Love Imagines (Sully Point, Book 6) (10 page)

Sam came in with a paper bag in his hand and he
and Anna vanished down the hallway, giggling. Ben wasn't sure what was going
on, but right then Ed began questioning him about his career. About ten minutes
later, Sam and Anna returned wearing big smiles.

"It's positive," Anna said.

"Congratulations!" Ed said as he got up to hug
Anna.

Rose leaned over and said, "Anna's pregnant. They
just found out from a pregnancy test."

"That explains those big smiles," he said. He got
up and waited his turn to shake Sam's hand and offer congratulations to Anna.

"The food!" Anna said and ran from the room.

Soon they were all seated around the dining room
table, and Ben was once again impressed with Anna's cooking. This time she'd
roasted a pork loin perfectly, steamed broccoli, and made the best macaroni and
cheese he'd ever tasted.

"Anna," he said. "This is fabulous. Are you sure
you don't want to come to L.A. and open a restaurant?"

She smiled at him. "No thanks. Sully Point has
everything I need or want. But I do love cooking for family and friends.
Everyone, save some room for dessert. We're having peach cobbler."

Ben watched Rose interact with her parents. They
seemed very comfortable together and he realized he was in the midst of a real
family. He had been close to his mother, but there had always been a distance
in his relationship with his father.

"Doc Rosie, Doc Rosie, come play," Joshua asked as
he was leaving the meal to go to his room. Ben had been impressed that the
little guy ate steadily and didn't cause a ruckus like some kids his age.

"Why does he call you that?" Ben asked.

Rose flushed a becoming shade of pink.

"Cause she's the doctor," Joshua said, in
condescending tones that implied Ben was clearly not very bright.

"That's right, honey," Anna said firmly. "You go
set up the hospital in your room and Doc Rosie will come play soon."

"Okay," he said with a grin and ran out of the
room.

"Kids. They love playing doctor. He just had a
check-up recently and is all into it," Sam said.

Sophia leaned toward Ben. "Tell me, do you plan to
stay in L.A.?"

"Uh, yes ma'am. That's where my work is, the
business I'm in."

"But from what you said earlier, your work takes
you all over the world. You could live anywhere."

"I suppose that's true," he said thoughtfully.
"I've lived there for a number of years now, and my whole life is there. I
never thought of leaving."

"It's just an idea," Sophia murmured, after a
glance at her daughter.

"What I want to know is, what's this rumor I heard
today about some actress new in town? Says she's your girlfriend," Ed said in
his deep voice.

Rose choked on her sip of wine, while Sophia
glared at Ed.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to
listen to Maelynne?" she asked.

Rose finished coughing, and said, "That's actually
why we came to dinner here tonight. The new actress in town, Suzanne, is
someone Ben knows. Ben needs some advice from Sam and Anna."

Ben lifted an eyebrow at Rose, and she shrugged.
He sighed and realized they were all looking at him.

"Let me explain. It all started some time ago in
L.A. when I dated this young woman."

As he told them the story of Suzanne, he realized
it was a relief to share it and to hope someone would have an opinion on how best
to handle it. Plus, Rose's father was a retired cop. Surely he'd know what Ben
should do.

"It's like Patrice all over again," Anna said,
face grim.

"I have to admit, it does sound like that to me,
too," Sam said. "Ed, what do you think?"

"I think you've got trouble," the big man said.
"And it won't be simple to deal with either. The stalker mentality is a crafty
one. It would almost be easier if she just hated you and was trying to kill
you."

"Dad! That's awful!" Rose said.

"What I mean is that she thinks she loves you. In
reality, she loves and hates you. She's gone to some trouble to appear normal
enough that William would hire her for the play. You could take out a
restraining order, but she hasn't actually done anything yet to warrant it.
William can let her go, get out of the contract, but that doesn't mean she'll
leave town. Furthermore, if she thinks you and my daughter are dating, she may
go after Rose, possibly violently. I'm not happy about any of this, not at
all."

"Are you saying Ben and I shouldn't date?"

"Yes," Ed said.

