Among the Tulips (10 page)

“I
can't buy this,” Annie said and laughed.

She held up an outrageous blouse that was so very European.

“It'd look great on you, especially with that new hairstyle,” Victor said.

She smiled up into his eyes. “You really like it?”

He reached up and cupped the back of her head. “I love it.” Gently, he massaged her head.

Someone cleared their throat.

They both turned toward the cashier. “Buy it, and I'll take you horseback riding, after a fashion, later this afternoon,” he said.

She laughed. “Okay. But I'm holding you to that.”

She pulled out her money and allowed Victor to help her count out how much she owed.

He took the bag and then slipped his hand behind her back as they started out of the store.

They'd been gone from the house for three hours now. Her haircut had taken nearly an hour and then they'd gone to the doctor. Finally Victor had insisted on taking her to some of the tourist shops. They had just happened to stop in this tiny boutique as an afterthought.

“How are you faring?” Victor asked now as they headed toward the car.

“I can't tell you how much fun I've had,” she said, feeling happy through and through.

“Me too.”

He opened the door and tossed the bag into the back seat. “Annie—” he started.

She glanced up, smiling. “Yes?”

A person riding by on a bike rang his bell and the mood was broken. “Nothing,” he replied.

He took the crutches and slipped them into the back seat.

“There sure are a lot of bicycles here,” she said seeing another pass by.

He nodded. “Everyone rides bicycles. I have some at home.”

She sighed. “I haven't been on one in forever. I don't know if I can still ride.”

“Well you aren't going to be on one soon, either,” he said and looked pointedly at her cast. He opened the front passenger door for her and she lowered herself into the seat.

“Next week, the doctor said. A walking cast next week.”

He grinned. “I imagine not being able to bend your knee is truly a challenge.”

She nodded. “The doctor really is a nice man.”

Victor agreed.

He closed her door and went around to the driver's side. Sliding in, he pulled it closed behind him, locking out the outside world.

“You have a well-insulated car,” she said, quietly, feeling the tension between them.

“Annie,” he turned toward her. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair.

Her smile faded and her gaze focused on him. “Yes?”

He leaned forward and instead of kissing her, he rested his cheek against her cheek. She heard him inhale. Her entire body reacted to that simple gesture.

He whispered, “You've changed my life since you've been here. I wanted you to know that.”

She wasn't sure what he meant or why he sounded the way he did.

The soft raspy whisper against her ear had her
wanting more than talk. She turned her head only slightly, allowing her lips to brush just below his ear.

She heard his swift intake of breath.

A car horn sounded.

He pulled back.

Oh dear. Had she misread him? she wondered.

He turned his attention forward and started the car. “I just wanted to mention…”

He glanced around and pulled out into traffic. “Sean is a friend, but he likes to…well…”

“Yes?” she asked when he didn't continue.

“Sean is Sean. We're like brothers. He's the best friend I have, actually. And he watches out for me. He's a bit protective of me.”

She chuckled. “Protective?”

He chuckled as well. “It's a long story. I wasn't the happiest person when I started acting and I was very wild. Sean took it upon himself to rein me in somewhat and help guide my career. He helped me find a good agent and got me into some bit parts in his movies. That's why we've been in so many movies together. Our on-screen meetings continued occasionally until this year. He found a great fantasy movie series and contacted me, telling me to read for it. We both got parts. We've done two of a three-part movie series already this year with the third one scheduled for next year. What I'm
trying to say is that I hope you can be patient with him.”

She wasn't sure
what
he was saying, but he was dancing around something. “You know I will. I'm a guest in your house. I wouldn't offend someone else.”

She thought about asking him about Sean's actions earlier, but then decided that it wasn't important. It sounded as if he and Sean were very close.

Perhaps Sean hadn't meant anything by his actions. She felt out of her league with these men anyway now that she realized just how experienced they were in the world.

Back at the house Victor slipped out of the car and came around to lift Annie into his arms.

