“It’s a full house,” Julia said with satisfaction. “We have a line of customers outside the club, waiting to get inside. On a Wednesday night!”
Susan checked her watch and continued to enter figures into the computer. “Already?”
“Thanks to you.”
The slow roll of trepidation through Susan left her feeling nauseous. “Is it safe to show my face out there?”
Julia cocked her head to the side and considered her closely. “Ryan said you should wear a mask all night. In fact, he suggested the employees all wear masks to throw off the reporters in the audience.”
“Reporters?” Susan didn’t like the idea of more harassment.
“They’re demanding a statement.”
“I’ve signed a contract. I can’t give them statements. They need to contact Jennifer or her assistant.”
“Should I tell them that during my welcoming speech?”
“Yes, please.”
Susan continued hiding in her office and mentally flip-flopped about wearing a mask. Darn it! She wasn’t going to hide. If this publicity helped Maxwell’s flourish, all the better. She finished adding the last few invoices to the cashbook, saved her work and closed down the computer.
When she walked into the dressing room to change into her costume, the dancers fell silent. “I can’t comment on the story in the newspaper or the final show,” she said in a crisp voice.
“I saw that guy Tyler here in the club. He was with you and the rest of your friends,” one of the girls said with a smile.
“Teasing won’t work,” Susan said. “I know nothing.”
“What about bribes?” someone said.
“Yeah, we’ll whip around a hat. Where’s my top hat?” another dancer said.
“No bribes either,” Susan said.
“What about sex?” another dancer piped up. “Would you like to take a walk on the wild side?”
Susan chuckled. “Thanks for the offer, but I want a man.”
“Yeah, but which man?”
“Give us a hint.”
“We promise we won’t tell.”
“Good try,” Susan said and made a buttoning motion at her lips.
Christina poked her head into the dressing room. “Ladies, you’re on in five.”
Susan let out a yelp and started tearing at her clothes. “Where’s my mask?”
“I’m wearing a mask if you are,” one of the other dancers said. “Let the reporters think I’m Susan. Give me my ten minutes of fame.”
Five minutes later, mask in place, Susan took her position with the other dancers.
The lights came on, spotlighting each of the dancers. Instead of the normal cheers, the audience remained silent.
“Which one is Susan?” someone shouted from the rear.
“I’m Susan,” one of the dancers called.
Susan’s mouth dropped open momentarily before she snapped it shut. The blast of camera flashes made white light dance in front of her eyes.
Another dancer stepped forward. “I’m Susan.”
Susan kept dancing until the next quiet point in the music. “I’m Susan.”
This time the crowd roared and the photographers went crazy. By the time the dance ended, each one of the dancers had confessed they were Susan.
They ran off stage and into the privacy of the changing room, giggling like a group of schoolgirls.
Julia and Christina appeared and silence fell in the changing room.
“I’m going to call that routine The Dance of the Susans from now on.” Julia grinned and everyone relaxed. “That was brilliant. I’m going to kick out the photographers now and let our genuine customers into the club. Great job, ladies.”
“Let’s wear our masks for the entire night,” one of the dancers said. “I want to be Susan tonight.”
“Yeah, during the audience mingle I’m going to tell everyone my name is Susan,” another dancer said.
“Whatever floats your boat,” Susan said. “Bear in mind, they’ll kid you about flashing your ass on public television.”
“Don’t forget Mr. Blue,” another dancer said with a giggle.
Will the real Susan step forward? Tyler grinned as he read the story headline in the paper on Thursday morning. Despite the underlying pain that bit like an electrical shock every time he thought about her—which was often—he couldn’t help liking her friends for standing up to the press. No wonder she wanted to stay in the city. A sense of longing crept into his mind—the idea of continuing his studies in art. Even part time.
He sighed.
Not possible, so he shouldn’t even think about the unattainable.
“You’re up early,” Josie said.
Tyler shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“Susan?”
“Yeah,” he admitted finally.
Eric shambled into the kitchen, looking as if he needed another hour of sleep. “Why is everyone up so early? Is there tea?”
“You should go to Auckland,” Josie said.
“I can’t stay in Auckland,” Tyler replied. “I have responsibilities here.” And even though his conscience told him he wasn’t being fair, a tiny voice in his head declared Susan didn’t love him enough to give up her life in Auckland.
“Eric and I were talking,” Josie said.
“Which is why I look like something the cat dragged in from down at the creek,” Eric muttered. “Please, woman. Let me have some tea before we start this conversation.”
