Lacey had grabbed her bag and raced outside. She had ignored the people who stared at her on the golf course as she ran to a golf cart for freedom.
Lacey got to the back of the property and brought the cart to a screeching halt on the sidewalk.
Some New Yorkers starred at her as she grabbed her bag. Others walked by casually like a girl wasn’t on a golf cart in her wedding dress.
She desperately ran out into the street to flag down a cab. Two drove by her. The third one stopped. Probably because she had literally threw herself in front of the car.
She walked around to get in and then he took off and blared his horn. “Crazy broad!”
Lacey looked around with urgency. She would have taken her mother’s limo, but she couldn’t trust the driver to get her out of there. He was loyal to Lacey’s mother – not her.
She was about to run back to the sidewalk when a bus slowed next to her.
The driver opened the window. “Honey, something tells me you need a ride,” the white male said.
“Yes, very much so,” Lacey answered and then looked behind her like she was being chased by a wolf.
“Come around and get in. But, know this. I have scheduled stops in Manhattan and at JFK.”
“JFK Airport? That’s perfect,” Lacey said and began moving around the bus to get in on the other side.
Several motorists blew their horns angrily, but she didn’t care. She had to get away from the country club. She hiked up her dress so she wouldn’t step on it getting on the bus. Her bag hung on her shoulder.
“You got money?”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Lacey said. She reached in her bag to find her wallet. She had two hundred dollars. She also had a credit card with a ten thousand dollar limit – if her father had paid the bill.****
Once Lacey got to the airport she changed out of her wedding dress in the bathroom and back into the clothes she had worn to the country club. Thank heavens, she had the mind to grab her garment bag. It had the essentials in it. Her cell, phone charger, her wallet, tablet, her passport, an extra pair of underwear and socks, and a pair of tennis shoes.
She left the wedding dress in the bathroom and hightailed it to the first terminal she saw. Delta Airlines. For the hundredth time her phone vibrated. While she was on the bus, her phone had gone off like mad. Her mother tried calling her three times. Her cousins tried to call and text God knows how many times. This text was from her father.
Lawrence: Where in the hell are you? The wedding should have started an hour ago!
Lacey: I’m sorry, Daddy. I can’t go through with it. Goodbye.
She hit the button to turn her phone off. She had to get a burner as soon as possible – with a new number. The last thing she wanted was her father – or even Blake Dandridge finding a way to track her.
Lacey approached the desk.
“May I help you?” the black woman asked with a little smile.
“Yes. I need a flight that’s leaving . . . within the next thirty minutes. I don’t care where. It can be Montana or Spain,” Lacey said bluntly.
****
“Oh my god,” Lawrence groaned with despair as he looked at Lacey’s text.
“What?” Roxanne asked as she walked to him.
Lawrence, Roxanne, Carlie, Pauline, and Roxanne’s mother had spilt up to look for Lacey. After thirty minutes, they had met back in the bridal dressing room.
Lawrence showed Roxanne the message.
Roxanne exhaled – with relief. “Well, at least we know she wasn’t kidnapped.”
“Yes, but you knew that, didn’t you? Was this your influence?” Lawrence asked with an accusatory tone.
“What was my influence?” Roxanne asked.
“You told her all those rumors about Blake as soon as she landed a week ago,” Lawrence stated. “Don’t try to deny it because she told me you did.”
“I’m not,” Roxanne stated with twisted lips.
“It spooked her. But that’s what you had hoped happened. After all, you did leave her alone in here to think,” Lawrence stressed with resentment.
“No. I didn’t think she would run off like this. But I’m glad she did,” Roxanne said defensively. “You had no business making a deal with the devil, anyway. It’s time you faced the music concerning your gambling, Lawrence.”
He was about to say something when he was interrupted by his ex-mother-in-law. She had flown in from Florida for the wedding.
“She’s right, son. This addiction has cost you everything. Bargaining your only child to a man who has a notorious reputation? If that’s not rock bottom, I don’t know what is.”
“She’s right, Lawrence. Your gambling has cost you your wife and everything you’ve worked for. Don’t you think it’s time to face the music?” Carlie asked.
They weren’t coming off in an accusatory manner. They said these things with empathy and concern. It made Lawrence realize that they were actually right. His gambling had ruined his life. If he didn’t get a hold of it, he could end up living in the streets.
