Caught in the Frame Read online

  Chloe grimaced. “That’s what I’m afraid of. And let me know about anything juicy that goes on here. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have bothered asking, but if all hell breaks loose again, I want to know about it.” The request deflected all suspicion of Chloe as the resident gossip columnist, while still keeping her finger on the pulse of current events.

  “Will do. Be safe. Have fun.” Talia gave Chloe a friendly hug and sent her on her way. When Luther was alive, Talia had barely given her the time of day, which might have also been due, in part, to Chloe maintaining a slightly standoffish attitude for a time. Things had changed, and for the better, in Chloe’s opinion. She just wished it hadn’t had to come at such a cost.

  * * *

  Word must have traveled quickly once EV’s neighbor, Celia, spied Nate loading a considerable amount of luggage into the back of the co-op’s conversion van. By the time they had made it the half mile into town, and stopped at The Mudbucket for one last cup of coffee, at least ten townspeople were gathered to bid all three of them farewell. Chloe could imagine the series of texts that had daisy-chained down the block to pinpoint their location.

  “Take good care of her.” Horis slapped Nate on the back. Chloe couldn’t help but grin; Horis, with his bottle-bottom glasses and signature Fu-Manchu mustache, was an unlikely, but solid friend. When a pile of firewood showed up on her porch with no note, or her bird feeders went from empty to mysteriously full, she knew it was Horis looking after her. Chloe wrapped her arm around his waist and gave him a quick squeeze while Nate shook his hand and replied with a wide smile of his own. “Of course, man.”

  Lottie sidled up to EV, whispering in her ear, “I’ll keep you in the gossip loop while you’re away; wouldn’t want you to miss any of the babble.” EV rolled her eyes and thanked Lottie for the sentiment. That was thinly veiled. She got a kick out of it when certain people assumed EV was the current voice of gossip for ‘Babble & Spin’.

  After receiving a dozen requests for photos and videos, Dalton was finally able to corral the group back into the van. “Sheesh, you’d think you all are going off to war. It’s just a couple of weeks.” Something in his voice let EV know that it was going to feel much longer for Dalton, who would have to find another paper football partner to help him pass the time while Nate was away. She felt a twinge of regret at not asking him to come along, but things were complicated enough as it was. She let him curl his warm fingers around her own while Chloe and Nate, cuddled up together on the middle seat, watched with growing satisfaction.

  Chapter 3

  Neither Chloe nor EV were strangers to international travel; in fact, their carry-on essentials were so similar that when EV pulled out a plush neck pillow covered in bright red fleece, Chloe couldn’t help but reach for her matching hot pink one with a twinkle in her eye. Nate, seated on the aisle next to Chloe, watched with interest until she offered him a navy blue version that had arrived by second-day delivery just in time for the trip. His answering grin was thanks enough for her.

  “Great minds think alike.” EV smirked.

  The red-eye flight had them leaving Boston at midnight, and arriving in Dublin at 5pm local time. Thankfully, Lila had sprung for a non-stop flight, allowing them time to sleep and avoid excessive jet-lag. Twelve hours in the air was enough to jangle anyone’s nerves, but the first-class accommodations made it much more pleasurable than any flight Nate had ever taken. When the stewardess asked if anyone wanted a hot towel, Nate accepted, although he didn’t know exactly what he was supposed to do with it.

  The only thing to tarnish the experience of flying in style was a scene caused by a minor celebrity, who thought his fifteen minutes of boy band fame required him to drink excessively and shout, “Show me your boobs,” at random intervals and to no one in particular. When an aging comedian finally stood up and flashed an impressive set of the male variety, half the cabin cheered while the other half exchanged scandalized glances. EV and Chloe indulged in quiet speculation over whether he was a B or a C-cup. After that, the trip was uneventful.

  EV spent the beginning of the flight playing peek-a-boo with the adorable and incredibly well-behaved five-year-old girl, Lizette, who occupied the seat ahead of her. By the time sleep overtook the tot, she had scaled her seat and was firmly ensconced on EV’s lap, where they both snoozed for a good few hours.