“Have you changed your mind?” Josie asked, her sharp tone making Tyler stare.
“Not on your life,” Eric said. “But I need caffeine in some form to make my brain cells fire.”
Tyler walked to the cupboard and pulled out two clean mugs. He poured tea for both Eric and Josie and handed the mugs over after adding milk and sugar. Curiosity nudged aside his continuous loop of Susan memories.
“Ah,” Eric said with a satisfied groan. “Good brew.”
“Can we tell him now?” Josie demanded.
Tyler stared at his mother-in-law. Excitement tinged her cheeks, and she danced from foot to foot, looking as if she might have itching powder in her slippers.
“A lot of this depends on you, son,” Eric said.
Tyler wasn’t sure he liked where this conversation was going. He took a seat at the breakfast bar and eyed Eric. “Okay.”
“Josie and I have talked about taking an overseas trip ever since we got married. The time was never right.”
They wanted him to look after the farm. No prob. He’d done it before when they’d had weekends away with friends and other family members. “I can look after the farm.”
“No, that’s not what we mean,” Josie said, taking over. “We’ve decided to sell the farm.”
“What?” Tyler swallowed his shock and forced his mind to gallop ahead. He’d have to find somewhere to live, pay someone to look after Katey while he worked each day. Hell, he’d need another job.
“Josie was a city girl before she married me,” Eric said. “Her parents left her a property in Remuera. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, Rebecca told me. Isn’t it rented out?”
“The lease falls due at the end of next month,” Josie said. “We’ve decided not to renew the lease, but instead we’ll move to Auckland. We’ll live there for part of the year and travel as much as we can.”
“That’s great,” Tyler said, forcing enthusiasm into his voice while panic threatened to overtake his control. It was gonna be a hell of an adjustment for him and Katey.
“We want you to come with us,” Eric said.
“If that’s what you’d like,” Josie said. “The house is huge and there is a separate dwelling, which used to belong to the caretaker. It has two bedrooms.”
“You could see Susan,” Eric said.
Both of his in-laws stopped talking and observed him closely.
Tyler’s mind had stuck in a rut, dug at the start of the conversation. “You want to sell the farm?”
“Eric’s heart isn’t in farming anymore,” Josie said. “We didn’t think it was what you wanted to do for the rest of your life either. You could go back to university, concentrate on your art.”
His breath caught. The road on the other side of his mind-rut was a long, sloping hill. He sailed down that hill, mentally screaming with exhilaration. No. He wasn’t going to get excited—not yet. He’d had his dreams ripped away before.
Tyler gazed from Eric to Josie. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Eric said. “You’re family.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Who the hell is that?” Eric grumbled. “It’s sparrow’s fart o’clock in the morning.”
“I’ll get it,” Josie chirped.
In the distance, a male voice rumbled. Josie returned a few minutes later.
Tyler stared at his brother. “What are you doing here?”
“Tyler,” Josie chided.
“No, I deserve that,” Nolan said. “Dad and I wondered if you’d all join us for lunch at the pub on Sunday. Katey too.”
Tyler stared at Nolan for a long time. “Did you see the paper?” he asked finally.
“Yep.”
“And?”
“I can’t talk about the show.” Nolan checked his watch. “I’d better go. Got a plane to catch.”
Nolan’s manner left Tyler puzzled. His brother didn’t seem angry. Susan had kept telling him she didn’t have Nolan’s interest. Tyler hadn’t held the same conviction.
“We’re selling the farm and moving to Auckland,” Josie said. “Tyler and Katey are going with us. Are you interested in buying?”
Nolan shot another glance at Tyler and sat down. “Maybe I have ten minutes before I need to leave for the airport.”
All morning, Susan cleaned the apartment until every surface gleamed. Christina leaned against the kitchen counter, watching in bemusement while she scrubbed the grout with a toothbrush.
Christina straightened abruptly. “Enough already. What time did you say stuff was going to happen?”
“In about an hour, I might hear a knock on my door.”
“Why are you so nervous? You don’t want to marry the guy.”
“No, but I’ve come to like him, even though he’s a jerk at times. He loves the land and small town life, and when he stands up against his mother, he’s decent.”
“His mother sounds awful. She— Never mind. She’s the original dragon. You need to get changed,” Christina said, her bracelets jingling as she gestured at Susan. “Go and have a shower. What are you wearing? Never mind, I’ll put together an outfit for you while you shower.”