He had tried to explain that Sean was suspicious about her. He'd seen it in the way Sean studied Annie. Victor wasn't as cynical as Sean. Sean didn't believe Annie really hadn't known who he was. And Sean was out to force Victor to recognize something that he wasn't ready to admit to. Didn't think he could admit. Wouldn't admit.

“Ready?” he asked and scooped her up.

She chuckled. “Yes,” she said after the fact.

He laughed as well and started up the stairs.

Sean worried about him. He knew about the bad relationship he'd had with his parents and that he'd
not really gotten over it. Sean was certain that was why none of his relationships worked out. And maybe he was right.

Today in town had been wonderful however. Victor loved just holding Annie's hand. He'd always been a physical person, even with his son, so he wasn't surprised he liked to touch Annie.

But he'd almost kissed her in the car.

He'd realized he wanted that more than anything, and it had really shocked him because he was afraid he was feeling much more than simple friendship now—and he didn't know when exactly that had happened.

Victor topped the stairs with his bundle, nodding back toward the car where he'd left the crutches when Helga came out.

It had taken every ounce of strength he had not to act on his impulse. When he'd felt her lips brush his cheek near his ear he had nearly come unglued.

He'd decided getting Annie home where he wasn't alone with her was his best bet if he was going to keep from acting on his physical impulses.

He reminded himself again that relationships did not work out where he was concerned.

Sean knew how to push his buttons.

Had he not realized Sean had done something to Annie this morning when he'd carried her in, he
probably wouldn't have been so obsessed with kissing Annie.

He wasn't sure what had happened, but he was certain Sean had said or done something to find out if what she'd said about not knowing Victor was true. Perhaps he was trying to find any hidden motives.

His friend could be ruthless sometimes. And now Victor's mind was obsessing with Annie because of it.

Entering the house, he glanced down at Annie. “Should I put you down now or carry you into the library?”

“You have a library?”

He smiled. “Helga didn't show you?”

“We saw the back half of the house.”

Helga showed up with the crutches.

Victor released her, allowing her feet to drop to the floor. He stepped back, reluctantly.

“
Dank u,
Helga,” Annie said graciously and accepted the crutches.

The maid nodded and hurried off.

“Well, well, well,” Sean said. He was just coming down the stairs. “What have we here?”

His eyes were on Annie.

“Hello, Sean,” Victor replied.

Sean finished coming down the stairs and walked up to Annie. “I say.” He reached up and
ran his fingers into her hair. “This is absolutely stunning, sweetheart.”

Her eyes widened in surprise at his actions.

She glanced to Victor, who simply stood staring, his face a blank mask.

She pulled back simply by turning on her crutches to go toward the room Victor had indicated was the library. “Thank you. I like it too, Mr. Hampton.”

“Sean, sweetheart. Call me Sean.”

She didn't look back or reply. Victor hadn't said a word, and she was certain she saw something more than appreciation in Sean's eyes.

Maybe Sean was just a very forward man, meaning nothing by it. Victor after all, was very physical. Actors had to be, she supposed, though she didn't want Sean being too physical with her. Now Victor, on the other hand…

She paused. “I have to call my children and let them know I'm staying longer,” she said.

“You go on into the library. We'll join you there shortly,” Victor said.

She nodded.
“Dank u,”
she replied.

Victor waited until the door closed before turning to his friend. “What was that all about?”

Sean blinked in surprise. “What was what all about?” he asked innocently.

“The charm you just turned on.”

“Are you interested?” Sean asked. His gaze pierced Victor.

Victor gave his friend a pointed look. “Of course not. As I told you earlier, she's just a friend.”

“Then you don't mind if I—?”

“She's also quite innocent, Sean.”

“Please,” Sean rebuked. “She was married for several years. I wouldn't call her innocent.”

“I'm not talking about sex, Sean,” Victor replied. “I'm talking about her spirit. She's not jaded and hardened the way we are.”

“So, you care for her?” Sean asked.

Victor studied his friend. “As a friend.”