"No," Sophia said.

"It will put her in danger," Ed said.

"She deserves to date whomever she wants. Why let
this Suzanne win?"

"I don't want Rose to be in danger," Ben said.
"But I also want us to keep seeing each other. Maybe if we kept it secret?"

"The thing is, Ben, it's not just about Rose being
in danger, but you also," Anna said. "When Patrice was rejected by Sam she
immediately turned against him and burned down his house."

"And car. My little Aston-Martin," Sam said
wistfully.

"How are you going to respond to Suzanne's
attentions? What will happen if you don't date her?" Anna asked.

Rose shifted in her chair. "Anna, surely you
aren't suggesting that Ben go out with her and feed her delusions?"

"No, I'm not. I think you need guards. Both of
you."

Ed's face lightened up a bit. "Not a bad idea. I
also think you need to make sure everyone in the family knows about this.
Suzanne may try to get information from other people who know you. Friends and
family should be told to keep quiet about details of your life and to get out
of the conversation, politely, as soon as possible. Then have them call me.
I'll take point on this one."

"I hate to put you to the trouble, Ed," Ben said.

"It's not just you in danger, but Rose too. I'm
more than happy to put my cop hat back on for a while."

"Maybe you should come stay with us, Rose," Sophia
suggested.

"Mom, I'm not going to stay with you. I like my
little apartment."

"The door there is steel," Sam said. "And has an excellent lock."

Ben was holding his breath. He could see that Rose
staying at her parent's house could definitely put a damper on their burgeoning
relationship.

"No, Sophia," Ed said. "I think Rose should stay
right where she is for now, with the agreement that if things go bad, she moves
in with us. We don't want to draw any attention to Rose at the moment. But you
two will need to be very careful. If you go to see Rose, don't park behind the
Bakery. Leave your car a few blocks away. You can't go out on dates any place
public. Family dinners and gatherings are okay, as long as William and Beth are
there. From now on, every time Ben is around the family it has to be as an
actor in the play, not as a date for Rose."

They all nodded. Ben felt relief that someone who
knew what they were doing was taking charge.

"Remember, Ben. You can't give her anything to
hang her fantasies on. Don't tell her you're sorry. Just tell her you aren't
interested, there is no future for the two of you ever, that kind of thing. The
worst possible thing is to leave her with the idea that someday you might be
together."

"Somebody needs to talk to William about that
contract right away. He has to try and get rid of her," Sam said.

Ed nodded. "Let Sophia and me go talk to William
and Beth. We'll leave—well, not until after that cobbler."

Everyone laughed. Ben felt it was a sign of the
tension easing up.

"Thank you, everybody," Ben said. "Especially you,
Ed. I feel much better knowing you're on the case."

* * * *

Rose entered her apartment with a slight feeling
of fear before she turned on the lights. All the talk about stalkers had left
her feeling shaky. She jumped when her phone rang. Quickly locking the door,
she answered.

"Hello?"

"Rose, everything okay?"

"Hi, Dad. I got here safely. I have the door
locked."

"Good, look...just how important is this guy, Ben,
to you?"

"What?"

"You heard me. How far into the relationship are
you?"

"Dad! What's this all about?"

"This situation could get uncomfortable and even
dangerous. If you don't have any real feelings for him, if this is just a
fling..."

"No, it's not a fling," Rose said. She paused and
thought about it.

"Well? What is it then?"

"I think there could be something there, between
us. I don't know what exactly, but I want to find out. Does that answer your
question?"

She heard him sigh.

"I suppose so. You aren't going to stop seeing
him, are you?"

"No. And I don't think I should. Wouldn't that
just be letting her win?"

"I was afraid you'd see it that way. Very well.
We're almost at Beth's house since your mother is driving. I'll speak with you
tomorrow."

She looked thoughtfully at the phone and set it
down. She must really like Ben, because the idea of not seeing him bothered
her. She went into the bedroom and began changing clothes. The phone rang
again.

"Hello?"

"Hi Rose, it's Ben."

"Oh, hi."

"Do you mind if I come over now?"

