The Wedding Deal

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Blurb

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

  Regina's Books

  Regina's Bio

  THE WEDDING DEAL

  by

  Regina Duke

  The Wedding Deal

  Copyright © 2018 Linda White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from Regina Duke.

  Published by RD Books

  United States of America

  Electronic Edition: August 2018

  Digital ISBN 978-1-944752-15-6

  This book is a work of fiction and all characters exist solely in the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any references to places, events or locales are used in a fictitious manner.

  Digital formatting by StevieDeInk, stevie1@steviedeink.com

  Edited by Marian Kelly, RavensGateEditing.com

  Cover design by StevieDeInk

  Cover photo - Fotolia

  After Darcy Summerlin’s dreams of stardom are shot down by a Hollywood producer, she goes to Las Vegas looking for work…anything not related to show business. She never expected to end up in a small town like Eagle’s Toe.

  Tony Garrison was chased out of the Alps by a crazy countess. When he meets Darcy, he falls hard, but how can he be sure it’s not all an act? Find out in this sweet clean romance by USA Today Best Selling author Regina Duke.

  The Wedding Deal is #8 in the Colorado Billionaires series.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Tony Garrison realized he was more upset than he’d thought when he didn’t care if the 747 he was on crashed or not. He could not stop thinking about the countess, Lysette. What a scene the night before! She’d come running through the lobby of the Alpine resort, trotting after him in four-inch heels with two of her bodyguards in tow. It would have been funny if she hadn't been waving a pregnancy test. She had moaned and wailed and insisted she would force a DNA test to prove he was the father. The women around the fireplace glared at him for being an unfeeling pig, and the men smirked and gave him a thumbs up when they thought their girlfriends weren’t looking. Tony tried to ignore it all. He wasn’t a saint, but he never got so wasted he couldn’t remember who he slept with. Besides, the countess was at least five years older than he was. She wasn’t even in his dating pool.

  The things she said, in English and in French, were embarrassing. But she would have none of his denials. As his Texas cousins would say, it was time to get out of Dodge.

  He leaned his head back on the buttery leather of the first class seat and closed his eyes to shut out the other passengers. His earbuds piped in classical music. It was the only button on the arm of his seat that worked, but he didn’t care. The point was to drown out the engine noise. He could have summoned his father’s private jet, but if he did that, the old man would know he was coming back to the States. And he wasn’t quite ready to face that storm.

  He had texted Axel because he’d decided that Colorado was as good a destination as any other. Also, he really missed his brother. And he was curious as all get out to see what a reindeer sanctuary looked like. The bonus was the rural location and the slim chance that the countess would find him there.

  Axel had promised not to give him away to the rest of the family. Tony needed to make some life decisions, and Axel was the person he felt closest to, not to mention the one he trusted most. He had flown home for Axel’s wedding last year, and he thought Taylor was cute as a button, but he hadn’t really been able to get to know her. Axel was still madly in love, and Tony was truly happy for him. Happy, and a wee bit jealous. All those years of friction between Axel and their father, then boom, his brother gets married, to old money no less, and Dad’s crowing like a rooster, as if he had arranged the whole thing.

  On top of all that, his brother was actually making a go of it as a writer. That had been his lifelong dream, and Tony was impressed by the effort Axel put into his work. Of course, no one could call him a starving artist, not with their family money waiting in the wings, but he did seem to be dedicated to his writing.

  Tony flagged down a flight attendant and ordered Chivas on the rocks. He planned to nurse it as long as he could, as his stomach was not always reliable on airplanes. He snorted at his own understatement. His stomach was twisted into knots. Medication could ease his qualms about flying, but nothing was helping him get past the gnawing anxiety that had begun the moment he decided to go home to the States. It had been nice having an ocean between him and his father.

  His mind drifted back to his less-than-graceful exit from the Swiss ski lodge where he’d spent the last three months. February and March had offered stupendous skiing, but April was warmer than expected and the snow pack was getting patchy and soggy. Even so, he would have remained until the end of the month if not for Lysette’s bizarre behavior. After the countess’s accusations, he had packed at once and reserved a flight to Colorado. He hadn’t expected her to come after him again in the lobby as he waited for his limo. He didn’t know what her long-term plan was, but he’d had enough of her drama.

  She’d seemed contrite near the end of her tirade. Her tone changed when the limo arrived to take him to the airport, her thick French accent slowing her English to a reasonable speed. “Please, darling, forgive me for embarrassing you. I don’t want the father of my baby to hate me.” She glanced about as if worried they were being watched, then clutched his hand, her fingers like ice. “I don’t have time to explain everything now, especially since you are ready to leave.” She let her gaze sweep over his luggage. “You go alert the driver, and I will watch your luggage until you return.” She perched her bottom on his largest suitcase.

  Tony left the lobby to let the driver know he was ready. Out of one corner of his eye, he watched the countess through the glass doors as she opened her bag. Purse was not enough word for it...it was definitely a bag, although Tony was sure she’d paid at least a thousand dollars for it at some posh shop in Geneva. Maybe she was storing the pregnancy stick away for her next victim. When he returned with a bellboy, she was even more apologetic.