Susan jumped in the shower. Her skin crawled with imaginary bugs, and she couldn’t seem to keep still or wash them off. Calm down. Christina was right. It wasn’t as if she wanted to marry Nolan. She bent her head and let the water pour over her, forgetting in her misery that she didn’t have time to deal with wet hair.
She missed Tyler.
Not talking to him, not exchanging emails and texts left a yawning hole in her day. In such a short time he’d become friend, confidant and the man she loved.
She heaved a sigh. She’d made the right decision, but her heart still ached like a sore tooth. Aware of the ticking clock, she turned off the water and toweled dry. Wrapped in a towel, she scurried to her bedroom, pulled on black lingerie and sat down to apply makeup. Something to hide her lack of sleep.
“Christina,” she yelled.
“Here,” her friend said. Maggie and Julia poured through the doorway behind Christina. “We bought you a new dress. I think it should fit.”
“Thank you!” Tears sprang up and she blinked rapidly. “Don’t make me cry. I don’t have time to redo my makeup.”
“No thanks necessary,” Julia said. “The boys donated to the cause.”
“Try it on,” Maggie prompted, her face full of excitement. “We’re going to hide in the other room.”
With her friends’ help, Susan dressed and dealt with her hair in record time.
“Have you seen the paper today?” Maggie asked.
“No.”
“Just as well,” Julia said. “Do a twirl.”
The red dress swirled around her legs while the tight bodice clung to her curves. Julia had braided her hair and pinned it up and now she looked sophisticated and sexy.
“You need a necklace and dangly earrings,” Christina said. “I have just the thing.” She scooted away and returned minutes later with a black and gold necklace in bold circles and matching earrings. “Put them on. Perfect,” she breathed, clasping her hands together.
“Thank you so much,” Susan said. “You’re such great friends.” She glanced at her watch and saw it was after the appointed time. “He must have picked Lucy,” she said. “That’s good. She’s nice, and they suit each other.”
“Ryan and Caleb sent champagne since they couldn’t be here. They had to fly out to the States this morning. Caleb said we could either celebrate or drown our sorrows, whichever suited us best,” Julia said.
Susan smiled her thanks. “I love your hubby and his friend.”
“I do too,” Christina said. “It’s such a pity there’s zilch attraction.”
“No,” Susan agreed. “But he’s pretty to look at and he gives good champagne.”
Another few minutes passed.
“Looks like it’s a commiseration party,” Susan said. “Let’s crack those bottles. I’ll get glasses.”
Julia started to rip the foil off one of the chilled bottles. “Are you disappointed, Susan? You entered this show because you were depressed with being single.”
“The show has been fun. I’m not disappointed about Nolan, but I feel flat.”
“Are you sure you can’t live in Clare?” Maggie asked.
“I’ve asked myself that so many times.” Susan started to rub her face with her hands, remembered her makeup and began pacing instead. “It would feel like turning my back on who I am, just when I’ve discovered myself, if that makes sense.”
“But you’d have Tyler,” Julia said, expertly popping the cork on the champagne.
Susan accepted a glass of bubbles. “I know, but I wouldn’t be one hundred per cent happy. Enough of this emotional stuff. Let’s have a toast.” She lifted her glass. “To love and friendship.”
“To love and friendship,” her friends chorused.
A brisk knock on the apartment door made them freeze. They stared at each other.
“Get the door,” Maggie whispered.
Susan stared at the door. “It’s probably one of those church groups doing the rounds.”
The knock came again, and Susan took a deep breath, uneasy with nerves quivering through her tense muscles. She set her glass on the counter. It wasn’t as if she loved Nolan or wanted to marry him. She licked her lips, the taste of lipstick bringing the action to an abrupt halt. On trembling legs, she walked to the door. Her hand trembled as she grasped the knob and twisted.
She stared at the man in the doorway, the bunch of bright early spring flowers in his hands, the cameraman standing behind him.
“Are you going to invite me in?” Nolan asked.
Why couldn’t it have been Tyler? The thought flashed her mind before polite manners took over. “Hi, Nolan.” She stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss on his cheek. “Come inside.”
She waited while Nolan and the cameraman entered, then closed the door behind them.
“A party?” Nolan asked.
“Would you like a glass?” Julia asked and poured one before he answered.
“Nolan, what are you doing here?” Susan asked.
“You’re the woman I pick,” Nolan said, humor lighting his eyes.
