Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series)

by Brown, Michelle Lynn

  She laughed coldly and continued, “But there was nothing that could please him.” With her bottom lip trembling, Kristina finished, “If I cooked chicken for dinner, and he wanted steak, I would pay for it. If a guy smiled at me in the grocery store, I was flirting. And if I failed to sit just so in church, or sing the right notes, or didn’t look perfect enough, I was making him look bad on purpose.”

  She sat there silently, locked in her pain, in her memories, unable to go on. The wealth of emotion she had been pushing down for so long had been set free.

  “But you left him, you got away from him.” Nathan said, forcing her to look at him.

  She tried to pull his hands down, but he refused to let her go.

  “Let me help you! You can trust me!”

  “Nathan, you don’t understand!” Panic was rising in her. She couldn’t get away from her past, and Nathan wasn’t about to let her go, either.

  “I know you have a choice now! You’re free!”

  “I’m not free,” she shouted. Before she could continue, he smothered her words in a gentle kiss. The sweetness of his kiss mixed with the pain that was searing her heart was too much for Kristina.

  Tearing her lips from his, she screamed, “I’m still married!”

  Nathan immediately stood up, and the look on his face told it all. She had wanted to push him away, no matter what it took. But now faced with that look of hurt and betrayal, she wanted to take back her words.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nathan stood rooted to the spot, trying to digest what she had just said. She had she let him kiss her, fall in love with her, knowing she was still married? She had let him commit adultery?

  “I tried to run from him, and he found out. He hurt me really bad that night, and Lisa found me the next day when I didn’t show up for work. She called the cops. While in jail, he wrote to me. He told me that he knew he lost me, but he wanted to see me one more time before I left. And I couldn't bear to see him again; I hated him so much.” Nathan stood rooted to the spot, wanting to be able to help, but unable to move. “So I crumpled his letter and tossed it into the trash. A couple of days later I received word that he committed suicide.”

  He heard the pain and the guilt lacing her words as she fumbled through her explanation. "He told me that he could never live without me, that it would kill him if I ever left him.” The bitterness was back in her voice as she said, "You know the church blamed me for his death. They said it was my fault…maybe they were right.”

  Nathan watched the myriad of emotions going through her, and reached for her despite the jumble of emotions going through him. But she rejected his comforting touch. “Darling, if he’s dead, you are not married.”

  “I think he is still alive.”

  “What do you mean, ‘think’?”

  She walked to her desk, and returned with a crumpled piece of paper. “I found a box with a few of my husband’s things and this note on my doorstep Monday.”

  He read the note and softened his tone as the pieces started to fall into place. “The cop outside, the security system…avoiding me.”

  “Nathan, I’m leaving town. If David is still alive, I need to stay away from you. You don't know what he is capable of.”

  “So you’re running?”

  “For your safety…”

  “But you don’t even know for sure that he’s alive!”

  “You don’t understand, Nathan.”

  “Then help me understand,” he roared. She jumped again at his voice and backed up in the chair when he reached for her. She was silent and he watched the tears trickle from her eyes down her cheeks.

  The possibility dawned on him. “You want to go back to him?”

  “No!” She cried, and turned from him. The words his mom said kept tumbling through his mind, but the thought of letting her go broke his heart.

  His heart wrenched with pain, and his words came out more forcefully than he wanted. “Then let me help!”

  She jumped up from her precarious perch on the edge of the chair. There was no hiding her fears…she was scared of him. It was as if she slapped him. The truth slashed through his heart. She not only feared her husband, but she feared him…that he would one day turn into her husband. That she could think he would ever harm her in any way cut him to the core.

  He dropped his hands in defeat and mumbled, “You can say you are running for my safety, but the truth is you are also running from me.”

  Hearing the hurt in his voice, she turned. “No, Nathan,” she said softly, her voice quivering with tears. “I just wanted to believe that this time . . . I just hoped...”

  “…That I wouldn’t turn out to be a monster?” His words hung in the air between them, piercing their hearts with the truth. She wanted to deny it. Nathan was so gentle, so compassionate…but she had just recoiled in fear at his anger. She had believed that he was going to hurt her. And now she couldn’t believe that she had ever feared him. Nathan was no David. He wasn’t now, and he never would be.

  “I'm sorry that I deceived you. I should have been honest with you from the beginning." Kristina could no longer continue, she turned from him and said softly between sobs, “I think you should just go.”

  Nathan stood there for a few moments, her shoulders wracked with violence of her sobbing, and his own tears dampening his cheeks. He wanted to stay and convince her there was hope, to hold her until her tears ceased, and her fear subsided. But the futility of it all was like lead in his heart, weighing it down. In the end, he silently walked out of the house with the words his mother spoke buzzing around his head like an aggravating fly.

  Chapter Twenty

  Kristina heard the click of the screen door closing, followed by the successive beeps of the alarm giving her a chance to enter her code before blaring. She numbly entered the code to disarm it, quieting the alarm, but not the alarm clamoring in her head.

  Why, God?

  The empty room merely hung onto her question. No answer, no explanation to her misery was given. I did the right thing, she told her aching heart. But her heart didn’t seem to care for her excuses.

