“As a matter of fact, I do.” Micki’s laugh let Amy relax a bit. “Uncle Yank is going to take them out to lunch. Or should I say Uncle Yank and his guide dog, Noodle, are going to take them out. Cassandra thinks he’s going to explain why we have Roper secluded, which he will. And then I am sure she believes she’ll charm him into giving out the phone number.”
Micki’s laughter gave away the fact that her plan wasn’t as simple as Cassandra obviously believed.
“But…?” Amy asked.
“But once they order dessert, Uncle Yank plans to suggest Harrison choose someone more suited to play the role he wants for Cassandra. Someone more worthy. Someone who will come cheaper. Someone named Lola.” Micki snickered.
Amy shook her head, glad she wasn’t anywhere near New York City during this lunch. “Go on.”
“Harrison, who is infinitely wiser and more cunning than Roper’s mother, and who has a stake in the outcome of this lunch, has agreed to agree with Uncle Yank. At which point we expect Cassandra to scream, become offended that he’d give her role away to someone unknown, and then take the role back on principle,” Micki said, sounding pleased with herself.
“But as soon as Cassandra comes to her senses, she’ll walk away again.” Amy massaged her suddenly aching temple.
“Not so fast,” Micki said. “Harrison’s assistant is waiting for the phone call that it’s a done deal and she’ll immediately ‘leak’ the news to the press that Cassandra Lee is back, making it impossible for the woman to dispute it or back out without looking foolish. Especially when Uncle Yank confirms Harrison’s claim that she agreed.”
Amy chuckled at the absurdity of it all. “You know, it’s so crazy that it just might work. Anything else I need to know about?”
Micki exhaled loudly into the phone. “Well, if the role ties Cassandra up the way we hope, she’ll stop booking twelve-piece bands and let her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law plan their own small wedding.”
“Twelve pieces?” Amy yelled loudly until Hannah placed her finger over her lips, reminding her she was in a quiet restaurant.
“Twelve pieces and Barry Manilow, but Cassandra claims he’ll do it for free, as a favor for an old flame,” Micki said.
Amy cringed. “Eew. Too much information.”
“Harrison said she was full of it. And Sabrina isn’t answering her phone until her mother sees reason,” Micki said.
Amy raised a finger to Hannah, indicating she’d only be another minute. “Listen, you need to make sure this plan works or Roper will have a coronary,” she whispered to Micki.
“I know. But I think I have it under control…except for one teensy little thing,” the other woman said.
“How little?” Amy asked.
Micki grew alarmingly silent.
Amy stiffened in her seat. “What is it?”
“The stalker is at it again, except now he’s turned to threats. He sent a generic baseball in a brown box to Roper’s apartment. It was forwarded to the Hot Zone. Untraceable and untrackable, of course. The inscription on the ball read, ‘Whack the ball or you’ll be whacked instead.’”
Amy’s stomach churned. “Did you-”
“Report it to the police? Yes, along with all the other incidents. At least the ones Roper told you about. They want to talk to him, but I managed to stall that for a while. And I let Vaughn know what’s going on. He’s hired extra security for the lodge just in case. The good news is that since the stalker sent the package to Roper’s apartment as usual, we have no reason to believe he knows where Roper is.”
Amy exhaled long and hard. “But the papers are quiet?”
“Just a mention by Buckley that Roper’s lying low, probably hiding out in embarrassment. Roper would be pissed if he knew, but since he doesn’t, all’s well.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said everything’s wrong.”
“As long as you tell me everything is right there, I’ll be happy,” Micki said.
Amy glanced around at the dark wood decor and her peaceful surroundings. “Everything here is perfect. Roper is relaxed, baseball focused, rehabbing and he isn’t worried about home. It’s going exactly the way we wanted it to,” Amy said.
“Excellent! I have to go, but I’ll check in again soon.” Micki hung up and Amy turned back to her breakfast companion. “I am so sorry about that.”
“Hey, I understand when business calls. Everything okay?” Hannah asked.
Amy nodded. “Nothing my boss can’t handle.” Which was true. Except for the escalation in the stalker’s actions, which Roper wasn’t around to deal with, everything was status quo. His family was as needy and crazy as usual, but they had another audience to perform for, at least for a while.
The waiter had cleared the plates while Amy was on the phone.
Hannah leaned forward on her arms. “Then why do you look upset and worried?”
“I do?”
Hannah made a show of studying Amy. “Wrinkled brows, pursed lips, frowning…yup, you look worried.”
Amy laughed. “I guess I’m just preoccupied.” And concerned about how Roper would feel if he found out about the news from home. He’d want to know everything. But as long as she could shelter him, he could continue to relax, something he desperately needed to do. But she couldn’t share his personal troubles with Hannah because he was her client.
So instead she decided to be up-front about her own issues-getting involved with a famous baseball player who came with a load of baggage of his own. She asked Hannah for advice.
“As someone whose life is a media mess, I’m not going to lie and tell you it’s easy. I’m also not going to tell you what to do, because I’ve seen too many celebrity marriages break up because public life interferes.” Hannah signaled for the check.
“You sound older than your years,” Amy said.
“Not older, just more jaded.” She glanced down. “I believe in going after what you want in life, but I also believe in weighing the odds. What’s the point of getting involved with someone if it’s doomed from the start? Or if you think it is?”
A shiver raced down Amy’s arms. She had no answer, nor did she want to think too much about it right now. “For as long as we’re up here, it isn’t something I have to worry about.”
Hannah inclined her head. “Good point. You might as well enjoy what you’ve got while you’ve got it.”
Amy smiled. Truer words were never spoken.
She’d enjoy the here and now. Tomorrow would show up soon enough.
THERE WAS NOAWKWARD morning after. For the next few days, Amy and Roper fell into a routine that included sharing the same bed, then going their separate ways after breakfast while he worked out. They’d meet up again for a quickie or just to hang out and talk. She enjoyed their conversations, which ranged from politics to sports and even music. There were never silences that weren’t meaningful or comfortable. There were never issues between them that couldn’t be resolved with a quick discussion.
Amy could hardly believe this was a job, that she was being paid to watch over Roper. Once they returned home she was certain things wouldn’t be so easy, but for now, life was good.
After a swim, Amy returned to her room, showered and changed for the day. Since Roper had an appointment with the physical therapist, she knew he’d be tied up for a while.
She lay down on the bed and memories of last night washed over her in full Technicolor detail. Every stroke, every caress replayed itself in her mind until she was as aroused now as she’d been then. By the time she realized someone had been knocking on her door for a few minutes, her entire body was on fire. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, rose and headed for the door.
On the other side was a lodge employee with fully loaded shopping bags in his hands. “These are for you, Miss Stone.”