Among the Tulips (8 page)

Annie wasn't the type to enjoy life here for eight weeks and then leave…and honestly, he felt like a cad for even considering it.

Mentally drawing a line, he told himself she was to be off-limits. They would simply develop their friendship and that was it.

With that settled, he took a breath and let it out slowly, then turned to Annie. “The windmill I'm taking you to see was built nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, if I remember its history correctly. It was constructed to help pump water. We're below sea level, and the people of the Netherlands had to come up with some ingenious ways to tame the land.”

“Are windmills very plentiful?” she asked watching the countryside.

He followed her gaze to a small cottage surrounded by sheep and deep, tall, green grass. Life was so leisurely here, so laid-back compared to his hectic world. “The windmills aren't as plentiful as they once were, though you can still find them
around, much like the American lighthouses. They're there, but not used as they once were.”

The driver pulled up to a local shop which Victor sometimes frequented. “I'll be right back,” Victor said to Annie and was out of the car before she could comment.

Inside it took only a few minutes to find the soft cashmere sweater he wanted for her. It was light blue and very smooth. It would look beautiful on her. He paid for it and returned to the car.

“You'll need this.”

She gaped at the sweater he pulled out of the bag. “You shouldn't have.”

“I wanted to.”

“I don't know of any lighthouses in Louisiana,” Annie murmured, harkening back to their earlier conversation.

He leaned over and helped her slip on the delicate pastel sweater. Her skin was silky, and he again caught a whiff of that wonderful scent she wore.

The driver continued down the road. “I think there might be one or two lighthouses,” Victor replied.

She nodded absently, continuing to stare out at the beautiful, peaceful countryside. “But…oh my…”

She'd spotted the windmill. Her earlier conversation was forgotten as her eyes took in the sight.

“It's big.”

He nodded. “You can't quite get a feel of it if you don't see it in person.”

“I get that feeling when I watch shows about the Pyramids of Giza.”

“They're huge,” he agreed.

“You've been there?” she asked, her gaze darting to his.

He nodded. “You need to go if you get the chance.”

Her gaze was drawn back to the windmill. “Unfortunately, I'm not rich,” she murmured, low enough that he didn't think she realized he'd heard.

Their worlds were so different, he thought. Those few words told it. She wasn't rich. She was starting a job in the fall because of that, and yet he could take off months, even years, if he wanted, because he had enough money to retire.

She wasn't used to servants. He never went without servants.

She talked about her three-bedroom house in a small, quiet neighborhood and his house was three floors with thirty-six rooms.

She thought he went to a gym. He had a gym in the basement.

But in other ways they were so alike. She loved
poetry, so did he. They both loved to paint and talk about horses and the list went on and on. Everything he mentioned, she was interested in, it seemed. Or she had an opinion on it.

The driver pulled up to a parking area and stopped.

Victor got out and came around to help Annie out.

“Wow,” was all she said as she positioned the crutches and slowly swung her way toward the windmill.

“Look at the size of that thing. Look at the landscape around it. Aren't those wildflowers beautiful?”

It was like watching a child who'd been taken into a candy shop. Her gaze was everywhere, trying to take in everything and impressed by what she saw.

They walked around the windmill as well as going inside. When they came back out, he was grinning. “Not as impressive as you hoped?”

“I'm not sure what I expected,” she replied. “I definitely wasn't impressed.”

He wanted to impress her, he thought. “You like the flowers?” he asked waving his hand toward the field of wildflowers growing abundantly and unhindered.

She nodded. “I don't live out in the country
where there are wildflowers. And we certainly don't have these types in Louisiana.”

He grinned. “Just a minute.”

“What—” she started, but he ignored her.

Going off the path, he headed out into the field.

“Can you do that on private property? Will you get into trouble?” she called.

He laughed. “Laws are different here, Annie.”

He bent down and started picking some of the white and pink wildflowers, gathering a beautiful bouquet for her.

“Oh dear!” She sounded distressed and excited both.

He glanced at her and waved. “Don't worry,” he called out as he moved farther into the field to get some of the larger flowers. He glanced at her as he did, smiling broadly.

“Watch out!” she shouted.

“It's fine. Honest-t-agh!” He lost his footing on a rut or something.

Windmilling his hands, he tried to catch his balance and failed, falling headlong into a huge mud pit.

“Oh dear!”

