So, the Muffin did a somersault...down the back steps. Thought he had broken his nose, but all is well. Shows two things: my child has a hard noggin and that my life is never boring. Yay for rwo year olds!

 

The lawyer was bewildered. It was carefully obscured by his dry professionalism, but Renee could tell. The quick looks to Colton as the estates were outlined, the barely noticeable hesitation before each ‘Mrs. Savage.’ Renee felt sorry for the man, more than anything, since Colton had noticed as well and was giving his best glower. That made the man, no doubt urbane and shrewd before a judge, visibly sweat.

“Are there any questions?”

Renee shook her head; she would never have understood it even if she had been paying attention.

“Then sign here, Ma’am.” The lawyer commanded, proffering a sheath of papers. “And here, here, here, here, and here.”

“Good thing I trust you,” Renee said with a weak attempt at humor. “Not that I have any money to sign away.”

Colton followed her example and inked his spiky signatures next to hers. He didn’t even half-smile. “I want notarized copies of this made and the original sent to my holding box. This as well.” The tattered, bloodstained paper declaring their marriage slipped into the lawyer’s briefcase. “There is to be no ambiguity as to the validity of this marriage, understand?”

The lawyer’s gaze flicked between them. “Yes, sir.”

“I’ll be ready in a minute.” Colton announced once the lawyer had left with the mound of papers.

Renee was dreading this afternoon. She felt stupid, since an afternoon of shopping at the choicest retailers in London with basically unlimited cash should be a dream come true. She wasn’t even into fashion and at first was thrilled at the idea. Now she felt sick.

Colton was back in a fresh shirt. Renee summoned up the courage everyone kept saying she had.

“Colton, I don’t want this.”

He looked up from his phone. “What do you mean?” He asked in sharp voice.

“Please, I really don’t need much. I can pay for some new clothes myself. And I don’t need estates and trust funds and things.”

He relaxed a little, it seemed like. “Oh. It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.” Renee insisted. “You father worked hard for you and I don’t want to take it just because I am your wife.”

Surprisingly, he smiled; a real smile, wide and showing his teeth. “I never thought to hear those words from a woman’s mouth.”

“What, you expected your wife to be gold digger?”

“I never expected to get married at all.”

Renee flinched and did her best to hide it by leaning to retie her shoelace.

“Come on,” he said. “I know some places you’ll like.”

Her uncomfortable emotions made her sarcastic. “I’m sure you do.”

He had moved to help her to her feet and held her from walking away by gripping her elbow.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She tried to recover. “Have you seen the way Alice dresses? I don’t think she gets that stuff at Sears.”

He didn’t quite believe her, she could tell. But nothing was going to induce her to bring up Felicia’s name or mention any other previous girlfriend. He examined her for a moment, then let it go.

500WC - what: two in row?

Renee had thought she had the man’s measure. But sitting at the breakfast table watching him absentmindedly eat scrambled eggs whites while reading his phone…if she had thought him unapproachable, he was now downright glacial.

“Do you have to work today?” she asked as he took a drink of mineral water. That seemed a safe question.

“No.” He shifted his focus to a slim laptop and typed, a crease deepening between his eyebrows.

“What are you doing?” She asked finally, once it seemed unlikely he would expound on his monosyllable.

He moved back to his phone, texting almost as fast as he had been typing. “Work.”

Another monosyllable and as enlightening as the last.  She shrugged and took a bite of her extremely unhealthy breakfast. Rosa had presented the steaming, aromatic dish with a flourish, waiting expectantly by the table as Renee took a satisfied bite. The woman’s beam of pleasure was worth every calorie of the concoction of pastry, cinnamon and cream. Renee had no idea what it was, but she could die happy having tasted it.

Piqued by Colton’s general terseness and unhuman adherence to spinach smoothies, Renee loaded up her fork and breathed a sigh of contentment.

“You should try this, Colton,” she said, a smile her parents would be wary of plastered across her face. “Its wonderful.”

He grunted, sparing a glance for the perfectly caramelized custard adorning the creation.

“It won’t kill you,” she cajoled, offering the fork. “Besides, all that rabbit food will cancel it out.”

A small success: he half smiled, one side of his mouth twitching up before he could stop it.

“No.” He countered. “But thank you.”

Well, she had tried. She ate the forkful a little rebelliously. She really should be eating better. But Rosa made such wonderful food and was obviously starved of appreciation for her talents.

