* * * *
Greg sat in the waiting area, still flummoxed by the encounter with the woman in the elevator. He’d given his new name to the receptionist, careful to use the accent he’d been practicing the last two weeks. It was a shame he’d forgotten about it when he’d seen that gorgeous redhead earlier. No woman had ever appealed to him that way, and he wondered how much of the loneliness he’d sensed since his initial visit to Tim accounted for it. He sighed. If he had to describe the perfect woman for him, she’d come close.
Who was she? She was short by American standards, and although her clothes disguised her shape, he was sure there wasn’t an ounce of fat on her. She reminded him of a sleek wildcat—the European red-haired ones he’d seen as a boy when he’d browsed through his grandfather’s encyclopedias. He wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d arched her back and hissed at him.
Her extraordinary curls had called to him, reminding him of home. There were red Scots and black Scots, and every hair color in between, but it was the red that drew him—had always attracted him, and those eyes. The most brilliant emeralds would fade in comparison to them. They’d flashed with indignation, and he’d been captivated. She was proud and fierce, and he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Redheads were his weakness.
Nadia had been a redhead when he’d met her. It had been what had set her apart from the other starlets. He’d learned soon enough the color came from a bottle rather than Mother Nature, but he’d been enamored, and had set aside his own values to embrace hers. Once she’d shown her true colors, and they’d had nothing to do with the shade of her hair, the romance had faded, and they’d both moved on—him alone, her with his flesh and blood inside her.
He’d wanted to hate her when he’d learned the truth, but he’d been complicit in the child’s creation, and he’d been quick enough to walk away when given the chance. He’d paid for his sin, both financially and in the loss of his child’s early years, but he’d always regret not doing more. A little of the attraction he’d felt for Nadia came back to him each time he looked into his daughter’s aquamarine eyes—her mother’s eyes.
He didn’t doubt for a second the redhead in the elevator was a natural. She had to be of Celtic descent—either scots or Irish. He swore she smelled of sweet heather, the scent of the hills of home. Her complexion was peaches and cream with a smattering of freckles across her nose. She’d blushed or had that been her temper rising? He couldn’t be certain. Most of the women he knew took a man’s appreciative looks in stride, but not her.
She’d gotten off one floor below. When this was over, he’d check the listing downstairs to see who occupied that floor. Maybe someone could point him in her direction. The least he could do was buy her a cup of coffee. He had been staring rudely, but he probably would again, if he got the chance. Something about her fascinated him. He could fall for a woman like that—fire and ice. At the very least, he could base his next heroine on her.
Jack’s office door opened, pulling him out of his reverie. The feisty redheaded vixen would have to wait. He was supposed to meet his new bride this morning, and for this to work, he’d have to pretend to be a devoted husband. A marriage of convenience hadn’t been what he’d had in mind, but Vicki and Veronica had been adamant. Tim had been right about one thing—when they joined forces, no man could stand up to them.
As far as they were concerned, under no circumstances could he ruin the saintly Lexi’s reputation by living with her, even in celibacy, without the stamp of propriety. Hopefully, the paragon of virtue with a black belt in karate would at least be comely. He’d met a couple of Marshall’s Security’s female operatives at the Charity Ball. They’d reminded him of the East German female athletes from the seventies. Sheena would be safe with one of them, but would he?
“Good morning, Jack.” He stood, smiled, and held out his hand.
“Hello. Nice to see you again. Right this way, Greg.”
He could see Jack trying to school his surprised features. Neither of them wanted to alert anyone who might be looking that all wasn’t as it seemed.
Greg followed him into the office, and Jack closed the door behind him.
He stood in front of the closed door and stared. Greg found it unsettling, and the redhead’s discomfort came back to him, making him feel slightly guilty. “Well?”
“It’s amazing.” Jack looked him up and down again. “I’d never have known it was you, and yet, the disguise is minimal. I guess it’s true—people see what they want to see. No wonder Tim managed to keep himself out of the limelight for so long. How was LA?”
“It was great. I think more than ten thousand copies were sold over the two day period. It certainly felt as if I’d signed that many. The security detail was good—effective but unobtrusive. You have excellent people on staff.”
“Thank you. I pride myself on hiring the best. The same men who shadowed you in L.A. will be yours when you go to New York. As far as the rest of this goes, we’ve got everything in hand.”
“How’s my daughter doing?” he asked, doing nothing to minimalize his concern.
