by Regina Duke
Uly was touched. Bit by bit, he was seeing more of that underlying heartbreak he’d sensed in Belle, and it made him yearn to comfort her. Buoyed up by her frankness, he addressed his godmother.
“Lulamae, you have been the one shining light of unconditional love throughout my life. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this in advance. Yes, Rudy called me and said his soon-to-be Kuwaiti business partner seems to think I’m a married man.” Because my hard-headed father led him to believe just that. Uly left that part unspoken.
Lulamae narrowed her eyes at him. “Mmm-hmm. I can just imagine how that went down. What about this girl he mentioned to me? Something about you and her and cultural mores?”
Uly hung his head. He didn’t want to lay out the whole story right here and now, in front of Belle. He was hoping she was starting to have a decent opinion of him. He chose his words carefully. He didn’t want to hurt Lulamae any more than his secrecy already had, but if he told her the whole story, she’d tell his father and all of his plans would be for naught.
“The girl in question is a friend. That’s all. Yes, I did hug her in public, and that sort of thing is frowned on over there. Over here, no one would think twice about it.” He shook his head sadly. “The only good thing to come out of this accident was getting me back to the States. I don’t know how much longer I could have stood it over there. It’s just too different.”
Lulamae nodded wisely. “See? You are more like your mother than you ever thought you’d be. I think that may form a basis for a reconciliation, don’t you?”
Belle’s brows met in a confused frown. “Are you estranged from your mother? I didn’t get that feeling. She was certainly worried about your welfare.”
Uly’s eyes met Lulamae’s, and they laughed in unison. Then he said, by way of explanation, “Belle is an orphan.”
“Ahh,” said Lulamae. “Well, that explains a few things, doesn’t it? Belle, I was never blessed with a child myself, but I have been watching the Garrisons since before Uly was born. And Polly loves him fiercely. But he’s the first son. And for some reason, parents seem to think all their hopes and dreams will be fulfilled in that first little bundle of joy. Then later, they find out they’ve given birth to a separate human being, not a self-fulfilling prophecy. Uly and Polly have been at loggerheads since he was old enough to talk. And every time she and Rudy have a disagreement, poor Uly ends up in the middle.”
Belle was quiet for a few minutes.
Uly tried to get his cast comfortable on the chaise. Without a word, Belle got up and fetched the unused dry towels from the other chairs and made a cushion beneath his knee.
“Thank you,” said Uly.
Belle nodded. She looked somber.
Uly touched her hand. “You okay?”
“Sure.” She started to speak, then changed her mind. She was still standing next to Uly’s chaise.
Lulamae said, “Out with it, honey. You’re free to speak your mind here.”
Belle crossed her arms and began tentatively, “With all these revelations flying back and forth, I was just wondering. Do you want Uly and me to get an annulment?”
Uly’s heart dropped like a stone. “No! No way.”
Lulamae’s gaze moved from one to the other before she replied. “Darlin’, that has to be a decision between the two of you. If Uly doesn’t want an annulment, then neither do I.”
Belle released her arms and blew out a breath in relief. “Good. Because so far, I like being his wife.” She spread her arms to indicate their surroundings. “Even if it’s just to help his father out. Look at this. Where else would I be allowed to relax in such splendor? And I’m a registered nurse. Uly needs me. Even his mother concedes that point. So I’m glad you’re not against me.”
“Goodness no, child,” said Lulamae. “Besides, I saw the way his face lit up when you came out here to join us. I think you’ll be good for him in more ways than one.”
Uly blushed. “Lulamae!”
Belle laughed.
Uly threw his hands up in surrender. “I am way outnumbered here.”
A phone chimed “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”
“Oh, that’s for me,” said Lulamae. She picked up her cell, glanced at it, then mouthed the words, ‘My husband.’ Aloud, she answered the call. “Tex, darlin’, how’s that meeting going?”
