Chapter 15
Dylan had time to think about the best approach on his way over. In thinking about it, he had stopped at her favorite diner to pick up a skinny latte and a slice of strawberry shortcake, her weakness.
He needed all the help he could get.
The conversation with his father had been very enlightening and satisfactory.
Craig Muldoon had put the fear of God in the man and sent him scrambling.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open to noise and chaos. Workmen were crawling everywhere, and the din of power tools was astounding.
His sister was standing in the middle of it, talking to a balding man with a tool belt hanging from his waist.
He waited until she had finished the conversation and turned. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and a smile bloomed.
Christ! Even wearing faded denims hanging low at her hips and a skinny teal-blue sweater rolled up at the sleeves, she still managed to look like a model.
"There you are!" She raced toward him.
He just managed to save the latte by lifting his arms as she threw hers around him.
"Whoa. I did not just come from war. I've only been gone a couple of days."
"And you never bothered to tell your only sibling that you were going under," she said in an accusatory tone.
"Going under means radio silence." Bending forward, he brushed his lips on hers.
"I bought you an apology gift."
She eyed him for a minute before snagging the cup and paper bag.
"You stopped at Sally's."
"She wanted to know if you're upset with her."
"I haven't been there in weeks." Tucking her hand through his arm and balancing her cup, she drew him out of the noise and into a small room with comfortable chairs and a conversation area.
"This is the chill area where people can come and relax, have some refreshments. It's the only place that's all the way completed."
She took a seat on a ruby-red sofa and patted the space next to her.
"Things are hopping along."
She nodded, her eyes bright. Taking a sip of her latte, she let out a sigh and stretched her legs out.
"You cannot talk about the operation."
"No. Just to say it was successful." He shifted so he was facing her.
"You look happy."
She grinned.
"I am. I'm getting married this weekend."
He lifted a brow. "Again?"
"This time for real." She took a deep breath and let it out in a rush.
"He's in love with me and gave me an ultimatum. Or something to that effect. Told me he's in love with me and wants a real marriage and kids."
She pressed a hand to her stomach. "I might even now be pregnant."
"We've not been using anything." She waved a hand.
"Anyway, he refused to take no for an answer, and I ended up saying yes. So, hence the trip to Vegas. He promised me gambling afterward. We're staying the weekend. And oh God!"
She closed her eyes briefly.
"I'm so in love with him. He pushed and pushed until I had no choice. Damn him!"
"Bastard. I should haul him in for questioning."
She laughed, leaning back on the pretty colorful cushions.
"You should. I missed you. There was an incident with the sperm donor."
He tensed slightly and decided it was time.
"I heard."
"You did?" She stared at him, puzzled.
"Craig called you?"
"No." He rubbed his palms over his knees.
"Douglas. He called the station and left an urgent message. I've been back since yesterday, and after getting the message, I went to see him at the inn. He was very distressed."
Her eyes kindled.
"I'm the one who should be upset. So, he's still here."
She rounded on him. "I hope you were not foolish enough to give him a cent."
"I didn't. Your husband did."
"What?" She blinked.
"He didn't tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Muldoon went to see him at the inn. Turns out that the place belongs to them actually. Anyway," he shook his head.
"He went to confront Douglas, paid him a hundred and fifty grand."
Anger erupted. "He had no right..."
"And made him sign a paper saying he would not set foot within fifty feet of you, and he won't be asking either of us for money in the future. I read the document myself and it's ironclad. Our dad was quite put out and scared spitless."
His eyes turned cold.
"He threatened you. He did not say it in so many words, but I know him. Said you pepper sprayed him. Good for you."
She didn't hear the rest. "Craig had him sign a legal document?" she asked dazedly.
"That man of yours is quite scary and I do believe he really loves you. You hit the jackpot."
Putting the cup on the small round cherrywood table next to her, Regina pressed a hand to her stomach.
"He really does. Please excuse me."
She rose slowly and grabbed her phone.
He watched her rush from the room and smiled. His sister had found a man who was her perfect match.
Good, he mused. Picking up her cup, he took a sip of her latte, putting it back with a grimace.
*****
"Hi. Everything all right? I'm in the middle of a discussion..."
"This won't take long." She had found another room where the noise was muffled.
"You didn't tell me."
"Tell you what?"
"That you met with him. With Douglas Graham."
