Chapter 60: Finding the StoriesThe next day, Bella and Luke spent the morning getting footage around the island of Saba, venturing into the capital, known locally as The Bottom. The town of about five hundred was home to government offices, a few churches, a handful of shops, a hospital, and a medical school.Bella had diligently tracked down Connie de Jong, owner of a company that produced and sold famous Saban lace, a major export of the island. Connie took them on a tour of the small factory, describing the history of the fabric and the process by which it is currently produced. Off-camera, Bella purchased a set of tea towels, thinking they would make a perfect Christmas gift for Cornelia.As they left the lace works, Luke turned to Bella. "We have about an hour to kill before we meet the botanist at the reserve. Let's get something to eat." She quickly agreed and they found themselves at the Saba Coffee House, enjoying sandwiches and fresh-brewed coffee. Naturally, Bella str
Chapter 61: So It's Back to Birmingham"Shit, Bubba!" Bella exclaimed. "What do you mean the funeral is tomorrow morning at 10:00? How did it get arranged so quickly?""You know Daddy," Tre said. "He had it planned for months. He specifically wanted his funeral scheduled for the morning after he died.""Well, we're working. I just got back out on the road. I can't simply…"Tre interrupted, "Sissy, you can be here less than twenty-four hours. It would look bad if you didn't come home."Bella couldn't care less how it looked, but she didn't say so. She realized it would add to Tre's stress and she knew that wasn't fair. God knows, he'd been the one who'd had to deal with their father while she'd been off pursuing her career. "Alright, Bubba, I'll see what we can do. I'll call and let you know." They disconnected.Bella called Rick, the shuttle pilot, and made arrangements for them to be picked up at 4:00, an hour and a half away. She was getting ready to call the airline to
Chapter 62: Luke On His OwnLuke returned to the suite after seeing Bella off at the airport. He wandered around feeling a bit lost, aware of the deafening silence. Not that she's noisy, he mused. She's just so…full of life. Her absence left a void not simply in the room but in his soul."You really do have it bad, Cowboy," he murmured to himself.He sat on the terrace smoking a cigar, watching the sun drift lower in the sky, ever closer to the water. In his mind, he replayed some of their recent conversations. He thought about the firm way he'd dismissed the idea of marriage. Why had he done that? Not that he thought he was ready for so big a step. But now, if he ever was, clearly, she'd refuse.He shook his head. I wanted to avoid complications, he thought. Bella was nothing but complications. Yeah, but not necessarily in a bad way, he thought to himself. She was the perfect sub to his Dom. They fit together flawlessly. He sighed. "I'd have been a shit mother anyway,"
Chapter 63: Those Odd RitualsPoole Funeral Chapel, which had buried Grants for generations, was located only a few blocks from Bella's townhouse. As they drove up, it was clear that the place was packed.Bella gripped Tre's hand before they entered the building. "How are you, Bubba? Really?" she asked him, concerned.He looked down at her and sighed. "Really? I'm tired. And," he looked down before continuing, "I'm relieved. I can't say that to anybody but you. It's been a long haul. And you and I both know he was a son of a bitch."She hugged him tightly. "It's just you and me, Bubba. I love you so much.""Thanks, Sissy," he said, emotion causing his voice to crack slightly. "I love you, too."Tre walked Bella into the room dedicated to their father's remains. It was actually three expanded adjoining rooms, befitting the status of the dearly departed. Bella thought to herself that the wake more resembled a high-end cocktail party than a funerary ritual. All these design
Chapter 64: Face TimeWhat am I wearing? Bella grinned. She could lie, make up something sexy and erotic. Looking down at herself she laughed again."I'm wearing exactly what I was wearing when you dropped me at the airport. Sans the shoes," she keyed into her phone.Her phone blipped a moment later. "That short black skirt with the tight black sweater? Sweet!"She looked down at herself again and texted, "The skirt's not too short, is it?""Not for me," he texted in reply. Then, "Skype with me."Bella went upstairs to her bedroom and fired up her laptop. Luke was already online, waiting for her, smiling that lazy Cowboy smile. She'd forgotten how handsome he was. Instinctively she touched his face on the screen.He knew she was sitting at her desk; he could see her bed behind her. Memories of their time together on that bed filled his thoughts."Hello, there, baby girl! You're looking sexy as ever. How was everything tonight?" he asked.She rolled her eyes. "Excruciating
Chapter 65: Inappropriate Funeral FashionAfter they said their good nights, Bella slept fitfully. How long has it been since I've slept alone, she wondered. She finally drifted off about half an hour before her alarm sounded and she found herself hitting the snooze button repeatedly. Her ringing phone startled her awake."Hello?" she answered sleepily."Sissy, I'm downstairs. Are you ready?" Tre asked."Holy shit!" she exclaimed. "Give me ten minutes," she shouted into the phone, disconnecting before he could reply. She took the fastest shower of her life and threw on the first black dress she found in the closet, running down the stairs with her shoes in her hand.Tre was waiting at the curb and she jumped into the giant SUV. He stared at her for a moment, his expression incredulous. "Is that what you're wearing?" he finally said.Bella looked down. The dress was more low-cut than she realized, and she tried to pull the v-neckline more closed. "Oh, for God's sake, we're lat
Chapter 66: Plans for Bella's Return to the RoadLuke arrived in Buenos Aires at 6:00 pm local time. Bella wasn't scheduled to arrive until 9:00 which was perfect for what he had planned. He checked into the Royal Suite at the Alvear Palace Hotel and immediately spoke to the concierge to make the necessary arrangements. He hadn't heard from her today and he hoped that everything had gone well.He walked out of the hotel just as the sun was disappearing and the lights of the city were beginning to blink on, changing the feel of the place immediately. Lighting a cigar, he was considering asking the doorman to get a cab for him when he turned to face the building, noticing for the first time a small shop next to the hotel. He walked to the display window, drawn to an item that caught his eye. It was exquisite; delicate and vintage, everything that reminded him of Bella. It's a crazy idea, Cowboy, he thought. We just had this conversation. Still…Impulsively, he entered the shop a
Chapter 67: Knee TimeFive minutes later, she was nude and kneeling on the floor of the bedroom, waiting for her Sir. Like the sitting room, the bedroom was filled with candlelight. Rose petals littered the floor and trailed across the bed.He hadn't said anything about the necklace, so she'd left it on. Her head was bowed, and she rested her hands lightly on her thighs, palms up and loosely open. Closing her eyes, she simply breathed and let go of everything else except this moment.She didn't look up when she heard him enter the room. She heard him, no, she felt him, circle her slowly, then he slipped the mask down over her eyes. He stood before her, one bare foot between her thighs, the other to her right. He pulled her head to his leg and gently stroked her hair. She sighed and gave herself over to the feeling of comfort and peace."How are you, baby girl?" he asked."I'm so much better now, Sir," she whispered, her voice breaking."I missed you, you know," he said."Oh, Si