Page 82 of Happenstance
“What’s going on?” I heard Logan ask as I marched out of the chapel.
My mother repeated her suspicion. “The girl ran.”
“She did not run,” I snarled over my shoulder.
I could hear them following me. Footsteps mingled with hushed whispers, echoing off the stone walls. But I didn’t care. The pit in my stomach wouldn’t go away until I had my arms around my wife. Except, I couldn’t find her. I must’ve circled the building three times calling her name, and nothing. Where the fuck was she? My pulse picked up as I circled the building again, which was when Micha came out.
“Where’s Riley?” he said, scouring the area.
My father arched his brow. “What do you mean?”
“Riley came out here.”
“So?” my mother piped in.
“So,” Micha waved his hands through the air, “Where the fuck is she?”
Everything went quiet as Micha and I scanned the area, searching the treeline and horizon, but it was Logan’s voice calling us that caused my heart to drop as Micha and I shared a fearful look.
“Over here,” Logan waved, pointing at a blue shoe on the ground.
Riley’s shoe!
“There’s drag marks.” His green eyes swung up, “I think someone took them.”
Chapter 28
Lana
It really was beautiful out. A nice clear sky, full of twinkling stars. I inhaled the earthy scent in the air and allowed my body to relax. When Parker had told me about the ritual and what I’d have to do, I was excited. Both to be a part of something everyone whispered about, but mostly to become Parker’s forever. Yes, we were married, but this ceremony was different. It was more real than a piece of paper filed downtown. It was raw, and carnal. A true bonding, because the man I loved picked me. Out of every other girl in this town, he wanted me.
My hand pressed down on my stomach, calming the kicking inside. The babies were active today. They must be able to sense my unease. The braziers and robes were fascinating. It was the goons pushing the Sheriff around that bothered me. He didn’t want to be there, and I remembered how that felt. The frustration and anger at not being able to do anything. Yes, things turned out well, Parker and I were happy. But what if they hadn’t?
I tipped my chin up and gazed up at the night sky and the bright moon shining down. A round ball of light watching the world below. Watching me. Doing nothing about the heavy weight holding me down, or the sweaty grunts assailing my ears.
‘Fuck, you feel good.’
I closed my eyes and shook the image back, using the breathing techniques Mr. Kessler taught me.
“It’s just a bad dream, Lana,” I whispered, taking a deep breath in through my nose and releasing it from my mouth. “Nothing happened. It’s all in your imagination.”
“Are you alright?”
My eyes snapped open and I jumped back. Standing a few feet behind me was Lilliana. She looked different today. Less uptight, and more free. Her blonde hair was down, flowing in soft waves over her shoulders, and I think this was the first time I’d seen her in pants. They weren’t jeans, but at least it wasn’t her normal pencil skirt.
“I hope everything is okay.” She tilted her head and gave me a smile, “I know how difficult this stage can be. You just want it over with.”
She pulled out a gold case and clicked it open, to pop a cigarette in her mouth, before offering me one. I declined with a head shake. Was she being nice to me? On purpose?
“I heard your grandmother is in the hospital?”
“She was in a car accident,” I nodded, “But she’s fine.”
More than fine. The nurses had to convince Nan it was in her best interest to stay. She would only agree if I promised to bring her some real food in the morning.
Lillianna exhaled a stream of smoke. “I’ll have to send her a fruit basket.”
“That would be nice.”
