"That seems to be everything," Kendall commented. "Can you think of anything we've missed?" They were seated in the owner's office at The Seasons Hotel Casino, with Kendall behind the desk and Zach facing her from the other side – a situation that still felt strange to both of them.
Zach shook his head before responding, "No… the last of the papers have been signed, the staff is all in place and the neon lights are aglow. After the Grand re-Opening tonight we catch a flight to Pine Valley and do it all again."
Kendall laughed ruefully, "And that won't be nearly so easy…"
Zach finished her sentence, "… or so much fun. I know… Hey! Would you like me to change our flights? We can stay here an extra day before we face the lion's den. With Edie back from Europe, I don't think one more day will matter."
"That sounds heavenly," Kendall answered with a smile.
"Then that's what we'll do. Where would you like to stay? …The Bellagio? …Or would you rather stay here another night?" Zach offered. It had been a whirlwind week, filled with business meetings and details as they re-opened the Las Vegas casino in the wake of Kendall's new gaming and business licenses. Thanks to Zach's expert legal team, much of the preliminary work had been done prior to their wedding so that her licenses were issued in truly record time. Of course, his agreement to relinquish all control had been on file since he had proposed to her.
Despite all of the work involved in re-opening the casino, Kendall was feeling energized by the activity and the faith that Zach showed in her ability. It had been her idea to stay a few days longer and get The Seasons back in operation. After their initial meeting with the attorneys, she had asked for a time frame and been pleasantly surprised that it could be accomplished so quickly. Although Zach made a token protest that it was their honeymoon – for show of course – the new owner/operator and her staff quickly outvoted him. The remainder of their time in Vegas had been spent on long days overseeing the re-opening, busy evenings with Zach at various casinos, and in passionate nights at the Bellagio. She could not have imagined a more wonderful time – but it was, of course, an illusion that would be shattered the moment they returned to Pine Valley and their own brand of reality.
Kendall looked at him for a moment, as if contemplating a momentous decision, before finally saying softly, "Take me to the desert."
Zach looked at her in startled surprise before repeating, "… the desert?"
Kendall leaned forward and said earnestly, "I want to see the casita. It's the same place as in your painting, isn't it?"
"Yes… but I told you… that part of my life is off limits," he answered coolly, his eyes narrowing.
"Don't bother glowering at me, Zach… I've spent entirely too much time with you not to recognize a defensive tactic when I see one. You've been teaching me how to read people… and I'm a very good student. That is the look and tone you use to scare people away when they get too close… well guess what? I'm already close," she answered firmly. "Now… will you take me to the casita?"
He leaned back in his chair, considering her words carefully. He rubbed the back of his neck before answering quietly, "Yes. Do you ride?"
"Ride? …as in horses? …or motorcycles?" she asked in confusion.
He cocked his head, "I keep some horses stabled there... we could ride out to the dunes…" He was not sure what she hoped to accomplish by this request. Did she want to see it because he had told her it was banned? Or because visiting there would fortify their pretense in her plan to fool the Pine Valley hypocrites? Or was it as simple as a wish to escape to a quiet oasis and recharge their batteries before facing Erica and Ethan?
"I'm not very good, but I can hold my own. It'll be fun," she hated that he was being so unreadable. Could she really blame him? She was asking him to take her to a place that he said was forbidden… but things had changed between them. She wanted to see this place that meant enough to him to carry a painting of it to Pine Valley. He had told her that a decorator had been hired for his condo and casino. He had moved there with only his personal items and clothing… and that painting. Maybe he didn't want to be reminded of Maria… but he'd have to face her when they got home. Wouldn't it be better to ease back into those memories?
"Okay. Then I need to take care of a few things," he answered. "I'll let you finish up here and see you later?" She nodded agreement before he walked behind the desk and leaned down to kiss her tenderly. She clung to him briefly before pulling away to concentrate on final details for their party. He straightened and looked at her for a moment before quietly leaving the office.
While Kendall was occupied, Zach made use of a standard hotel room he had arranged so that Kendall could get ready for her big night in peace. They had been inseparable since their wedding, and he didn't want her to feel suffocated by his presence – she deserved a break and he had sensed a rising tension in her all day. Her request to visit the casita before returning to Pine Valley had confused him, more because he couldn't explain his own feelings than in needing to understand her reasons for wanting to go there… whatever her reasons, she would tell him when she was ready. He felt no dread of meeting the ghost of Maureen, and no guilt for taking another woman to the place that had been their home – but the idea of escaping to the desert with Kendall held an appeal that he found unsettling.
He called the caretaker and arranged to have the place ready for them the following morning. They would spend a day and a night at the casita before returning to Las Vegas for a late afternoon flight to Pine Valley. He made sure that the horses would be ready for a picnic on the dunes where they could watch the sunset and make love under the stars… hopefully giving them both some soothing peace before facing their many detractors. After all the arrangements had been made, he called his housekeeper in Pine Valley and asked her to have his condo cleaned and ready for their arrival. Zach quickly showered and dressed before leaving the room for their penthouse. She had worked hard for this night – and she deserved it. His intuition about her had been correct, and he wanted her to savor the triumph that he knew would be theirs.