  In Dublin, the transfer from plane to train almost went off without a hitch. Little Lizette had decided EV was her new best friend, and pitched a tantrum of epic proportions when she discovered they would be parting ways. Screams shriller than a whistling teakettle echoed through baggage claim, while Lizette’s mother, chagrined and apologetic, finally carried her outside.

  Twice in the airport—once in customs, and once as they were leaving—EV felt a tingling twitch at the base of her spine signaling that someone was watching her. Remaining casual, she let her gaze roam over the crowd. Seeing nothing, she decided it was just the after-effects of a long flight. And they still had a train ride ahead of them. At this point, all she wanted was a hot shower and a few hours in a soft bed.

  * * *

  Chloe spotted Lila the moment their train pulled into the station. A white silk couture jumpsuit hung across her slim hips, tapering at the ankle just above a pair of exquisite, cobalt blue Louboutin suede booties. The ruffled, plunging neckline left room for a diamond necklace that would have sparkled enough to blind a person had the sun not already begun to set. It matched the engagement ring on Lila’s left hand perfectly, and even more baubles dangled from her wrists and ears. Her handbag screamed Louis Vuitton, and the black cashmere peacoat draped across her arm probably cost more than Chloe’s entire wardrobe combined. Lila’s striking appearance was so out of place against the dingy platform, it would have been hard not to notice her.

  The look of anticipation on Lila’s face softened the severity of her outfit. She liked pretty, expensive things, but there was a Piniac in there somewhere; if she had seen someone in need, the coat would have gone home with them without a second thought. Chloe had always considered her mother a woman of contradictions. To some, she was a pleasant surprise—those people were usually expecting a hard, unfeeling snob—to others, particularly those in her social sphere who were genuine snobs, she was an oddity. Love her or hate her—there was no in-between when it came to Lila LaRue.

  “Go, I’ll get our things.” Nate gestured for Chloe to move on ahead, having watched her excitement grow exponentially the closer they got to their destination. She kissed him on the cheek and made a beeline for the exit before anyone else had moved from their seat, nearly flying from the bottom step into her mother’s waiting arms.

  “Oh, darling, I’ve missed you so much!” Lila enveloped Chloe in a fierce hug, inhaling her daughter’s familiar scent with a beatific expression on her face—a face so similar to Chloe’s it was a little bit creepy. Blond hair hung in perfectly-coiffed ringlets, just skimming a pronounced collar bone, and wide almond-colored eyes shone bright above a button nose. EV and Nate watched through the train windows, in no hurry to interrupt the reunion between mother and child.

  EV’s stomach rumbled with nervous energy; it had been ten years since she and Lila set eyes on one another, and their relationship had wandered into stasis somewhere between acquaintance and friend. Why Lila had chosen her to be in the wedding at all was a mystery EV planned to solve. Until now, the thought of seeing her long-lost friend had been more abstract than concrete, so she avoided dwelling on it.

  With Nate bringing up the rear, EV exited the train and stepped tentatively toward Lila, who rushed forward to greet her with no trace of hesitation. Apparently Lila had chosen to ignore the emotional distance that stretched between them after years of physical distance. If her impressions were correct, Lila harbored a touch of resentment over EV’s close friendship with Chloe, while, at the same time, feeling gratitude that someone was there to look out for her daughter.

  On the flip side, EV thought Lila’s moratorium on
visiting her daughter harsh, and had not been shy in speaking her feelings. Still, she was more than willing to let it all go, especially if Lila had done the same.

  “Look at us! We’re old!” Lila laughed, though neither looked anywhere close to their actual ages. Lila’s good humor was infectious, and EV felt the tension release from her shoulders.

  “I’m not old, I’m travel-worn.” EV arched an eyebrow and matched it with a sardonic smile.

  Nate approached the three women, looking to Chloe for support. “Mother, you remember Nate.”

  “Hello Mrs.—Ms. LaRue.” He stammered. “It’s nice to see you again. Congratulations, and thank you for inviting me.” Nate reached out as if to shake Lila’s hand.

