Run, Lacy, Run [Appledale] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Page 11
“No way.” She laughed, moving out of temptation’s way. “I’ve been cooped up in this house all week long. I want to see my friends and Doc says I’m doing great. You heard him.” She looked over and whistled. He was wearing all black clothes and a red-and-black cape. His hair was slicked back with gel and his face was painted white. He smiled, showing off his sharp vampire fangs ready to bite her.
“Let’s go, kids,” Ally yelled from downstairs, interrupting the mood. “We’re gonna be late to our own party!”
Lacy picked up her witch’s hat and broom and laughed at Ryan’s gloomy expression. “Let’s go before you get grounded, Count Dracula.”
Ally was waiting by the front door dressed as a big red-and-white box of popcorn. “Ryan, don’t forget the pumpkin we carved,” she reminded him.
Together the three of them had carved a spooky face on the giant pumpkin Ryan had bought for Lacy. It turned out so well that they decided to put it in front of the diner on display.
“You look so cute!” Lacy hugged Ally excitedly. She had never been to a costume party. “Let’s get this party started.”
Ryan shook his head and groaned but gave them both an indulgent look. “I’m doomed and outnumbered. Parties are lots of work, darlin’, not fun.”
Lacy ignored him and ran out to the car with Ally. She couldn’t wait to see everyone in town. She was bubbling over with excitement.
The diner was full of costumed townspeople chatting and laughing. Food and drinks were laid out buffet style. Music was playing and tables had been moved to make a small dance floor. The lights were dimmed low. Carved, glowing pumpkins were scattered around, creating a spooky atmosphere. Lacy was swamped with questions and well-wishes but she didn’t mind stopping and answering them. She was touched by people’s concern for her. They all told her she was so brave to fight and get away from the crazed killer. Ryan, Ethan, and the Wilson brothers were being hailed as hometown heroes and Lacy agreed with the townspeople. They were her guardian angels, she told people.
“Oh, Mrs. Johnson, you look wonderful!” Lacy exclaimed, hugging the elderly lady dressed in her fifties outfit. She wore a white shirt and blue skirt with a black poodle embroidered on it.
“So do you, dear. I am so glad you are safe,” she said. They talked for a few more minutes, then Lacy excused herself to go and find Liz. Stella wasn’t here yet.
Lacy found Liz right away thanks to her glittery angel wings and long white flowing dress and went over to where she was standing by the buffet looking at the food.
Liz screamed with delight and hugged her so tightly Lacy couldn’t breathe. “I’m so glad you are alive. I wanted to visit you. I went to the station, but that obnoxious man said you needed time to heal and wouldn’t tell me where you were,” she said in a disgruntled tone of voice.
“Ryan?” Lacy asked with a puzzled look. “Why would he do that?”
Liz shook her head and pointed to someone across the room. Lacy turned to see Ethan White leaning against the wall but looking straight at them. “Ethan? He’s a sweetheart.”
Liz snorted. “I can call him lots of things but not sweet. I didn’t know he was a deputy.”
Lacy nodded. “Ryan just hired him officially. He helped save my life and catch Chico.”
Lacy dragged Liz by the hand over to where Ethan stood. There was definitely something going on between these two and she was willing to give them both that little push. Liz deserved someone strong like Ethan, and Ethan needed Liz’s sweetness. Stella was rubbing off on her. She laughed to herself, feeling happy again.
“Doing okay, hun?” Ethan asked her gently, putting her hair behind her ear. He had kindly kept her company on some days when Ryan had to work late, knowing she still felt nervous about being alone and she liked his steady strength. She counted him as a good friend. He kept looking at Liz with interest and Liz was looking right back with the same interest.
Lacy nodded. He was dressed in a deputy uniform. “Why aren’t you wearing a costume, Ethan? You’re not on duty, are you?”
Ethan laughed and shook his head. He pointed to the star on his shirt. “But I’m a sheriff, can’t you tell?”
Lacy and Liz both laughed. A slow romantic song came on and Lacy saw her opening. “Will you dance with my friend, Liz? She loves this song.”
Liz’s mouth hung open in shock, but before she could protest, Ethan took her hand and led her to the dance floor, pulling her close to him and dancing with her.
“You are looking smug.” Ryan came up behind her, putting his arms around her waist. “Are you causing trouble, witch? Will I have to punish you?”
Lacy turned toward him and put her arms around his neck and kissed his lips softly. “Oh, definitely, Sheriff.”
He kissed her back but was interrupted by Stella.
“Plenty of time for that later. Right now I need to hug my best friend.” She cried all over Lacy until Stanley pulled her away, patting her back. Stanley was tall and thin with blond hair cut short and wire-rimmed glasses. He was as quiet as Stella was bubbly. He gave Stella a handkerchief and put his arm around her. “Lacy is fine, sweetheart. Don’t get so upset. It’s not good for the baby.”
“I’m doing good, Stella, and I’ll be back to work soon,” Lacy assured her friend with a smile. “You two look so adorable,” she said, changing the subject. They were both dressed as scarecrows and holding hands. They looked so happy together. She wanted everyone to just enjoy the party tonight and not feel sad for her. She really was doing better. She was happy to be alive and wanted everyone to be happy, too.
Stella sniffed into the handkerchief but smiled at Lacy. “You look hot by the way. Did you see Henry? He’s dressed as a hippie. How much you want to bet that’s a genuine outfit that he wore in his youth?”
They all laughed and made small talk for a few minutes and then Ryan pulled Lacy out to the dance floor. He held her closely as she laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I’m so happy to see everyone. Thanks for bringing me Ryan. I know you don’t like parties.”
“I’d do anything for your smile, baby.” He kissed her lightly, swaying softly to the music and rubbing her back gently. He loved feeling her body so close to him. He knew she could feel his erection. He wanted tonight to be romantic but he couldn’t help how his body reacted when she got near.
She looked out to the dance floor, seeing Stella and Stanley dancing close and Ethan with Liz. Lacy sighed and closed her eyes, humming softly to the music, enjoying the moment. Thank God Emma wasn’t here to ruin the moment.
After the song was over he took her upstairs to the apartment. She hadn’t been there all week and it felt strange to be back. The door had been fixed and everything was clean. She flinched a little, remembering Chico breaking the door down, but it was gone quickly. Like Ryan said, fear didn’t belong in their lives.
“I wanted to be alone with you.” He looked a little nervous. “But maybe this wasn’t the best choice. I don’t want you filled with bad memories tonight, baby.”
Lacy sat on the couch. She took her hat off and set it on the table and smiled flirtatiously. “We could make some new memories. All we need is you and me and a bed.” Then she looked at the couch with a smile. “Or maybe a couch will do.”
He laughed and kissed her passionately then pulled away before he forgot everything but taking Lacy to bed.
He smiled and held her hand. “I love you, Lacy, and I want to spend the rest of my life making memories with you. Will you marry me?” He pulled out a ring with a solitaire diamond in the middle.
Lacy threw herself into his arms so hard he fell back on the couch and she straddled him. She screamed with joy, kissing his face all over, making him laugh loudly. “I love you, Ryan Clark.”
Ryan slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her down for a soft, gentle kiss that sealed their promise. He moved her hair back so he could see her precious face. Lacy’s face was radiant and her eyes were filled with such love and joy that he had to blink back tears. He hope
d to see that same expression in fifty years and was determined he would. “You are mine now and forever, darlin’,” he vowed.
“Always,” she promised him with no more doubts or fears. Appledale had not only given her a safe place to hide but had given her her soul mate.
THE END
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen