I sucked in a breath and plastered the most polite smile I could muster on my face. “Excuse me, I need to use the...” Oh why bother? This party wasn’t for me. This was for Danny.
As soon as I was far away enough from all of them, I chugged the champagne and grabbed two more from a table. Those got chugged too. From across the way, I caught my mother’s eyes and one raised eyebrow. I waved at her with the two champagne flutes in my hands, then proceeded to walk into the house.
“They do make a lovely couple,” I overheard as I neared the sunroom.
“She is beautiful, and Daniel is very handsome,” another said.
From the tone of their voices, I could assume that they were part of the Gee-gees, Mom’s posse. What were they doing away from their leader?
“Well, they would photograph well together. It would help Daniel’s image during the campaign.”
Campaign? What campaign?
“That’s if she doesn’t run away again. The publicity would be horrible for Daniel. Who would want a governor who couldn’t pin down his future wife?”
Governor? Future wife? What the hell?
I continued walking and stopped in front of the women. Their mouths popped open. They’d spilled everything, of course. I was Georgia-Anne Buford’s daughter after all. By blood, I was part of them. But I had a bigger target, and I could see him past the windows of the sunroom.
My eyes were locked on Danny as I stomped my way out of the house and back onto the lawn. My fingernails bit the skin of my palms.
“Chastity, dear! Oh, Chastity!” my mother called out, waving her hand, smiling from one diamond solitaire earring to another. She reached me as I was halfway to Danny; my hackles raised.
“Not now, Mom,” I shooed her away, but she grabbed a hold of my arm, and forced me to face her.
“Don’t make a scene, Chastity,” she said in a quiet, but firm tone. “You’ve done enough of that to last us a lifetime.” There was a flash of anger in her eyes, so quickly gone that I thought I’d imagined it, but with the way her lips were set, I wasn’t easily convinced of her rapid change in mood. She sent a fake smile across the way.
I stepped forward and she marched right with me. “Why don’t we talk inside?” It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order.
Mom gripped my arm tighter. Past her shoulder, I got a glimpse of Daddy, a few feet away from us, with a worried look on his tired face, and I recalled what he had told me earlier. I turned away from my mother and walked back into the house, all the way to my father’s office. The reprieve would only give me time to concoct a plan on how to get away with murder.
Even the office wasn’t saved from my mother’s ill attempts at decorating. It was safari gone bad, mixed with tacky island knickknacks. I walked straight to the large leather wingback chair and stood behind it and under deer antlers nailed on the wall. I dug my fingers into the back of the chair.
“Now, pray tell what has gotten your panties in a twist?” Mom chose the lounger along the full bookshelves.
“It was your idea, wasn’t it?” I lashed at my mother.
“Whatever are you talking about, Chastity?” She flung the back of her hand to touch her forehead. And the dramatics began.
I kept my hand on the chair. “Danny’s political plans. Running for governor? It doesn’t sound like Danny.”
“I’m not sure what you’re on about. Danny would make a fantastic governor. We all know he would be a great candidate.”
“We? As in you and the Gee-gees? Will Danny have a say in this?”
Mom’s lips puckered. Deep grooves lined her forehead and extended from her narrowed eyes. She straightened on the lounger and raised her chin. “You have no idea what we have gone through, child.”
“What, Mom?” I cocked my head to the side. “Tell me what have you gone through that makes you think you have the right to put your nose into other people’s business, into my life?” I jabbed my chest for emphasis. I didn’t give her a chance to reply. “I know Daddy didn’t ask to have cancer.”
I rounded the chair to get nearer to where she sat. “And Danny didn’t ask for his mother to die. And I know Charity didn’t ask for her plane to nose dive into the ocean. I know she was your favorite daughter, but she was my only sister!”
Her eyes glazed. Her chin lifted a little higher even when the threat of tears welled up in her eyes. I stood above her, towering over her as she just sat there. “What do you have to say about that, Mother?”
My father’s voice boomed in the room. “That’s enough!”