He heard her shouted distress from where he lay, but, instead of being angry at his stupid maneuver, he began to laugh.

Pushing himself up, he noted he'd managed to
keep the flowers clean. If he'd sacrificed them, he probably would have missed most of the water in the puddle. Ah, what some people did trying to be gallant.

He stood and held up the bouquet.

She gasped as she took in the wet left side of him that was muddy and slimy, and then a giggle escaped.

And another.

By the time he got back to her, she was laughing as if she didn't have a care in the world.

“Your flowers, Annie Hooper,” he said graciously and bowed slightly.

“Thank you, Mr. Rivers,” she replied happily.

She gazed at the bouquet, the windmill forgotten, touching each tender petal with her long delicate fingers. “They're beautiful. I plan to take these home with me as a memory to cherish.”

Her words warmed him right down to the depths of his empty, hurting soul. “I only need to think of how you look right now to have a memory of today.”

Her gaze lifted to his and he saw the sparkle in her eyes before she glanced away. “We should get back home so you can change,” she murmured.

He did his best to ignore what he'd seen in her eyes and simply nodded. “Yeah, I'm beginning to feel chilled. It's maybe fifteen degrees out today.”

At her confused look, he added, “Celsius.”

“That's right. Kilometers, Celsius. So many differences.”

They both made their way back to the vehicle.

Once they were inside, the driver returned to the house. Victor realized it was almost lunchtime. They'd been gone longer than he'd thought.

“I'll go in and shower and ask Cook to prepare lunch. Sandwiches. If you'd like to dine in thirty minutes that'd be good for me.”

She nodded. “I don't think I'll change. I want to keep the sweater on,” she said, rubbing the soft arms and smiling. “This is absolutely beautiful.”

Not as beautiful as you are, sitting there, he thought mildly.

“Then it sounds like a plan and…” he trailed off as he noticed the car pulling into his estate.

“It looks like you have company,” Annie said brightly and a bit nervously, he thought.

He frowned.

He knew who it was.

Sean.

Sean, who knew more was going on with the woman at Victor's house than Victor had been letting on.

He was here to cause mischief.

“Victor?” Annie asked and he heard the worry.

He offered her a smile. “Don't worry. It's a friend. You'll love him.”

Except that this friend was as famous as he was. He wondered if she would recognize him, if she would go ga-ga over him as so many other women did.

Sean was six-foot-two, tall, thin with short golden hair. Women tended to like that type, he thought.

He glanced sideways at the woman in the car with him.

“I can go upstairs if you'd like,” she offered and he could tell she was nervous.

“No. It'll be fine. Just follow my lead.”

“Okay,” she agreed, though he was sure she didn't understand. And neither did he. He had no idea where his sudden nervousness or possessiveness had come from, but he knew he didn't want Sean here right now when he was forming a friendship with this woman.

They drove up behind the other car. Sean was just getting out.

The driver halted Victor's car and opened the door.

Sean was standing, hands in pockets, looking totally relaxed, a smile on his face as he waited for Victor to exit the car.

Well, better now than waiting. He opened the door and slipped out. Sean started forward.

Victor turned and helped his guest from the car.

When he turned back to greet Sean he heard a gasp next to him and thought,
she's recognized him.

“That's Sean Hampton. Isn't it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh my heavens! You didn't tell me you knew a movie star!”

Of course, Sean was close enough to hear that, and he cocked his head slightly. “Good morning,” he said and nodded slightly to Annie, his eyes on Victor. “Are you going to introduce us?”

Victor turned to take the crutches from the driver and hand them to Annie who still clutched the bouquet in her hands.

She stood there, gaping like a besotted fan, at his friend, Sean, flowers forgotten. At Sean. She hadn't even recognized him. But she'd recognized Sean.

Victor couldn't stand it. He stepped in front of Annie and caught her attention.

She glanced at him, her eyes rounded in absolute shock as she accepted the crutches. “When I introduce you, Annie, say,
Ik ben van hem.
”

“What's that?” she whispered, casting a glance over his shoulder.

“It means welcome,” he lied.

Turning back around, he nodded. “Hello, Sean. This is my guest, Annie Hooper. Annie, Sean Hampton.”

Annie smiled shyly and then straightened her shoulders.
“Ik ben van hem,”
she said and smiled again.

Sean's right eyebrow went up and he cast a glance at Victor. “Ri-i-ight,” he said.

Victor could tell Annie was confused by Sean's reaction and felt a bit guilty, but, he pushed the feeling aside, justifying it by the fact that Sean was a womanizer.

“Vertelde jij haar omdat te zeggen?”
Sean asked in Dutch.

Of course I told her to say that, Victor thought but didn't answer. Instead, he smiled and slipped his arm around Annie's shoulders, being careful not to get her wet. “We've been out touring the local windmills.”

“You look as though you've been visiting with the local swine, old boy,” Sean said crisply.

“Maybe you should go in and change, Victor,” Annie suggested.

“Victor?” Sean asked, his eyebrow going back up.

Annie glanced from one to the other. “I should
leave you with your special guest,” she said nervously.

“Special guest?” Sean repeated in a query.

It was going to come out. Victor wasn't going to be able to stop it. “She means you, Sean. She recognized you as a movie star.”

Sean's smile turned slightly cynical before he shook his head in confusion. Chuckling, he asked, “But how does that make me special, Jake, since you…”

“She doesn't know.”

“I say,” Sean replied. “How can that be?”

“Jake?” Annie asked. “Jake…” Annie's confusion was obvious as she glanced from Sean to Victor and back again. Then her eyes widened as recognition dawned. “Oh my heavens. Jake as in
Jake
Rivers!”

“It seems she knows now,” Sean said simply.

Victor glared at Sean. “I'll meet you inside.”

“Good thing,” Sean said. “I could use some lunch.”

He headed up the long set of stairs.

“Tell Cook to have it ready in thirty minutes.”

Victor returned his attention to his guest and the questions she was going to have.

“Y
ou're Jake Rivers, the actor,” Annie accused Victor before Sean was completely out of sight.

She hadn't meant to sound angry, but she was absolutely floored, embarrassed, upset…she wasn't sure what she was. “Why did you tell me you were Victor?”

“That's my name. The name I act under is Jake Rivers.”

She opened her mouth to reply and paused. That made sense. But why did she feel so betrayed?

“I thought you'd recognize me at the hospital.” He shrugged. “Most people do. It was quite a blow to my ego when you didn't, even more so when you recognized Sean just now.”

She felt her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. “You could have told me.”

“And have you looking at me the way you just did at Sean?” Victor asked and then shook his head. “You enchant me, Annie. You are such a lovely person, such a gentle person. I enjoy your company. Sean was supposed to come up the day after the wreck to rest for a few weeks before the premiere of a new movie we're in together, but I put him off. He evidently decided to come up anyway.”

She stared at him suspiciously.

He returned her stare, his features inscrutable.

“You're an actor. How do I know if you're lying to me?”

“Annie, that's not fair,” he said simply.

She rubbed her forehead. “Oh dear,” she muttered. “I can't believe this. That's why all of those photographers were at the hospital,” she suddenly said and gasped as she realized that was why he'd kept looking so oddly at her that day. He'd expected her to recognize him.

He held out his hands. “Just calm down.”

She swatted at them, and then realized she must be really upset to do that. “Don't treat me like a child.”

He lifted his hands up on either side. “I wasn't trying to do that, Annie. Look, Annie, I'm sorry. I should have simply been honest with you, but how could I do that without sounding egotistical?”

She thought about that.

“I guess you couldn't have.”

“And we were having such a good time.”

She had to agree with that.

“Can't we just go back to how things were?”

She paused and studied him. “You looked familiar to me when I first saw you.”

“Well that's a relief,” he said and smiled.

She found herself smiling back. “It's the hair and beard. You don't wear it like that in publicity photos.”

He shrugged. “The last movie I did called for long hair. So, after the movie was over, I decided to keep it. It has some natural curl and women seem to like it.” He grinned very egotistically this time.

She swatted at him again. “I can't compete with the crowd you run with. I don't know that I want to. What am I even doing here?”

Okay, she sounded silly, but all of these insecurities were making themselves known. Jake Rivers was one of the biggest actors in America since his last film. No one knew a lot about him except that he was a fine actor and
Storm Clouds
had catapulted him into mega-famous status from simply famous. The movie had been nominated for thirteen Academy Awards.

Victor reached up and grabbed her by the shoul
ders, forcing her with his mere presence to look at him. What she saw there was an earnest look of honesty and entreaty. “You don't have to compete with anyone, Annie. Don't you realize that's why I enjoy your company? You're different. You are solid and you bring me joy, a joy I haven't felt in a very long time.”

