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The Tessarae Inn |
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Suspicions In Scarlet Repose CHAPTER 29
The apartment felt so familiar that a sense of melancholy drifted around her like a shawl. She glanced around and her senses were assaulted by the memories of what had happened in this room on that exercise equipment, on the floor near the window, on the couch she was sitting on, and upstairs in the… She blushed because even the slightest hint of those memories made her hot and bothered and wanting more. Treyscott walked into the room carefully carrying two mugs of tea. He was dressed in well-worn jeans that rested low on his hips and a ratty t-shirt. His muscles seemed to strain against the thin, faded fabric of the t-shirt and his belly button played hide-and-seek as he walked and balanced the mugs. He was barefoot and his hair was tousled. She had gotten him out of bed. She shivered. He was simply sex on a stick. “I hope this is okay,” he said and handed her one of the mugs. She nodded as she took the mug then smiled. “I’m sure it’s fine.” He shrugged. “Not used to making hot tea. You know I’m a coffee man.” She knew. Like she knew a million and one other things about him. He balanced his mug and then eased beside her on the couch. She glanced over at him and then quickly took a sip of the tea. He followed suit. Then for a few moments they sat in silence. “Thank you for coming,“ Treyscott said finally breaking the silence. “I was going to come to your place…later…in a few days. I wanted to give you a little time. I figured I’d been an ass lately and you’ve had enough to deal with--with your father and sister and…mother.” She sighed. “It’s been a circus.” He nodded. “Figured as much. And we have time to work this out.” He glanced down at his mug then said quickly, “But I’m glad you came this morning. I wanted to see you…you know to see if you’re all right.” “The baby’s fine.” “Are you fine? I mean do you feel okay.” “Yes. I’m fine too.” “Good” She ran her fingers along the curve of the mug. Why were they being so polite with each other? Were they starting again or saying goodbye once and for all? It was all so confusing. Why had she come? The reason circled and landed squarely in her consciousness. She may as well get it over with. She angled her body toward him and looked him in the eye. “Bryan, I am sorry about what I said about you. I really thought I saw you that night outside of Carmen’s room.” Treyscott sighed and leaned back into the couch cushions. “You don’t need to apologize. There was nothing about the way I was acting back then that would have made you believe I wouldn’t let you take the fall for me.” “You were so mad at me.” “Yes, I was, because I was so damn in love with you. I still am.” She dipped her head and tried not to let him see the tears that popped into her eyes. He loved her? “You need to know, Heather,” he said softly, “that I would never deliberately hurt you or let anyone hurt you or humiliate you like that. I don’t care how mad I am at you. I thought you were lying to me. I just wanted you to be honest with me.” “And I wanted you to be honest with me. And we both failed.” “Not really,” he said slowly. “You told me the truth and I told you the truth. We just didn’t believe each other.” She studied her fingers for a second, and then looked up into his eyes. “So what does that say about us?” “We have trust issues.” “Yes.” “And we need to work on them and get them out of our relationship.” “We have a relationship?” “I love you. Didn’t you hear me before? I never stopped.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I know how to love. My father’s behavior has showed me that much. He raised me to be just like him. I mean all of our supposed trust problems started when I left you at the altar. How could I expect you to forgive me for that?” He tightened his lips and ribbed the bridge of his nose. Finally, he said, “You and the baby are the most important things in the world to me. Don’t you get that? I hate what you did to me back then. Do you know why?” “Because I humiliated you in front of your friends and family and God knows who else.” “Yeah, that’s part of the reason but the bigger part was because I loved you so damn much that losing you was like asking me to stop breathing.” “I am sorry, Bryan. I am so sorry about all of it.” “You come with baggage,” he said. “I’ve finally accepted that. Hell, I knew that from the beginning and maybe the sensible thing would have been not to fall in love with you but I did. And that’s that. And I’m not going to mess it up this time. That’s why I’m talking like this. I promised myself if I got another chance I’d tell you exactly how I feel although it’s killing me.” She smiled for the first time and chuckled. “I know. Sharing feelings is not really your thing. I guess it’s not mine either. That’s probably why we’ve had so many problems.” “Do you love me?” She told herself to breathe. This was no time to hide. She took a deep breathe then said, “More than you will ever know.” “See and that’s it. We’re not perfect but I can honestly say I have never in my life felt more loved than when I am with you.” “Is that enough?” “No. We’re going to have a life together. We’re going to raise our baby—“ “Pumpkin.” “Okay, we’re going to raise Pumpkin together with so much love he or she—“ “She. I just feel it.” “Okay, we will raise Pumpkin together with so much love that she will be the happiest little girl ever put on this planet.” A feeling of sheer pleasure enveloped her. There had only been a few moments in her life that she would describe as moments of pure bliss. This was one of them. She wasn’t worried or scared or mad or disconnected. She was totally in the moment. like thiShe put her mug on the coffee table and reached for him. He got rid of his mug and then whipped off his t-shirt. He moved on top of her and began to kiss her passionately. “And babies,” he said when he came up for air. “We’re going to make more babies.”
