“She didn’t know,” Tricia signed. “Take it easy.”
Melanie narrowed her eyes. “Don’t go defending her, now. You were just chewing her out. Before a couple days ago, I thought I knew Rachel, but she’s not who we thought she was.”
“She’s human,” Trisha said. “One who fell into temptation and worthy of forgiveness just like anybody else.”
“I’m sorry, Melanie,” Rachel said. “You’re right. I knew better than to sleep with Francis. God spoke to me through scriptures and messages but I ignored all His warnings.” Her shoulders slumped. “Now my career is ruined. I called my mother in Texas. That was the most shameful phone call of my life. Mom told me I deserved whatever happens to me. Her new husband’s rich and she’s not asking him to help me with money or the attorney fees. Besides you two, I have no one in my corner.”
Melanie thawed. “I’m furious but I’m here. I accessed your funds from all your accounts. Then I pulled some of mine.” She patted Rachel’s hand. “You should be all right, for now.”
Fresh tears brimmed in Rachel’s eyes. “Thank you, Melanie. I can’t believe you’re helping me after what I did. I’ll give you Skip’s contact information.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank God,” Melanie said. “He spoke to my heart. God reminded me of all the wonderful things I love about you. The good outweighs the bad. As for Skip, I’m sure I’ll be able to get his contact info off Google.”
“What does Skip say you should do?” Tricia asked.
“Skip advised me to plead guilty and rat out Francis.” Rachel twisted her hands.
“Skip is right,” Melanie said. “It’s time for you to squeal. Whatever it takes to help your case.”
“I—I love him.” Rachel’s lips quivered. “It pains me to turn against Francis.”
Melanie ranted. “Francis only cares about himself. The quicker you realize that—”
Tricia tapped Melanie on the shoulder and shook her head. Melanie rolled her eyes but stopped her tirade.
“Telling the truth is the only thing that will help you now, Rachel,” Tricia said. “The truth shall set you free.”
“Or in this case, keep me locked up behind bars,” Rachel signed. Melanie knew Rachel spoke the truth.
Rachel looked Tricia’s way. “Enough about me. Tell me how Baby is doing.”
Recognizing Rachel needed the distraction, Melanie and Tricia changed the conversation and detailed Tricia’s pregnancy woes. However, it was never far from Melanie’s mind that Rachel could spend years behind bars.
Lord, please make a way, somehow.
14
HEY, YOUR GIRL IS AT THE JAILHOUSE.
Chase read Judd’s text.
MELANIE? He texted back.
DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER GIRLFRIEND I DON’T KNOW ABOUT?
Judd was such a smart mouth.
Chase had spent the day puttering about his house. He had repaired a leaky faucet, dusted all the ceiling fans, and fixed the screen door to his lanai. He had read his Bible and prayed for an hour that morning. Chase was doing as his father said—giving Melanie her space. But he had to keep busy or go crazy. His fingers itched to pick up his wood carving kit, but Chase deflected.
He had been about to mow his lawn when Judd’s text came in. He penned a quick reply.
AT THIS POINT I’M NOT SURE I CAN CALL HER THAT. Chase cringed. His words sounded pitiful but he had to talk to someone about Melanie. Thinking about her was his newest pastime. Chase needed to voice those thoughts aloud.
CALLING YOU IN FIVE.
OK.
Chase strolled into the kitchen, rested his cell phone on the counter, and washed his hands. Then he opened his refrigerator to get a bottled water. Chase wandered over to the counter and picked up his phone.
He looked at the screen willing Judd to call.
Soon Judd’s face flashed on his screen. Chase swiped the answer button. “Took you long enough.”
“I was inside the room with Melanie, Rachel, and Tricia.”
“That’s Melanie’s sister,” Chase supplied.
“I got them in to see Rachel as a favor,” Judd said. “What are you up to? I’m off the clock and could use a bite to eat. Hint, hint.”
Chase opened his freezer. “I’ve got some steaks I can throw on the grill. Grab a bag of salad and some ginger ale.”
“Salad. Ginger ale. Got it. See you in a bit.” Judd disconnected the line.
Chase threw the steaks in a bowl of cold water and poured in white vinegar. His mother used vinegar to clean poultry, fish, and just about everything else. While the meat thawed, Chase chopped up onions and garlic. He gathered his spices and olive oil. Chase mixed his ingredients together. He reached for the bowl, poured the water out, and seasoned the steaks. He would grill them frozen.
Chase had just fired up the charcoal grill in his backyard when Judd came through his lanai. The screen door closed behind him. Judd had a spare key so he had let himself inside.
Judd peered at Chase and said, “You look like a lost puppy dog. You make falling in love real undesirable.”
“Shut up. You don’t look too good yourself.” Chase observed Judd’s tired, red eyes. “Have you slept the last couple days?”
Judd shook his head and went to sit in a chair around the glass table on the lawn. It was the kind that came with the huge umbrella in the middle. “I’ve been sneaking off to see Nadine when Steven’s asleep.”