Annie started to protest but a small check in her spirit reminded her of what she had thought to herself only a short time ago. This man was lonely.

Knowing now who he was, she would have said there was no way that he was lonely. But having gotten to know the man before she knew the reputation, she had to admit he was not what the press made him out to be. At least not with her.

Of course, he was an actor; he could be lying to her, playing out some strange staged events to get what he wanted.

But she wasn't important enough for him to do that, so she shrugged it off.

“Annie?” he asked softly, rubbing her shoulders in a gentle, soothing motion.

She nodded. “We can try to go on. But are you sure you want me here around your real friends?”

He blinked. “I don't believe you just said that.”

“Said what?” He looked offended and upset.

“I thought we were developing a friendship,” he said simply.

“We are.” She admitted her statement had been stupid, but chalked it up to the fact she was still reeling from her fresh discoveries.

He nodded. “Then you're one of my friends too. Now, can we go inside before I freeze?”

She glanced down and remembered he was wet. “Oh dear. I can let myself in. You go on.”

He shook his head. “You can't go up all of those stairs in that cast.”

He glanced toward the front door and then sighed. “I don't want to get you wet.”

He hesitated and then met her gaze again. “Wait right here.”

He headed up the stairs, and in a minute Sean came sauntering out.

“I've been asked to assist you,” he said simply.

She swallowed. “Oh, I don't know. I mean—”

Sean didn't allow her to argue but took the crutches and handed them to Helga, who followed quietly behind him. He then leaned down and lifted her into his arms. “I am to tell you that Jake— Victor,” he corrected, “went upstairs to change. He'll join us as soon as he is done.”

Annie felt light-headed. Here was this handsome movie star carrying her and she'd just found out Victor was Jake Rivers.

“Nice flowers,” he murmured and she realized they were right under his chin.

“You're not allergic are you? Victor picked them for me.”

Sean shook his head.
“Victor,”
he murmured and smiled. “So you really didn't know who Jake was?” he asked bemusedly.

She frowned at his amused tone. “He's a nice man.”

“Nice?” Sean repeated, a grin spreading across his handsome features.

“Yes. He's very nice and gentlemanly.”

“Gentleman—”

“—ly. Yes,” she repeated and her voice contained a note of warning.

It did no good. Sean burst into laughter.

They reached the top of the stairs, and he allowed her body to slide down his body—nice and slow and very forward. “Gentlemanly, is it?” he asked and she was aghast at how easily he turned on the charm.

Good heavens, it oozed from every pore of his body and all of it was aimed at her. His gaze could have started a forest fire with the spark of heat it contained. His hands slid up her waist to her back as if he were steadying her. And more…his body language…

She stepped on his toe with her cast.

He gasped and immediately released her.

That turned off the charm all right.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” she said, feigning surprise. She clutched the flowers to her chest. “I didn't see your foot there.”

He glared at her.

She gratefully accepted the crutches from the gaping Helga. She handed the flowers to her. “Please put these in water in my room.”

Helga nodded.

Annie quickly positioned the crutches and said, “Shall we wait in the parlor? Maybe I should send Helga for some ice for that injury?”

“That act could earn you an Academy Award, sweetheart,” Sean muttered darkly. “I think I'll pass on the ice.” He straightened.

She turned and started swinging herself into the parlor.

Once inside the parlor, Annie found a chair to sit in, just to make sure she had plenty of room away from Mr. Charming, though she didn't think he was a prince, but a frog for his attempt to charm her right in his own friend's house.

He obviously recognized her tactic because he sent her another one of those amused grins and walked across the room to look out the window.

“You have wants of anything?” Helena asked in severely accented English as she came into the room to check on them.

A fireplace poker, Annie thought but said in
stead, “Some water please.” She wondered if the woman even understood her. By the look on her face, she doubted she did. She started to shake her head no, but Sean spoke to her in Dutch.

Helena replied and left the room.

Annie really wished she spoke Dutch. What had he said to Helena?

“It's lovely this time of year here in Holland,” Sean said, casually.

“I'll take your word for it,” Annie replied.

“Where are you from?” he continued, not turning from his place by the window.

Annie relaxed. “Louisiana.”

“American,” Sean said.

“Born and raised there. This is my first time out of the state.”