Blair glanced around The Palace Restaurant and tried to get a bearing on the whole scene. The place was jumping. Carl Shuttlesworth was throwing a party in the private dining room on the second floor but Renee was not quite ready so his throng of invited guests was milling around the restaurant and bar. She was sure it was going to be a gorgeous party because the second floor dining room was a wonder to behold but she was glad she and Todd hadn’t been invited. She had had enough Shuttlesworth drama to last her for a century or two. And all the players were somewhere around. She’d seen Heather and Treyscott practically wrapped in each other’s arms, so she assumed that all was right in Evil Bitch World. Robyn and Travis had buzzed into the room then out again but not before Travis told her he’d call her tomorrow and they would catch up. Angela Wright Moore was floating around like the Queen Bee and beaming whenever Albert and Rebecca or their two “beautiful” daughters came into view. Angela’s two daughters, Heather and Robyn, seemed to be maintaining their distance from her but every now and then they approached her as if they were timid moths attracted to a flame. Blair couldn’t guess what would happen tonight but she suspected that in the long run Angela would reclaim her daughters. There was no telling what Carl was going to do, but to her chagrin Dorian seemed to care way too much. Dorian slide next to her and wrapped her arm around her waist. “Taking in all of the festivities? You know I’m sure I could get an invite for you and even that husband of yours from Carl.” “No thanks, and why are you going?” “Well, he asked me and I thought I should represent the family.” “Oh, please. Why?” “Well, Cassie just blew him off like a crumble piece of day old newspaper.” “Better than he deserved.” “Well, I guess she was right. I mean about how he treated his girls but she was really harsh about it.” “So you and Cassie are talking now?” “Oh, Blair, I do think she is coming to understand that I did what I did for her own good.” “How is Carl taking the news about Albert?” “He is ecstatic and crushed. He always wanted a son but Albert is full grown and set in his ways.” “Albert should thank his lucky stars. Angela did him a favor. Carl would have raised a monster.” “Blair, for heaven’s sake, how could you of all people say that? You have forgiven Todd worse sins.” Blair shifted her gaze. “And Albert is going to do just fine, now that he knows his true heritage. Carl has plans for him.” “What about Angela? Has he quote unquote forgiven her?” Dorian exhaled loudly. “Too much, in my opinion. The two of them are like gun powder and a piece of flint. They both deny it but I see sparks all over the place.” “You actually think they might get back together?” “Never. Well, not if I have anything to say about it. Sparks are one thing but a full flame comes from the right two people connecting.” “You mean you and Carl? Dorian, I just don’t get you. You are so convinced that he was terribly wrong for Cassie but now you are falling into his trap.” Dorian watched the crowd for a moment then said, “I met the lovely Rebecca again. She really has matured and grown into a lovely, lovely woman. Do you think she and Todd would have been a good couple? I mean he was with her before he met you.” Blair sighed. That question always seemed to come back to haunt her, but at least she had finally made peace with the answer. “No,” she said. “They were not right for each other. Even Todd knows that.” “Exactly!” “What?” “Carl and Cassie were not right for each other, but that’s not the same as saying he and I aren’t. At least I’m willing to explore the possibility.” “Carl Shuttlesworth makes Asa look like a saint, Dorian.” Dorian shrugged. “Never had much patience with saints. Speaking of saints have you talked to Kelly lately.” Blair snorted. “Kelly’s a saint?” “No but she seems to think Albert Wright is one.” Blair shifted her position. As usual Dorian was exaggerating but in this instance she was not far off. Poor Kelly. “She went down to Charleston with Cassie. She needed some space and time away from Llanview.” Dorian stiffened. “No one told me. At the least one of my girls should have told me.” Blair pointedly stared at Carl Shuttlesworth who was glad-handing and back-pumping a large group of men she didn’t know. The men who varied in age but seemingly not in circumstances were invariably accompanied by tall, extremely thin and exquisitely dressed women that could easily pass for high-fashion models. “You’ve been busy,” Blair said. “Oh, don’t be harsh, Blair. You of all people should know what it is like to find your heart’s desire in the least likely place imaginable.” Damn it. She hated it when Dorian did that. “I think Kelly is going to be just fine,” she said softly. “The whole thing with Albert was just her way of not dealing with her remaining feelings for Kevin. She selected a man who could not have been more unavailable if he tried, because she wasn’t ready to let go of Kevin yet. Now I think she is finally ready for the real healing to start.” Dorian smiled. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. Now I can relax.” They watched the crowd for a few more minutes then noted there was a sudden surge through the doors and out into the hallway toward the elevators. “Oh, look, I think the party is about to get started,” Dorian said then kissed Blair on the cheek. “I’ll see you later, my love.” Blair nodded and then watched Dorian hurry off. Angela moved toward Carl but Dorian pushed her back slightly then positioned herself next to him. He glanced down at her and actually smiled then crooked his arm and held it for her to link hers with his. They strolled toward the doors. Blair had a bad feeling about this but Dorian was right about one thing. No one ever had a good feeling about she and Todd and look how that had turned out.
Blair loved how peaceful it was sitting out on The Palace patio. Now that the Shuttlesworth party was in full swing the restaurant was almost deserted and she, Todd, Toni and RJ were the only ones on the patio. Soft strains of music could be heard drifting down from the party but the music was not loud enough to disturb the peaceful bliss of the night sky or the warm scent of jasmine or the beautiful shadows created by the candles burning in the hurricane lamps, or the delicious taste of the champagne and strawberries. RJ raised his glass. “Here’s a toast to new beginnings wrapped in old bottles. To the love of my life. Always has been. Always will be. Antoinette Coleman Reynolds, soon to be plain ol’ Toni Gannon.” Toni moved out of RJ’s arms and looked up at him with her eyebrows raised. “Old bottles?” “Beautiful, valuable, irreplaceable. You’re my past and my present.” Toni beamed and then kissed RJ’s hand. Todd grunted. “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. Can we drink now?” RJ and Toni laughed then the four of them tapped the glasses and made a clear clinking sound. Todd emptied his glass in one gulp then took the bottle and filled his glass again. “So let me check this one more time,” Todd said. “The wedding is definitely back on?” “Hell, yes,” RJ said forcefully. “Luckily most of the arrangements were not cancelled so we are keeping the same date.” Toni dipped her head and smiled shyly. “And I never got around to sending the announcement cards about the cancellation, so we are good to go.” Blair grinned at Toni. Girlfriend could deny it all she wanted but the truth was that Toni had held on to hope right up into the last moment. “Good,” Todd said, “because I never again want to discuss wedding plans with you two . Let’s get this marriage rolling and shelve the drama trauma once and for all.” Toni scoffed. “Like you got married once and shelved the drama.” Todd drained his glass again and reached for the champagne bottle. “Do as I say, not as I do. Besides my babe and I are the exception not the rule. Don’t try this at home.” Blair let her gaze settle on RJ. Something was bothering her and she just couldn’t seem to let it go. This might not be the best time but her curiosity was killing her. “So did you find out anything, RJ?” RJ placed his glass on the table. He inhaled and then released his breath slowly. “I think I finally have the whole story,” he said. “It’s not pretty but it is what it is. In a nutshell, Carmen followed Treyscott and Tucker to LSU and leached off of them the whole time. She drained them dry and still that was not enough for her.” Toni whistled softly. “She really was a greedy bitch, wasn’t she?” RJ frowned then said slowly, “Hungry. I think she was hungry and there was nothing in the world that could satisfy her. I don’t know why. Maybe she was born that way or maybe something happened when she was young. I don’t know but I do know that Tucker felt like he had to take care of her and try to make it right for her.” “Why?” Blair asked. “I know he was her brother but I know siblings that barely speak to each other.” “I don’t really know,” RJ said. “They lost their parents early on and Tucker said the whole situation of how they died was pretty awful. He’d never tell me more than that but I could tell it was still affecting him when we met.” “That’s sad,” Blair said. RJ nodded. “I think Tucker vowed to himself or promised them he would always take care of his little sister. You know vows like that get locked in your brain and it doesn’t matter what happens afterwards you think you have to keep faith with it.” Blair thought about how once she found her mother she vowed she’d always take care of her. Even when Dorian was willing to help financially, she had done really self-destructive things instead such as marrying Asa just to keep the promise she made to herself. “Tucker was a senior in college, right?” Blair asked. "And he probably could have gotten a good job once he finished—“ “Or played professional ball,” Toni said. RJ shook his head. “He wasn’t going to get drafted. That was obvious by his senior year. He was a good college player but he wasn’t like Treyscott who had the golden touch that everybody wanted.” “Still it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for him to rob a bank,” Blair said. “Was he just frustrated or what?” RJ sighed. “It was Carmen. She wanted. She needed. And he was broke. I suspect she instigated the whole thing. Wanted big money, fast.” Blair nodded. “She was really calculating. I bet she planned the whole thing and egged him on but that bitch would have never actually participated in the robbery. She expected him to face the risk alone.” RJ got very still. Blair studied him. “What’s wrong, RJ?” RJ took a sip of his champagne then said, “I don’t think he was alone.” Todd sat up straight and locked his gaze on RJ’s face. RJ shook his head and dipped it slightly. “Tucker was literally one of the best human beings I have ever known. I suspect someone he thought he could trust was involved. Someone with a great strategic mind who never expected to get caught or held responsible for anything. