Page 2 of Runaway for the Mountain Man
“You’re absolutely right. Let’s get this moved along. I’ll find Pastor James and get everyone seated. I want her out in less than ten, do you understand?”
Even with a smile, she comes off like a predator ready to sink its teeth.
Delilah’s smile is weaker, but she manages herself well. “Yes, ma’am.”
Once we’re alone, I snort when she lets out a sigh, telling me the very same thing many people have.
“Acting runs in my blood, Del. You should see her when she doesn’t have an audience.” Moving to stand, my feet bite into the heels I’d only tried on a few times before. They eat into my soles only two steps in.
I feel her eyes on me as I pace, in no rush to face the music.
I can already see the tabloids posting pictures. They’ll see the fear and discomfort on my face, and start spreading many rumors.
Even if Iaman actress, I have my weak points.
“Are you really going to go through with this?” She catches up to me in no time, aching to squeeze my arm without gettinganything on the white. Sadly, her fingers are covered with evidence of her profession.
“What other choice do I have?” Letting the question slip without thinking, I groan.
I can say no, sure. The option is there. It always has been.
At the same time, it’s not just the people around my mother who are scared of her.
“Josie, you can do whatever you want.” As my friend, she tells me the words I’ve told myself. “You’re literally the role model of so many teen girls. You think after watching all those corny romance flicks, they’d be happy knowing you forced yourself into a marriage without love?”
The thunder growls outside like it agrees with her.
As much as I’ve joked about fate getting in the way, maybe something really is at play here. A sign that I need to just rip off the band-aid and go independent.
I don’t need my mother, even if she insists that I do.
“Okay.” Breathing out the word, I kick off the awful heels and return to my barefooted state.
“Okay?” Delilah repeats, trying to understand the impulsive thoughts filling my head.
“I’m going to do it. It’s about time I cut ties.” With my dress dragging behind me, I stroll over to the glass windows and look past the raindrops clinging to the surface. “After all this time, if anyone says I used her name to get where I am today, they can go to hell.”
Looking around, I search for my sneakers and find them with my other clothes. As much as I’d love to swap outfits, it took thirty minutes to lace the back of this damn thing, and I don’t have a lot of time to spare.
Slipping my shoes on, I’m making my way toward my escape, right toward the beautiful view of the trees surrounding this building.
“Well, hold on for just a moment. It’s storming out. You can’t—” Delilah’s words get cut off with the whirl of wind entering the room as I shove open the window.
Fate gave me a window long enough to reach the ground, handing me an easy escape on a platter.
“She won’t let me leave otherwise. She’ll get in my head and…” I fill my lungs with the fresh air and sigh heavily. The rain lightly falling on my cheeks feels nice and cool compared to the stuffy air. “I’m going to do it.”
Delilah doesn’t stop me, but she does make a few choking sounds like she can’t decide what she wants to do. After a scoff, she heads in my direction and starts plucking at my dress to help me fit through.
“This is a terrible and dangerous idea, and this is such a nice dress. But you do what you have to do.” Helping me wiggle out the window, she shakes her head. “If you’re leaving, then I am too. No way am I trying to deal with that old crow’s wrath. Just give me five and I’ll—”
“No time. I’m not risking it. I’ll make my way down the mountain, and I’ll see you at my next shoot.” Feeling giddy with adrenaline, I ignore the look of horror forming on her face as I spin on my heel and shoot forward.
The wind howls through the pines, tearing at my veil as if the storm itself is urging me onward. My dress, heavy with embroidery and layers of silk, snags on every grasping branch, but I don’t slow down.
The mountain air is sharp with the scent of rain and pine resin, and my breath comes in ragged bursts, laughter and fear tangling in my chest.
I don’t look back.
