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“Hannah and I watched every moment on my television.” A plasma-screen television had been mounted over the fireplace mantel once Lillian became bed-bound. “The awards are nice, but beyond that, I am so proud of you and pleased with how you portrayed me in the movie. You did yourself and the family very proud.”
Lillian’s compliment meant…everything. Stifling a blush, Bella traced the intricate pattern on the gold brocade spread. “All I did was bring your wonderful spirit to the screen. You’re amazing, Grandmere.”
As much as she had longed for the lead actress role in Honor, she’d also been terrified of falling short. Her grandmother was a remarkable woman with an unmistakably dynamic presence, a presence that had made her a big screen star in her own right.
A twinkle lit Lillian’s blue eyes. “Your young man looked quite handsome, too, although a mite irritated about those men fawning over you.” She peered above her bifocals with a wicked rather than censuring twinkle. “That dress of yours was rather risqué, don’t you think?”
Sam had actually noticed the men speaking to her? Could have fooled her. “I’ve looked at your photo albums, Grandmere,” Bella teased, “and you’ve worn a risqué dress or two yourself.”
Lillian laughed lightly. “That I have, that I have.” Her laughter faded. “I’m glad nothing came of your relationship with that Ridley.”
“I thought it would make you nostalgic to see the two of us together since we made the movie, revived those days when you fell in love. He even looks like Grandpere.” Had that perhaps been a reason she let herself be drawn in by Ridley’s playboy charm? In some hope of living out her grandmother’s grand romance for real? A disquieting thought, to say the least.
“He may have looked like your grandfather and he may be a fine actor on screen, but off screen? Non, non. The man was nothing like my Charles. Besides, it rarely works for two actors to marry each other. You’ve chosen well with your new man. He has his own power and success in a different arena from yours.”
“I’m glad you approve.” Bella looked away quickly, afraid her grandmother would read the truth in her eyes. Whatever the truth was right now.
“Tell me more about him. He is so quietly polite during the dinners we’ve had. He always leaves you and me to do the gabbing.” Fresh air toyed with the curtains at the window.
“Well, in spite of what the media reports, I am definitely not pregnant.” Bella hitched her shirt up to just below her breasts.
Grandmere clapped a hand over her mouth and laughed, a raspy sound but unmistakable mirth. Too soon, the laughs turned to coughs.
Bella passed her grandmother a cup of ice water with a bent straw. Lillian sipped with labored draws until her throat cleared again.
“Thank you, dear. Of course I know you are not expecting. We have always talked about everything. That is why I am surprised I haven’t heard more from you about Sam.”
It wasn’t for lack of having him in her thoughts that Bella hadn’t shared more. She was so confused about how she felt, about what was happening between them, she didn’t know what to think, let alone what to say. “We’re still in the early stage, waiting to see what happens.”
Lillian’s mouth pursed thoughtfully. “Trust is difficult. The Garrisons have had their problems like any family, but they persevere. I respect that. Your grandfather always said they were ruthless but honest in the business world. You’ll need someone that strong to keep you grounded in this profession. I found that kind of man in your grandfather.”
Grandmere thought Sam was like Grandpere? Now that had never crossed her mind and she wasn’t quite sure what to do with the notion yet.
“Bella?” Lillian pulled her back into the moment. “I know you’ve suffered some hurtful surprises of late, but be kind to your father.”
Startled, Bella wanted to cry out which one? Markus, the man who made her his pampered princess for twenty-five years? Or David, the man who’d wrecked her parents’ marriage with the affair, the man who’d been nothing more than sperm donor in making her?
She held her tongue, however. Lillian was entitled to blurt random dictates like this since—with a heart-lurching ache—Bella knew grandmother wouldn’t be around much longer to direct the stage around her the way she’d done with a firm but gracious hand her whole life.
Except Grandmere had a reputation for petting David, her one flaw. Had David been a bad seed, which led Grandmere to favor him because she knew he was weaker than his brother? Or had she made him weak spoiling him?