“Sheena seems a little more enthusiastic about getting back on skis, especially when she won’t have an audience for a week.” Jack smiled. “The orthopedic surgeon apparently answered all the questions she had about her shoulder, which is working properly, and it’s given her a boost of confidence. She’s nervous, mind you, but she’s a trooper, and the thought of meeting new friends seems to be helping too. She’s read all the online profiles.”
“No doubt just those of the opposite sex. She discovered boys last year.”
Jack laughed, but it sounded forced. Something was wrong.
“Having her come to the States right after Christmas was a good move. She, Vicki, and Veronica get along well. I know the two of you have your problems, but … cut her some slack, she’s a nice kid, confused and hurt, but she’s healing.”
“You don’t have to convince me,” Greg said somewhat affronted. “She’s my daughter.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. Well, if you’re determined to do this, Veronica has the guest room all set up for you in the apartment until you leave for the chalet near Scranton at the end of the week. Do you have everything you’ll need?”
“I have to pick up ski equipment, but the rest is in the truck Tim provided. By the way, what did your operative have to say about all this?”
Greg watched the color seep into Jack’s face. Obviously, the mighty Livy wasn’t as happy with the situation as Veronica had said she’d be. He frowned.
“Nothing yet, but she’ll be fine. Don’t worry. You’ll meet her shortly. We’ve got a great cover story established for you both.”
Greg gawked, and fought not to lose his temper. Something in Jack’s voice told him things were definitely not fine. “She doesn’t know yet, does she?” His voice conveyed his irritation. “It’s too late to back out now and come up with another plan.”
Jack ran his hand through his hair, disarranging it. Greg could see the man was worried, and it didn’t calm his own unsettled nerves. Lord, this has to work.
“I know. Believe me, I know.” Jack’s frustration was evident. “I expected her early yesterday, but her plane was delayed because of bad weather. I couldn’t speak to her about this over the airport phone. Veronica’s convinced we have nothing to worry about. She says she won’t let us down, and since my wife knows her better than anyone, I’ll have to take her word for it. Livy’s been after me for assignments with more meat to them, and she won’t find anything more exciting than this cloak and dagger business. That’s what’s bothering me. Not only am I convinced this plan is full of holes, not knowing who’s behind the threats makes it almost impossible to eliminate them. You’re still convinced it’s personal and not political?”
“I am, and the note proves it. For what it’s worth, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll play my part. Marrying a stranger is the last thing I want, but I’ll do what I must for my d
aughter. Let’s hope your woman is as good as you say she is and as agreeable as Veronica believes.”
Greg prayed Livy would be amenable. The fact he’d agreed to stand up before a minister and say the words which would legally bind him to her should show her how important this was to him—to his daughter—and he’d be paying her a fortune for her services. The marriage would be annulled as soon as this charade was over. That thought should make it easier for all of them, and he drew comfort from it. He wished he’d insisted on a Justice of the Peace rather than a minister. It seemed sacrilegious to go into a church-sanctioned marriage with the intention of ending it in a few weeks… at least he hoped it would only be a few weeks.
Jack picked up the folder on his desk. “It’ll work out. Don’t worry. I trust my wife’s instincts. Veronica and Vicki have Wednesday’s wedding and reception well in hand. As I told you, Sheena’s mood has improved. She’s fascinated by our daughter, Lexi. I think babies have that effect on all females,” he chuckled, “and that’s made the transition a little easier.”
“What does she know about her bodyguard?”
Jack sobered. “Everything you want her to know. She thinks you’ve hired Livy to protect her as well as help her get ready to compete. She knows there’ve been threats made and she’s agreed to keep a low profile. I don’t think she’s made the connection between this and her mother’s death. “
“I hope she doesn’t. She blames me as it is. That would only reinforce it,” Greg added. “I want her to be cautious not terrified. How did she react to using an alias?’
“Like any other kid who’s ever seen a James Bond movie,” Jack said and shook his head. “My wife hasn’t sugarcoated anything, and Sheena has agreed to cooperate. I’m sure she’ll pester her with questions when she meets Livy. She’s quite impressed with what she’s been told so far.”
Greg frowned. He’d better find out what he could about this paragon of virtue before he met her. So far, all he knew about his bride was that she was an ace marksman with self-defense training who could ski well enough to pull this off. There was more in the file, but he hadn’t had a chance to read through it. He expected Jack would explain it all this morning.