Behind him, Danny appeared, his eyes full of confusion and worry. I should tell him to go, to leave us to deal with our own family problems, but the way he stood with Daddy, a hand clasped on my father’s shoulder, I saw he was a part of this family as much as I was, if not more.
I stepped back when Daddy walked straight to my mother and held onto her, letting her cry on his tux lapel.
What was I doing? Why was I here? I didn’t belong here. This hadn’t been my home for years.
I pushed past Danny who called after me as I ran out the door into the suddenly frigid air. Right around the corner, I spotted one of the servers starting his Ducati. I waved at him, and he waited until I reached where his bike idled.
“Where are you headed?” I asked.
“Center town,” he spoke through an open visor.
“Good. D’you mind giving me a ride there?”
“Sure, hop on.”
With no clear direction to go, I wandered down Main Street.
I passed by the General store with the old-school wooden sign and green awning, and recognized a somewhat familiar face. Danny’s secretary, the quasi-Nica. What was her name? Tessa? Trisha?
As she walked out of the store, with a little boy at her heel, she greeted me, “Hi, Hannah!” Cheery.
“Hey...”
“Tiana.” She placed her hand over her chest, nodded and smiled.
“Yes, hi, Tiana.” I looked down to the little guy hiding behind her maxi skirt. “Yours?”
She looked down and ruffled his dark, curly hair. “This is Sky. Sky, can you say hi to Miss Hannah?”
The little boy, with eyes as wide as saucers, hid further behind his mom.
“He’s a little shy,” Tiana explained. “That’s quite a dress you have on. Isn’t your party tonight? I remember Danny talking about it. He asked me to get his tux dry cleaned.”
“Yeah, it got to be a little much.” What else was I going to say? I couldn’t exactly tell a near stranger my life had suddenly turned into one big soap opera.
Tiana just smiled and nodded again. “Well, we just bought ice cream and popcorn. It’s our movie night if you want to chill with us.”
Was this a ruse to get me talking so she could spread the word about my effed up life?
“Is that okay? You don’t mind?” I asked.
She ruffled her son’s hair again. “We don’t mind at all. My car is down the block.” I followed along, trying not to scare the sweet looking boy. “I hope you like Despicable Me. It’s our favorite.”
“Sorry. I’ve never seen it.”
Sky gasped at my comment, and pulled on his mother’s skirt. Tiana bent down to his level. He whispered something to her, which made her laugh. “Yes, Sky, we will have to watch it from the beginning again. Maybe you can hold her hand if she gets scared?”
“Scared?” I mouthed the word to Tiana. She shook her head. “Oh yeah, that would be great, Sky. I don’t like scary things.” It must have worked as Sky held my hand with his little fingers and we continued to walk down the street.
I gotta say, I was pretty proud of myself. Normally, kids gave me a wide berth when they see me coming. I couldn’t wait to give Nica a call and tell her I might possibly seem friendly to her soon-to-be born child.
Tiana and Sky lived in a small cottage fifteen minutes from downtown Stowe. The flower garden was in full bloom under purple and orange sky, and the air was fragrant with their scent. I no
ted the absence of another car or any movements in the house, much like the lack of a wedding ring on Tiana’s finger.
If I had to guess, she was around Nica’s age, and Sky looked about four or five, which would have made her twenty-one when she had him. A young single mom in a small town? That was almost as scandalous as me leaving Danny at the altar.
“Sorry about the mess.” Tiana ducked her head as she unlocked the door.
“Don’t worry about it.” When I entered her quaint little home, it was evident she had nothing to worry about at all. Her place, although a bit sparse of furniture, was impeccably clean.
It was a real home, with walls and shelves adorned with photos of her and Sky, and kid’s paintings and drawings. There weren’t signs of a man living in it. It had a welcoming feeling, a warmth, somewhere love was shared. The house where my parents lived now used to have this feeling, even with the difference in size to Tiana’s cottage. I ached for that home, where, once upon a time, I felt loved.