Uly leaned back on the chaise and closed his eyes. He was ready to call it a day, and the pain meds were helping. The thought of walking to his room felt overwhelming. His shoulders were sore from the crutches. He wished he’d brought his wheelchair along, but as soon as the thought entered his mind, he shoved it aside. He was a big strong man. He shouldn’t be in a wheelchair, especially if his mother was in another state. After all, that chair was mainly to elicit her sympathy. But even so, he wished he had it here, so he could slip into it and let Belle wheel him inside. He wondered if she’d be helping him in the shower again tomorrow. That sounded good. He rounded up his scattered thoughts as Lulamae said goodbye to Tex.
Without opening his eyes, he murmured, “Everything okay?”
He felt cool fingers on his arm. He opened his eyes to Belle, standing next to his chaise with his godmother’s wheelchair.
Belle said, “I thought you’d appreciate a ride to your room.”
Uly nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Lulamae, I’m afraid I have to say good night. I don’t think I can wait up for Tex.”
“Good night, darlin’. He won’t be home tonight anyway. They’re in a limo heading up to Mount Charleston. His guests wanted to see mountains and forest, so off they go. But don’t worry. You said y’all would be staying a few days.”
Belle smiled. “Yes, we will. And I’ll be in the pool as often as possible, if that’s okay.”
Lulamae looked delighted. “Excellent. I’ll see you two in the morning. Oh, Uly, Tex wants you here for the party.”
“Party?” Uly blinked at her.
“Yes,” she said. “These guests of his work for that business partner of your daddy’s over in Kuwait. He wanted Tex to show them a good time. Hospitality is a big selling point, I guess, even outside of Texas.”
Uly felt his insides shrivel. His father was a piece of work. How long had he been plotting and planning this whole charade? Surely these guests of Tex had planned this trip weeks ago. Had his father been setting him up with this line about his business partner wanting proof of his marriage? He pressed his knuckles to his eyes.
“And these guests, no doubt, want to meet me and my wife.”
Lulamae’s eyes widened. “Child, I swear you have a touch of the second sight yourself.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Belle was delighted that they were staying in Vegas. It would be good for Uly to be away from his mother, and it would certainly be good for her to get out of Colorado for a while. She realized she’d set a new personal record for not thinking of Zivo. A whole four hours had passed without remembering the heartbreak and pain of that day.
She had Uly to thank for that milestone. When he’d closed his eyes and started to drift off while Lulamae talked to Tex, she’d mimed pushing a wheelchair, and Lulamae had taken a moment from her chat to give her the location. Uly was practically asleep.
Now she could tell he was grateful for her decision. She picked up his crutches and handed them to him after he settled in the chair.
“Thanks for everything, Lulamae,” she said as she pushed Uly toward the sliding doors to her room. That would be faster than going through the house.
Once she got him inside his room, he perked up a bit.
“Thanks for the ride,” he said, wagging his brows at her.
Belle gave him a lopsided smile. “Are you trying to look sexy?”
“Big fail?”
“Total fail. You need sleep. And for that matter, so do I. In the morning I’ll be in bright and early to help you shower, okay? I brought the cast protector.”
“You are a genius.”
“Where are your pajamas? Did you
unpack?” She looked in his drawers. Empty.
“In my suitcase,” said Uly. His voice was rough with exhaustion. “Hey, I can do this part. You got me this far.”
Belle stood hands on hips, evaluating her patient. “Okay,” she said at last. “Put your meds on the nightstand so you can take a pain pill if your ribs wake you up. You spent a lot of time on crutches today.” She picked up an unopened bottle of water. “Lulamae thinks of everything.”
“She’s amazing, isn’t she? This house was a surprise. Last year she was living in the Bellagio.”
“This is much better,” said Belle. “Okay, you’re on your own.” She pinned him with a stern gaze. “No hopping.”
“I promise,” said Uly. “I can barely move at the moment, much less hop. I’m so tired, I can’t even ogle you in that swimsuit.”
Belle grinned. “See you in the morning. Oh, ring my cell if you need me, okay?”
“Will do.”