“So, what are we going to do today?” Renee asked, assuaging her conscious by peeling an orange. And she had read that cinnamon was good for heart health.

Colton shut his laptop. “My lawyer is coming at 9. He will go over the estates with you.”

Before she could answer, Colton had dialed a number and was speaking Spanish much faster than she could follow. He repeated something several times, an order she thought, that the other person did not want to carry out.

“Llámame cuando oyes la palabra. Then you’ll get some clothes.”

Renee didn’t have the stomach to make a quip at his rudeness. She set down her fork. “Clothes?”

“The best way to stop this lesbian nonsense is to be seen together.” He looked over her. “You need some different clothes.”

She knew she was blushing and was cross. “What’s it matter?”

He answered both implied questions with one answer. “Its bad for my company and the shareholders.

She seriously contemplated hurling her breakfast all over his very lovely suit, perfectly creased and worn effortlessly. Instead she took another bite.

“Won’t it be dangerous to be out in public?”

He always had an answer for everything and it was annoying.

“Any known links will have trouble getting into the country. I have hired some security, as well.”

Renee managed a smile. “Aren’t you handy.”

He said nothing and went out. Renee sat and ate another helping, just to spite the universe.

500WC

I think I figured out what will happen next with these two. Enjoy!

Renee knew if she allowed her smile to slip for a moment, she would start bawling her eyes out.

“You sleep in here,” Colton announced, tossing her bags onto the wide bed. “I’ll be next door.” He left the room and the door shut. The walls in this residence were diametrically different to the worn elegance of his Spanish home. No sound penetrated between the rooms.

Renee sat on the bed and simply stared at the floor. The carpet was beautiful, a soft grey with the faintest hints of a pattern in the weave. It matched the coloring of the bedding and the rest of the room. The monochromatic tones were soothing, easing some of her tension after the day of hectic travel.

She slipped off her shoes and crept into the hall. Peeking around the corner, she double-checked his door was shut, then went back out to the main room.

The condo was in the upper half of a skyscraper, looking out over the lights of downtown London. Giggles rose up inside her as she took in the view out the floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows. Real giggles, not ones dredged up to dispel her worry and fear.

She had not realized what Colton meant when he said he was wealthy. “Just my luck” she had quipped to her parents, likely now fast asleep in their luxury hotel. Rosa and X were lodged in yet another small house, commuting to work so Colton could have his condo to himself.

Not anymore. Renee scowled at her translucent reflection. She should have gone with her parents. No one knew her here and likely wouldn’t care if she was around or not. Especially if all his friends were of Felicia and Y‘s sort.

Remembered mortification made Renee cringe. What do you do or say when a six foot, one-hundred twenty pound beauty slinks across the floor and calls you a cow? Most of her, the rational part of her mind that didn’t have a constant headache, knew that her own weight was perfectly healthy, that she was pretty, and that personality was more important anyway. The other part of her…the other part of her needed to get some sleep and stop worrying about it.

Apparently the floors were built to be silent as well.

“What are you doing up?”

Renee jumped and whirled around. Colton turned on a light, scowling across the room at her.

“It’s late.”

Renee summoned up her tartness. “And since I haven’t had a curfew since junior high…”

His scowl only deepened.  “You need to rest.”

Of course he was right. He was always right, but she refused to admit it. “So do you,” she retorted. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

She had him there. He winced a little and looked away. He was really bad at lying. She wondered at him being a successful businessman. Didn’t that involve him making shady deals with unsuspecting buyers?

He sighed and looked sheepish now.  “I just wanted to check the front door.”

As she had been contemplating checking the door herself, notwithstanding the armed doorman, he keycode in the elevator and the electronic doorlock, she said nothing. He grunted and went to the foyer. Renee shook her head in disbelief. This apartment had a foyer. And cashmere throws on the leather couches. Silk sheets?

“What are the sheets made of?”

Colton looked confused. It made him look younger and endearing. “Sheets?”

“The sheets, in the bedrooms. What are they made of?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Why?”

Renee smiled for real for the first time all day. “Nevermind. Go to bed.”

He grunted and left. She sighed and went to her own room, hoping tomorrow would finally be better.

