The Outsider Series

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

To say the hotel was attractive was like saying a Porsche was a nice, modest car for commuting. It was both lavish and way out of Diana’s budget. The hotel room was situated on the top floor—the only floor you needed a key card to access.

A bellman waited outside the elevator in a red uniform jacket and black pants. “Mister Friessen, welcome back, sir.”

“Thank you. Ben, is it?” Rodney asked with genuine interest.

“Yes, sir. Ben it is, sir.”

“This is my daughter-in-law, Diana. She’ll be staying with us.”

“Is there any luggage I can bring up?” the young man asked eagerly.

Diana dropped her gaze to the faded filthy jeans she’d never worn off their ranch and had been in since yesterday. Even her sneakers were old and frayed. She knew she looked a mess, could even pass for someone off the street, and she felt her cheeks burn. She had been aware of every eye on her from the moment she strode through the lavish lobby among the upscale guests.

It was a reminder of the wealth that belonged to Jed’s family, which Jed had no part of, and it still made Diana uncomfortable. “No luggage for me, sorry. Just the clothes on my back.” She realized she sounded quite sharp.

“Diana, let’s get you some food ordered. Ben, thank you again.” Rodney didn’t appear fazed by her rudeness. He slid his key card into a large double door, one of three on the floor, and opened it into a grand living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a gas fireplace, a huge dining room, and what looked like three separate bedrooms. The carpeting was white plush, and everything in this suite appeared golden, crystal, and very expensive. Neil was sitting at a desk in an alcove just off this grand living room, talking on the phone. Diana froze and didn’t know what to do, where to sit, where to go. Her whole body ached.

“Oh, Diana, there you are. Brad phoned and told me the good news that Jed’s awake. He also said Rodney finally convinced you to leave.” She opened her arms and hugged Diana, and Diana stiffened, but Becky wouldn’t let her go. She pulled back only to wrap her arm around Diana’s waist and lead her to one of the bedrooms. Diana relaxed and leaned into Becky. She knew Jed’s mother really did care for her, and she made it so easy. Diana did love her, and she wanted the motherly concern that the other woman was showing, but she didn’t know how to accept it, and the money thing made her really uncomfortable.

“I hope you don’t mind, Diana, but I had some clothes sent up for you. I had to guess on your size. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll have it sent back and get you something that fits.”

The bedroom Becky walked her into was larger than their house, with a king-size bed and an enormous en suite. The windows were again floor to ceiling and filled one entire wall, with another fireplace in the bedroom.

“Oh my God, Becky. This is just so much. You didn’t have to do that. I’ll pay you back… but I don’t think we can afford this… and this room...”

She gave Diana an odd look and frowned. “My dear girl, Rodney and I aren’t just Jed’s parents. You and that beautiful grandson are our family. You are our responsibility, and there isn’t anything we wouldn’t give you. We are looking after you now, so let us, Diana.” Becky slid her arm around her waist as Diana choked on a sob. She then sat with her on the bed when Diana couldn’t fight the exhausted tears of the last twenty-four hours.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it like that.” Diana apologized as she wiped her eyes and realized Rodney was in the doorway.

“Diana, I took the liberty of ordering you some room service,” Rodney said. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“No, but thank you, Rodney.” Diana swiped at her nose.

Becky patted her back. “Diana, why don’t you go have a bath before room service arrives? Rodney, those clothes I ordered for Diana, are they in the living room?”

“The bags are on the sofa. I’ll go get them.” Rodney strode away.

“Becky, you didn’t have to buy me clothes, too.”

“Go get in the bath now. We’ve already settled this.”

Diana strode into the large bathroom and shut the door. Her eyes widened at the marble countertops, the huge Jacuzzi tub, and the glassed-in shower that had four showerheads and would probably fit the whole family. She’d never had such luxury. She strode up the three steps to the large tub and started filling it. Steam filled the bathroom. On the counter were soaps, bath salts, shampoo, even a hair brush. Diana wasted no time, kicking off her shoes and peeling off her clothes. She brushed her hair and then climbed in the steamy bath, allowing the heat to ease the stiffness that knotted her muscles.

A knock on the door had her sitting up.

“Diana, it’s Becky. The clothes are on your bed. And room service just arrived with the food. Don’t stay in there too long.”

“Okay,” she said.

She quickly washed her hair and scrubbed herself clean. She stepped out of the bath and dried herself, pulling on a thick white robe on the back of the door, and ran a brush through her wet hair, feeling much better and very tired.

She pulled open the door and smiled at the new clothes on the bed, a pair of nice blue lounging pants with matching jacket, underwear, socks, two-piece pajamas and casual slacks with a couple bright t-shirts. Diana opted for the pajamas, since she planned to crawl into bed right after she ate. She pulled the robe on overtop, pulled on a pair of socks, and opened the door.

“Ma ma ma.” Danny clapped his chubby hands and grinned at Diana. Neil bounced him in his arms.

“You are going to let your mama eat, and then she’s going to sleep and you get to hang with your uncle.” Neil didn’t let Diana hover. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her to the dining room and to the table filled with food.

“Sit, sit. You’ll eat, then go to bed,” said Becky as they made her sit. She lifted a silver plate warmer with an omelet that smelled heavenly, and Diana ate.