The Wedding Deal Read online

  “Really?” Tony’s libido had finally absorbed Darcy’s striking beauty and accepted the fact that such a gorgeous pair of lips could produce such a sharp tone. “This looks more like chaos to me.”

  “You brought that with you, Mister…What did you say your name is?”

  Before he could answer, a booming male voice sounded from the doorway. “Tony? Tony! Long time, no see! Where’s my sweet godmother?”

  Tony braced himself against his cousin Ulysses’ exuberance. “Hello, Uly. Didn’t know you were in town.” To himself, he added sarcastically, Must be having a Norse God convention nearby.

  “Ditto, dude. Hang on.” He turned his attention to Lulamae as the first notes of an ambulance siren sang in the distance. “Lulamae, darlin’, are you okay?”

  “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest this leg. My muscles haven’t recovered from having my hip realigned.”

  Uly nodded. “Belle is at Thor’s house. You say the word, and I’ll have her come down here and take over.” He glanced a question in Darcy’s direction.

  Lulamae held up a hand. “Darcy is all I need right now.”

  The siren died at the front door, and the flashing lights of the ambulance reflected in the glass walls of the front lobby.

  Tony stood, arms akimbo, and announced, “You say the word, Lulamae, and I’ll send the EMTs back to the hospital.”

  A flicker of doubt crossed Lulamae’s features. Darcy saw it and made their decision. “I’ll go with her. Let the doctors check you out, Ms. Lulamae. After all, we don’t want that hip popping out again.”

  Lulamae seemed relieved. “All right, all right,” she said, pretending to be contrary. “If you insist, we’ll go get an x-ray. Uly, you tell Belle there’s nothing to worry about. Darcy isn’t a nurse, but she’s a great personal assistant. Tony, if you’re done skiing for a while, make yourself useful, sweetheart, and take our things up to our penthouse suite, would you?”

  The small crowd had drifted away but still looked on as the EMTs rushed into the lobby with their equipment. Tony volunteered, “I’ll come with you.”

  Uly shook his head. “Let the EMTs do their work, Tony. Lulamae’s been through lots worse than this. Which you would know if you’d come home to visit now and then.”

  Tony bit his tongue. And so it begins, he thought. Aloud, he said, with as much control as he could muster, “I’ll take your bags upstairs and then follow in my car.”

  Lulamae gave him a wink. “Good boy. Ow, ow, ow! Be careful there. I just had that thing shoved back in place. Do y’all have pain meds?”

  Darcy gave Tony a shriveling look, then said to Lulamae, “I’ll ride in the ambulance with you.”

  Tony took his time collecting their luggage so he could make sure Lulamae got safely into the back of the ambulance. When she and Darcy were on their way, he waved to a bellboy. “Take these up to Lulamae Franklin’s suite,” he said, pulling a twenty out of his wallet.

  “Gee, thanks,” said the bellboy. He took the twenty in one smooth move, then hustled away with the luggage cart.

  Uly clapped Tony on the shoulder. “Did you get a look at that personal assistant? My, my, my, the secretarial pool has changed, hasn’t it?”

  “You coming?” asked Tony.

  Uly checked his cell phone. “Yes, as soon as I pick up Belle. She just read my text. You got my number?”

  Tony held his hands up to show how empty they were. “No phone,” he said.

  Uly said, “Footloose and fancy free, eh? Well, there’ll be one in Lulamae’s room. And she knows all our numbers by heart.”

  Tony could have sworn those words flew like poisoned darts. But Uly turned and left before he could think of a comeback.

  * * *

  Darcy paced the length of Lulamae’s gurney in the ER until she couldn’t stand it anymore. “Excuse me, nurse? How long does Mrs. Franklin have to wait?”

  The nurse didn’t look up from her computer screen. She just rolled it closer to Lulamae. “It won’t be long now,” she said. “The radiologist just came in. He’ll be down for you shortly. Mrs. Franklin? Are you in pain?”

  Lulamae sighed like a martyr. “Evidently not. You’d think an old woman could get a dose of the good stuff when she’s hauled away in an ambulance, but not in Eagle’s Toe.” She assumed a long-suffering expression.