 

500 WC

Er...I'm getting to the end of stuff I already have written.  I'll have to get my butt in gear and start working on this again.  But I do have an excuse!  The muffin has learned to roll over.  So know I go around putting him on his back on purpose just to watch him flop over on his tummy and grin with elation at his new trick.  :)




Alice was dead silent for a good thirty seconds.

“Alice?” Colton chanced timidly.

“I don’t know whether to give you a medal or shoot you, Colton.”

“I had to!” he protested, trying to keep his voice down. “They were going to arrest her and Git-mo her no matter what the video showed.”

“And so you married her?”

“It seemed a good idea at the time.”

“And she’s pretending.”

“Yes.”

“And she’ll keep pretending until you two can divorce in like two years or something.”

“Yes.”

Alice laughed again. “Who knows, maybe she is gay?”

“Alice!”

"Colton Savage, you are a moron.”

Colton agreed whole-heartedly. “What do I do?”

“You’re asking me?”

“Please, Alice!”

She snorted. “Enjoy it while it lasts, I suppose.”

“Alice!”

“What?”

“I am not sleeping with Renee!”

“Why not?”

“Alice!”

“You’ve boinked every other girlfriend you’ve had.”

“That’s not true. And Renee isn’t my girlfriend.”

“No. She’s your wife.”

“Please, Alice-”

“Is that why that Felicia woman was so pissed?”

“I didn’t tell her the truth.”

“Even worse. You dumped a swimsuit model for some chubby holiday fling.”

“Renee is not chubby!”

“Oh? What is she, Colton?” Alice purred at him. “Do tell.”

He bit his tongue, hissing at her in his fury. “I’m hanging up.”

“Do what I said, Colton. It will make it easier on you both. Maybe.”

“Alice!”

“I thought you were hanging up.”

“I can’t just go around kissing her!”

“Why not?”

“It wouldn’t be fair.”

“To whom?”

“To Renee!”

“But you wouldn’t mind?”

Colton swore and jabbed at his phone. He was going to fire Alice the second he got the courage to call her back.

Renee was curled up on her bed again.

Colton sighed heavily, knocking lightly on the door.

“Hey,” he said.

She grunted at him, clearly not pleased with him at the moment. He wasn’t either.

“I called Alice.”

“So?”

“I think she thinks its funny.”

“Ha ha ha.” Renee bit out. “So, so funny.”

“And I told her the truth. About us.”

Renee sat up and glared at him. “Why?”

“She deserves to know. I trust her with everything.”

Renee’s frown only deepened, her eyes narrowed. “And what did she say?”

Colton couldn’t help his blush. “Just what you would expect, I guess.”

Renne flopped back down. “My parents saw it.”

He winced. “And?”

“And they’re pissed, of course. Dad’s ready to hunt the guy down and chop him to bits. That jerk’s lucky we’re not back in Idaho. They’d never find his body.”

Colton was in complete agreement with Jake White. “I’d help,” he growled. Renee lifted her head to peer at him. She smiled suddenly.

“I’ll be okay.” She said. “Its more the shock, I think. I’d never have imagined I’d be on the news like this. That I’d stop a terrorist.”

That I would have married you.

Colton heard the words. She did, too. She blushed and looked away.

“Let’s stay in for a few days,” she said softly.

Colton jerked a nod and left her alone.

500 Word Challenge

Here's some more!  The muffin is growing and growing!  My train of thought usually goes like this:  I should post something...squee! look how cute he is...baby snuggles...  So yeah, blogging will eternally be trumped by baby snuggles.  But he's sleeping now, so I have a moment of sanity to do something useful. :)


500 WC

He convinced himself to stay home another day.

Alice was mildly reproving, telling him how much work she had waiting for him on his return.

Colton hung up feeling guilty and frustrated. And angry that he didn’t know why.

He went down to the kitchen and methodically ate the steaming breakfast Rosa put before him. He was dreading getting on the computer, of a search of Renee’s name bringing up some unknown picture and tag line.

He should have gone into work.

“What the-?!” Renee shouted from the living room. He flinched, setting his fork down. He went to see what had dragged so much profanity from her lips.

“What is it?” he asked wearily.

She pointed at the screen, her mouth wide and horrified. Colton made himself look.

The picture was of her and Alice, arm in arm, as they had been in front of the restaurant. Colton read the scrolling captions, getting the gist of the problem from them and the photo of him standing alone that flashed across the screen next.

“Call Alice and warn her.” Renee said in a hard voice.