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t the mastermind behind the whole scheme.” “Treyscott,” Todd said. RJ tapped the table lightly with the tips of his fingers. “Tucker told me that they were pretty wild and reckless back then. They were the best players on a winning football team and they thought they could get away with just about anything.” Todd bristled but then forced himself to relax. RJ was just stating the truth. He was the starting quarterback on a small college team in a small Podunk town that was not even nationally ranked and he still sure as hell felt he could get away with anything. “Tucker got caught and took the fall. He never said a word about his accomplice, but from what I found in the records the police always suspected there was another man involved. Tucker never breathed a word, even when he was offered a reduced sentence if he turned in his partner.” “They never pursued Treyscott?” Blair asked. She had liked Treyscott until recently but this situation seemed so unfair. “He and Tucker were supposedly best friends, right? He would be a logical suspect.” RJ shrugged his shoulders. “Carmen vouched for Treyscott and swore the whole thing was her ‘crazy brother’s crazy idea’ and stated in court that he deserved to pay for his crimes.” Blair gasped. “Treyscott accepted that? He let his best friend hang?” “That’s rank,” Toni said. Blair caught her eye and shook her head gently. “I guess we never really knew Treyscott at all. I guess he deserves Heather.” Todd grinned and said, “And all the hell she’ll bring.” “In fairness,” RJ said quickly. “I knew Tucker well enough to suspect he twisted Treyscott’s arm and swore him to secrecy. In his mind, he probably thought if they both went to prison there wouldn’t be anyone to take care of Carmen. And Treyscott was the one with the big contract deals coming his way.” “He expected Treyscott to marry her and take care of her?” Toni asked. Todd snorted. “But he got a NFL contract and dropped her like she was the disease of the week.” Blair sat up. “Carmen must have been in love with him because I can’t see her letting him get away with that. He was probably the only man she ever walked away from when she still wanted him.” “If you think about it, it’s actually kind of sad,” Toni said. “When she got into trouble that last time, she ran to him thinking he would protect her. She was running home and must have felt that he owed her.” “I’m not one to judge,” RJ said. “I ran, too. I got out of Louisiana so fast I didn’t stay long enough to make sure the ink was dry on the divorce and the papers were filed. Carmen seemed to do that to people. She could draw people in but she couldn’t get them to stay.” “Except Tucker,” Blair said. “And in the end she threw even him to the wolves,” Toni said. “Bitch.”
“Your friends sure take up a lot of space,” Todd said. “Dumping their problems on us and all.” Blair smiled and looked up at the stars. Todd could try to hide it all he wanted, but he cared about RJ and probably even looked forward to tolerating Toni on a good day. But he was right; it was nice that it was just the two of them now. Things were going to get busy very fast next week. Sheri, Wes and Clay Cutter were coming in for the wedding and were going to stay with them. And the Briscoes were coming as well and bringing Claire. Starr was beside herself with joy and anticipation. She and Jason had spent hours on the phone planning the visit. And to top it off, Sheri had convinced the James to let Tay come along. Starr was now in the stratosphere. Todd, on the other hand, was one big walking, talking bundle of irritation, but he’d get over it. Then next weekend was the big Reynolds-Gannon wedding and the following week she was launching her first locally produced TV show. It was a cooking show of all things, but it made perfect sense. She’d found a great chef-teacher named Anthony Resnick. The show,” Getting Hot with Tony,” was going to be fairly cheap to produce and they could tape several shows in one day. The title was a play on the heat of cooking and on the fact that Anthony Resnick was not only a great chef and teacher, he was hot as hell. Then the week after than they were all going to Creedyville to spend some time with Maddog and with Emily. Then-- “Asa called me,” Todd said. “He is mega pissed about not getting the team. Whole thing just made my day. The only good thing that could have come out of this whole Carmen mess would have been if she had taken Asa for all he was worth.” Blair laughed. “That’s right. Asa should know by now that old coots should beware women in red.” Todd reached over and took her hand. “You’re the only woman in red who ever did the color justice. You know that right?” Blair smiled at him and nodded. “I love you, too.”
THE END
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