  She walked into her room to pack her clothes…no reason to stay now.

  The phone rang, and she checked the caller ID. “Hey Lisa.”

  “I got your message. How are you?”

  Kristina briefly explained about the package. “I’m leaving soon, and I just wanted to let you know. I didn’t want you to worry."

  “Leaving - but what about Nathan?”

  “It’s for his own safety.”

  “Are you sure?” Lisa questioned. After Kristina remained silent, Lisa asked, “What did he say?”

  “He wanted to help me. But he has no idea how cruel David can be.”

  “Kristina, I understand your concern. Remember, I saw David’s handiwork all over your face, and I have no wish to visit you in the hospital again. But you don’t even know if he is alive. You are running off, running from a wonderful man, running from this new hope you have, and letting David ruin both of your lives.”

  “Our hearts will heal with time, but Nathan can’t heal if he’s dead!”

  Lisa sighed, and Kristina knew she was frustrated with her logic. But she would just have to understand.

  “So where are you running to? Come back here, and let us protect you.”

  “No!” Kristina said quickly. “And I am not going to tell you where I’m going. The less you know the better.”

  “Well, will you at least tell me when you are leaving?”

  Tears were again pouring down her cheeks. “In a couple of days. I just need to clear up a few things first.”

  *****

  Kristina pulled up to Barbara’s house and noticed Pastor McKinley’s truck in the driveway. She thought about pulling back out, but she needed to leave tomorrow. There wouldn't be any other time for explanations; today was all she had.

  She walked up to the door and was greeted by George. The emotional weight of the past week had take
n their toll on the man and it was evident in the weary lines on his face.

  “They’re in the den.” She followed him down the hall to the back of the house. When she stepped into the little room, she paused as Nathan stood.

  He looked at her for a moment, but then turned to Barbara resting on the couch. “Well, it looks like you have another visitor. I will come back tomorrow.” He squeezed Barbara's hand and Kristina remembered how much strength those little hand squeezes bolstered her flagging spirit. She wished…but she quickly chased the thought from her mind. There were no more wishes left for Kristina and Nathan. Only a miracle could make things right between them.

  When Nathan walked past her, his eyes avoided her and he merely gave her a cool nod. I take that back, not even a miracle will help us! She deserved it, but knowing it didn’t make it hurt less. She had suffered a lot under the cruel hands of David, but this pain hurt worse than anything he could ever have dished out.

  With a sigh, she gave Barbara a quick kiss on the cheek that wasn’t bruised. Another heart I’m going to hurt. She wasn’t wrong in her prediction. Within a few moments of wrapping up her story, Barbara was sitting up crying. “No, Ms. Talbot! You can’t let him defeat you.”

  Kristina was about to say she wouldn’t understand, but one look at her battered face showed how much she did understand.

  Before she could respond, Sheriff Charlie Hernandez walked into the room. “Sorry to interrupt you ladies,” he said. “I need to speak with Barbara for a moment.”

  Kristina began to rise, but Barbara grabbed her hand. “Please stay!” After a few seconds, she nodded and then sat back down.

  “I just wanted to let you know that the trial is set to begin in three months.” Kristina had heard that Bobby’s arraignment had been rushed this morning. No doubt his parent's doing. The sheriff cleared his throat nervously before he continued, “He plead not guilty. And from the smirk he was wearing throughout, I don’t think this trial is going to go through without him, at the very least, dragging you down with him.”

  Barbara slapped the coffee table in front of her. “Are you suggesting that I just let him walk away?”

  Charlie raised his hands in defense, “No, I’ve wanted him in jail since he attacked Marissa. But I would be wrong if I didn’t let you know what’s in store for you.”

  “No offense, Sheriff, but he’s stripped me of so much. My innocence, my virginity, happiness, my future….” Her chin quivered despite her confident voice. "My smile…my carefree smile. What else can he take from me? I refuse to just sit by and let him take anything else from me.”

  The sheriff nodded, and after a pause, he added, “He’s also been set free on bail.”

  “What?” Kristina and Barbara cried in unison.

  “I know, ladies.” He bowed his head as if he’s failed in his duty. “Both me and Deputy LaSalle were there to argue the dangers of setting him free. But the judge is a longtime friend of the Swanson’s. Bobby has been restricted to his parent’s house and has to wear an ankle monitor. But all the same, we’ve arranged for a patrol car to remain outside your house to watch over you.”

  Barbara tried to lift her chin, quivering again with suppressed tears, and asked the Sheriff, “Is he going to get away with it?”

  Kristina watched the war of emotions flicker across the sheriff’s face, before he finally answered, “The evidence is good and solid. You can buy fancy lawyers,and lean on old friends, but in the end, the evidence and your testimony should be enough to convict him.”

  After the sheriff left, Kristina gathered her purse to leave, but Barbara stopped her. “I need you here, Kristina. I know the fear you are feeling. But please, for me, consider staying.”