“I will.”

“Is she a lesbian?”

“No.” Colton said firmly, absolutely sure of his secretary’s romantic preferences. “Its just slander. Don’t worry about it.”

The glare she leveled at him told him what she thought of his stupid suggestion. He winced. “I mean, try not to worry about it.”

She snorted and jabbed the remote. The screen went blank, reflecting Renee’s face in the bright sunlight.

Colton sighed and crossed to her.

“Its just talk.” He said gently, his hand on her shoulder. “It will die down in a few days. Besides, I know your not gay-”

“I don’t care about that!” Renee snapped, wiping her cheeks. “I care that they would dare even say anything! How dare that man take my picture and post it all over, making up lies about me?”

Colton didn’t have an answer, so just patted her shoulder lamely instead. “Sorry, Renee.”

She smacked his hand away and stalked out, her fists clenched.

Colton dialed Alice again.

“Yes?”

“Do a search of Renee in Google or something.” He could here the chatter of her keyboard, then a long minute of silence.

Alice was even more inventive than Renee.

“Sorry, Alice.” Colton said. “Really, I am.”

She started laughing all of sudden. “My mother is going to have a fit when she sees this!”

“Really, Alice-”

“Oh, I know. Don’t worry about it.” She sighed, though. “How is Renee taking it?”

Colton winced as something heavy slammed upstairs. It sounded like her dresser hitting the floor. “Not very well.”

“Poor girl. Easy to fix though.”

“How?” Colton demanded.

Alice laughed again. “Just get caught making out somewhere public. They’ll be so distracted by that that they’ll forget about our supposed love triangle.”

“Absolutely not!” Colton snapped.

“Why not?”

Colton caught himself. Alice didn’t know. Alice deserved to know, now that she was sucked into it.

“Look, Alice, its like this.”

“Uh-oh.”

500 Word Challenge

So when I said I was back, I really meant that I would think about posting and then forget a minute later.  Sorry!

But, as of this instant: the baby is asleep, all my houseworky things are done and I have no business stuff to do.  It took me a moment to realize - I have hobbies!  I can knit or read or...write something!  Now, I'm sure the second I get into something, he'll wake up, but!  I can try.

Here is the next bit of my 500 word challenge.  If you have forgotten where we are (as I have) I'll understand. :)  Enjoy!

(it took me a few minutes to find the right file, that's how long I hadn't worked on it.  Sigh...but babies are worth it!)



He wished she would stop wearing dresses that made her look like a fourties’s pin-up girl.

Colton helped Renee out of the car, gratefully giving her hand up to her father to turn back and help her mother out.

Alice was waiting, in her usual fashion forward clothing explosion.

“Here’s the phone,” she said tartly, hading it over. “I expect a very nice bottle of champagne for working this evening, Mr. Savage.”

He grinned at her. “Of course.”

She sniffed and went to link arms with Renee. Colton watched them whisper to each other, scowling. He didn’t need Alice keeping secrets form him.

The bright flash of a camera nearly blinded him.

Renee blinked dazedly, holding her hand in front of her eyes.

“Do you mind?” she snapped. The man standing before her started jabbering at her, asking her questions.

Colton stepped up, talking over his rambling Spanish.

“Excuse us,” he said firmly, steering Renee around him. The windows of the restaurants flashed whitely a few more times until they were safely inside.

“What was that?” Renee hissed at him.

Colton only scowled, watching the man talk on a cell from inside the front doors. “I think he recognized you.”

“From where?”

“You’ve been all over the news,” he told her.

She rolled her eyes. “I know. Somehow they got a hold of my driver’s license photo.”

Colton put aside his uneasiness and followed the matre de to their table. Her parents were scowling, too, clearly as little pleased with the paparazzi as he was.

The food was excellent. Renee’s parents had endless stories about their students blowing things up in science classes. Alice and Renee giggled like old friends the entire time.

Colton couldn’t wait to get home. Get inside his house and away from whoever had taken Renee’s picture and was doing who knows what with it.

Renee kicked off her expensive heels the instant they were back at the house.

“Super cute to look at, not so cute to wear,” she complained, rubbing her feet.

Colton didn’t have an opinion he cared to express, so just grunted.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said.

“No problem.”

She yawned. “I’m going to bed. Night!”

He watched as she scooped up her shoes and went up the stairs.