“Sheena asked if you had a bodyguard too, so that should make you feel better,” Jack continued. “Veronica took her mind off things by involving her in the wedding plans. Despite her age, she’s still a child at heart and a romantic to boot. She’s been practicing her accent all week. By the way, you’ve done a great job on yours.”
“Thanks, I still make mistakes every now and then, but I’m getting better.” He thought of the redhead in the elevator. His accent had gone right out the window. He had to remember not to let down his guard again.
Jack steepled his fingers. “And you’re certain your daughter won’t recognize you? I don’t know why you want to keep Sheena in the dark about your identity. Veronica and Vicki aren’t too happy about it either.”
“Sheena’s never seen me looking like this. When she’s been with me, I’ve usually had to make special appearances, so I’ve either worn my kilt, or a business suit. My hair has always been long, and I’ve been clean shaven. It’s quite simple, really. Thanks to her mother, my daughter and I are strangers, and now we both have new faces and new identities.” Greg ran his fingers through his short hair. Would he ever get used to it? “If she doesn’t know who I am, she’ll be safer. I can’t be having her address me as ‘father’, now can I?” His agitation was affecting his speech and he tried to relax.
“That would be a problem, but she’ll call you Greg. Won’t your name clue her in? You look different, but she’s your daughter.”
“She knows me as Drew. It’s what her mother called me. Before the accident, I’d seen my daughter a total of nineteen weeks in eleven years. I wanted to visit the hospital, but the police thought my presence would pose a danger. I phoned each night, but nine out of ten times, she was either asleep, or unwilling to take my calls. I saw her briefly when my step-brother brought her to Haven. When I realized the truth about all this, I came right here to get Tim’s help. I returned to Haven for Christmas, and the day after that, she flew to America in Tim’s jet.”
Jack shook his head. “I’ve learned secrets have a way of getting out when you least expect them too, but it’s your call.”
“It is, and it’s a purely selfish one. I know I’m taking a chance, but I’m hoping Sheena will come to know me as Greg Stuart and see me in a different, less resentful light. What do I have to lose?”
“You’re the boss. I just hope you realize she won’t be happy when she learns you’ve duped her. She may only be fifteen, but I’ve learned women of any age don’t like to be played for fools. Back to the matter at hand. Veronica designed wedding rings for you.”
Jack opened his desk drawer and took out a small, red velvet-covered ring box and handed it to him.
“We decided to go with matching wedding bands, something not too out-of-line with a hotel security guard’s salary. Tim told me that’s the occupation you’re using.”
Greg reached for the box and opened it. Inside, lying on the white satin were two tricolor gold bands. The main ring was yellow gold on both sides of a rose gold heart pierced by a white gold arrow. The rings were beautiful and unique. He reached for his and slipped it on the ring finger of his left hand. It fit perfectly.
“If Tim’s security guards can afford rings like these, I may give up writing and join his staff. They’re exquisite. I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“My wife is a very talented woman. She names all her pieces. These are called Hope.”
Greg removed the ring and placed it back in the box. “It’s a fitting name for such a beautiful piece.” Something that beautiful should be given in love, not in a sham like this. The loneliness plaguing him for weeks suddenly seemed stronger than ever.
Jack smiled, closed the ring box, and set it down on his desk. “As Best Man, I’ll hang onto these until the ceremony. I’ve asked Livy to be here for nine. It’s past that now, so she’s probably out there waiting. She’s punctual to a fault.”
“I think it would be better for you to explain the assignment to her on your own. Do you have someplace I can make a few calls and check my e-mail while you talk to her?” Greg didn’t believe the interview was going to be a pleasant one.
“Yes. There’s a conference room right through that door. There’s a computer terminal and a phone. Join us when you’re ready. The success of this plan hinges on you convincing the world that you’re in love. The sooner you meet, the better. You’re getting married in a couple of days. You’ll need to act the part.” Jack’s face sobered and his frown returned. “I’d better not keep her waiting any longer.”
He reached for the phone on his desk. “Rachel, is she out there yet?” He listened, nodded, and smiled. “Give me two minutes to get Greg settled in the boardroom and send her in. Can you get him some coffee too? Thanks.”
Greg wondered for the second time what he’d agreed to. Jack looked decidedly uncomfortable. What kind of harridan was his prospective bride?