“Sky, can you set up the movie? Hannah, if you want to change out of that dress, I might have something that will fit you.” Tiana placed the grocery bag on the table.
I assumed I had to follow her, so I did, and found her rummaging through her closet. She pulled out a gray shirt and yoga pants. I lifted the T-shirt, possibly a guy’s, but I didn’t ask. Then I inspected the pants. It had ‘maternity’ on the tag.
“They were mine when I was pregnant.”
“No shit!” I slapped my hand on my mouth as soon as I said it, looking back at the door in hopes that my voice hadn’t carried into the living room.
Tiana laughed. “Don’t worry about it. When he’s concentrating on something, he doesn’t pay attention to anything else.”
“Just like anyone with a Y-chromosome.” This time, both Tiana and I laughed.
She left me alone to change. The shirt was well worn and comfortable, and to my surprise, so were the yoga pants. I made a mental note to ask Nica if she owned a pair. Since my shoes looked ridiculous with my new outfit, I slipped them off and took them with me to the living room.
When I got there, Sky and Tiana were seated on the small couch, their feet propped on the large ottoman. Sky had a small bowl of popcorn on his lap, while she had a bowl of Ben and Jerry’s in her hand. She patted the empty space beside her.
As I sat down, she handed me a spoon. “I hope you like Chubby Hubby.”
“What’s not to love?” We laughed.
In that instant, I knew Tiana and I could be good friends, if—and it was a big if—I stayed in Vermont. At that moment, I yearned for San Francisco, for my friends, for my apartment, for my different assistants whose name I could never remember. I yearned for my own life.
I yearned for Chase.
“She’s asleep... What was I supposed to do? No...of course not...”
From where I was curled up on the couch, tucked under a thick blanket, I could hear Tiana’s voice coming from behind me. She was on the phone, and if I were to assume, with Danny. Her voice grew faint as she walked further into the house, and I heard a door shut.
I opened my eyes. I must have been exhausted. I couldn’t remember how the movie ended. I stretched on the sofa. I barely fit in it but I had one of the best sleeps since coming back to Stowe. There was a clink of a utensil hitting a stoneware, and I looked over to see Sky seated on the dining table having his breakfast—a big box of chocolate-flavored cereal beside his bowl. I gave him a wave.
Sky slipped off his seat and ran into the kitchen. Maybe I should check to see how I looked since I slept with a pile of makeup on. My feet hit the area rug and I stretched up again as I stood. Sky came back with a bowl and spoon, placed it next to his, and poured sugar-filled cereal and milk in it. Then he walked over to me and led me to the table.
Aw, what a sweetheart.
“You are going to be a heartbreaker when you’re older.”
Tiana came back soon after, clutching her phone in her hand. “Oh you’re up. We have other food with more sustenance. If you want I can make you an omelet.”
I shook my head. “This is great.”
“I was just on the phone with Danny,” she said as she sat across from me. At least she’s an honest person. “He asked me to call him back as soon as you’re awake.”
I waited to see what she would do. Danny was her boss after all. Tiana smiled at her son and me, scooping soggy cereal with our spoons.
“That does look good. I’m going to get a bowl. Coffee?”
My shoulders sagged. “Please.” Ten years on my own and not bothering to learn how to cook, a pot of coffee was my usual breakfast.
“Good choice, Sky. I think I’ll pick up a box of this for myself,” I said, pouring more cereal and milk into the bowl.
Sky was a boy of few words. I had only heard him laugh the night before. He did keep saying “banana” while we watched the little yellow minions in the movie. Either I’d missed a part or he thought they looked like bananas. There was intelligence in his light brown eyes, and often, a thoughtful gaze, or a curious stare.
When Tiana returned with her bowl and two cups of hot coffee, she offered more news. “Danny sent a text. He said he’s coming in ten minutes. Apparently, your friends are at your parents?”
“My friends?” I dropped the spoon into the bowl. “Oh crap. Nica!” She must have called me last night or this morning, but my phone was back in my bedroom. “Did he say how many people were there?” I couldn’t exactly ask if Alex had also come with his girlfriend. Would he dare?