The door swung open with force. The knob hit the wall. It was Blake Dandridge. He had fire in his eyes and his nostrils were flared.
“Where the hell is your daughter, Stevens?” he barked.
Lawrence straightened. “Looks like she’s gone.”
“Gone? Gone where?” Blake asked with heat.
“Not sure, but she sure as hell isn’t here,” Lawrence said casually. “Looks like she really doesn’t want to marry you.”
“What!” Blake roared. “The damn wafe should be grateful that a man of my means and looks would want to marry her.”
“Wafe?” Roxanne repeated, offended.
“Honey, let me handle this,” Lawrence said as he stepped to Blake.
“The only thing you can handle is a card game,” Blake sneered. “I suggest you get your daughter back here in fifteen minutes or the deal is off.”
“The deal is off, Dandridge,” Lawrence said with strength. “I never should have agreed to it.”
“You fool! Without me paying your debts you’ll lose everything.” Blake was supposed to make a call to have the money wired to MGM and Caesars after the ceremony - before the reception.
“I’ve already lost everything that mattered. My wife and now my daughter,” Lawrence stated. He had no idea if Lacey would ever speak to him again after this. Look what he had almost made her do. Marry a man – a real prick, who she didn’t love and sure as hell didn’t know. Lawrence began to smile as he realized Lacey had done the right thing.
“What are you smirking at?” Blake asked in a menacing tone.
“I’m smirking at my daughter being somewhere far, far, away from you,” Lawrence answered with glee.
Next thing Lawrence knew he had gotten a right cross to the jaw.
****
Blake stalked the halls of the country club like a lion.
How dare that little bitch do this to me. I’m Blake Dandridge. Women throw themselves into fire to be with me for an hour. And this little bitch girl ran. Leaving me looking like a fool! Well, this isn’t over Ms. Stevens. Not by a long shot!
Blake got to the ballroom where they were supposed to have the reception. He flipped one of the round tables over in a rage.
One year later . . . The day of her almost wedding Lacey had gotten on a flight to Atlanta, Georgia. It was tough there. She couldn’t get a job in her major or minor. So, she had to take two part-time jobs working at fast food restaurants. There was no way she was going to call home to ask for money. For one thing, her father didn’t have any. Her mother had plenty being from a wealthy family, but she didn’t want her mother to know where she was. Lacey just wanted to be left alone for a while to make decisions about her own life – not someone doing it for her. She didn’t know what had become of her father’s financial situation. She just needed to get away and stay away. After three months, Lacey was able to get a job with All-Time Language as an interpreter. She minored in French at The American University of Paris. Her professors gave her glowing recommendations. The best thing about the company was the pay was twice more than work
Blake’s jet landed at Portland International Jetport at two p.m. From there he had hired a driver. The black town-car pulled up outside of 2838 Atlantic Drive. It was exactly how Robinson described it. The townhouse was three levels with two doors in the front with a white painted porch. The townhouse was painted pale yellow. The driver opened the door for Blake to get out. As Blake walked to the townhome, he noticed a light skinned black man sitting on the porch. “Hey, man,” the black man greeted. He wore light colored denim jeans and a red T-shirt. “Hello,” Blake mumbled and took the steps to the porch. Then he quickly reached for the door knob for condo two. It was locked. “Damn,” he hissed. “You lookin’ for Lacey?” the black man asked. “Yes,” Blake answered. “Do you know when she’ll be back?” “In about a month.” “A month!” Blake yelled. “Where the hell has she gone for a month?” “Wiscas
Brian was meeting Lacey downstairs at eight-thirty. She wore a red halter dress. The skirt swung slightly above her knee. It tied in the back around her neck. It could pass for semi-casual. Lacey had no idea where Brian was going to take her. Hopefully, what she had on would pass muster at the restaurant. There was a knock on the door. Surely, Blake hadn’t arrived, yet. It was only eight o’clock. Lacey opened the door to see Rebecca, one of the innkeepers. “He’s not here already is he?” she asked nervously. “Oh, no, dear. I came to see how you were fairing. First dates can be a bit harrowing and you seemed pretty excited about it when you came in to tell me you were expecting someone.” “I could use an ear if you got a minute.” Lacey stood aside to let her in. “Sure,” Rebecca entered the room. As Lacey closed the door, Rebecca said, “Oh, you look nice.” Lacey had curled her blonde hair on th
