Love (Blind Vows #3)

by J. M. Witt

  LOVE

  Blind Vows

  By: J.M. Witt

  Copyright 2015 © J.M. Witt

  Cover Artist: J.M. Witt Books

  Photographer: Darren Birks Photography

  Model: Anne Ransom

  Editor: Leticia Sidon

  Publisher: J.M. Witt Books

  All Rights Reserved 2015

  This book may not be reproduced in any form; in whole or in part, without written permission by the author.

  All characters and events in this book are fictional. Any similarities to real life people and events are purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2015 J.M. Witt

  All Rights Reserved 2015

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to everyone who’s read my work and continues to do so. This project took me by surprise and I’ve loved every minute of it.

  First, I have to thank Darren Birks for being such a pleasure to work with. This story hit me and when I told you my vision for the cover, you were nothing but supportive. Thank you. You also make an amazing muse for my Heathcliff and FitzWilliam!

  Anne, your picture seriously haunted me. I’m so happy to have you on the cover and upcoming covers for this series. Thank you for being my Lucy!

  Teri F. You know what you did. Thank you!

  Rebecca, Betsy, and Leticia. WOW. You three were bombarded with this secret project and took off running with me. Thank you for your overwhelming support and belief in me. Words will never be enough to express what it means to me.

  Tami, Tracey, and Elaine. Three more of the most supportive fans and friends a girl could ask for. Thank you!

  Stacey and Jaime: Well, what else is there to say, but ‘Give the man some head!’

  Tyf and Skye. There are no words for me to say. Your friendship means the world to me. I never would’ve made it this far without you two. I love you dearly.

  To my friends and family. Thank you for your support. You know who you are!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  More to come

  Playlist

  Other works

  About the Author

  ~ Chapter 1 ~

  ~ LUCY ~

  We were spending our annual Fourth of July week up at the Kerrigan’s cottage. I was seventeen, had just graduated from high school, and my boyfriend Jon had driven up to spend the week with me. He was bunking with the boys, which came with its own set of concerns. I wasn’t exactly sure who he was rooming with—I didn’t want to know—but the five boys shared two bedrooms and Jon made number six.

  “So, why didn’t you tell me that you and Heath were an item once?”

  I balked at Jon, not sure what to say and wondering who had told him anything. Our vacation was half over and I didn’t want to fight with him. So I lied. “What are you talking about? Heath and I have never been an item.”

  “He knows about your birth mark.”

  Huffing at him, “Of course he does. I’ve known his entire family my whole life. There are pictures of me as a baby running this beach naked.” I glared at him as he digested my words. “Are you done?”

  He nodded and apologized. “Sorry. He just seemed rather convincing.”

  “He’s jealous. Forget about him.”

  We went for a walk and ended up at the boat house. Heath had been getting on my nerves all week with his little comments to me. He didn’t like Jon, that was obvious, and I suppose he had every right not to. Me, I was too blind in my disdain for Heath to listen about his warnings in regards to Jon. I slept with Jon that night, in the boat house, giving him my virginity. The next morning Jon was gone and I never heard from him again.

  I stood outside the Kerrigan lake house as the memories continued to assail me.

  Heath and I actually had a good conversation a couple days later, the day before we were all set to go back home. He’d put the pieces together—well, some of them—and caught me in a moment of vulnerability.

  “He doesn’t deserve you, Lucy. I’d never do that.”

  “Do what?” I laughed, trying to hide my hurt about the whole situation.

  He pushed some hair behind my ear and leaned in. Scared of what he was about to do, I grabbed his beer and took a swig. Choking on it and making a disgusted look I handed it back to him.

  “How can you drink that? It’s nasty.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, he retorted, “It’s an acquired taste.”

  He was eyeing me in a way that made me nervous. My stomach fluttered and my heart raced. I did the only thing I knew how to do. I ran.

  I used the key Mrs. Kerrigan had given me and made my way inside. I’d swung by my apartment and packed a small bag. I had to be back to work in a couple days, so whatever I came here to figure out, I needed to do it soon. I hadn’t been to the lake house in several years and I found that not much had changed.

  I yearned to put my feet in the sand and wished it was summertime. Shivering, I turned up the thermostat and followed the directions to turn the utilities back on. Wandering through the house, I found myself in the room Heath always stayed in. The bedrooms the boys shared were large with two sets of bunk beds built into the walls so that the rooms could sleep four.

  The emotions flooded me as I remembered us on that bottom bunk, kissing as teenagers. Slamming the door shut, I made my way to the back of the house which had always been designated as my room. My phone was going off like crazy in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw several missed calls from Heath. Resigning, I turned it to silent and put it on the dresser.

  Pulling the space heater out of the closet, I plugged it in before changing my clothes. I needed to sleep. Making sure the house was locked up, I crawled into bed. I woke the next morning to Mrs. Kerrigan calling my name.

  I sat up in bed as she opened my bedroom door. “Morning dear. I don’t want to bother you, but I wanted to give these to you.”

  Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I watched her set down a couple CD cases. What time was it? Had I slept in that late or was she that early?

  “What’s that?”

  “I was up all night looking for them. They’re for you.” She sat down next to me and took my hand. “I know what they did was wrong, but please know one thing.” I nodded when I realized she was waiting for me to agree before she continued. “He loves you, to the brink of stupidity, he loves you.”

  Disagreeing, I proclaimed, “He doesn’t. He’s never said it.”

  “Lucy,” she smiled serenely, “the brink of stupidity.” She stood and let me know there was a CD player in the master bedroom and then left. By the time I got my body to function to run after her it was too late. I watched her car driving down the drive and then she was gone.

  Dragging my feet, I walked back to the bedroom and stared at the CDs sitting on the end of the bed. Huffing, I ignored them and headed to the kitchen. The fridge had fresh groceries and I knew she must have brought them. Some fruit, half a gallon of milk, some eggs, cheese, and other necessities would help me survive for a few days. Pouring myself a bowl of cereal, I curled up in front of the TV.

  Realizing I’d been watching TV for hours and not paying attention to it, I turned it off. All I could think about was him. When had this happened? When had I fallen so completely for him?

  Grabbing the CDs, I headed to the master bedroom and found the CD player. Remembering that the master bath had a large Jacuzzi tub, I decided to indulge. Run
ning the bath water, I looked over the CDs. Opening them, I found notes scribbled inside the cover dated ten years ago.

  Lucy,

  If I had enough courage

  to give you these, I’m sure

  you’d give me a chance.

  I’m sorry I ever hurt you.

  Please forgive me.

  Heath

  I started tearing up immediately. The CDs he’d talked about making while on our honeymoon were made for me. I put them in order and placed the first one in the player. Turning the bath water off, I hit play and sank into the whirlpool tub.

  Our wedding song played first, like a punch to the gut. Knowing I was alone, I let the tears flow. How could I forgive him? How could I not? Nobody had ever done anything so romantic for me. She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5 came on next. It was hard not to fantasize about how my teen years and young adulthood would have been different had I been in a relationship with Heath the whole time.

  My skin wrinkled, the water cooling, and the first CD over, I crawled out of the tub. My emotions and sensibilities fighting with one another. The songs were all so meaningful and a couple really hit home with me. Picking up my cell, I noticed it was entirely dead. Digging through my bag, I realized I didn’t bring my wall charger. Shit! I got dressed and plugged it in to the charger in my car, knowing it’d take forever.

  I left my cell in my car and decided to sleep on it one more night. I’d go home in the morning and make my decision. I knew I had to talk to Heath and give him a chance to explain. He deserved that much no matter what my decision was.

  ~ Chapter 2 ~

  ~ HEATH ~

  I showered in a fog and got dressed while Will waited for me. Lucy, while ever present in my heart and head, had to be put on the back burner. My family needed me. Packing my bags, I left Lucy a note telling her I’d be back. Of course I still didn’t know when she’d be back or where she was.

  Popping some ibuprofen, I grabbed a protein bar and headed out the door with my brother. Glancing in the apartment, I couldn’t help the feeling of foreboding that fell over me. Praying I was just closing a chapter and not a book, I shut the door behind me.

  When we got to my parents’ house, my mother was clearly distraught and my father was doing all he could to console her. Speaking with Dorian, there wasn’t any more info. We knew that O had been seriously injured and we were waiting for more information. The call had come earlier that morning and we discovered that my mom hadn’t even been home when the call came in. It didn’t occur to me to ask where she’d been so early in the day. Our dad had to tell her when she got home.

  When the phone rang a couple hours later we all paled. Dad answered it as my mother clutched his hand. After a few minutes and writing some things down, he hung up the phone.

  Taking a deep breath he eased our minds. “He’s alive. They’re transporting him to NYC. He should be there tomorrow.”

  “Thank God.”

  “There’s something you all need to know.” We all stared at him, not sure what to expect him to say. “He’s lost his left leg at the knee.”

  My mind seemed to fall into a freefall at that point. O was alive, but he’d lost his leg. I was thankful he was alive, but I couldn’t begin to imagine what he was going through and would continue to go through.

  “Heath, are you ok?” Looking to my father, I just nodded. “Do you want to come? I know how close you and O are.”

  “I’m sorry. What?”

  “Mom and I are going to drive to NYC in the am. Do you want to come?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll come.”

  The next morning we were packing up when my phone began ringing. Looking at the screen, I saw that it was Lucy. I ignored the call, I didn’t have the energy to deal with her. If she could ignore my calls for a day, I could do the same. As I was loading our bags into my parents’ car, Will came out.

  “Heath,” he motioned me closer and I obliged. “It’s Lucy.”

  My heart sank. “What do you mean it’s Lucy?”

  “She’s at the lake house and stuck on the side of the road. They’re getting nailed with snow and apparently she was on her way home.”

  “Christ! I can’t deal with this now.”

