”
“I want,” she interrupted him, her voice low but intense, “to track down Wesley Jenkins and find out the truth. The not knowing is going to kill me.”
Colin stood and drew Bella to her feet. “Then let’s go find Mr. Jenkins.” Without waiting for her to answer, he covered the tray of rings with the black velvet cover. He crossed to the door and rapped on it. Once the security guard entered, he spoke to him in a voice low enough that Bella couldn’t overhear him.
Once the guard was dispatched with both the gems and his instructions, Colin turned to Bella. She had moved to the window, her back toward him as she gazed out of the window to the street below. She was right. They needed to know one way or the other what had happened that night at the wedding chapel.
Chapter 10
Finding Wesley Jenkins wasn’t quite as easy as Bella had hoped it would be. The ‘Gone Gambling’ sign still hung on the Yellow Rose of Texas Chapel’s front door. She looked through the glass panel but was unable to see any signs of life. Like her grandfather, Wesley was a widower. But he wasn’t a gambler. Which made the sign he’d hung out seem highly suspicious.
Bella dug into her handbag and fished out her cell phone. “I think I may know someone who will know where to find him,” she told Colin. She did a quick search for a number and then tapped it in. A brief conversation led her to dial another number and this time she hit pay dirt. With heartfelt thanks she ended the call and turned to face Colin, her voice triumphant. “Fancy a ride out to the shooting range?”
“That all depends on what we’re shooting.”
Colin’s smile nearly made her knees buckle. When he smiled, his eyes crinkled in the corners. Did he have any idea how gorgeous he was? Bella doubted it. She slipped her phone back into her purse and headed toward her car. “It’s not shooting as much as it’s hunting,” she called over her shoulder. “C’mon. Let’s get a move on before our prey disappears.”
Bella had been to the Dead Center Shooting Range several times before so she didn’t need to consult the GPS as she drove out of the city. While she didn’t consider herself a gun aficionado, she had learned how to handle a weapon. She had forgotten that Wesley enjoyed target practice until his niece had reminded her that if it was a weekend, there was a good chance Bella would find him at the range.
The trip passed quickly as Colin peppered her with questions about the passing landscape. Through his eyes, she watched the monotone sandstone colored landscape pass by. “You’ve never been out west before this trip?”
He shook his head. “I’ve not visited Nevada, no. Only Los Angeles.”
She glanced over at him. He wore a green and navy blue plaid button down with a pair of stonewashed jeans. His sunglasses hid his expression from her, instead she saw the bright blue desert sky reflected back at her. “You’re a long ways from home. I can’t imagine this compares to England.”
He smiled. “You’ll need to come and judge for yourself.”
They were from two different worlds and their time together would be all too brief. She was too attached to Colin, this she knew wasn’t good for her. But the speed at which she’d become so was what unnerved her most.
She came to a stop in front of the shooting range. “Let’s go find out if we’re married.”
Colin didn’t move. Instead he turned to look out the window. Bella couldn’t see his expression but it was clear that he wasn’t feeling carefree.
Bella reached out and laid a hand on Colin’s arm. “What is it?”
He pulled his sunglasses off and tossed them onto the dashboard before he turned to look at her. His expression was a mixture of anger and something else she couldn’t pinpoint. She opened her mouth but then closed it again. He obviously had something he needed to say.
“We’re just meant to march in there, bold as brass, and demand to know the truth of what happened when we were at the chapel. Right?”
Bella nodded. “Basically.”
Colin’s eyes locked onto hers. “Doesn’t the fact that we were so drunk that we can’t remember anything embarrass you somewhat?”
“Somewhat? Try totally.” Bella tore her gaze away from his and stared out through the windshield. “I’ve never had so much to drink that I wasn’t in control of my actions. Certainly I’ve never imbibed so much that I couldn’t remember what I did or didn’t do.” Warming to her subject, she turned back to him. “How do you think I feel facing your grandmother? She’d breathe fire meeting me under normal circumstances, but thinking I was so inebriated that I married her grandson and couldn’t remember? Ugh. I’m beyond humiliated.” She took a deep breath and plunged ahead. Apparently he wasn’t the only one who had something he needed to say. “And then there’s my grandpa. I’ve never done anything to embarrass him, and now this?”
Silence filled the car.
“So that’s a yes, then?”
Bella burst out laughing. Colin’s droll British humor was one more thing to adore about him. “Yes, I’m embarrassed.”
“So am I.” Colin opened his car door and got out. He came around to her side and opened the door for her. “Would you rather I handle this alone?” he asked.
“No.” Bella tried to slip her hands into the back pockets of her jeans but the rock on her left hand made it hard to do. She would never get used to wearing such a monstrosity, regardless of how pricey it was. And she didn’t doubt that it had been hideously expensive. But Colin had seemed set on her wearing a ring in order to antagonize, or at least annoy, his grandmother. The game playing that seemed natural to the two of them was her personal idea of relationship purgatory.
“Bella?”
She shook her head to clear away her thoughts. It was time to focus on shaking the truth out of the one man who knew it. “Sorry. I think Mr. Jenkins is going to be far more amenable to speaking with someone he knows. You can either come along or wait here.”