Lacey walked down the stairs of The Cozy Inn. Brian was there waiting on her. He looked terrific. And his suit looked expensive, a dark blue well-tailored suit. Just like earlier today, his hair was neatly combed back from his face. “You look . . . absolutely enchanting,” he said with amazement. “Oh, thank you,” she whispered shyly. He was such a charmer. “You look very handsome. I love your suit.” “Thank you. Shall we go?” he asked as he offered his arm. Lacey wrapped her arm around his. “Are you willing to tell me where we are going now? I’ve been in suspense all day.” “Right this way,” he said as he began to escort her to the parlor. Lacey was confused at first. They were heading to the dining room. They walked through it. She was about to say something when they got to the back room, which was open. When she had eaten in the dining room with the rest of the guests yesterday, the door w
Blake walked Lacey to her door. She turned to face him. He took the opportunity to take her again in his arms. He kissed her. Lacey didn’t seem to mind because she met him stroke for stroke. Her lips, now poutier from being kissed thoroughly, were so soft. She probably never had a real man kiss her before. But, she had one now. He didn’t stop until she moaned. When he pulled back, her lids were heavy and her breathing a bit shallow. Before he could say what was on his mind she spoke. “I can’t invite you in.” He knew what he wanted and he also knew she wanted the same thing. “Why? We want each other.” It wasn’t a lie. In this moment, he did want her. More than any woman he had ever bedded in his life. “I can’t. I . . . I’m not a woman who leaps in and out of bed with people. I don’t have casual sex,” she whispered. “Who said it would be casual?” He didn’t mean to ask that. Of course, it would be casual. That’s the
A few days later . . . Lacey and Brian were having a picnic a few feet away from the river that was on The Cozy Inn’s property. For the last two days, Lacey hadn’t seen much of Brian accept at meal times at the inn. He had gotten caught up on conference calls at Michelson Investments. Even though she missed spending time with him during the day it gave her a chance to do some work for All-Time Languages and scope out some scenery to take pictures of and paint. Brian was stretched out on his side on the plaid blanket facing her. Lacey was sitting with her legs stretched out in front of her. The picnic basket was between them. Rebecca had prepared them the picnic lunch – for an additional charge, of course. But, it was worth it. Sandwiches, homemade chips, pudding for dessert, champagne, water, etc.Lacey leaned back, bracing her hands behind her on the blanket. “It is such a beautiful day.” It was about seventy-three degrees out and the
Blake and Lacey packed up their mess in the picnic basket and placed it to the side. They laid back on the blanket, looking at the sky, relaxing. Blake put his hands behind his head as he looked at the brilliant blue sky and the whiter than white clouds. He hadn’t stopped to look at the sky since he was thirteen. He remembered how he had an appreciation for nature back then. Once he had reached fifteen, after Tiffany had broken his heart, he no longer cared about nature – or anything other than himself and money. Blake wondered if his mother leaving his father when he was eighteen and Tiffany making him look like a fool at such a young age had anything to do with how he turned into the person he was today. Had all that changed in over a week? Lacey breathed out a relaxing sigh, bringing him out of his thoughts. Blake turned to look at her. She had a lazy smile on her face and her eyes were closed. She was the catalyst that pl
Two weeks later . . . After much contemplation, Lacey called her mother from her burner phone. The truth was she missed calling her mother to let her know what was going on in her life and to get her advice. Her mother answered on the third ring. “Hello?” “Mother, it’s Lacey.” “Oh my god! Lacey! I had hoped against hope you would call again. I got your voicemail a while back. I didn’t pick up because I didn’t know the number or the name. Oh, darling!” she cried happily. Lacey smiled as she became teary eyed. “I’ve missed you.” “And I’ve missed you, too. Very much. Oh, my darling child. Where are you?” “I’m at an enchanting bed and breakfast with the most enchanting man,” she swooned as she laid back on the bed. “A man? Do tell.” Lacey told her mother everything about Brian. “Yesterday, he bought me twenty-one bouquets of flowers. The number of days we’ve known