  “She’s your wife. You can’t leave her on the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm.” I stood and contemplated what to do. I wanted to be there with O, but Lucy could be in danger. “I can take my truck and go get her, but I think you should come with me.”

  “Yeah. I got it.” I pulled my bag out of my parents’ car and asked them to drive safe. “I can’t believe you let her go up there knowing what the weather is like up there this time of year!”

  “Heath! We understand, but don’t take it out on your mother.” Dad clapped me on the shoulder and added, “We’ll be in touch. O will understand. Go make sure Lucy’s safe.”

  I overheard Will on the phone with Lucy, trying to figure out where she was. Throwing my bag in his backseat, we headed up to the lake house. A few hours later, we were finally almost there. The drive had taken three times longer than it should have.

  “You said she was here. I don’t see any tracks.” I was growing panicked at the thought of not finding her.

  “It’s been several hours, Heath. Her tracks are long covered. Try calling her.” Digging out my phone, I dialed her. She answered and she was clearly shaken up. “Lucy, where are you? We don’t see your tracks. Can you honk the horn or flash the lights?”

  I could sense the terror in her voice as she confirmed that her car was out of gas and the battery was close behind. The call was disconnected and that’s when my anxiety began to take over. We weren’t more than ten or fifteen minutes from the lake house and it was clear no one had been driving on the roads in hours.

  “Dammit! What the hell was she thinking?”

  “Calm down. We’ll find her. And I would gather she was trying to get home. To you.” I grunted as we both searched for her, driving extremely slow. “There! Is that her?”

  “What the hell is she doing outside of the car?”

  “Calm down, Heath. You’re going to scare her.”

  As we approached, I jumped out of the truck and ran over to her as the snow pelted both of us. “What the hell are you doing up here?” She just shook her head. “Why did you try driving home in this? What is wrong with you?”

  She was shaking and all the color was lost from her face, but it didn’t stop her temper. “Screw you! I didn’t do this on purpose!”

  “Doubtful. You didn’t hesitate to call Will to save the day.”

  “After you wouldn’t answer your fucking phone!”

  “Now you know what it’s like!”

  “HEATH!” I turned to Will as he grated out, “Are you two fucking done? You’re acting like children.” I knew Will was right, but I wasn’t about to agree with him. “Get her in the car. Her lips are blue. NOW!” Opening the back door, she climbed in after grabbing her bag out of her car. “We’re going to have to try to make it back to the lake house. It’s our safest bet.”

  “Great.”

  I took my place in the front seat as Will headed toward the house. We could hear her teeth chattering and I tried to ignore it. My anger convincing me she was getting what she deserved.

  “Jesus Christ. Heath, if you don’t get back there and warm her up, I will.”

  “What are you talking about? She’s fine.”

  “Get your head out of your ass.” I looked back to her and observed what Will began yelling at me about. “She’s fucking blue, her feet are probably wet, and her hair is soaked. She needs to get warm before she gets hypothermia.” Grumbling, I climbed over the seat, using Will as a brace. Pushing off his head, he spit out, “Watch it! It’s probably going to take at least thirty minutes to get up there.”

  Lucy put up a small fight, but she was no match for me. “Stop fighting me. Come here.”

  “There should be some blankets behind you.” Glancing into the third row, I found the blankets
he was referring to and pulled them to my lap. Running my hands over her clothes, I discovered she was soaked and her hair wasn’t wet, it was frozen and beginning to thaw in the warmth of the truck.

  “Christ. Get these off, Lucy. How long were you standing out in the snow?”

  She didn’t say anything as I started removing her clothes. I began with her boots, if you could call them that, to find her socks soaking wet and her toes various shades of blue and red. Getting her pants off was a struggle, but I managed. Once she was next to me in just her shirt and panties I wrapped a blanket around her. Knowing she needed my heat, too, I quickly removed my coat and shirt and pulled her into me. I flinched when her cold, wet skin touched mine.

  “Th, thank you. I’m s, sor, sorry.”

  “You could’ve been killed.” Catching Will’s glance in the rearview mirror, he nodded and returned his eyes to the road. “It’s ok. We just need to get you warm.”

  We made it to the house and Will had to get out and clear a path to the front door. Once he’d done that, I pulled her to my lap and told her to hang on. With the blanket wrapped around her, I carried her into the house and back to the master bedroom. Will was turning the utilities back on and had already cranked the thermostat.

  “You should probably get her in the tub. I’ll start a fire and get the space heaters going.” I just nodded as I sat her on the bed and walked to the bathroom.

  “This might hurt.” I’d made the water as warm as I could without risking burning her. I removed her shirt and panties, trying to control my urge to touch her. She stood on trembling legs, naked, in front of me as I helped her into the tub.

  Dipping a foot in, she pulled it right back out. “It’s too hot!”

  “It’s not, you’re just cold. Get in.” Shaking her head, she refused. “Dammit.” I started kicking my shoes and pants off as she stared at me in disbelief. “You can make this easy or you can fight, but I’m getting you in that tub.”