"Oh. Must have slipped my mind. Why? Did he call you? I told him to stay the hell away from you. Is he there? I'm going to..."
"No." She leaned against the window and watched as one of the workmen picked up a heavy plank.
"My brother is here. Dylan saw him at the inn. You did that for me and never said a word."
"Wanted to give you peace of mind."
"I should be mad at you right now, but I'm not." She took a deep breath.
"I love you, Craig Muldoon."
Walking away from the contractor, he went to lean on a towering oak. Closing his eyes, he had to make an effort to steady himself.
"Tell me again," he demanded hoarsely.
"I'm head over heels in love with you and tonight, the sex is going to be off the charts."
He had to laugh. "Isn't it always?"
"Tonight, it's going to be extra. I love you. I love you so damn much."
"I will never get tired of hearing it."
"I have to go. See you later."
He stood where he was, the phone hanging from a hand that was not steady. She was getting to the point where it was easier to say the words.
"Christ!" he muttered, wondering how the hell he was supposed to go back to business as usual after this.
*****
"Everything okay?" Dylan looked up from the text he was responding to as she walked back into the room.
"Yes." She plopped back down next to him, her expression still a little dazed.
"I should be totally mad with him."
"Why?" Dylan tucked the phone back in the pocket of his worn leather jacket and gave her his full attention.
"He took over."
"He loves you and in my book, that's all right. More than."
He reached over to put his hand over hers.
"The guy is all the way gone over you. I saw it when I first had a talk with him."
She sent him a frowning glance. "A talk?"
Dylan grinned.
"He kept that from you too. I wanted to ensure he wasn't using you."
He shook his head when she opened her mouth to snap at him.
"Big brother deal and that's what I'm here for. To run interference. But back to my point."
"I saw it clearly that he was way into you and mentioned it. He was a little embarrassed to be caught like that, but he muttered something about if you knew, you wouldn't agree to the fake marriage."
"Oh God!" Leaning back, she closed her eyes.
"He managed to break through my resistance. Everything makes sense now. Because of him."
Dylan contemplated her happy and carefree expression for a few seconds before responding. "He gave me hope as well."
She blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
He fiddled with his watch and avoided her eyes.
"I reached out to Sherry. We're meeting for supper. At her place. She's still single and..."
He shrugged. "We want to take another shot."
He jolted when her hand snaked out to grip his.
"Oh honey, that's wonderful! I really liked her."
She recalled the stunning caramel-complexioned lawyer with her infectious laugh and stunning hazel eyes.
"I'm in love with her and was too scared to admit it. You and Muldoon have given me hope."
Turning his hand over, he gripped hers.
"I thought that I was like him. That I would end up screwing things up and hurting her. I didn't want that."
"We're not like him." Her fingers tightened on his.
"Craig made me see that." Her smile was whimsical.
"God, he's stubborn and forceful. Nothing I said or did turned him off. He's so bloody patient."
She focused on her brother.
"Will you come with us to Vegas? I want you as a witness. You and Sherry."
His eyes narrowed. "Honey, Sherry and I are just talking."
"And we both know that woman's bonkers over you. Let's make it a thing."
Excitement shone in her lovely mahogany eyes.
"A weekend of fun and debauchery. You two will be our witnesses instead of a couple of strangers."
"I'm not sure..."
"Put it to Sherry. Just tell her the situation and have her call me if anything. If you don't want to tell her the full story, tell her we've decided to elope."
"No." He shook his head decisively. "I want complete transparency between us, and she's discreet."
"All right." She lifted their joined hands and pressed them to her left cheek.
"We're fine. We're going to be okay."
Leaning over, he kissed her forehead. "More than."
*****
Sherry said yes and got a kick out of the private jet. The reunion with the woman wasn't as awkward as Regina feared because Sherry made it a point of duty to walk over and wrap her arms around Regina.
"Your brother is finally coming to his senses," she whispered, making Regina laugh, the relief coming through.
And they made an adventure of it. Craig, being Craig, made certain they had champagne, caviar, and canapés on the short flight.
The hotel, one on the strip, was owned by the company, so they were given the royal treatment and the penthouse suite.
They roamed the strip, stopping in casinos and making a night of it. The women stuck to the slot machines, while the men went to the blackjack and craps.
When Regina and Sherry had depleted their money and won back some of it, they wandered over to the table to watch their men, cheering them on when they won.