He turned, both eyebrows raised. “You don't say? In today's world I find that quite unusual.”

She smiled politely. “My family lived there. I had no reason to leave.”

“No husband to drag you off on vacations? No kids?”

She knew he was teasing, so she shocked him by replying, “My husband has been dead four years. My son is over thirty and my daughter just a year younger.”

Oh yeah, she'd shocked him. She could see him
adding it up. “So, that makes you older than Jake.”

She grinned and shook her head. “Not at all.”

“I see.”

“I'm sure you do. With my husband dead, I'm looking for a fortune to help raise my kids.”

He actually gaped.

Her smile widened.

And then he laughed. “Definitely Academy Award material, Annie. You're too young to have children that old and you told me yourself you didn't know who Jake was.”

“As you wish,” she said simply.

The housekeeper, Helena, returned with a tray. On it she had two glasses of clear liquid. She guessed it was either wine or something she didn't recognize, as she doubted Mr. Hampton was drinking water too. Then again—after meeting Victor she was learning not to make assumptions.

“Dank u,”
she said politely to the maid.

“You speak Dutch?” Sean said, surprised.

She smiled. “Yes,” she replied and added silently, a few words, thanks to Victor aka Jake.

“Sorry I took so long,” Victor said, coming into the room.

Annie's expression brightened; she felt much easier now that Victor was there.

Victor came over and stopped by her chair. Reaching out he took her hand and squeezed it. “Problems getting inside?” he asked.

She lifted an eyebrow. He knew somehow, she thought. “Not at all,” she replied.

He frowned slightly, then turned. Walking over to his friend he held out his hand and shook hands. “I told you next week, bud,” Victor said lightly.

“I could not contain my curiosity,” Sean replied easily.

“I figured as much. I should kick you out right on your—”

“But you won't,” Sean interrupted. “You know I'd win.”

“Oh yeah?” Victor replied.

Male bonding, Annie thought wearily. Men!

“If you'll excuse me,” Annie said, and pushed herself up to stand.

Both men turned.

She smiled. “I'm going into lunch before you two start throwing punches to prove your masculinity.”

“Oh, mine isn't in question, sweetheart,” Sean replied immediately.

“Neither is his,” Annie muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” Sean asked.

“She said she had grave doubts,” Victor filled in. He was already by her side and had slipped an arm around her waist. With his other hand he scooped up the crutches. “Come on,” he called back to Sean.

Embarrassed, Annie refused to look at Sean. She could use the crutches and didn't need Victor to lean on. But then, this felt good as well. She slipped her arm around him.

“Did you know she has a son that is over thirty,” Sean continued, grinning. “And that she is after your fortune?”

Victor came to her rescue. “She does have a son over thirty and a daughter too. And if she is here after my fortune,” he turned a warm gaze down on her and said gently, “I'm sure she'll confess that to me soon.”

Sean paused behind his seat in the dining room. “You do not have a son who is over thirty. Tell me this man is not dating an older woman?”

She broke off her gaze from Victor and smiled at Sean. “I do have a son that is over thirty. And Victor is not dating an older woman.”

“But…”

Victor grinned. “He is her stepson.”

“Spoilsport,” Annie said low, her gaze fully on Victor.

Victor eased Annie into her chair and then propped her crutches next to her. “Young one,” he said grinning.

“I certainly feel it at the moment,” she replied blushing at his blatant flirtation.

Sean cleared his throat. “So, sandwiches is all you can afford?” he asked, looking at what was brought in. “Should I be worried that you're not getting good contracts like me?”

“I told her sandwiches were fine since Annie didn't mind and I wasn't expecting company.”

“Touchè, old boy,” Sean replied.

Annie bowed her head for a quick prayer. When she lifted her gaze, Sean was staring at her with the strangest look on his face.

“So, how are your injuries from the last movie you just finished up?” Sean asked and then drew his gaze away from Annie. He wasn't grinning anymore but studying his friend thoughtfully.

Annie had lifted her sandwich to eat, intending simply to listen and not participate in the conversation. She wasn't quite ready to be in the company of two of the biggest stars in show business. But when she heard him mention Victor was injured she blurted out, “You were hurt?”

He nodded. “I was on set when a board fell. It caught me in the side and bruised it up pretty
good.” He glanced back to his friend. “It's fine, barely yellow now.”

“Did you rehurt it in the wreck?” Annie asked worriedly.