  “I will make up for everything. Call me later, after you arrive at your destination, and I will explain the whole situation.”

  She seemed so sincere.

  “I have guarded your luggage, my dear and I ask for nothing in return. Except…” She lowered her voice. “…if someone should contact you for any reason, please be discreet about…” She patted her bag. “…our little test strip.” She clutched his hand and squeezed. “You will be greatly rewarded.” A finger to her lips and then she hustled off. Tony watched as she pranced away with her bodyguards.

  Now on the plane, he began to worry that she wasn’t the harmless kook she appeared to be. Obviously, she was a bit off in the head, but then, wealthy people with titles seemed to feel they were obliged to play the eccentric.

  Tony opened his eyes when the flight attendant touched his arm. “Mr. Garrison? Would
you like some lunch?”

  He thought for a moment, taking stock of his physical condition. “Yes, please.” He was hungry. That was unusual on a flight. But then, he had taken two Xanax before he got on board. Oh, perhaps it had worn off. That would explain his anxiety, but not his appetite. Maybe it was the thought that this might be the last meal he could enjoy in peace and quiet before he was wrapped in the collective bosom of his relatives.

  Two years of gallivanting from ski slope to ski slope had done nothing to clear his mind. He was still overwhelmed with questions. Why were there so many needy and poor in the world? What could he realistically do about it? Should he join the Peace Corps? Why did he have to feel guilty every time he ran his credit card or flashed a hundred dollar bill? No answers, just more questions. He mentally dismissed the Peace Corps idea. With his luck, he’d end up in some poor village in the Third World and contract a horrible disease. On the bright side, he had enough money to pay for a cure. His friends…more like drinking buddies…back in the Alps reassured him that he was not responsible for the have-nots in the world. They urged him to focus on finding an investment or a career that he might want to pursue. Their advice reminded him of the original arguments with his father that had sent him off to Switzerland in the first place.

  Perhaps he needed to spend some time in a more humble atmosphere. Could the answers to his questions lie in the little town of Eagle’s Toe? Axel had found his answers there. Well, it was worth a try.

  He unfolded the linen napkin and marveled at the level of cuisine available in first class. He could guarantee no one in the Peace Corps ate like this. With luck, he’d think of a less unpleasant way to atone for his family’s money.

  * * *

  Darcy Summerlin plumped another pillow and waited for Lulamae Franklin to tell her where she wanted it. She found Lulamae’s accent pleasant enough—a musical combination of Louisiana Cajun and Texas drawl—but wondered how she maintained it after living in Las Vegas for so long.

  “Tuck that one right here, cherie. I’m sorry I’m so cranky. I declare, having that hip pop out of its socket was more traumatic than having the titanium one inserted. And I can’t swim for a while. That’s the hardest part.”

  Darcy placed the pillow as instructed. “Did you take your four p.m. pain pill?” She reached behind her head and tightened the covered rubber band around her ponytail. No point in trying to look glamorous here. That’s what had caused her trouble in the first place.

  Lulamae made a face. “Can you cut those in half for me? I don’t want my brain all muddled. I have work to do. I need to be able to think.”

  “I’d be glad to.” Darcy wondered when it would be safe to ask exactly what kind of work a wealthy woman needed to do.

  “I don’t mean to be such a bother. Child, you have the prettiest eyes. Violet is quite rare, you know. You should be starring on the silver screen, with your looks and all. It’s so kind of you to take on my silly little job.”

  Darcy smiled. “Nonsense. I don’t mind at all. After all, if it weren’t for you, I’d be serving cocktails in a casino or balancing some huge headpiece in a chorus line.” She used a small plastic pill cutter to slice three or four tablets for Lulamae. “I just don’t want you to be in pain.”

  “Compared to other things I’ve gone through, cherie, this is barely a blip. Y’all don’t worry.” She took half a pill and swallowed it with iced tea from a tall glass. “I usually have my personal nurse help me out...Belle...she’s married to one of my godsons, Uly, so I like to think of her as my own dedicated nurse...but they’re up in Colorado looking at real estate. I’m so glad you were seeking a temporary position at the same time I needed a little help.” She lowered her voice and leaned toward Darcy. “I can’t ask my household staff to do these things. They’re very sensitive about performing their specific duties. They have a union, you know.”

  Darcy nodded. “Well, no worries here. The only union I wanted to join was the Screen Actors Guild.” Her expression darkened. “After nine months in Los Angeles, it became very clear to me that the dues for membership far exceeded what I was willing to pay. It’s disgusting what some men think they can get away with.”

  Lulamae patted her hand. “Don’t you fret, darlin’. With my husband off negotiating in Qatar, there’s just us girls here. Except for my driver, of course. But he doesn’t live in.”