Susan was aware of her friends, the cameraman with his smirk fixed in place. “I like you, Nolan. I applied for the show to find a prospective husband, but things have changed. I don’t think we could be anything more than friends.” She’d thought emerging the winner would feel great. Instead, depression settled on her shoulders, digging in its nasty claws. “I thought you realized that too and would pick Lucy.”
Nolan grinned and lifted the glass of champagne Julia had given him. “To friendship.”
“Here’s your glass, Susan,” Christina said.
“I don’t understand,” Susan whispered.
“The object of the show was to find a prospective wife,” Nolan said. “I didn’t find the one for me, but I did find two women who’ll make great friends. I know you love Tyler,” he said abruptly.
Susan jerked. “What?”
“I saw you and Tyler down by the dam.”
“What?” Susan narrowed her eyes, wanting to knock the smartass grin off his mouth. In her mind, she rummaged through the various meetings with Tyler, their lovemaking and tried to make sense of Nolan’s words. She shot a glance at the cameraman and his wide, wide smirk. Maybe she’d thump them both then kick them out of her apartment.
“I saw you and Tyler get naked down by the dam.”
“Fuck,” Susan blurted seconds before she clapped her hand over her mouth. Had she said that? “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’re good for my brother. Besides, I have someone else too.”
“We need popcorn,” Maggie said.
“And refills,” Julia added.
“Beware of my stink eye,” Susan warned, her mind whirling. Nolan had known about them the entire time, and he’d still picked her instead of Lucy.
The cameraman sniggered, and Susan shot him one of her best.
Someone knocked on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Nolan said, and the cameraman followed him out.
“He knew all the time,” Susan said. “Why didn’t he say something?”
“No idea,” Julia said. “Men still confuse me.”
Maggie and Christina nodded.
“No more popcorn remarks,” Susan said. “I want quiet in the cheap seats.”
The cameraman returned from following Nolan and sniggered at her words.
Susan whirled on him. “Enough from you too, Mr. Cameraman.”
“Filming you and Nolan is the most fun I’ve had in years,” he said. “Gossip, drama and sex. A winning combination.”
“I’m glad we’ve kept you entertained,” Nolan said, reappearing.
A roaring sound rushed through Susan’s head. Her heart gave a vicious wrench, and she was pretty sure something broke as she stared at the man who walked into her lounge behind Nolan.
“Tyler.” His name emerged as a croak. She trembled so much Julia took possession of her champagne glass.
“Susan,” Tyler said, his gaze roaming her body before returning to her face. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” What was he doing here? Why was he with Nolan? He looked nervous, his face paler than normal.
“I talked to Eric and Josie,” he said, his focus solely on her. “It turns out they want to sell the farm and retire to their house in Auckland. They asked me and Katey to come with them.”
His words made her heart twist in that painful way again. “You’re moving to Auckland?”
“Yes.” His smile was uncertain. It flickered then died and his Adam’s apple moved with his hard swallow. “I love you, Susan, and I’ve been miserable without you.” He plucked a small ring-size box from his jacket, opened it and held it toward her. “Will you marry me?”
Susan gaped at the glittering sapphire and diamond ring, then lifted her gaze to stare at Tyler.
“Say something,” Christina blurted.
Susan’s heart stuttered with another blip, but this time the traitorous organ slotted into place and everything synced. Happiness was like a soft glow, spreading through her. Her smile came slow but it spread wide until her lips hurt.
“Yes. Yes.” She hurled herself at Tyler, the ring box went flying, but she didn’t care when his arms wrapped around her and his lips settled on hers.
“And that’s a wrap,” the cameraman said.
Applause broke out.
Susan pulled back from Tyler, staring into his gorgeous face. “I love you.”
“Here’s your ring,” Maggie said and handed over the box. “It’s beautiful.”
“Welcome to the family,” Nolan said with a broad grin. “Sister-in-law is almost as good as friend.”
Tyler slipped the ring on her finger and gave her another quick hug. “I was scared you’d say no.”
“I’ve missed you so much. I kept thinking about you and Katey. Especially you,” she added, part of her unable to believe he was really here.
“This calls for a toast,” Nolan said.
“I’ve got the perfect one,” Susan said once everyone had a full glass. “To love and friendship.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Nolan said.
“To love,” Tyler whispered.
“To our happy future,” Susan said, and the last of emptiness she’d experienced since returning to Auckland faded, crowded out by shiny new happiness.
Susan waited in a small room with several of the other successful girlfriends. Tyler sat beside her, neither of them saying much or explaining his presence, despite the curious glances.