“No. Just a text saying your friends came.” She placed a cup in front of me.
Raising the cup, a gloomy reflection on the dark liquid stared back at me. I looked a fright! My hair was a nest and my makeup had smudged all over my eyes. I was surprised Sky didn’t scream when he saw me earlier.
When I finished my second bowl of cereal, I darted off to the bathroom with Tiana, where she handed me her makeup remover and a small washcloth. I was able to mangle my hair into some semblance of neatness when I heard Danny’s voice. He wasn’t exactly the person I wanted to see today but I didn’t want to drag Tiana and Sky into our little drama.
When I made my way back to the living room, he was seated on the couch where I’d slept, with Sky on his lap. He seemed comfortable with Sky, and Sky with him. It was a surprise, since Danny didn’t want kids, and he had never been around enough of them while we were growing up to be comfortable with them. But things could change in a decade.
“Hey,” he greeted without a smile, his eyes full of concern and something else I refused to think of.
“Hey.” I turned to Tiana and gave her a big hug for being my savior the night before. “Thanks for letting me crash your movie night and letting me drool on your couch.”
“You’re welcome anytime.” She rubbed my back like Nica used to do, which was weirdly soothing. Maybe it had something to do with being a mom, although my mother had never done it to me.
I grabbed my dress and shoes, not bothering to put them back on, and walked barefoot out of the house, waving goodbye to Sky and his mom standing by their door.
“Bye, Sky!” I even blew him a kiss.
“Bye, Miss Hannah! Bye Uncle Danny!” He waved back.
I didn’t wait for Danny to open the car door for me as I expected he would. I was pissed off at him, and I wanted to wring his neck, but not until he drove me back to my parents, and after I saw Nica.
We’d been in his Camaro for two quiet minutes, but the tension was thick enough to choke us. The radio was off and the loud engine was a welcome distraction.
“I’m sorry.”
What was that? I glanced over at Danny with my lips set into a thin line. “What?”
For a second or two, he took his eyes off the road to look at me, gripping the wheel as his car crawled on the empty country road. He was taking his time and doing it on purpose. “I said I’m sorry...about last night. Your Dad told me you found out.”
I scoffed an
d spat, “Yeah.” I could claw his eyes out. During all those talks we’d had, not once had he ever mentioned running for governor.
“It wasn’t my idea and truth be told, I don’t think I’m going to do it. They’ve been pushing me for the last year to run in the next election.”
He didn’t have to specify who “they” were.
Danny continued, “You know how it can be around here. People speculate. They hear one tiny bit of information and paint a larger scenario in their heads with it.” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his hangdog expression. He could pout as much as he wanted; I was still going to remain unengaged, both in this conversation and in marriage.
“Please, Hannah, please know I had nothing to do with all of that. I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want you to think I was using your family’s influence in the matter.” Danny slowed the car even more and stopped along the side of the road. He angled his body toward me, and reached for my hand.
I sent him a seething look, which was hopefully enough to convey I wanted to bite his head off if he made another move. Danny was smart. He got the point. He lifted his palms up in surrender.
“I like you. You know that. One day, I hope we can continue what we started years ago, but right now, and until you’re ready, I’d like us to be friends.”
What could I respond with? Danny was a nice guy. He was one of the good ones, and he would make a great husband, but I wasn’t sure if I was still marriage material. Apart from him, and for the last decade, I’d had no other serious relationship. I’d stayed away from that because of my past with Danny. Even with Alex, I hadn’t been ready to explore that scenario. I couldn’t say if I would ever be ready. Being in a serious relationship meant falling for someone, loving that person, and it would only result in heartache.
I had enough of that in this lifetime.
I ran into the house and straight into the sunroom where I could hear Nica talking to my mother.
“Nica!” She sucked in a gasp when I wrapped her in the tightest hug. “Oh my god, I missed you!”
Chasing the Runaway Bride (Bliss Series Book 3) Page 15