Belle smiled at him. He really did look tired and more than a little vulnerable. That tugged at her heart strings. She left, closing the door quietly behind her.
Alone in her room, she stripped off the red suit and hung it on the hook in the bath so it would be dry for the next day. She hopped in the shower and shampooed the chlorine out of her hair. A tickle of excitement built inside her, like a giggle with nowhere to go. Her life had changed completely in the last forty-eight hours. She marveled at the vagaries of fate. One moment she was slogging through each day, mourning her chosen profession and fearing every ring of her phone, not to mention the lead weight her heart had become over the last few weeks. And here she was, in a billionaire’s home, lounging by a pool like she’d only seen in movies, married to another billionaire, and looking forward to the morning as if a great adventure awaited her.
She decided to celebrate by wearing the new jammies she’d bought herself. Snuggled in her fairytale bed, she felt like a little girl waiting for Christmas morning. Funny how things could change.
“Mrs. Garrison,” she said aloud. Then she laughed, remembering Lulamae’s line about her mother-in-law. She tried again. “Uly’s wife.” Ulysses. Crazy name to give a baby. As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered what Polly’s grandson was named. She’d have to ask Uly in the morning.
She dreamed she was an Olympic swimmer and Lulamae was her coach. Uly was cheering for her from the stands. She was about to climb up on the podium and collect the gold, when Zivo kicked the box out from under her and snatched the gold medal that should have been hers.
Belle awoke with a start. It took her a few minutes to calm her heart. That jerk. Even in her dreams, he was trying to ruin her life. Well, she would show him. Living well was the best revenge, and she had every intention of doing exactly that.
Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.
The next morning Belle awoke to a quiet tapping at her door. She glanced at her phone. Eight a.m. Puzzled, she got out of bed and opened the door to find Rita with a tray.
“Coffee?” Rita’s friendly face made a great wake-up call.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I brought some cinnamon toast. I hope you like it. I wasn’t sure.”
“It’s perfect. And thanks for waking me. I have to help Uly.”
Rita nodded, smiling. “You are very thoughtful to let your husband sleep alone while he is injured.”
“Oh, yes, that’s me, thoughtful Belle.” She was filled with a secret amusement.
Rita didn’t seem to mind.
“Is Mrs. Franklin up already?”
“Yes. Sometimes she doesn’t sleep well. She has already been in the pool.” Rita set the tray on the top of the dresser. “Is this okay?”
“Perfect. Thanks again.”
After Rita left, Belle was once again filled with that tingle of adventure. Not even a luxury hotel could beat having a live-in cook who brought you a breakfast tray. She’d talk to Uly about how one hires a staff. Or maybe that would be a question for Lulamae.
Her phone pinged as she was pouring herself a cup of coffee. She glanced at it. Uly was texting her.
“Bring your coffee in here?”
It was an invitation, and she was glad to oblige. She texted back, “On my way.” She tucked his cast protector under her arm.
He’d had Rita leave his door ajar for her. When she entered he was leaning back on bed pillows, his own tray on the nightstand.
“Did you take your morning meds?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “They’re starting to work. Since we are a married couple, I thought we should have breakfast together. I got bear claws.”
“Cinnamon toast,” said Belle. “Want some?”
They shared their breakfast in companionable silence. When they finished eating, Belle spoke.
“Did you sleep well?”
Uly held his hand out and rocked it back and forth. “So-so. You?”
The memory of her nightmare flashed in her mind, but she shook it off. “Pretty good. Ready for your cast protector?”
Belle helped him into the shower, keeping everything professional. “I noticed in my room that the shower stall has a ledge to sit on. I figured yours would, too. In a hospital, I’d have a special chair, but this works fine. Tell me when the water is where you want it.”
She waited for him to finish, then handed him towels. By the time he was ready to get out, he had a towel around his waist.
“Oh, Lordy, I feel better!” Uly’s skin was pink and glowing from the shower.
Belle laid out the clothes he requested, then collected the breakfast things. “I’ll take these back to the kitchen. Then if you don’t mind, I’d like to swim some laps.”