With an increasing familiar feeling of dread, he went to his office and woke up the computer. He pecked at the keyboard, inputting a search into Google.

Renee White

Her picture popped up immediately, followed by headlines dated from today all the way back to the attack. He followed a link from the morning, a press release stating she had been questioned and released, no longer a person of interest in the terrorist attack. Already it had several thousand comments below the main article, ranging from disbelieving to weirdly vehement support to ED ads.

Colton closed the browser. He’d have to check where that picture surfaced tomorrow. He really hoped it wasn’t in some crazy, paranoid tabloid. But knowing his luck, it would.

 

 

Thanks for reading! - The Muffin

 



500 WC Chapters 33-35

Now that I have been thrice scolded to update, I logged on and realized I haven't put anything up for nearly a month!  Yikes!  Growing a baby takes all my brain power - sorry!  I haven't done any writing of any mention and mostly been sitting and reading/dozing/staring into space.  And knitting little baby hats.  And looking at baby stuff online.  And reorganizing the five square feet of space that we wedged out of our apartment to be the 'nursery' - ie the place where I put all the baby stuff until he's big enough to sleep in a seperete room and we have to find a better solution.

Did I mention sitting and dozing?

But here's a nice long bit.  Probably will be a while between posts for the next month or so.

I'm also doing some research for a novel I've writen a good chunck of and am now rewriting.  Since I don't know much about post civil war West Virginia, I've been haunting wikipedia to learn about ye olde coal production and train lines.  I know, exciting right?  But don't worry: there will be zombies!


Enjoy!

Word count: 1,571 - right on target! :)

Colton took her hand as they walked up the steps to the Office of the Madrid Police. She was shaking, despite her brave face. And her fingers were cold.

“Don’t worry,” he told her quietly. “It will be over quick.”

She nodded. Her mother held her other hand, her father bringing up the rear. Selene had driven up late last night to be present as well.

A man was waiting to meet them, eying their little group with distrust.

“This way,” he said, Colton translating for the Americans.

Renee was shaking now, trembling as they waited for an elevator. Colton leaned down to her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, shocked by her fear.

“What if they don’t let me go?” she whispered back, her eyes round and frightened.

Colton gripped her hand. “They will.”

“But-”

“I won’t let them.”

She took a deep breath, controlling herself. She nodded and squeezed his hand back. “Thank you, Colton.”

He managed a smile and her tight expression eased.

It was a little interrogation room, just like in the movies.

Renee sat gingerly alone at the table, Colton and her family waiting outside.

Moreno came in, scowling and dropped a heavy file on the table.

Colton watched with mild amusement as Renee’s eyes narrowed. She straightened, ready to face down this man; no longer afraid, just angry.

“Mrs. Renee Savage.”

“Yes.” She said clearly, folding her arms across her chest.

Moreno sat and opened the file. She glared at the top of his head as he read a piece of paper.

“You are an American citizen.”

“Yes.”

“You were in Madrid on holiday?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you marry Mr. Colton Savage?”

“He asked me to.”

Moreno gave her a flat stare. “Any other reason?”

She shook her head. Colton had to give her credit, she wasn’t lying. She wasn’t technically under arrest, but she wasn’t going to trap herself in her answers either.

“Tell me what happened.”

She sighed and recited her narrative. Moreno made a few notes, but didn’t ask anything else.

“Do you recognize this man?” He slid a glossy color photo across the table. Renee peered at it.

“No.”

“This one?”

Renee made a face. “That’s the man I tackled.”

“Yes. And this man?”

She examined the photo. “Isn’t this one of the terrorists arrested for that bombing London last year?”

Moreno nodded. “He was a cell leader. We think he was controlling these two.” He tapped the suicide bombers’ faces. “Any information you have will be useful.”

Renee spread her hands. “Really, I wish I knew more. But I literally just looked up and saw what looked like a bomb on his chest. I didn’t know who he was or why he was there. I didn’t think.”

Moreno nodded slowly. “Mrs. Savage, we are removing the house arrest order. You are no longer under suspicion.”

Renee sighed and pressed her hands to her face. “Thank you.”

“But, I think it would be best if you stayed in Spain, under your husband’s protection.”

Renee peered at him, startled. “Why?”

Moreno sighed as well, looking not pleased with his task. “The terrorist group these men belonged to has issued a statement swearing to kill you.”