  “Hello, Nathaniel.” She replied, ignoring his hand and letting go of Chloe long enough to give him a short, but reassuring hug. “Call me Lila. It’s much easier. And you’re very welcome. We’re happy to have you all here.” Nate detected the hint of an edge to the words. The feeling solidified as Lila donned her coat and slung her arms around Chloe and EV’s necks, leading them toward a black limousine idling in the parking lot, while he was left to help the driver handle the luggage. The speculative look she tossed back at him over her shoulder told him the move was intentional.

  Once they were en route, Lila pulled a bottle of champagne out of the limousine’s built-in chiller and proposed a toast. “To family, friends who are considered family, and those who may someday become family.”

  Nate toasted, wondering again if Lila placed intentional emphasis on a particular phrase; it sounded almost as if she’d be betting against him becoming a permanent fixture in Chloe’s life. He shook his head, wondering if the stress of travel had him imagining things.

  “You’re all just going to love this venue. Chloe knows, since we’ve visited the castle before, and it just seemed like serendipity when Javier suggested it. The whole event came into focus, and I could picture the four of us gliding down that staircase in the Rose Room. You remember my cousin Faith, don’t you? She’ll be my third attendant, but she can’t make it until next week. I just hope it’s enough time to get her dress altered.” Lila prattled on, but Chloe interrupted her, having latched onto a nugget of information she didn’t want to let pass.

  “So Javier is the one responsible for choosing one of the most remote locations in your repertoire. You couldn’t find anywhere more out of the way, could you? Where is his family from? Are they all flying in for the ceremony?”

  “Of course, dear. You don’t think they’d miss the wedding, do you?” Lila’s didn’t elaborate on the details, but instead launched into another monologue about the wedding.

  “Sounds like we’ll be busy little bees for the next two weeks.” EV intoned with an internal sigh. It was beginning to sound like she wouldn’t have time to explore the countryside as planned, and resigned herself to being bored to tears by centerpiece arrangements and debates about proper garter placement. If I survive two weeks of this, I should get a prize, she thought. If I haven’t done away with Lila by then, I’ll be eligible for sainthood.

  * * *

  Pulling up to the place, Nate, wide eyes staring out the window, let loose a whistle. EV concurred.

  Some genius of an architect had gone to a lot of trouble extending the existing structure with enough new construction to almost triple the original square footage. From the outside, it looked like a scene from a fairy tale. Turrets soared into the sky, castellated battlements ranged like gapped teeth across walls of ancient stone. EV’s imagination ran wild trying to picture what lurked behind ponderous arched doors of aged wood and hinges beaten from bars of iron.

  Despite living humbly in Ponderosa Pines, EV was no stranger to opulence. Her family was every bit as wealthy as Lila’s. She had just chosen a simpler life, knowing full well what the alternatives were. Still, EV goggled when she got her first glimpse inside. Instead of a great hall, dank in the corners where flickering torchlight couldn’t reach, the doors opened into a gleaming interior of polished stone sparkling under soft lighting provided by fixture after swanky fixture. Burnished bronze and alabaster-shaded sconces lined the walls, while a crystal-bedecked chandelier dominated half the ceiling area.

  To her right, the concierge desk, clad in pretty pink marble, rested next to a bank of elevators. On one corner, a sleek white cat surveyed the new arrivals with eyes the color of polished jade. Of its own volition, her hand lifted to give the regal beast a scratch behind the ears. He rewarded her efforts with a loud purr while her eyes took in the rest of the lobby. Just ahead, a sculptural sweep of gleaming granite stairs gracefully curved toward what looked like a second-floor balcony running around three sides of the foyer. EV knew from the website that a hair salon, several boutiques, and a five star restaurant resided there. Just past the concierge area, propped-open glass doors provided access to a gift shop. Nearly anything you might need for your vacation could be found somewhere in the castle.

  An impeccably crafted sign reading Pub and Cafe swung from a wrought iron hanger on her left, and another, smaller sign indicated that the entrance to the spa was somewhere behind a huge staircase opposite the eatery.

  As though reading the thoughts running through EV’s mind, Chloe nudged her with an elbow and whispered, “Low voltage LEDs. Trust me.”

  That was all she had time to say before the concierge, a gentleman who bore an uncanny resemblance to Dame Christie’s description of Hercule Poirot, spied Chloe.

