Chapter 7
She changed into something casual, yet chic, one of her own design. A stunning orange and red crocheted top that showed her navel with its piercing.
She teamed it with a long navy blue skirt and strappy sandals. After hanging up the dress carefully, she sat on the side of the bed and looked around the mostly masculine room.
The décor was on the tame side, tan, deep browns, and some russet that appealed to her sense of boldness. He had suggested she make changes, but other than putting her stuff on available counters and surfaces and hanging her clothes in the huge closet, she had left everything untouched.
She would remove the tan cushions and add some colors, deep blues, sea-greens, and a touch of ruby. The bathroom was a dream with its claw-foot tub, the shower that could easily fit six people, and the double sink.
There was a separate space for the toilet that gave a person some privacy when they were doing their business. She liked that.
Linking her hands together, she stared at herself in the mirror across the room. She looked... stressed or harried.
He had kissed her again and she had sunk into it, forgetting where they were.
She had tried to forget her reaction, but who the hell was she kidding? She had enjoyed it enough to want it to continue.
She was about to get up and get the suitcase he had packed when a knock sounded on the door.
Why on earth was he knocking? she asked herself irritably. It was his room after all.
Marching over to the door, she yanked it open, blinking in surprise to see Cecil leaning on his cane.
“Er- hi. Uhm, if you’re looking for Craig, I believe he’s still at the reception.”
“I know that. I have eyes, don’t I?”
Pushing past her, he walked in, eagle eyes scanning the room.
“You should put your stamp on the place. It needs some color.”
She smiled at that and wondered if she should tell him she was thinking the same thing.
“Sit.”
“I’m not a dog girl. I can stand.”
“You look like you’re about to keel over. I don’t want you ruining my day by having to call the paramedics.”
She nudged him into a padded chair in the conversation area.
Shaking his head, he glowered at her. “Now you’re starting to sound like that husband of yours.”
He eyed her curiously.
“What the hell are you doing up here by yourself? Having second thoughts?”
“I came up here to change and check to see if we have everything for the trip, though I have no idea where that will be. And what I do is of no concern of yours.”
She planted her hands on her hips and glared.
“Is this what I’m going to have to put up with? Nosy old men walking in and diving into my business?”
He simply stared at her with a grin. Damn if he didn’t like her.
“I’m afraid so. My life is practically over and living vicariously through yours and that grandson of mine is all the pleasure I have left. Wherever he’s taking you, make sure you get knocked up before the week is over.”
Instead of being shocked or offended, she cast him a mild look before going into the closet to select a lightweight jacket.
“Not a chance in hell. We’re young and just starting out. Introducing children so early in the marriage is always a mistake. Besides, we both have things we need to do.”
“I see. So, you’re one of those modern day women who put career first. In my day- “
“Your day was in the dark ages. We’ve evolved since the little woman takes a back seat while the big man thumps his chest and pretends to run things,” she reminded him as she shrugged into the jacket.
“So, you’re not avoiding motherhood because daddy ran out on you?”
She went still, her expression dazed at first and then hardening. Of course he had checked into her background.
She was the woman his grandson was marrying, and he had to find out what type of person she was. But oh God, it hurt like hell to discover that he knew that her father was such a bastard.
“That’s none of your business.”
“I agree with her.” They both turned at the cold voice coming from the doorway.
Craig came into the room, his expression icy. Turning to her, he searched her face and felt his anger spiking.
He had come up to see what was taking so long and came in at the tail end of the conversation.
“Could you give us a minute? I’ll bring the bags down and Kelly and Leesa want to say goodbye.”
“Craig- “
“Please.” His expression softened just a little bit.
He waited until she had left the room and closed the door behind her. Fixing his lethal gaze on his grandfather, he waited a beat.
“You cannot damn well fault me for checking into her. She was going to be part of the family.”
“What family?” Craig asked coldly.
“You mean you and me? We’re related by blood and that cannot be helped. My family, my real family, mom and dad are dead. That was my family- “he waved a hand.
“I don’t know who the bloody hell you are.”
“I’m your grandfather! Like it or not, boy, I’m your blood and if you don’t like the way I do things- “
“You think I didn’t know you checked into her?