They would never know for sure, however one thing was certain. David Hudson led a self-centered life, wreaking havoc all around him.
She couldn’t burden her grandmother with her own heartache, not now. The comfort of Lillian’s presence would have to be enough. “Of course, I’ll be nice to him, Grandmere.”
“Good, good. I knew you would do the right thing. You’ve always been the tender-hearted one. You may have inherited my temper, but you never could hold a grudge.” Her grandmother sighed, sagging back into her satin-covered pillows. “I am tired. Please get Hannah to come sit with me while I take a nap.”
Bella squelched the twinge of disappointment that she hadn’t really broached the topic she most needed to discuss. Guilt seared her throat that she’d spent precious moments dancing around the matters that were most important to her.
Bella pressed the call button and within seconds the housekeeper rushed through the door. Stout but spry, with graying hair and kind hazel-green eyes, Hannah had been with the family for thirty years, always making sure the large and boisterous family ran smoothly. “I’m here, ma’am. You just rest.”
Bella eyed her grandmother, panic welling. How many “naps” did Lillian have left? The doctors had said it could be any day now. They’d been hopeful for more time, however, since Lillian had already outlived medical expectations. “I’ll stay. I don’t mind, really. I want to.”
“No, no, you go,” Lillian insisted. “I need to take my medicines and change into a fresh gown first. Please, it will make me happy to think of you with your Sam.”
She looked deeper into her grandmother’s weary eyes and saw beyond the words to her need for privacy with her pain. Bella leaned to hug her gently, carefully avoiding the IV. “I love you, Grandmere.”
“I love you, too.” She cupped Bella’s face. “Be happy.”
Bella slid from the bed, backing toward the door so she could smile at her grandmother until the very…last…second.
Once in the hall, she sagged back against the wall and let the tears flow. Heartache and helplessness flooded through her, pushing more tears streaming down her face, more than she thought one person could shed. This hurt far more than she’d felt that night in Marseille when she’d ended up in Sam’s bed for a few hours of forgetfulness.
Grief threatened to drive her to her knees. There was so little time left. Thinking about how quickly life could change forever made her revaluate her all or nothing mindset when it came to Sam. Life was fleeting. Right now was what truly mattered, this moment, because there might not be another.
She stiffened her spine, straightening away from the wall and swiping the back of her wrist over her eyes. She was a fighter like her grandmother. What she wanted, she went after.
And right now, she wanted Sam.
Sam sat behind the desk in his executive office at the new L.A. Garrison Grande Hotel due to open within another two months. Construction noise echoed a floor above as workers reinstalled crown molding. He should go up there and inspect the progress, stretch his legs, air his mind out about the headache item that headlined today’s gossip columns. He pitched aside two newspapers folded open to the offending item—a thorn from his past coming back to jab him on a day he was running on fumes from the late night with Bella at the awards ceremony and party.
Although in retrospect, he should have seen this coming. He creaked back in the oversize leather chair, the only addition he’d made to the sparse temporary office space. A permanent manager would be hired once the place opened. That had been his plan from the beginning since this wasn’t his type of town with its see-and-be-seen attitude.
He should be used to this kind of crap in the newspaper by now. At least Bella appeared immune to all the gossip, in fact seeming to welcome anything that advanced her acting career. So much so, there were times at those functions where it was all he could do not to deck the latest industry letch looking down her dress.
His phone buzzed just as his doorknob turned. The intercom echoed with his interim secretary’s high pitched voice, “Mr. Garrison, you have a—”
Visitor.
Bella stood framed in the doorway, her hair a damn sexy mess. She struck a wide legged pose in red heels, jeans and a curve hugging T-shirt with a ruby and diamond necklace that cost more than most cars. Given her wild-eyed look, he assumed she must have seen the latest bombshell in the newspapers.
His secretary, a pencil jammed in her hair bun, peeked over Bella’s shoulder. “Uh, Mr. Garrison…”
“It’s okay. Close the door and hold my calls, please.” Once the lock clicked, he gathered his words to explain. “Bella, about—”