Jennifer poked her head through the door. “Chelsea, they’re ready for you in front of the camera.”
One by one, the women left until only Susan and Tyler remained.
“Alone at last,” Tyler said, and he whisked her off her chair and onto his knee with surprising speed.
Laughing, she looped her arms around his neck.
“Happy?”
“Very,” she said. “Any regrets about leaving Clare?”
“I won’t miss chasing stock around in all weathers, the hard grind of farming.”
“What about the locals?”
“Probably, but it’s not as if Clare is miles away. We can visit Nolan.” Tyler halted further questions by stealing a kiss.
“Enough of that,” Jennifer said from the doorway. “Susan, they’re ready for you now. Once Hailee finishes your interview, we’ll make our surprise announcement and introduce Tyler to our viewers. Five minutes, Tyler.”
Susan ran her fingers over Tyler’s cheek, smiled and hopped off his knee. “Lipstick,” she said, tapping her lip. “I don’t think it’s your color.”
Music played as she entered the set. Nolan stood and his broad grin settled some of the nerves that jumped to the fore. The forum was already full of anti-Susan comments.
“Susan,” Hailee said once they were all settled in seats. “The public has followed you and Nolan more closely than any of the other couples. The studio has been inundated with email and comments on the forum about the newspaper stories of Susan and another man. Obviously, Nolan isn’t bothered about the rumors because he chose you as his prospective wife. Are the two of you serious about each other?” Hailee flashed a bright smile at Susan, one that invited her to share a confidence. “I’ve asked Nolan but he’s been very reticent. What’s the next step for you and Nolan?”
Nolan reached for her hand and gave her a slight nod of encouragement. Susan took a quick breath. “Nolan and I are good friends.”
“The kind of friends who get married?” Hailee prompted. “That is an engagement ring I saw on your finger?”
“The kind of friends who become brother and sister-in-law,” Susan said. “I’m engaged to Tyler, Nolan’s younger brother.”
Hailee’s smile faltered a fraction before she turned it on full-beam again. “So the rumors are true?”
“Tyler and I fell in love,” Susan said.
“But what about Nolan?”
“There’s another woman who has grabbed my heart,” Nolan said. “Susan, Lucy and the other girls are all great, but they’re not my lady.”
Hailee leaned a little closer. “Are you going to tell us the identity of your mystery woman?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” Nolan said. “But I’d like to introduce you to my younger brother, Tyler.”
“He’s here?”
Tyler appeared in the doorway and strode over to join them.
“I wondered why we had a spare seat,” Hailee said. “Jennifer has sprung this on me too, folks. So, firstly, Nolan, how long have you known about Tyler and Susan?”
“Not for long. Tyler and I had a conversation a few days ago,” Nolan said.
“I would’ve liked to eavesdrop on that little chat,” Hailee said. “Did they tell you what happened, Susan?”
“No,” Susan said. “I know nothing.”
“Now that’s not quite true,” Hailee said. “I want to know the truth. Did Nolan and Tyler come to blows over you?”
“No,” Susan said. “As you can see, they’re both fully intact without bruises.”
“You’d have us believe the three of you are friends with no hard feelings?”
Nolan took the floor. “I have no bad feelings toward Tyler or Susan. Hell, I’ve never seen my brother happier, and I get a great sister-in-law into the bargain. I’m delighted for both of them.”
“Susan, what do your friends and family think of the situation?”
Susan forced a smile at the thought of her mother. Given time, her mother would come to love Tyler as much as she did, especially since she’d score a granddaughter. “If I’m happy, then my family and friends are too.”
“Have they met Tyler?”
“Yes,” said Susan. “They’re excited for me.”
“When are you going to get married?” Hailee asked.
“Soon,” Tyler said before Susan could answer.
“We don’t want her to get away,” Nolan said.
Hailee blinked, cast a speculative at Susan and the two men. Finally, she said, “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“What’s that?” Nolan asked.
“That the three of you…”
“No,” said Susan.
“Yes,” said Tyler and Nolan at the same time.
“Well,” Hailee said, apparently at a loss for words. She picked up again after her brief lapse. “Congratulations. Let’s go to greet our other farmers and their chosen ladies.”
“Did you have to?” Susan demanded the second the camera switched off. “Now people will think…your mother will think…that we’re indulging in kinky acts for three!”
“Yes,” said Nolan with a feral grin. “And she’ll think twice about trying to organize my love life again.”