Page 73 of Secret Bet
"Mr. Monopoly?" He gently massaged Belle's knee under the table. "I haven't been called that to my face in awhile."
Belle pressed her lips together. "She read it in thenewspaper."
"It was one of the more amusing namesI have beencalled."
Em gulped her glass of water and then turned toward him. Em lowered her gaze and said, "Lunch was nice.Havefun."
Belle reached across the table and squeezed her friend'swrist.
Em nodded. "Go. I'm getting a fabulous vacation out ofthedeal."
As they walkedout of the restaurant, the sun hit his skull. He hadn't walked in public like thisin years. Belle laced her fingers in his as they strolled down thestreet.
At the corner she whispered, "You should find the time to talk toyourmom."
"I don't want to thinkaboutthat."
Both of his siblings stepped out of a chauffeured town car with frowns on their faces as they approached. Vicki caught them first. "Peter, thereyouare."
Peter stood straighter. Theyhad something to say, and he'd take the brunt of whatever this was now. "John. Victoria. It's nice to see you. I thought you were leaving on your honeymoon,Vicki?"
John widened his stance. "You left Mom alone in yourhouse."
Peter pressed his lips together and waited for the rest of it. "Idid."
John's shoulders tightened as he crossed his arms. "You don't have to be likeDad. He was a careless jerk, and leaving her alone wasjustcold."
Peter gazed at Vicki. They both believed the same thing. He met John's stare, but then Belle squeezed his hand as she stepped in front of him, "Wait a minute. Peter remembers his mother and he has to come to terms with his memories and her showing up at his door. You have your mother because of Peter, so give him space sohe can find his own way. Don'tjudgehim."
Belle was brave. He placed his hand on her shoulder, but he had a feeling in a real fight she'd never needbackup.
Vicki jumped and took John's arm to pull him back. "We're sorry, Peter. John wanted to put you in Dad's place so he could yell at someone. It wasn't right. I'll get him home tohiswife."
The last thing he needed wasdistance with his siblings that had only recently come back into his life. He licked his lips. "Thanks, Vicki, and go on yourhoneymoon."
She turned her head to give him her profile, "After your New Year's party. The cruise we recently booked is going to beamazing."
He waited until his siblings left them alone. His hand was still on her shoulder as she stood like she'd guard him.He massaged her arm to get her to turn around. She retook his hand as they took their firststeps.
"Thank you, Belle. No one's ever even tried to stand upforme."
She let out a sigh. "Youdeserveit."
No one thought that about him. As they passed a store that flashed beachwear, his heart immediately thought of his yacht and how alone he had been with her there. He stoppedand held her hand until shestoppedtoo.
"Belle, if I buy you a swimsuit, will you come to the yacht with me. I don't want to keep running intopeople."
"Will you find time to talk to yourmother?"
"Yes. But I can'trightnow."
"You will." A small blush appeared on her face. "I'll buy my own. The store right here has bathing suits. Let's go there fast, and I'll figuresomethingout."
He kept his hand on her back as they entered the store. She went right to the one piece suits and flipped through the rack forhersize.
A sales clerk raced over to her. "Is there any way I can help? Whatever one you like the best, please tell me your size and I'll see if we have it intheback."
Belle handed her a few of her choices as she continued to browse."Thank you for holding these. You're superhelpful."