Something flashed in Sean's eyes and then he shrugged. “As you wish. You won't mind if I pursue her then?”

“Be my guest. Just don't hurt her.”

What else could he say? Maybe it was for the best. He refused to deepen the relationship with her. He'd simply make sure Sean wasn't alone with her while he was here. How hard could that be?

“If you'll excuse me, I promised Annie we'd go riding when we got home.”

“In a cast?” Sean asked, surprised.

Victor smiled. “We'll manage. I have a few plans up my sleeve.”

A
nnie was so excited.

Victor was going to church with her.

At first he wasn't going to go. But as they'd sat around after dinner last night, Annie had mentioned to Victor that Helga had told her that her sister had a friend who attended another church and Annie would like to go to it.

Victor had offered her his driver again. And Annie was about to settle for that when Sean had offered to go with her.

Alarmed, she'd glanced at him. She didn't want to be alone with him in a car—but she certainly wouldn't tell him not to attend church.

Sean's offer had gotten Victor's attention, which actually cheered Annie. He'd suddenly asked what
type of church it was. Annie had explained it was very different from the first one she'd attended.

Nodding, he'd said very casually that he thought he would attend with her.

Sean had smiled smugly—at what she wasn't sure—those two had secrets constantly going on between them—and then he'd said he'd be ready in the morning.

Victor had helped her upstairs afterward.

And now here it was, the next morning, and Annie was heading down the elevator, barely able to contain herself.

She couldn't believe Victor was going to church with her.

She'd known he'd been watching her for several days now, and often when it was only she and Victor in the room, he would sometimes question her about her life as a Christian.

He shrugged it off, but she thought it had something to do with his past.

Coming into the foyer she found both Sean and Victor waiting.

Sean smiled politely and Victor came forward. “You're looking beautiful this morning,” he said and took her hand.

He didn't look really happy about going, but he did seem to be appreciative that she was wearing the sweater he'd bought her.

“Thank you.”

“Ravishing,” Sean said.

She nodded politely.

Victor escorted her to the car and assisted her into the back seat, sliding in after her.

Sean went around and climbed in on the opposite side.

Great. She was stuck in between them.

“So, Sean, is this your first time in church?”

Victor snorted.

Sean lifted a brow. “Do you think I am that uncouth, my dear?”

She flushed.

Victor snorted. “Give it a rest, Sean. Answer Annie.”

Sean smiled at his friend. “Actually, I've attended a few times here and there. All kinds of…spiritual ceremonies.”

“Spiritual…”

“…ceremonies. In other words, friends getting married or…”

“I think she gets the idea, Jake,” Sean said.

“Ah.” Indeed she did.

“Well they will probably greet us, then sing and have a time for sharing a message and then prayer. Pretty simple.”

Sean chuckled. “If this turns out that simple…”

He trailed off. She glanced up at him and then
to Victor and wondered why both looked so cynical.

However, she didn't ask, and eventually they arrived at the small church. “Helga said it runs about a hundred people.”

“This is a church?” Sean asked.

“Bigger than the one my parents had,” Victor murmured.

It was a small square brick building out on the edge of town. Cars were parked in the gravel and grass around it. A tall man in a suit and tie stood at the front door chatting with someone else. They glanced curiously at the car when it pulled up.

“Well here goes,” Victor said.

Annie wasn't sure what he meant.

But she was disturbed when his demeanor changed, and both he and Sean suddenly wore plastic smiles.

Victor wasn't Victor anymore but Jake Rivers. He stepped out of the car and turned to help Annie.

Sean slid out and came around. She noted he slipped a hand in his pocket as he walked—a nervous gesture, she thought.

“What's the matter?” she asked Victor as they started toward the door.

She found out before he could answer.

The people at the door froze, staring at them, and then began to whisper furiously.

“Oh dear,” she said nervously. She hadn't even thought.

“Yes, I'd say so,” Sean replied.

“People tend to recognize us, and I imagine being new at the church here will make us stand out even more,” Victor offered.