  Darcy’s brow furrowed. “I thought the EMTs gave you something.”

  Lulamae shushed her.

  The nurse chuckled. “You are a funny lady. My information here…” She tapped the screen. “…shows they did give you something in the ambulance.”

  “Darn,” said Lulamae. “What else do you know about me?”

  “Oh, you’d be surprised,” the nurse replied as her fingers flew over the keys.

  A chubby fellow in scrubs arrived, red-faced from exertion. “I’m here. Who needs x-rays?”

  Darcy relaxed a bit. “I’ll wait for you right here, Lulamae.”

  “If I’m not back in an hour, send a Saint Bernard with refreshments.”

  Darcy laughed. Yes, her boss would be fine. She looked around for a place to sit. A plastic chair against the wall beckoned to her. She headed for it, but was stopped by the arrival of Tony Garrison.

  “Where is she? Is she okay?”

  Darcy took a calming breath. “She’s fine. The x-ray will tell for sure, but she’s as spunky as ever.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s in radiology.” Her attention was drawn to a cluster of voices coming into the ER. A group of very healthy people were all talking at once. Two of the men were blond hunks, one was dark-haired and reminded her a lot of Tony, and the three women were taking turns holding onto two small children. One of the women—the one with blue hair—was obviously pregnant.

  “Cousin Tony!”

  “Hi, Thor. Uly.” Tony gave Axel a brotherly hug. “Axel. Good to see you.” He hesitated before addressing the women, his attention zeroing in on the one with blue hair. “Taylor? I guess congratulations are in order.”

  Taylor beamed. “Yes, Axel and I are expecting.”

  One of the brunettes muttered, “Better you than me.”

  The other brunette offered, “Oh Ashley, you don’t mean that.”

  Ashley sighed. “No, of course not, Belle. It’s just that baby number three would take a lot of my attention away from Freya and Odin.”

  Darcy patted the air with both hands. “Are you all here for Lulamae?”

  The men chorused, “She’s our godmother.”

  “Oh. Well.” Darcy wondered if they would all show up for a welfare godmother from a trailer park, but she kept that question to herself. She tilted her head in Belle’s direction. “Are you the nurse in the family?”

  “Yes,” said Belle.

  For the first time, the nurse working at the computer left her station. “Okay, everyone, this is a small ER and an ambulance is about to arrive, so please go out and chat in the waiting room.” She turned to Darcy. “I’ll come for you when Mrs. Franklin returns from radiology.”

  “Thanks.” Reluctantly, Darcy followed the gaggle of concerned quasi-family members out to the waiting room. She filed away snatches of conversation, matching up the names and faces she’d already picked up.

  “She’ll be okay,” said Thor calmly.

  Axel countered, “Easy for you to say. She wasn’t your de facto mother figure for two decades.”

  Tony asked, “How is Dustin doing?”

  “He still loves it in China.”

  “Good. Andrea and Katie?”

  “They’re fine, thinking about starting a business together aimed at twins.”

  Tony made a noncommittal sound.

  Darcy was pacing again. When she turned, she noticed Tony’s eyes were following her every move. She spread her hands and asked sharply, “Do I have underwear showing or something?”

  A couple of people laughed.

  Tony blushed. “No. You’re just—No.” He looked away, but his eyes refused to stop staring at h
er.

  The nurse appeared at the entrance to the ER. “Our radiologist has conferred with the doctor on duty, and they want to keep Mrs. Franklin for observation. We’re waiting for a room to be prepared. It will take about an hour to move her into it, so you all might want to check out the cafeteria.”

  Darcy pressed one hand to her throat. “Is there a problem? I thought this was just routine.”

  The nurse nodded. “Yes, it is.” She lowered her voice and added, “Especially when she’s connected to the family of the hospital’s richest donors.”

  Darcy exhaled. “Oh good.”

  “Come back in an hour, and I should have a room number for you.” Something beeped loudly behind her. “Sorry, got to go.”

  Ashley seemed concerned. “An hour?” She glanced at her children.

  Thor said, “Let’s go get her some flowers. Ash, can’t you call the nanny in?”

  “It’s her only day off,” said Ashley. “I won’t risk losing her.”