Meanwhile, Kendall gave up all pretense of working when she realized that it wasn't too early to dress for the evening's festivities. She tidied up the office and left it for the penthouse at The Seasons. She and Zach had checked out of the Bellagio that morning, intending to spend the night at their casino before flying to Pine Valley the following afternoon. Although the plans were being changed somewhat, she still needed to be prepared for the night ahead. Despite her nervousness, she couldn't help but smile in anticipation at the thought of re-opening The Seasons – and wishing for a brief moment that she could see the look on Ethan's face when he found out.
She entered the penthouse and, determining from the silence that she was alone, entered the bedroom and laid out her weapons for the evening. She and Zach had found a dazzling evening gown that exuded power and sensuality without being overtly revealing – much different than her usual style, but perfect for what they hoped to accomplish. He would be beside her as she welcomed their guests and patrons and ushered in a new era at The Seasons. Actually, she felt that the more difficult role would go to Zach – a man who was so naturally in command relinquishing that role to his less capable wife. As she showered and dressed and he still hadn't returned from his errands, though, she began to feel anxious and entertained thoughts that he might have abandoned her to fend for herself. By the time she finished dressing, she was nearly overcome with terror. Trying to regain her equilibrium, she stood on the balcony overlooking the city, breathing deeply to steady her nerves – and when she heard the penthouse door open, she did not even turn around.
Zach was anxious to see her as he stepped into the room, expecting her to be dressed and primed to take on the world together. When he saw her on the balcony – looking even more ravishing than he had expected – he smiled broadly. She was wearing a deep red, formfitting gown, with long sleeves, a high neck and a short train… which was also completely backless. When they found it, the gown had reminded him of something from an old movie and another trip to Tiffany's had provided the perfect adornment of an exquisite diamond lariat reverse necklace that skimmed the length of her spine. In addition, her curls were pulled into a soft cascade with more diamonds scattered among them, and diamond drop earrings completed the effect. She was magnificent… and she was his wife. What a team they would make.
He joined her on the balcony, saying her name softly, "Kendall? Are you ready?" before placing a light kiss on her neck where he could feel the pulse of her heart against his lips.
She turned toward him, her face a mask of terror. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly for a quiet moment before tilting her face to him for a gentle kiss. "What happened?" he asked, although he was fairly certain that she was suffering from a case of stage fright.
"You weren't here," she whispered. "I thought maybe you'd changed your mind…"
"About what?" he whispered, genuinely confused by her response. "I changed downstairs to give you some space. But I'm here now…"
Before she could help it a tear rolled down her cheek. Without uttering a word he used his thumb to wipe it away and held her tightly against his body, kissing her passionately until she relaxed against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. After a moment more he ended the kiss but their eyes locked as he pulled away. Something in her eyes – something he didn't wish to define – made him lower his head for another devastating kiss before pulling back to gaze at her once again. Realizing that he had forgotten to tell her about the room, he had the good grace to look contrite, "I'm sorry, Kendall. Will you forgive me?"
"Alright… since you're sorry," she said before she stepped from his embrace. Looking for something to concentrate on other than her fears she asked, "Were you able to change our plans?"
"Mm-hmm," he nodded. "I changed our flights to the day after tomorrow. We can drive out to the casita in the morning."
"Good," she answered simply, taking a deep breath and trying to ignore the tension coiled tightly within her.
Recognizing that she was still edgy, Zach commented on her appearance, "You look amazing, Kendall. I'm one very lucky man." He allowed his face and eyes to reflect the admiration he already felt. He was pleased when her cheeks pinked at his expression.
Kendall gave a sultry laugh and said huskily, "Yes you are, Zach Slater… and don't you forget it."
Zach merely smiled, pleased that he had been able to make her laugh. He pulled a jeweler's box from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He handed it to her without a word and she accepted it with a look of confusion, "But I'm already wearing a fortune in diamonds…"
"Those are for effect… this is for us," he said quietly.
She opened the box and found a slim bracelet of glittering diamonds… elegant, delicate and indestructible – just like her. She removed it from the box and noticed a small charm dangling from it and lifted it to examine more closely. Realizing that it was an elegantly interlocked "K" and "Z", she asked him in surprise, "Is this what I think it is?"
As he assisted her in clasping the bracelet to her wrist he answered, "It is. Do you like it?" At her nod he continued, "I had it designed especially for us." When he finished, he placed a soft kiss on her wrist and the palm of her hand before tugging it gently to lead her from the room. He knew that she would dazzle the movers and shakers of Las Vegas. They wouldn't know what hit them… yes, indeed, tonight Zach Slater was a very lucky man.