  “Miss LaRue, it’s so good to see you.” EV stifled a smile when the man’s deep southern American accent and exaggerated lisp drove the good detective right out of her head. “And Miss Lila, just look at the two of you, together again. Such beauty in one place, why, it’s a sight for these sore eyes.” His eyes didn’t look particularly sore, but they did slide ever-so-subtly toward Lila, as though searching for approval. “Leave your bags right here; I’ll see they’re taken up to your rooms. Now, I’m sure Miss Lila would prefer to show you the way, since your suite adjoins with hers. She wanted to keep all her ladies close during this time of preparation.”

  “Thank you Antoine.” Lila, leaving Nate no choice but to follow, latched onto Chloe’s arm on one side, and EV’s on the other, practically dragging them toward the grand staircase. EV raised an eyebrow at the name. To be sure, he looked like an Antoine, but he sounded more like a Billy Bob. The cat spilled from the desk to prance along behind the three women, all the way up into the lofty reaches of the castle. It seemed EV had made a new friend.

  When Nate moved to follow Chloe, Antoine called him back, “Mr. Harper, if you could come with me, please. I’ll show you to your rooms.”

  “He’s with me, Antoine,” Chloe pulled away from Lila, turned back to tuck her hand into the crook of Nate’s elbow.

  “Miss Lila chose special accommodations for Mr. Harper.”

  Chloe treated her mother to a questioning glare.

  “It’s fine Chlo. I’ll find you later.” He dropped a peck on her cheek while keeping his eyes trained on Lila, who regarded the scene with equanimity. “Go. Spend time with your mother. It’s been awhile since you’ve seen her.” Whether he was meant to be the referee in some private mother-daughter war, or a pawn to be sacrificed on the playing field, Nate sensed no overt personal hostility from Lila. This was a power struggle that probably had nothing to do with him, and he would only involve himself in if it looked like Chloe needed the extra support—though he saw no harm in letting Lila know his position, which was firmly seated on Chloe’s side.

  * * *

  Made it safe, jet-lagged and sleepy. Kiss the kittens for me. Chloe’s text to Talia was preemptive; she knew Tallie would worry if she didn’t check in, and hoped she’d spread the word and spare Chloe a few panicked calls from other friends, neighbors, and general busybodies.

  Deciding to complete the task to the fullest extent, she sent a group message to Veronica and Mindy as well: Touched down, safe and sound in my room—far away from Nate, thank
s to my mother. Apparently my dry spell is destined to resume.

  Moments later, her phone dinged with three replies.

  Glad to hear it, have fun, kittens are fat and happy.—Tallie.

  There must be some secluded areas in that place—could be interesting.—Min.

  Get it, girl. You’ll figure something out. Keep us posted!—V.

  Chloe grinned; maybe they were right. Surely she and Nate could carve out some alone time, even if that meant a little sneaking around was in order. Now that she thought of it, some clandestine cuddling might even be fun.

  Chapter 4

  More soft pink marble—illuminated by the light of what seemed like a thousand flickering candles—formed an intricate, curved pathway into the castle’s spectacular oval-shaped dining room. A full wall of windows reflected the scene back onto itself, making the room appear twice as large, while the darkness of night rendered a fairy-tale view of rolling hillside invisible beyond.

  Upon further inspection, only the rose-shaped tea lights ensconced in crystal holders at the center of each table were actually wax; flickering, flame-shaped bulbs in every other fixture negated the daunting task that would have been required to keep each one lit with real candles.

  Smooth stone walls curled upward toward a dome of glass and iron, wrought in a filigree pattern and punctuated by more roses carved from marble. Truly stunning, the skylight served as a fitting topper to the opulent, multi-level room below. Kitchen staff moved deftly in and out of two swinging doors situated unobtrusively at one end of the hall. In order to get to guests seated near the elevated stage at the far end of the room, waiters were forced to arc around the sunken dance floor dominating the center. At this late hour, the kitchen was still serving dinner, but since most everyone had already cleared their plates, many couples twirled and swayed elegantly across the space. In another hour, the menu would be switching over to gourmet pub fare. If memory served, their duck fat fries with truffles were well worth the wait.