Thankful in Vegas Omnibus Edition: Thankful In Vegas series

By Marilyn Vix and Lynda Belle

Is dating a gambler in Vegas a good idea?

Especially if you work for him?

Fran Hurley is a maid at a Las Vegas hotel. In the middle of her cleaning shift, she breaks down over not making her showgirl dreams come true. Along comes Dex Luxom, the owner of the hotel. Concerned for one of his employees, he whisks her to the entertainment department and gets her placed in one of the shows. But her luck doesn't stop there. Dex is interested in Fran and won't give up easily. Haunted by the fact she looks like his deceased wife, he can't stay away from her. When Fran discovers he is a gambler, she decides she needs to take a chance with Dex and falls for him hard.

 

But when Fran finds out she looks like his dead wife, will it put a damper on their relationship? Will the bullets flying past her when they are taking a romantic day trip make her rethink dating a gambler? It all comes down to the New Year's event that may split them up or bring them closer together. To love a gambler takes more than luck; it takes strength and courage. And it all could end with her being the biggest player of all.

This is the omnibus edition of the "Thankful in Vegas" novella series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadowcat Publishing
• Release date: Nov 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215575697

Marilyn Vix

Marilyn is a paranormal romance novelist. She enjoys the characters that just don't fit in. From witches to time traveling researchers, she is letting her imagination soar to explore new worlds and write all the details down. Marilyn has traveled to Paris, London, Sydney, and Munich. She loves to include these in her settings as much as possible. Best of all is letting her reader enjoy them through the perspective of a character. She currently lives in Northern California with her husband and cat. The cat, of course, is the center of attention.

Book preview

Thankful In Vegas

By Lynda Belle and Marilyn Vix

© 2016 Lynda Belle, Marilyn Vix

All rights reserved.

D amn it, why can’t anything go right today? She picked up the vacuum hose and looked down its tubing. She shook it. The tingling sound of something trapped brought a grimace to her face. She grabbed the tubing as if to choke the object out. Get out, damn it. Shaking it back and forth, Fran finally heard the plunk of something dislodging from the tube. It looked like false teeth.

Yuck. She put it on her cart in a bag to take to lost and found later. I’ve found worse, she said to the room. She moved the blonde hair out of her eyes and got back to cleaning the hotel room on the floor assigned for this shift.

A whole year in Vegas. And she had nothing to show for it but a job as a maid. Sure, it paid the bills, but she was hoping she would have been farther than just this job. She was hoping that some of the dancing auditions she had gone to would have paid off. But nothing had happened.

She emptied the trash under the desk and moved to the bathroom. She could smell it before she entered. Vomit was dried around the toilet’s edges. She wasn’t looking forward to this one. She walked back to her cart in the hall to get the heavy-duty cleaner. If she sprayed most of it on the counter and around the toilet, it would be easier to clean up. Sighing, she got on her knees to get at the mess.

If just one audition had gotten her on stage, she would be so happy right now. At this point, she didn’t care anymore. As long as she didn’t have to scrub one more toilet, clean up one more pile of vomit, she’d be happy for anything as long as it got her a paycheck involving any stage in Vegas. Well, except one kind of stage. She had drawn the line at stripping. Her Midwest values had kept her from going that far, at least for now.

This hadn’t been anywhere near to how her grandmother had described being a showgirl in Vegas. She would listen for hours to the stories about the costumes, the glitter, the fabulous feeling of being onstage and hearing the applause. Her grandmother always perked up and had a faraway look when she talked about it. When she announced she wanted to be a showgirl when she grew up, her grandma had paid for her dance lessons. But she hadn’t planned on coming to Vegas and being just a maid. This was not her plan.

She drove the promise to her grandmother from her mind. It kept popping into her head. She could hear her grandma’s older voice crackle with concern. Promise me you’ll give it just a year. No more, no less. Then come home. Fran shook her head. She’d been here for ten months now. Her year was almost up.

She wiped up the last of the vomit, filled the toilet paper, and finished with the room to move on to the next. One after another. It never changed. She sighed as she pushed the cart down the Las Vegas hotel hallway. She fought with the cart wheel that kept making it turn to the left. She stopped it to give it a kick to turn straight. That was when the despair finally welled up inside her. She held on to the sides of the cart, fighting back the feelings.