I expected and accepted it as natural. What I didn’t expect, or I should have considering what vindictive bastard you are, what I’d hope was that you would not mention something that’s a bloody sore point to her.
She’s hurting over what that man did, and you just had to rub it in, didn’t you? You just could not help yourself.”
Refusing to give into the tug of guilt and shame that warred inside him, Cecil got to his feet slowly and tried to stare him down. “It’s not my fault she had a lousy childhood,” he said gruffly.
Craig’s eyes iced over and for a minute, he had to breathe in and out to dispel the rage.
“No, it’s not. It’s the fault of the man who walked out on her. What I won’t allow you to ever do again is to hurt her more than she’s already hurting. You can bitch at me, throw your darts-” he thumped his chest.
“But you’re going to bloody well leave her be. She likes you, God only knows why, but you’re so good at driving people away, that it comes naturally. I did as you asked. I’m married and living here. Now I want you to stay the hell out of our lives. Is that clear?”
Cecil stiffened and felt the guilt spreading.
“I did you a bloody favor! Think I don’t see the way you look at her? You’re in love with her and I made that happen. I did!”
Craig simply stared him down and felt the weariness coming through his pores. He also wondered if Regina had figured out he wanted the real thing.
“We’re leaving now and I hope I don’t have to get the call while I’m away that you kicked the bucket. That will only piss me off even more.”
The hurt came quickly, only to be masked. “I’ll do my best not to spoil things for you, even if I have to will myself to stay alive.”
With that, he made his way slowly from the room. Stopping at the door, he turned to look at Craig.
“One day I hope you’ll appreciate the fact that I want what’s best for you.”
Craig did not answer but lowered himself onto the side of the bed and closed his eyes. He wondered how pissed off and hurt Regina was and realized that he could not get the haunted look on her face out of his head.
*****
She didn’t ask him where they were headed. When he went downstairs with their bags, Millicent told him that his grandfather had retired to his room.
He found Regina chatting with Leesa and Kelly.
She said her goodbyes quickly and got into the car. And immediately put her seat back and closed her eyes.
He did not mention what happened upstairs, because he had no idea what to say or how to broach the topic. And he did not want to scrape at the bruises.
Besides, he did not have the right to ask her anything. He wasn’t really her husband and that was killing him.
He wanted her to talk to him, to vent, so that he could offer some comfort. But his hands were bloody tied.
Flexing those hands on the wheel, he glanced over at her and wondered if she was really asleep or pretending.
But he was determined to change her mind. He admitted to himself that this trip, the isolated cabin he had worked so hard to fix up, was his chance to get through to her.
Relaxing his hands on the steering wheel, he took the left turn that would take them into the rural area and prayed fervently that she would not have a meltdown when she discovered that they were in the country.
*****
She had actually fallen asleep, Regina thought to her surprise as she stirred and stretched her legs out. And he had thrown a blanket over her.
The sweetness of the gesture had something curling inside her and melting her even more.
“I was starting to wonder if I would have to carry you in.” His deep voice had an amused note to it that made her smile before she fully opened her eyes.
“Where are we?” Before he could respond, she popped up from her seat and looked out the window, her eyes going wide.
“This is- where on earth is this?”
“A cabin in the woods,” he told her cheerfully as he reached over to unhook her belt. “You’re going to love it.”
“No, I’m not.” She peered cautiously around, barely touching the button to roll down her window.
It was not dark yet and to her surprise, she realized they had been traveling for more than three hours, which meant she had been asleep the entire time.
It went to show how emotionally and physically exhausted she had been.
“I’m sure there’re all kinds of murdering animals lurking around, just waiting to eat us alive. They’re hiding in some of those bushes and thanking whatever gods they pray to for the fresh meat.”
Craig laughed in delight as he hopped out and came to open her door.
“What an imagination you have.”
“I’m not getting out of this vehicle.” To prove that she wasn’t budging, she folded her arms under her breasts, expression mutinous.
“All right. I’m going in and closing the door behind me.”
Opening the back door, he hauled out their cases.
“I will probably hear your screams when said murdering animals, possibly a bear or two or a coyote or wolf, come trolling for food. But by the time I hunt up my pop’s shotgun, it’d be too late. I-” he grinned when she bolted from the vehicle.