  Kristina looked down at the young girl, despite her show of bravado, she could see her uncertainty. She wanted to stay and help her, but she also wanted to protect Nathan. Instead of answering, she squeezed her hand.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  As Kristina turned the corner on her street, she saw the lights on Deputy Clemson’s squad car flashing. Pulling up into the driveway, she saw a man being handcuffed on her porch. David! The thought flickered through her mind, but she could easily see that this man was too short and a lot older than David. When Deputy Clemson forced him down the stairs, she gasped as she recognized the man who had been watching them at the Holiday Light Festival.

  So he had followed Lisa’s family here. Was this how David found me?

  Stepping out of her car, she sent the officer a questioning look.

  “Ms. Talbot, I caught this man hanging out near your doorway. I haven’t seen him around, so I thought this might be your husband.”

  Before Kristina could answer, the man, red-faced and indignant, yelled, “I told you I am not her husband! I am her husband’s…”

  “Shut up! I don’t want to hear you at all!”

  Kristina laid her hand on the deputy’s arm. “Dennis, this isn’t my husband." Turning toward the man, she looked cautiously at him. “You said you have something to do with my husband?”

  Shooting a glare at the deputy, he said, “Mrs. Ellis, I am your late husband’s attorney.”

  Kristina nearly fainted at the word late. “You mean he is dead?”

  Confusion cooled the attorney’s heated face. “Why, of course. You were at the funeral.” His words were more of a question than a statement.

  “There was a box left on my doorstep with a note from him…Are you sure he is dead?

  The man chuckled and said, “I am sorry for the confusion. But I never thought that you would have assumed David was still alive.”

  Relief washed over her. I am free! I truly am free!

  “Would you please remove these cuffs so I can talk to Mrs. Ellis?”

  With the confusion of the situation fading, hearing her married name sent anger coursing through her. “I go by Talbot now.”

  “Very well…Ms. Talbot. I am here to settle the last of your husband’s estate. You left so suddenly, I wasn’t able to properly handle your husband’s last requests.”

  After his hands were free, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card that stated he was James Meyer of Brownfield, Arnell & Meyer. “Your husband left some specific requests and stipulations in his will. And I was charged to handle them personally.” Looking at the deputy, he asked, “Can we talk somewhere in private?”

  “Only if Ms. Talbot says it’s okay.” Dennis answered for her.

  Still shaken by the incidents, she said they could discuss whatever business on the porch. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing of David Ellis’ that she wanted. His inheritance could be buried with him back in New York. “Would you mind waiting here?” She asked Dennis.

  Once settled, the man jumped right in. “Your husband left you everything, on the condition, you were not to get married to another man.” Despite his efficient manner, he did blush slightly at these words. "If you remain single, you will then inherit the balance of his holdings.”

  Kristina sat back in the porch swing, inflamed by her husband’s nerve. Even from the grave, David was trying to manipulate her.

  “I don’t want his inheritance.”

  “I thought you might say that. Mrs. Ellis…Talbot, I apologize ahead for being so blunt, but I know how your husband treated you. I understand your anger, but it is quite a substantial sum.” The man’s eyes were filled with compassion as he said, “I saw you with the young pastor. It is evident how much he cares about you. However, you only have to remain unmarried for five years to claim the inheritance. If you two can just wait to be married…”

  Kristina’s heart clenched as he referred to Nathan’s feelings. But David had ruined it…

  “I don’t want it. I don’t want it now or in five years.”

  “The inheritance is valued at over $14 million.”

  Kristina paused. David had always handled their finances, but still…$14 million. “He was a pastor. How on earth did he amass such a fortune on his sal
ary?”

  Confusion briefly flickered across the man’s features. “Well, you must know that the bulk of it comes from your four homes.”

  “Four?”

  “Aside from the home you all lived in, there’s the condo in New York City, the beach house in Charleston, and the estate in San Antonio.”

  The color drained from her face as she recalled the “conferences” David frequently attended, which were always held in those cities. She hated to ask, but she felt compelled. “And the rest of the money?”

  He shuffled through his papers. “His parents left him a sizable fortune when they passed and he seems to have tripled that amount over the last four years with some smart investments.”

  He handed her a copy of the sheet he was reading and she scanned through a list of companies. Though vaguely familiar, she handed it back to the man. “I want nothing of this. For five years he controlled me, abused me, and manipulated me.” He voice softened a bit as she thought of Nathan. “David Ellis has stolen enough from me. He will not have another moment of my life under his control.”

  He stared at her for a moment. James Meyer was a man accustomed to controlling his emotions and facial expressions in the court room, but he was obviously struggling to maintain control now. A flicker of guilt and sadness passed over him, but Kristina didn’t want his pity. She stood to let him know she was done with this conversation.

  After a moment, he regained his composure, “Well then,” standing, he shook her hand, and said, “I will return in a couple of months with a form for you to sign.” Kristina watched him shoot a scathing look at Deputy Clemson as he walked to his car and drove off,

  “Thank you, Dennis.” Kristina said as she joined him in the driveway. “I appreciate you watching over me like that.”

  “You want me to hang out here a couple more days, just in case?”

  “No need,” she sighed with relief. “There’s no longer a threat."

  Kristina walked in and deactivated the alarm. She sunk down into the sofa as the emotions and reality of what had just happened began to sink in.