To Colton’s surprise, Renee only nodded after a moment of tense silence.

“I suspected that might happen.” She said slowly.

“They aren’t any particular religion or faith,” Moreno continued. “Anti-western, anti-capitalist, anti-military criminals.”

“Basically anything not them and rich,” Renee added dryly. Moreno actually cracked a smile.

“They’re based all over, malcontents and the like.”

“I’m surprised that some felt strongly enough to suicide,” Renee said. “That kind of criminal usually isn’t that committed.”

Moreno nodded. “I must admit, Mrs. Savage, I was surprised you could take that man down. It took us a week to get all the drugs out of him, methamphetamine, cocaine, steroids. It took four officers just to get him in his cell.”

Renee blushed. “Fear is a powerful motivator,” she said with a smile.

Moreno chuckled. “We’ve just a few more questions.”

Colton had to sit down. He didn’t listen as they talked, Moreno deep rumble mixing with Renee’s alto.

Jake gripped his shoulder. “I knew it would work out.” He said.

Colton nodded. She was free again.

“But what about the death threats?” her mother asked.

Colton ran his hands through his hair. “She’ll have to stay here. Or we can go to one of my houses somewhere else. We’ll keep a low profile.”

Her mother nodded. “We’ve been offered witness protection back home. I am glad we weren’t home when it happened. Our neighbors said the media camped out on our lawn for a week, trying to get us to answer the door. Stacey said she couldn’t leave the house, there were so many reporters trying to talk to them. The police had to come and set up a road block.”

Colton sneered, glad Renee had been spared that sort of circus. He had whisked her away before anyone knew where she was going or who she really was. He looked up as Moreno showed Renee out of the little room. She hugged her parents and Selene, who had stayed silent until now, her face white.

Colton stood, feeling awkward, but determined as well. He crossed to his wife and pulled her close.

She stood stiff for a moment, surprised, then leaned into him, her face in his neck. He felt her sigh.

“See, I knew it would be alright.” He said softly.

She shook her head, her hair tickling his face.

“Come on. Let’s go home.” He took her hand and led her out.

She stared out the window the entire ride home. Her parents gave her some final kisses and hugs, then they left for their hotel.

“We can stay as long as you want us.” Jake told him. “The school year starts in September, so we have a month before we need to be back.”

Colton nodded. “As long as you like.”

Jake shook his hand, his grip strong. “Thank you, Colton.”

Colton smiled. “Anything for Renee.”

He found her curled up on her bed.

“You okay?” he asked, sitting next to her.

She nodded, though she wouldn’t uncover her face. Colton laid down carefully, wrapping an arm around her. She was shivering, crying.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll protect you.”

He was not pleased to wake up with Renee in his arms. Again. It was making things complicated.

He shifted her away from him.

“Colton?” she asked.

“Who else would it be?”

She smiled, her eyes half-closed. “What time is it?”

He checked his watch. “Four-thirty.”

“Already?”

Colton was surprised too. He wasn’t one to nap and he’d spent most of the past two days asleep.

She yawned, stretching. “The stress, I think.” She said slowly, rubbing her hair. It only made it worse, standing up in every direction.

“Yeah,” Colton agreed. It was odd, thinking she was free to go where she liked now. “You want to go out and celebrate?”

She peered at him in the dim light filtering through the curtains. “How?”

“I don’t know. See a movie. Get something to eat.”

She snorted. “You? Eating out? Like at a restaurant?”

He scowled at her. “Its been known to happen.”

“Why are you so everliving obsessed with healthy food anyway?” She asked, sitting up.

He shrugged. “Why eat junk?”

“Because it tastes good.” Renee answered promptly. “But, that does sound fun. A movie, not so much. My Spanish is down right horrible.”

“Where do you want to go?”

She got a mischievous look on her face. “Let’s go somewhere nice.”

“Nice?” Colton repeated dumbly.

“Like, swanky cocktail dress and tie, nice.”

“Uh, okay. Do I have to wear a cocktail dress or just you?”

She gaped at him and threw back her head and laughed. “Don’t tempt me,” she warned. “You never know what I’ll dare you to do.”

He grinned at her. “We’d better get going. You want to call your parents?”

She nodded, rummaging around on the floor for her phone. “Would you mind setting us up with nice clothes? I’m sure my mom brought just her backpacking…” Her voice died away as she looked at her phone screen. Her eyebrows went flat over her nose, angry.