She stopped for a moment and lowered her head onto the towel stack. She felt drained, and it was only the beginning of her shift. How could she go on for another four hours before her meal break? How could she go on until her shift was over? She closed her eyes to keep the headache from breaking through her skull. The texture of the towels cradled her head absorbing the tears that started to spring from her eyes.

It can’t just be like this. Everyone had said she was pretty enough to make it. Her straight blonde hair, slim body, and toned build from hours of dance practice were an asset anywhere else. Here, she was a dime a dozen.

She felt the touch behind her back and sat up. Behind her was a grinning man. A good-looking gorgeous man. She straightened up, brushing her skirt. She tried to say Sorry.

She began moving the cart. The man put his hand forward. No. You don’t have to move. I was just concerned. He pointed at the towels. You were lying face down. I thought something had happened to you.

No, I’m fine. She wiped where she had felt the tears running down her face. I’ll be getting out of your way. Her Midwest accent made her sound old-fashioned. She felt out of place standing near him.

He cocked the side of his head. No need. In fact, I was wondering why you were like that. Something had to have happened.

She laughed. You wouldn’t understand. Besides, I’m not really supposed to talk to the guests.

I’m not a guest. He folded his arms as if daring her to contradict him. The confusion registered on her face. He answered her expression. I’m more like your boss. Boss of your boss, really. He straightened, leaning closer. And I’m concerned about why one of my maids was crying into the towels on her cart in my hotel.

She swallowed. I just felt like, she struggled for the words. I’m at a loss. She looked down at her feet not wanting to look him square in the face with such an embarrassing confession. I came to Las Vegas to dance. And, well... she left it hanging.

He cupped her chin to look at him. And you’ve become a maid.

She nodded. He held her cheek, brushing it gently. He noticed his eyes blink for a moment. He breathed deeply before answering. Such a beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be just a maid. I’m going to have to talk to my HR. He lowered his hand to grab hers. Come with me. I think we can say we’re promoting you to another department. 

He took his phone out of his pocket and pulled her down the hall as he walked towards the elevator. Yes, this is Mr. Luxom. I’ve got someone for the Rick Bravo show. I want you to take a look at her. I’m having her meet with you in ten minutes.

They reached the elevator, and he pushed the call button. As they waited, he continued, No, drop what you’re doing and see her now. I think she’ll fit for that walk-on section. I’ll see you in ten. There was a pause before he spoke again. I’m not sure. I’ll ask. He turned to her. What’s your name?

Fran.

He repeated her answer and pulled her inside the elevator when it opened. I’ll see you in a moment.

She looked at him anxiously. I need to change out of my maid outfit.

No, I kind of like it. His smile was wicked. She hadn’t gotten a chance to look at him closely. But now in the close quarters of the elevator, she admired his steely blue eyes, dark wavy hair, and chiseled jaw. Who was he?

They stopped to pick up a few other passengers on another floor. One of the people nodded to the man. Mr. Luxom. It’s an honor to see you.

How are the kids, Victor?

Doing well. The college savings program you started is making it easier for me to make sure they get what they need. Thank you for putting it together.

You’re welcome. I like to take care of my own.

Victor got off on the next floor, and the elevator continued down to their floor. Mr. Luxom guided her to get off. This is it.

She stepped off and looked around. She remembered cleaning this floor sometimes, looking at the receptionist desk wishing she could go behind the double oak doors when it was full of people. A plaque of gold was engraved with the words Entertainment Offices on the double doors.

Mr. Luxom blew past the receptionist, and waited for her to join him. The woman behind the desk gave her a look, and then went back to her paperwork. Whoever Mr. Luxom was, he had to be high up in the hotel’s management. Or something. She did not believe her luck at the moment. But her instinct was telling her not to lose him.

She kept right behind him, afraid that if she lost him, she’d be stopped. She didn’t fit these offices. They’d probably ask her to leave. She had to almost run to keep up since he had a long stride to match his tall stature. He strode down a corridor, making sure she was still in tow by looking back at her. He stopped in front of a door and knocked quickly. He turned to her. Let me do the talking.

He pushed open the door and pulled her by the hand behind him. Pete, this is Fran. I think she’s your fit for that solo you can’t find.

The man at the desk looked up at Mr. Luxom. And why do you think that Dex?

Dex Luxom sat on the edge of the desk and crossed his arms. She needs a chance.

Pete leaned back in his chair. Okay baby, turn around.

Fran did a small turn, and stopped when she faced Pete. She looked from one man to the other.

She heard Pete whistle. How did we miss her?

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