Colin made a face. “You are too kind.” Without waiting for her to lead the way, he turned and headed toward the entrance.
Bella hurried to match his stride. So he was just as fed up of the whole charade as she was. Good.
Once inside, she paused to let her eyes adjust to the relatively dark interior. Bella waited behind two men for her turn to check in. A young woman was working the front desk. Her platinum blond hair was pulled into a high ponytail and her fingernails were shocking pink. Dead Center was emblazoned across the front of her shirt in dazzling crystals.
“How can I help you?” she asked when it was Bella’s turn. Her words were directed to Bella but her eyes were locked on Colin.
Bella took a step closer to him, which she hoped put her more in the attendant’s line of vision. “My husband and I are looking for someone who might be here.”
To the attendant’s credit, the word ‘husband’ seemed to snap her out of a Colin-induced trance. Reluctantly, regretfully, she turned to Bella. “Are you cops?”
Bella shot a quick glance at Colin. His expression remained impassive, although she could swear his eyes were twinkling. She turned back to the attendant. “No. But we have a friend who might be here that we need to talk to. Can we go into the range area?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.” She pointed to several folding chairs in the corner of the room. “But you can wait if you want to.”
Bella started to protest but stopped when Colin lightly laid a hand on her shoulder.
“My wife is concerned that our friend should hear the news from us. It isn’t the sort of thing that a man should hear on voicemail, if you know what I mean.” Colin’s smile was genial. “It would be such a kindness to Mr. Jenkins if you could direct us to him.”
Eyes wide, the blond nodded. “I completely understand. If you could just leave an ID with me, I can take you to where Wesley is.” After she took Bella’s driver’s license, she re
ached under the counter and took out two sets of protective ear headsets. She came out and around the glass counter and beckoned for them to follow her down the corridor that led to the shooting gallery. She swiped her pass key and held the door open for them. After they were inside, she led them down a row of shooting lanes. It was too loud to be easily heard, so she pointed out the man they were looking for and then left.
Bella watched as Wesley shot a full round of ammo at the target. It was hard to tell from where she stood just how accurate he was but she knew he’d eventually have to stop and reload. Once he did, she motioned for Colin to stay put.
“Mr. Jenkins,” she said after he’d put his gun down on the shelf, “can I have a moment of your time?”
Startled, he stared at Bella in surprise. “Why, hello Bella.” He looked around before he turned back to her. “I’m surprised to see you here. Your grandfather never mentioned that you liked to shoot.”
“I don’t particularly. I came here to look for you. Can I have a moment?”
His eyebrows rose, and then he frowned. “Nothing’s wrong with your granddad, is there?”
“He’s fine. Can we please step outside where it’s quieter so I can ask you a few questions?” It was bad enough having to discuss this privately with anyone, she certainly didn’t want to have to shout to be heard.
“This really isn’t a good time, Bella.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon?”
Bella glanced back over her shoulder to where Colin stood watching them. “Please, Mr. Jenkins, I really need to talk to you.”
Wesley nodded. “Give me a few minutes to put my gear away and I’ll meet you out front.”
Bella smiled her thanks and made her way back to Colin. She motioned for him to follow her out through the way they’d come in. Once they’d returned the ear protection and retrieved her driver’s license, they headed out to wait for Wesley.
She leaned against the car. “I think we might be wasting our time, Colin. If Wesley is lying to us for some reason, why should he all of a sudden come clean just because we ask him a few questions?” She waited for Colin to answer but he stayed silent. She sighed. “Maybe we should have just waited for Tuesday to see if there was a valid wedding license filed on our behalf instead of running around chasing rainbows.”
Still Colin said nothing. Bella bit the inside of her cheek. Now wasn’t the time to start an argument with him. They were both under stress. She studied the clouds overhead for several minutes before checking her watch. “What’s taking Mr. Jenkins so long?” she wondered aloud.
Colin turned to her, his face grave. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I think the Nevada sun is starting to get to you. Let’s go inside and find him before he leaves without talking to us first.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he repeated. His eyes met hers. “Seeing Jenkins must have triggered something because I remember now. I know what happened that night at the chapel.”
Bella’s shock was evident in her eyes. She stared back at him and he wondered if she was going to be disappointed or relieved when she learned that they weren’t married. He certainly was. But there was more than a little relief as well. He’d grown to care too much for Bella to want her trapped or shackled to anyone, even himself.
He reached out and tucked an auburn tendril behind her ear. He felt her tremble as his hand lightly brushed her cheek. “We came close that night, but we didn’t get married. There was a marriage certificate but I didn’t sign it.”
Bella sagged against her car and closed her eyes for a long moment. When she opened them, she kept her gaze fixed on the horizon. “Why did we have a marriage license in the first place?”
Colin wrestled with the slim bit of memory he’d recovered. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But I think you were showing me how the process worked. I remember Jenkins receiving a phone call and then offering us a drink. That’s all I remember.”
“I feel so stupid.” Her voice was so faint that he could barely make out her words.