“What?” Colton asked.

She turned it to face him. Stephen’s name scrolled down the list of recent calls.

Colton swore harshly.

“Give that here.” He said, tugging it from her grip. He dialed Alice.

“Yes, Mrs. Savage?”

“You want to go to dinner tonight?”

“Mrs. Savage, you’re a married woman!”

Renee heard and chuckled. Colton made a face at her.

“Seriously, Alice. I need you to go out a buy a phone. Add it to my plan.”

“For Renee?” Alice guessed.

“Yes. I’ll call you with the when and where.”

Alice sighed. “You know, I might actually have plans tonight, plans that don’t involve you or work.”

“No, you don’t.” Colton countered. “See you in a bit.”

Alice grumbled and hung up.

“Call your folks. We’ll go out and buy you something nice, then go eat.” Colton didn’t like Renee’s smile. “What?” he demanded.

She leaned in suddenly and kissed him. Before he could even gasp, she drew back.

“Thank you, Colton.” She said, smiling as nicely now as she had evilly a moment ago. “You are a wonderful man.”

She jumpeddisappeared into the bathroom. Colton fled back to his room.

500 Word Challenge Chapter Thirty-One

500 WC Chapter 31
Word Count: 579

Renee’s parents arrival woke him up a second time mid afternoon.

Colton could hear the three of them laughing in the living room. He got up and took a another shower before going to face all that energy and enthusiasm for living.

“Colton!” Renee exclaimed as he walked in. “Great news!”

“What?” he asked.

“That detective guy; Moreno? Anyway he called and said they are going to question me and lift the house arrest order!”

“When? Where?”

“Tomorrow! Down at their office or headquarters or whatever you call it here.” Renee hugged her mother. “Yay! I can finally go out and do something! Not that I’ve been bored, sweetheart.” She added with a smile and a wink.

“Ooh, look at him blush!” Mrs. White crowed. They all laughed and Colton grudgingly joined in.

Mr. White sucked him into a conversation about what exactly his company did. Colton was more than willing to keep him talking about business and not about his and Renee’s relationship. The man had a gleam in his eye that Colton didn’t like.

Renee’s phone rang and she checked the screen. She looked up and met his eyes, her smile fixed. He glared at her, daring her to disobey him. She silenced it and set it back down.

“Colton?”

Colton blinked, jerking his attention back to his wife’s father.

“Sorry, Jake, “ he said. “What was your question?”

The man was smiling now and Colton fought down another blush. He hadn’t been staring at her. Just looking, while she laughed and talked with her mother. What did they find to talk about for hours on end? Her phone rang again.

She looked at it, no pretend smile on her face now.

“Renee?” he mother asked gently.

“Its nothing,” Renee said. She leaned over and held it out to Colton.

He took it and answered.

“Hello?”

“Where is Renee?”

“This is the last time I’m telling you. Stop calling.”

Colton hung up and fished through her settings. He set Stephen’s number to not ring and handed it back.

Her parents were watching them with surprise. Renee put it on the table next to her and turned back to her mother.

“So, you said Betty lost her job?”

Jake White was eying him closely. Colton stared back.

“Did you know that Stephen guy?” Colton asked finally.

“I did.” Jake admitted. “He and Renee went to high school together.”

“Did you like him?”

Jake shrugged. “As much as I liked any of her boyfriends.”

Colton snorted. “Anyway, I made that deal with Toyota last summer.”

The conversation stayed out of dangerous waters until Rosa came in to announce dinner. Colton grabbed Renee’s hand to hold her back. She waited, her back stiff and straight.

“Are you alright?” Colton asked softly.

“Fine.” Renee clipped.

“Renee,” Colton protested. “What happened between you?”

“Just what I said.”

“How long has this been going on?”

Renee shrugged. “A couple months.”

“Months?” Colton demanded. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Why?”

“I tried to be friends. I did still like him. Just not…like I might want to marry him.”

Colton scowled. “No more. He’s getting to be creepy. Understand? No more calls. At all.”

Her eyes narrowed and he tensed. Then she laughed softly.

“I did tell you to have more backbone,” she said softly.

Colton swore and pushed her away. “Go eat.” He snapped.

“Yes, dear.” She murmured, eyes twinkling. She slipped away, leaving him alone and very frustrated.