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mother.”
    â€œDoes that mean I’m not invited?” The nip took on an edge of frost.
    â€œIt’s not a question of inviting. We have business to discuss. You like to sleep late. Breakfast is at seven.”
    â€œDoes that mean I’m not part of this business? In Costa Rica you never made a decision without talking to me about it. We were a team. We worked together, and we shared together. Why is this different?”
    â€œYou know what I mean. You aren’t going to be working here, so what’s the big deal?”
    â€œThe big deal is I thought we talked about everything. You know all there is to know about me. Now, suddenly, I’m finding out all these things you never bothered to share with me. I’m beginning to think you were deliberately hiding things. Is there anything else you haven’t shared with me?”
    â€œI resent your tone and your implication, Celia. Those things weren’t important to me over there.”
    â€œHow could a trust fund not be important? How could all this wealth and prestige not be important?”
    â€œTo me it isn’t important. I’ve seen firsthand what money does to people. I’m just as plain and ordinary as the rest of my family. You said you felt the same way.”
    â€œI had no choice but to feel that way. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth the way you were. I like the idea that you and I will never have to scrounge for money. I don’t think that makes me any less a person. Security is important to everyone.”
    â€œThis is a family business. I don’t make solitary decisions. I don’t think Mom would mind if you tagged along.”
    â€œTagged along.” The frost in Celia’s voice could have chilled milk.
    â€œPoor choice of words. I’m tired, Celia. Mom won’t mind if you sit in on the meeting.”
    â€œI beg to differ, Birch. Your mother doesn’t like me. I saw it in her eyes. Maybe it was the dress, maybe it’s something else. Maybe she doesn’t like me because you married me without her approval. Some mothers are like that.”
    â€œMy mother isn’t like that. You’re imagining things. My mother is the fairest, most impartial person walking this earth. She waits till she has all the facts before she makes a move. Everyone loves her, and she loves everyone in return. This town owes a lot to her. I take umbrage, Celia, at what you just said. I saw her welcome you.”
    â€œYou make her sound like a saint,” Celia sniffed.
    â€œIf you knew the half of what my mother has had to endure, you’d swear she was a saint. We’re bickering, and if we don’t watch it, we’re going to have a fight. I don’t like fighting, and I don’t like confrontations. I had enough of that to last me a lifetime. I’m going upstairs. If you want to stay down here, then stay.”
    â€œIf that’s the way you feel about it, I will.”
    Birch stalked across the casino floor. He didn’t look back.
    Celia headed for the Harem Lounge. She settled herself on the same stool she’d vacated earlier. “Scotch on the rocks. I’m Celia Thornton. I’ll run a tab.”
    â€œI’m buying. Put it on my tab,” Jeff Lassiter said smoothly as he slid onto the stool next to Celia.
    Â 
    The sole occupant of Room 2711 paced the floor, his eyes going to the small travel clock perched on the nightstand. The minutes and hours ticked by slowly. Twice, Birch ordered double shots of scotch from Room Service. The third time he ordered, he asked for a bottle. At 3:45 he slipped between the sheets of the huge double bed. He thought he was drunk. If he were really drunk, he wouldn’t be able to see the bright, red numerals on the travel clock. More minutes ticked by.
    The numbers on the clock read 5:25 when he heard Celia’s card key slide into the lock. He rolled over, his head in the crook of his arm. His position