Without pausing to decide if it was the right thing to do, Colin pulled Bella into his arms. She came willingly, surrendering herself to his embrace. He rested his cheek on the top of her head, and in that moment he knew. He knew he’d never be able to get enough of her, nor would he be able to go back to England without her. He wanted Bella Johnson. Forever.
She pulled back and looked up at him. “What do you mean we came close? What happened?”
Colin started to respond but stopped when he caught sight of Wesley Jenkins coming down the armory steps. “Here comes Jenkins. Just follow my lead, won’t you?”
Bella nodded her agreement. He drew back from her and motioned for Wesley to join them.
“Thank you for sparing us a moment, Mr. Jenkins.”
“What can I do for you two kids?” Wesley asked, his eyes darting between them.
Colin decided not to waste any time. He already knew the truth, he just wanted a confirmation. “How much did my grandmother pay you for your part in this charade?”
Wesley Jenkins took a step backward, his face a perfect blend of confusion and guilt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Colin reached out and slid his arm around Bella’s shoulders. She looked like someone had just struck her right between the eyes. He turned his attention back to the Yellow Rose of Texas Chapel owner. “Let’s not play a game of hide and seek with the truth, Mr. Jenkins. First of all, let me assure you that my grandmother is a woman who is used to getting her own way. She’s persuasive, shall we say. I can easily understand how she might have overwhelmed you into going along with her plan.”
Much as Colin had expected, Wesley grasped at the suggestion that he had been coerced and clung to it like it was a life raft. “Yes, that’s what happened. I tried to tell her no but she just steamrolled right over me.”
“How much did she pay you?” Colin asked. He was careful to keep his voice low and his tone non-accusatory, which wasn’t easy. His instinct was to throttle the man for the distress that his lies had caused Bella.
He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly but kept his gaze focused on the man in front of him. “I’ll agree not to prosecute you for fraud if you go along with my conditions.”
When no answer was forthcoming after several long seconds, Colin narrowed his eyes. He’d learned a thing or two from watching Margaret Bladestone operate over the years. Intimidation wasn’t his preferred method of closing a deal but he wanted to spare Bella any further distress. “I have little time and even less patience, Mr. Jenkins. From where I stand, you don’t have a difficult choice to make. You either make a deal with me or face prosecution for filing a fraudulent marriage license.”
“But I didn’t actually file it.”
So now they were finally getting somewhere. “That might keep you out of jail.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bladestone, truly I am.” Wesley turned his attention to Bella. “Forgive me, Bella. I didn’t think there was much harm in letting his grandmother play a little prank on your boyfriend.”
Colin drew Bella closer toward him, hoping that the physical contact would shore her up.
“I didn’t spend any of the money.” The words came out in a guilty tumble.
They were the words of a basically moral man who had succumbed to greed. Colin felt a stab of shame for his grandmother’s actions. This was so her, she had an uncanny talent for finding vulnerable souls to do her dirty work. “Good. That will make it very easy for you to have a cashier’s check made out to the charity of your choice for the full amount delivered to my suite at the Desert Oasis within the next twenty-four hours. After that, we can forget this ever happened. So long as you have nothing further to do with my grandmother and that you promise to never do one single thing to upset Bella. Is that clear?”
Wesley shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked at the dust with his toe. He took a deep breath and looked directly at Bella. “I’m sorry, honey
.”
Colin glanced down at her, wishing more fervently than he’d ever wished for anything, that she could have been spared this betrayal.
“I never meant to do anything to hurt or embarrass you,” he continued. “It’s just that the chapel has been doing so poorly lately and the offer of that much cash can tempt a man. If it matters at all, I’m right ashamed of myself.”
Colin decided that Bella had been put through enough. “Let’s go, Bella.”
“Wait.” She moved back out of his embrace. She looked Wesley Jenkins straight in the eye. “Did my grandfather know?”
Chapter 11
Bella remained silent during the drive back to the hotel. She didn’t trust herself to speak and she felt a rush of gratitude to Colin for letting her have some time to process what they’d just learned.
Once they were back at the hotel, she tossed her purse on the nearest coffee table and kicked off her shoes. It felt good to be back in their suite. But it wasn’t her suite. It was Colin’s. And for the first time, it crossed her mind that she’d need to pack up and leave. But she wouldn’t go until she and Colin had a moment to talk. Judging by his storm cloud of a face, he would need to vent. Heaven help the man for having such a nightmare of a grandmother.
Bella sank onto the couch and patted the seat next to her. “Sit with me, Colin.”
But instead he paced the room like a caged animal. “My grandmother is as mad as a hatter.”
Bella laughed aloud. “Sorry,” she said when she caught sight of his frown. “Really, I am, but you just sounded so quintessentially British.”
Colin stopped pacing and looked at her, his gaze so intent that the smile faded from her face and her heart began to race.
“Not only am I British, I’m also a Bladestone. Through and through, whether I bloody well like it or not.”
There was an edge to his words that Bella hadn’t heard before. It was so different from his normal light hearted, good mannered, optimistic manner. She found herself very much attracted to this Colin Bladestone.
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