  Taylor piped up. “I’ll help you, Ashley. I need the practice. Why don’t we take them to the park across the street? There’s a small playground there. I’ve scoped them all out.”

  Ashley laughed and gave Taylor a hug. “I accept your offer. Come on, kids, we’re going to the park.”

  Axel picked up the toddler. “Let’s go play, Freya.”

  Thor said, “Uly? Flower detail?”

  “On it,” said Uly. “Belle can help us pick out something tasteful.” He laughed at his insider joke.

  Darcy watched with interest. Family dynamics. Always a character study for an actress. Then her mood darkened. A would-be actress. Or maybe a won’t-be, if that’s even a word.

  A few moments later, she and Tony were the only ones left in the waiting room. Tony shrugged at her. “Coffee?”

  “Dr. Pepper,” said Darcy.

  “I’m sure they have some in the cafeteria.” He waved her ahead of him. Out in the main corridor, he stepped up beside her. “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I didn’t know you were working for Lulamae.”

  “Sounds like you were out of the country for a while,” said Darcy.

  “I was here for Axel’s wedding,” said Tony defensively. Then he surrendered. “But yeah. I’ve been AWOL for a few years. Majoring in skiing and snowboarding.”

  “Really? Are you a pro?”

  “No. Just hiding out from intrusive family members.”

  Darcy smirked. “Oh God, I know what that’s like.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he blurted.

  Darcy said, “Thanks. I’ve never heard that one before.”

  “Sorry,” said Tony. “I didn’t expect to find anyone with your looks in this little town.”

  “Well, I don’t come from here.” She cast her eyes to the checkered linoleum.

  “No worries,” said Tony. He fell silent.

  Darcy felt responsible. “It was a nice compliment,” she said at last. “I guess I’m not used to hearing sincerity. People have told me I’m beautiful all my life.”

  “But they didn’t mean it?”

  She made a doubtful sound. “Maybe. But all those years, it felt like they were urging me to go make money on my looks. Almost a burden, you know?”

  “Wow. I’ve never been that good-looking so I don’t have a frame of reference.”

  Darcy didn’t believe him. “No way. All that dark wavy hair and that sculpted chin? I find it hard to believe that you haven’t had a ton of girlfriends beating down your door.”

  Tony grinned. “Hardly. Axel’s the one who gets the girls. Even though, when we were little, people used to say he and I were twins separated by two years.”

  “Hard on your mother.” When Tony blinked at her, she added, “You know. Being in labor for two years?”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s funny.” But he fell silent again. Darcy wondered what she’d said this time.

  He finally responded. “She loved that joke. We both look like Mom. She died when I was eight.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” said Darcy.

  “It was a long time ago. But that’s why Axel and I are so worried about Lulamae. She kind of stepped in when our mother died. They were best friends. She’s always been there for us.”

  “Okay.” Darcy nodded. “I get it. She’s really a wonderful person.”

  Tony pointed a finger at her like a toy pistol. “I knew we’d find something in common eventually.”

  Darcy laughed. They spent an hour chatting in the cafeteria. Tony had a hamburger, and Darcy joined him. She hadn’t eaten since the fruit on the plane. Ninety minutes later, they suddenly realized what time it was and went looking for Lulamae’s room. They found her holding court for her godsons.

  No sooner had they entered the room when Uly remarked, “Tony, I can’t believe you haven’t even called Lulamae in all this time. You should join the twenty-first century and get a cellphone.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened when Tony retorted, “Why? So all my relatives can call and nag me to do stuff?”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Tony let his sharp reply hang in the momentary silence. Uly had always enjoyed teasing him, even when they were boys.

  Then Uly laughed and clapped Tony on the back as if that made it all okay. “Sorry, Tony, I just couldn’t resist.” He turned away before he’d even finished his sentence and focused on Lulamae. “Do you like your flowers?”

  Lulamae looked relaxed, and Tony realized they had medicated her. Probably to keep her in the bed. He dropped his gaze to the floor to hide his smile.

  Darcy saw it, though. She nudged him and whispered, “They probably drugged her to keep her overnight.” Tony was pleasantly surprised that they were thinking alike. She excused herself and went to Lulamae’s bedside.