"Where'd you park?"

"Down by Lucretia's. I can be at your place in
just a few minutes, walking."

"Okay. See you then."

She set the phone down and began searching through
clothing. She knew there had been an outfit...yes, there it was. Wide-leg,
palazzo style lounging pants in a soft blue jersey material, with a matching
tunic top. It was plain and yet clingy, which added all the interest it needed.
Brushing her hair to a shine, she resisted the urge to go redo all her make-up.
She didn't have time.

Right as she slipped on some pewter-colored
sandals, Ben was knocking at the door. She opened it to find him frowning at
her.

"Rose. I can't believe you just opened the door
like that. You didn't ask who it was."

"Maybe I looked through the peep-hole."

"Did you?"

"Well...no. Come on in. You could be seen out
there."

He walked into the apartment, running a hand
through his hair again in what she now recognized was a nervous gesture.

"You have to be careful, really careful."

"Yes, I know. I didn't think, but I will from now
on. Sit down and stop pacing. Do you want a drink?"

"Have you got anything alcoholic?"

She smiled. "Yes, I do. I think I'll join you."

Soon they were sitting on opposite ends of the
couch, sipping scotch.

"This is really quite lovely," she said.

"Yes, the Glenmorangie is one of the smoothest."
He took another sip. "Rose, I've been thinking. Maybe we shouldn't see each
other."

"What?"

"At least, not until this thing with Suzanne is
resolved."

"Ben...who knows how long that will take. I just
got off the phone with my father who was trying to convince me to stop dating
you. I'll tell you what I told him. I want to see you. And I don't want to let
her win."

"If it's just about her winning..."

"It's not. I like you. I want to spend time with
you."

He smiled at her, a slow smile that showed in his
eyes. "Then that's what we'll do."

They were quiet for a few minutes. Finally, Rose
asked, "Want to watch a movie?"

He chuckled. "As long as it's not one of mine."

"I don't even know what movies are here. Beth told
me they left some in this cabinet...here we go. Musicals? What was she
thinking? Looks like there are a bunch of old movies, with Cary Grant, Gregory
Peck, and others."

Ben came over and began looking through the discs.
"They have
Anatomy of a Murder
with Jimmy Stewart. Let's watch this. And
what do you have against musicals?"

"I'm not against them per se. I think I got tired
of hearing Beth singing the songs to
Camelot
and
The Sound of Music
when we were growing up. Her voice wasn't as well-trained then as it is now."

Ben put the disc into the player and they sat
down. "It's interesting though, that she wanted to act even as a kid."

"Yes, only Maggie of all of us didn't know what
she wanted to do from an early age. Sam wrote stories as a kid and I—"

"I bet you dressed up in your mother's designer dresses and played model," Ben said and chuckled.

"Uh, yeah, I did." Rose sighed with relief inside
as she realized she could agree with what he said and not lie to him. She was
beginning to really dislike lying to him. But she had played dress-up as a
child, so it was cool. She just wouldn't mention how she cut open her stuffed
animals and then sewed them back up playing doctor.

When they had returned to the sofa, they took seats
closer to each other. After about a half an hour of the movie, Ben got up to
refresh their drinks. When he sat down again it was next to Rose, and he put
his arm on the back of the couch touching her shoulders.

After a minute, Rose realized he was playing with
her hair. She'd always loved that feeling of someone playing with her hair,
brushing it, running their hands through it. She moved closer to him until
their thighs were touching. Her awareness of his body had ratcheted up to the
point that she had no clue what was being said in the movie. Her focus was on
his hand in her hair and his leg against hers.

"Rose, your hair is the perfect strawberry blonde.
I don't think I've ever felt such softness."

"Thank you," she said.

A few minutes went by.

"Rose...are you even watching the movie?"

"No. Not really."

His arm slid around her and she turned to face
him. His blue eyes seemed darker as he bent his head to kiss her. She felt the
pressure of his lips against hers, a soft kiss. When she reached up to put an
arm around his neck, he kissed her again. It was a deep, ardent kiss that went
on for what felt like forever.