“Sure thing. Hey, do you think maybe later we can use this cast protector again so I can get in the pool?”
“Great idea.” Belle was pleased. If he wanted to exercise, that was a great sign. “I won’t let you overdo it, though. And don’t try it without me. We don’t want to ruin that cast.”
She was still in her pajamas, so she moved silently through the house to deliver the trays to the kitchen. She returned to slip into the red swimsuit. After a Vegas night, it was bone dry. She slipped her feet into her flip-flops and exited through the sliding doors. She was less than six feet from the side of the pool, and in two seconds she was in the water. She stopped at the crook of the L to say good morning to Lulamae who was reading the paper in her chaise, wearing a different suit and a red floral sarong. Lulamae looked up long enough to smile and wave, then returned her attention to the paper.
Belle was glad. She wanted to get her exercise. She swam laps until her arms ached. By the time she got out of the pool next to her flip-flops, Uly had joined his godmother on one of the chaises.
Breathing hard, Belle wrapped a towel around her hair and joined them. “I love this pool!”
Uly had a pencil in his hand. He jotted something on the edge of the paper he was reading.
“Let’s see,” he said. “Must haves for house hunting. Swimming pool.”
Belle’s breathing finally returned to normal. “It’s too hot to run during the day, so this is a great alternative.”
Uly laid the newspaper aside. “Lulamae thinks we should let Kamal drive us around today. We could visit Red Rock. Go to Seven Sisters. Maybe see Mount Charleston. What do you think?”
Lulamae piped up, “Or he could take you to the Strip. Whatever you want.”
Belle said, “I’d love to see Red Rock! Do you climb?”
Uly shook his head. “Not even when I have two good legs. But I love to hike, and there are some spectacular rock formations out there. We could make a list of places to hike and bike ride after I’m well.”
“Great idea! I’ll go get dressed.” Belle jumped up, then caught herself. “Lulamae? Would you like to go with us?”
Lulamae looked pleased by the invitation, but she waved the offer away. “Oh, cherie, I have work to do here. With Tex entertaining folks, I need to check on our investments, maybe do some day trading. Yo
u two go. And by the time you’re home, I’ll be ready to socialize again.”
Belle was excited. “Okay. I’ll go get dressed.” She moved as fast as she could in flip-flops. Already focused on what she wanted to wear, she didn’t quite hear what Uly was saying as she entered her room. She was half dressed when she realized what it was. He must have been talking to Lulamae and didn’t expect Belle to overhear, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she was.
Uly had said, “Don’t tell her about the phone call.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Belle chose to wear a combination of common sense and fun-in-the-sun. After all, she had to be sure-footed and help Uly when he needed it, so she wore her running shoes. But she wanted to feel the glorious Las Vegas sun so she selected a pair of white shorts and a sleeveless cotton blouse, white with tiny blue flowers and pleats down the front. She was going for casual but well dressed. She made sure she had her spray-on sun protection in her purse. She kept it handy for her exercise outings. Her skin tanned easily, but no sense tempting fate with too much exposure. By the time she finished dressing, she’d forgotten about the snatch of conversation she’d overheard.
A soft knock at her door caught her attention. She opened it to find Uly looking fresh in khaki shorts and an olive tee shirt. It clung to his torso and tucked into the shorts, revealing sculpted abs and huge arms. Belle couldn’t help but notice that his legs were also muscular. Surprised by the tingle of longing he aroused in her, she asked, “Are you a bodybuilder?”
Uly followed her gaze down his thighs. His lips curled in amusement. “Only accidentally. Lots of physical labor and sports, and I seem to have a tendency to put on muscle. My brother is green with envy. He’s always lifting weights to maintain the body he had as a firefighter.”
Belle fought to pull her gaze away from Uly’s thighs. She cleared her throat and scrambled for something to say that didn’t have to do with his incredible physique. At last she settled on, “Are we taking the wheelchair or just crutches today?”
“Lulamae insisted that Kamal put it in the Caddie, just in case.”