  “Oh cherie, did you bring me more flowers?” She didn’t sound all that pleased about the idea.

  Darcy looked around the room. “Where would I put them? But I did bring you something.” She put a finger to her lips, then pulled a tiny bottle of vodka out of her purse. “Just in case you need to take a pill later.”

  Lulamae’s eyes lit up, and she stifled a giggle. “What a good girl you are.” She took the little bottle and shoved it under the covers. Then she squeezed Darcy’s hand.

  Tony was touched. It had been years since he’d spent much time in Lulamae’s company, but she seemed to have the same indomitable spirit, even in a hospital bed.

  “They say I have to stay overnight,” she proclaimed. “They’re just afraid y’all will pull your funding if anything happens to me.”

  The Garrisons laughed politely.

  Tony pressed his lips together to bottle up his own, more genuine, laughter. There she goes, telling the truth, no matter what. I used to love it when she’d talk that way to the headmaster at school. Then he asked, “Can we bring you anything else, Lulamae?”

  “Just make sure I have my phone before y’all abandon me.”

  Darcy said quickly, “Oh, I can stay.”

  Lulamae shook her head. “No, no, cherie, I can barely keep my eyes open. All this fuss has worn me out. If we were home in Vegas, I’d be in the middle of a nap right now.”

  “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

  Lulamae raised a brow. “You already did it.” She patted the vodka bottle underneath the covers. “I would love it if you would go take advantage of our suite at the Cattleman’s. I’m going to take a nap, and later, I’ll give Mr. Franklin a call. He’s very entertaining on the phone.” She pointed a finger around the room. “Now listen, everyone. This young lady came to me in my time of need. She’s sweet and helpful, and I want her to keep working for me, so y’all be good to her. Tony, you’re unattached at the moment, I trust?”

  “Who, me?”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Yes, you. I’m surprised you didn’t bring your snowboard along.”

  “I left Switzerland in a hurry.” He immediately regretted his words.

  Axel looked concerned.
“Everything okay?”

  “Oh sure. I just didn’t want to carry all that equipment on the plane.” The image of the countess and her pregnancy test flashed through his mind, and he shuddered. “No, I’m not attached.”

  “Good. I’ll be counting on you to look after Darcy. Now, now, cherie, don’t be embarrassed. This is a good group of people, and I’m sure they’re dying to give you the third degree about everything back at my house. You stay close to Tony.” She leaned toward Darcy. “He’s the one who never took any crap. Just like me.”

  More laughter.

  Less than ten minutes later, Lulamae was dozing off. Thor put a finger to his lips and motioned everyone out of the room. In the corridor, he said quietly, “I need to go get Ashley and the kids.”

  “Taylor, too,” said Axel.

  Uly pulled Belle close. “You old married people. How can you stand to be apart that long?”

  Belle blushed. “Come on, Romeo. Let’s help out with the kids.” She glanced around the group. “Are we still gathering at Thor and Ashley’s for dinner?”

  “Yes,” said Thor. “But I’m having it delivered. Ashley’s too tired to cook a big meal.” He thumped Tony gently on the arm. “You two will be there, right?” Then he left without waiting for an answer.

  Tony held back as they all drifted off. Once it was just him and Darcy, he said sarcastically, “Welcome to Eagle’s Toe.”

  Darcy made a face. “No kidding. Why does Uly care about your lack of a cellphone?”

  “Because I’m not always available.” Tony was impressed by the close attention Darcy was paying to his family conversations. “I have my laptop, but I refuse to carry a cellphone.”

  “I don’t have one either.” Darcy sounded surprised.

  “Really? Who are you avoiding?” asked Tony.

  “My mother.”

  Tony gaped. “Sorry. I mean, you don’t get along? Most of the women I’ve known stay in touch with their mothers.”

  Darcy nodded. “I know. It’s a long story.”

  “We’ve got time,” said Tony. “Evidently they expect us to join them all for dinner this evening. So I suggest we go check out your suite and maybe have a cold drink. I know this crowd. They won’t actually eat until almost eight. That’s too far away. And I don’t plan to get there early. I’m not a good babysitter.”