Annie nodded.

She felt suddenly guilty and embarrassed that she hadn't realized a scene like this might happen.

The man at the door smiled. “Welcome, welcome,” he said and reached out to shake each of their hands a bit vigorously. His gaze traveled over her in detail and she felt herself flushing.

“Hello,” she said softly. “We're here for church.”

“Yes, yes,” he replied. Evidently, his English exhausted, he said something apologetically in Dutch.

Sean replied and the man smiled. And then Victor replied and the man absolutely beamed.

“He's glad we understand Dutch,” Victor translated, “because the service here is in Dutch.”

“Oh dear! The last one was in English. A mission church,” she muttered.

Victor chuckled. “I'll translate,” he said.

“Or I can if you'd prefer,” Sean added.

Annie ignored him and walked in to find every person in the church had turned and was staring at them. “This is not good,” she muttered.

“Relax, Annie,” Victor said.

She felt like a bug under a microscope. Some of the people looked them up and down and then turned away as if ignoring them. Others whispered in little groups.

She felt so conspicuous and guilty that she'd talked the men into coming with her.

People came up and started talking to Sean and Victor. Both were gracious and smiled, replying in Dutch. Some parishioners spoke in English, though it was so accented she had a hard time understanding it.

Finally the music started, and the pastor called from the front.

Sean's eyebrows shot up.

Victor's hand, which had tightened on her arm, relaxed slightly. “Well. He welcomed us and told everyone to stop treating us as though we walk on water and let us enjoy the service just as they should.”

Annie gasped and then giggled. “Oh good.”

Victor looked down at her. For the first time it was as if he realized she had been upset and worried. Seeing his attention, her smile faded and she said, “I'm sorry.”

He shook his head. “Sean and I both knew what we were getting ourselves in for, putting ourselves
out in the public eye. Don't worry. We're big boys.”

She smiled and reached up to squeeze his hand that still covered her arm. “I—” she stopped and her eyes widened.

He lifted his head.

She simply shook her head, not believing what she'd almost said.
Love?
No. Not that.

They found seats near the back of the small church and then the singing began.

Victor gaped. “What are they doing?”

People stood and started clapping, and some were literally jumping while others threw their hands into the air and started shouting.

“Um, well…” How did she explain to someone who didn't understand about churches like this?

“It looks as if they're having a party,” Sean said, grinning.

She rolled her eyes and then chuckled. “Well, I suppose you could say they're partying together.”

“You go to church to have a party?” Victor asked.

“Not exactly,” Annie said. Then she gave up. “Okay. Look at it this way. You just found out someone died for you…you're grateful. So you get excited right?”

Both men looked at her as though she couldn't be serious. “Well when you watch football or soc
cer,” she said over the music, “don't you get excited when your team does something good?”

“But this isn't football,” Victor replied.

“No, it's something much more.”

“Well I kinda like it,” Sean said. “It's not as stuffy as the places I've gone.”

Victor couldn't seem to grasp it. He was watching everyone intently. Annie threw her hands up in frustration and then turned her attention to the overhead projector and phonetically tried to read the words to the very familiar tune. Slowly she caught on—after about the third verse of the song.

Sean, though he didn't sing, grinned a lot, while Victor finally tried to follow the tune. He was very uncomfortable until the slower songs started. Annie noted he knew some of them. Sean even tried singing them, though he kept grinning over at Victor like a total idiot.

What was it with this friendship? She saw in Sean's eyes secrets and knowledge that the two shared. For some reason, she thought, Sean was delighted that Victor was here, though he didn't seem to have an opinion about being here himself.

She didn't understand it.

They had prayer. And unlike in America, their prayer lasted fifteen minutes. She appreciated that Sean leaned over and translated for her quietly.

Then they were seated and the preacher came up to speak.

He again mentioned them, according to Victor. She knew when because both men had those fake smiles on their face again and were nodding and then Victor again muttered something about fame.

Then the pastor went right into preaching.

