“Of course, dear. You don’t think they’d miss the wedding, do you?” Lila’s didn’t elaborate on the details, but instead launched into another monologue about the wedding.
“Sounds like we’ll be busy little bees for the next two weeks.” EV intoned with an internal sigh. It was beginning to sound like she wouldn’t have time to explore the countryside as planned, and resigned herself to being bored to tears by centerpiece arrangements and debates about proper garter placement. If I survive two weeks of this, I should get a prize, she thought. If I haven’t done away with Lila by then, I’ll be eligible for sainthood.
* * *
Pulling up to the place, Nate, wide eyes staring out the window, let loose a whistle. EV concurred.
Some genius of an architect had gone to a lot of trouble extending the existing structure with enough new construction to almost triple the original square footage. From the outside, it looked like a scene from a fairy tale. Turrets soared into the sky, castellated battlements ranged like gapped teeth across walls of ancient stone. EV’s imagination ran wild trying to picture what lurked behind ponderous arched doors of aged wood and hinges beaten from bars of iron.
Despite living humbly in Ponderosa Pines, EV was no stranger to opulence. Her family was every bit as wealthy as Lila’s. She had just chosen a simpler life, knowing full well what the alternatives were. Still, EV goggled when she got her first glimpse inside. Instead of a great hall, dank in the corners where flickering torchlight couldn’t reach, the doors opened into a gleaming interior of polished stone sparkling under soft lighting provided by fixture after swanky fixture. Burnished bronze and alabaster-shaded sconces lined the walls, while a crystal-bedecked chandelier dominated half the ceiling area.
To her right, the concierge desk, clad in pretty pink marble, rested next to a bank of elevators. On one corner, a sleek white cat surveyed the new arrivals with eyes the color of polished jade. Of its own volition, her hand lifted to give the regal beast a scratch behind the ears. He rewarded her efforts with a loud purr while her eyes took in the rest of the lobby. Just ahead, a sculptural sweep of gleaming granite stairs gracefully curved toward what looked like a second-floor balcony running around three sides of the foyer. EV knew from the website that a hair salon, several boutiques, and a five star restaurant resided there. Just past the concierge area, propped-open glass doors provided access to a gift shop. Nearly anything you might need for your vacation could be found somewhere in the castle.
An impeccably crafted sign reading Pub and Cafe swung from a wrought iron hanger on her left, and another, smaller sign indicated that the entrance to the spa was somewhere behind a huge staircase opposite the eatery.
As though reading the thoughts running through EV’s mind, Chloe nudged her with an elbow and whispered, “Low voltage LEDs. Trust me.”
That was all she had time to say before the concierge, a gentleman who bore an uncanny resemblance to Dame Christie’s description of Hercule Poirot, spied Chloe.
“Miss LaRue, it’s so good to see you.” EV stifled a smile when the man’s deep southern American accent and exaggerated lisp drove the good detective right out of her head. “And Miss Lila, just look at the two of you, together again. Such beauty in one place, why, it’s a sight for these sore eyes.” His eyes didn’t look particularly sore, but they did slide ever-so-subtly toward Lila, as though searching for approval. “Leave your bags right here; I’ll see they’re taken up to your rooms. Now, I’m sure Miss Lila would prefer to show you the way, since your suite adjoins with hers. She wanted to keep all her ladies close during this time of preparation.”
“Thank you Antoine.” Lila, leaving Nate no choice but to follow, latched onto Chloe’s arm on one side, and EV’s on the other, practically dragging them toward the grand staircase. EV raised an eyebrow at the name. To be sure, he looked like an Antoine, but he sounded more like a Billy Bob. The cat spilled from the desk to prance along behind the three women, all the way up into the lofty reaches of the castle. It seemed EV had made a new friend.
When Nate moved to follow Chloe, Antoine called him back, “Mr. Harper, if you could come with me, please. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“He’s with me, Antoine,” Chloe pulled away from Lila, turned back to tuck her hand into the crook of Nate’s elbow.
“Miss Lila chose special accommodations for Mr. Harper.”
Chloe treated her mother to a questioning glare.
“It’s fine Chlo. I’ll find you later.” He dropped a peck on her cheek while keeping his eyes trained on Lila, who regarded the scene with equanimity. “Go. Spend time with your mother. It’s been awhile since you’ve seen her.” Whether he was meant to be the referee in some private mother-daughter war, or a pawn to be sacrificed on the playing field, Nate sensed no overt personal hostility from Lila. This was a power struggle that probably had nothing to do with him, and he would only involve himself in if it looked like Chloe needed the extra support—though he saw no harm in letting Lila know his position, which was firmly seated on Chloe’s side.
* * *
Made it safe, jet-lagged and sleepy. Kiss the kittens for me. Chloe’s text to Talia was preemptive; she knew Tallie would worry if she didn’t check in, and hoped she’d spread the word and spare Chloe a few panicked calls from other friends, neighbors, and general busybodies.
Deciding to complete the task to the fullest extent, she sent a group message to Veronica and Mindy as well: Touched down, safe and sound in my room—far away from Nate, thanks to my mother. Apparently my dry spell is destined to resume.
Moments later,