  Darcy pretended she heard people discuss their servants every day of the week. What would Mrs. Franklin think if she knew Darcy had grown up in a tiny house in Forest Hill? A flower in the forest. That’s what her mother called her. She was the prettiest girl all the way through school. Destined for greatness. Talented and graceful. Everyone was sure she would make a career for herself in Hollywood. Until, that is, she found out the price of the ride.

  No, thank you, she thought. Working for Lulamae would give her time to think. She didn’t have to pay rent or buy food. And the pool was a lovely benefit. “How long did your surgeon say you need to rest your hip?”

  “Hip’s fine. Titanium never breaks. But the rest of my body aches like I was in a car crash or something.” She squirmed on the pillows that propped her up in bed. “Darlin’, could you put a splash of vodka in my tea?”

  “With the pain pill on board?”

  “Well shoot, honey, why do you think I’m only taking a half at a time?”

  Darcy laughed and fetched the vodka off a wheeled cart at the foot of the bed. As she poured an ounce into Lulamae’s tea, the phone rang.

  “Would you answer that while I wet my whistle?” Lulamae lifted the tea in a salute.

  Darcy took the antique handset and pressed it to her ear. “The Franklin residence. May I ask who’s calling?”

  Lulamae leaned back with a sigh and smacked her lips.

  Darcy covered the mouthpiece. “It’s someone named Ashley. I hear kids and dogs in the background.”

  “Oh wonderful!” Lulamae took the phone. “Ashley, cherie, how are you?...Oh my, yes, I have the best help available....No, no, let Belle find a house first....Can I travel? Well, I don’t see why not. If Darcy can come with me?” She aimed the question at Darcy, who shrugged and nodded. “Yes, yes. Send it on. I’ll have Darcy pack our bags. Is everyone all right?”

  For a while, Lulamae just listened, nodding occasionally. At last, she said, “You don’t say. Why, that young man has been running away from himself all his life. Are you sure?... In that case, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. All right, love, I will see you sometime tomorrow.”

  Darcy hung up the phone for her and schooled her tone to one of mild curiosity. “May I ask where we’re going?”

  “Yes, indeed. We’re going to Colorado. One of my godsons is returning from Europe, and I haven’t seen him in years. Well, there was his brother’s wedding, but we had no private time to talk. Did you pack our bags this morning like I asked?”

  “Yes, ma’am, but how did you know we’d be traveling?”

  Lulamae winked at her. “I had a dream,” she said. “My dreams are not always prophetic, but it doesn’t hurt anything to be prepared, does it?”

  Darcy looked at the woman with new respect. What other secrets did this fragile woman have in store? Prophetic dreams? She shushed her inner skeptic and asked politely, “Can you see the future?”

  Lulamae sipped at her tea. “Not very well, I’m afraid. My mother had the second sight, but she made the mistake of telling people, and next thing you know, they were chasing her down to find out this and that and the other, and it near drove her crazy. I learned to admit only to suggestive dreams.”

  “So you dreamed your godson was coming to Colorado?”

  “Oh no, nothing as specific as all that. No, I dreamed about Eagle’s Toe, the little town where my other godsons live. It was more of a feeling that I would be needed there soon. I remember you told me you canceled your cell service. If you need to call someone and let them know where you’ll be, you can use the landline.”

  “No problem. I don
’t need to call anyone. But should I bring you your laptop? To make plane reservations?”

  Lulamae laughed with delight, aided by the vodka in her tea. “Not to worry, sugar. Our plane will be ready when our chauffeur gets us to the airport. Ashley’s husband, Thor, is sending his private jet for us.”

  “Of course. Silly me,” said Darcy.

  Lulamae’s eyes twinkled. “I’m going to read for a while. You go relax. I’ll ring if I need you.”

  “Remember,” said Darcy, “I’m here to help. Don’t take off on your walker again. You scared me half to death the last time.”

  “I’ll be good.”

  Darcy smiled softly and left Lulamae’s room. She pulled the door almost closed behind her, but left it an inch or so ajar so she’d be able to hear if Lulamae called out or rang her little bell.

  She retreated to the bedroom where she was staying, a charming frilly room with lace accents and a sliding door that opened onto the pool. She wouldn’t swim while Lulamae might need her, but it pleased her no end to know that the pool was there. She settled in a wingback chair in her room and opened her laptop.

  There was another email from her mother, asking if she’d landed any roles in Hollywood yet. Darcy leaned her head against the back of the chair and closed her eyes. How long could she keep up this facade? Eventually, she would have to tell her mother the truth, and that would crush all the dreams she’d had for her daughter. Darcy set the laptop aside and said a little prayer that she might find something else to do, something that would impress her mother as much as a bit part in a horror movie would. But how on Earth would she do that in Eagle’s Toe, Colorado?

  CHAPTER TWO

  Lulamae slept through most of the flight. Darcy was impressed that the jet had recliners for seats. She played with her own, certain that the hum of the chair would be drowned out by engine noise and not wake Lulamae. She was surprised to learn there was an attendant on the plane when a tall, elegant gentleman brought her a cold drink.