The sermon was an hour and a half long.

Sean got antsy, but Victor….

She couldn't help but watch Victor as he translated some of the sermon for her and then got so caught up in it that he'd forget to translate, until he saw Sean translating for her. Then he'd immediately start translating again.

His gaze rarely left the pastor.

If he noticed the occasional covert stares from the people around them, he never showed it.

Sean had that smile on his face that said he saw the reactions.

When the sermon was over, they turned to leave—and were nearly mobbed.

People came up to shake their hands and talk to them.

She was surprised that some acted as if they knew them intimately, but the general greetings were normal for a church.

Still, when others started asking for autographs she was flummoxed.

Sean and Victor didn't complain, but signed pieces of paper, church bulletins and such, and chatted amicably with those who approached them.

Amazingly enough, it was the pastor who saved them. He came up, hooked an arm around Victor's shoulders and started toward a small room.

“He wants to chat with us,” Sean said.

“Come on,” Victor added and grabbed Annie's arm.

The others standing around nodded and smiled and waved and then turned away into little groups.

In English, the pastor said, “I am sorry for the people's reaction. You must admit, it's quite an excitement to have celebrities in our midst. If you make it a common occurrence, I'm sure they'll calm down.”

Victor smiled politely. “I enjoyed the message.”

Sean shot Annie a wisecracking grin.

The pastor nodded. “We'll go out through my office. I want to give you a card. If you ever need anything, just call.”

“Thank you. I don't regularly attend church,” Victor said and watched the pastor.

“Ah, well, now it's my duty to tell you that you should. Not necessarily here if you don't find this to your liking, but somewhere.” The pastor offered him a large grin, his thinning gray and brown hair
falling down into one eye. He swept it back. Going to his desk he found a business card. “Let me know if you ever need anything.”

He turned to Sean and handed him a card. “You too.”

Finally he looked at Annie. “You don't speak Dutch.”

She shook her head. “I'm American.”

The pastor shook her hand. “Well, God bless you.”

The man chatted a few more minutes in Dutch until the pastor was sure that they could easily get to their car. “I really have to get back to make sure the deacons finished up the counting of the offering and have locked up everything and then I'm sure my wife is waiting. Again, if you need anything…”

Victor said something in Dutch.

The pastor smiled and opened the door.

They exited and walked to the car.

Annie shook her head. “What?” Victor asked.

“That was certainly an experience.”

Sean chuckled. “If you think that was an experience, wait until the premiere.”

Annie frowned.

“Thanks, Sean,” Victor replied sarcastically.

“What?” Sean asked innocently.

“I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it now,” Annie said nervously.

“That's what,” Victor replied to Sean.

On the way home, it was quiet until Sean said, “So what did you think, Victor?”

Annie had been staring out of the window, ruminating on the message and the three-ring circus after the service. But at Sean's words her gaze turned to Victor and she realized he'd been just as quiet.

“It was unlike anything I'd ever seen.” He glanced down at Annie. “The pastor actually talks about God the same way you do.”

“Is that unusual?” Annie asked quietly.

Slowly, Victor nodded. “Very.” His expression cleared. “I saw what you thought of it, Sean,” Victor replied.

Sean grinned. “It was neat.”

“Neat?” Annie winced at the word.

Sean nodded. “I heard one of the kids say that, trying to talk to me in English.” He chuckled. “Yeah. I liked it. It sure wasn't boring. And I could actually tolerate the pastor. He's a pretty nice bloke. Mind you, sweetheart, I wouldn't want to make it a career, going to church. It'd ruin my bad-boy reputation.”

Annie was a bit distressed at Sean's words. He
obviously saw it for he added, “But for you, I'd do it.”

She shook her head. “Going to church, having a relationship with God isn't something you can do for someone else.”

Sean shifted a bit uncomfortably, and she actually thought he was at a loss for words.

Victor saved his friend by adding, “We're going to need to focus on the premiere coming up. After lunch, would you mind going over the plans with me?”