“You know that’s wrong on so many different levels,” Chase said. “The first time you slept with her, I’ll say it was a mistake. A result of an emotional night. But twice? Did you forget you arrested her husband?”
Judd yawned. “I know. I was there. You don’t have to remind me of the details.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?” Chase asked.
“Of course it does. But, then Nadine looks up at me with those sad eyes of hers. I—I like her.”
“You like her. For how long?” Judd was a serial dater. Since Chase had known Judd Armstrong, he had never had a serious relationship.
Chase checked the temperature of the charcoal. They looked ashy. Perfect. Carefully, Chase placed the frozen meat on the grill, then closed it. He would turn them every few minutes.
Dusting his hands on his jeans, Chase joined Judd at the table. “Aren’t you going to answer me?”
“I don’t know.” Judd would not meet Chase’s gaze. “This is different. I feel things.”
“Things,” Chase teased.
“Kind of what you’re feeling.” Judd coughed.
Chase laughed. “You can’t say the words. Can you?”
“Can you?” Judd redirected the question at Chase.
Chase touched his chin. “I wouldn’t call it love but it’s a strong like. I can’t stop thinking about Melanie. I’m into her. It’s like I want to see her every day. I want to talk about her all the time.”
“If it sounds like a duck …” Judd trailed off.
Chase felt it was time for a conversation change. “Well this discussion might be pointless. Like I told you, she needs her space.”
Judd’s eyes bulged. “When I saw her earlier—and she’s fine as ever, by the way—Melanie looked as if she were in good spirits. I mean she told Rachel off but within five minutes, all three women were hugging and talking about Tricia’s baby.” Judd chuckled. “I’ll never understand the female psyche.”
Chase did not like hearing about Melanie’s sunny mood while he was in misery. He missed her. Was this all one-sided? “Let me check on the steaks,” he said. He needed a moment from Judd’s prying eyes.
The steaks were seared well on one side. He went into the house to get the Sonny’s BBQ sauce out of the refrigerator and grabbed a bowl, platter, and basting brush.
The screen door creaked behind him on his way out. Judd was by the grill. “I make my own sauce that would make you eat your fingers.”
“You’re always bragging about how you can cook. I’ve yet to see you make anything.”
&nbs
p; “I cooked for Nadine.”
Chase’s eyes widened. “I’ve known you for seven years and you’ve never cooked. Nadine hasn’t known you for seven days and she gets the royal treatment.”
“That’s because you can’t give me what she can.” Judd waggled his eyebrows.
Chase basted the steaks with the sauce. They were almost ready. “Shameful.”
Judd punched him on the arm. “Don’t be jealous because you’re not getting any. No one told you to get all sanctified and holy.”
Chase narrowed his eyes. “I don’t regret it. Not for a minute. I’m a better man because of God. You should try Him sometimes. As a matter of fact, I’m going to up my prayers on your behalf.”
Judd shrugged. “Have at it.”
Chase rested the steaks on the Martha Stewart platter. His mom had purchased it on sale at Macy’s for him. Chase smiled thinking of Violet. He closed the grill and then closed the shutters so the flames would cool. Judd collected the bowl and sauce. The men went inside.
Judd retrieved the salad and soda from the refrigerator. Chase made up their plates and blessed the food. The men dug into their meal.
Chase thought of Francis and Rachel. “When are Francis and Rachel being arraigned?”
“On the 29th. Francis’s time is at nine o’clock and Rachel’s scheduled for ten. They’re both going before Judge Wilkinson. I’ll be there. Nadine is going as well.”
Judge Wilkinson would not be lenient. Chase knew that from being involved in cases in his courtroom before.
“I should go. I can’t miss that,” Chase said. Plus, he wanted to see Melanie. He knew she would be there to support.
Chase’s concern must have showed on his face.
“You care for her,” Judd said.
Chase nodded. “Every news station in Southwest Florida will be there. There’ll be added police presence at the courthouse, which means there’ll be chaos. Rachel and Francis’ story is way past sensational. I have to be there in case Melanie needs me.”
Judd pointed to his steak. “This is good.” Then he continued, “Melanie will need you. I was there today. Those women are tighter than a dancer’s rear end. Melanie is going to breakdown and she’ll be glad to see your face.”
“A dancer’s rear end?” Chase laughed. “Only you would use an analogy like that.”
“I got my point across, didn’t I?”
Chase nodded. With a distinct lack of confidence, Chase said, “I hope Melanie doesn’t see my being there as pushy.”
Judd shook his head. “We’re the arresting officers. We’re expected to be there. Now finish that steak so we can catch a game on TV or something. We need to pump up the testosterone level because you sound whipped.”
Chase would argue but Judd was right. He was whipped and every part of him ached. The dilemma was the one who caused the ache was the only one with the cure.
15
“Baby’s hungry,” Tricia said, patting her stomach.
When Melanie and Tricia left the courthouse, they headed straight to Skip’s Punta Gorda office and settled the fees. The women had just departed Skip’s office when Tricia’s stomach growled.
Melanie rolled her eyes. “Stop putting everything on the baby. You know you used to eat like a farmer before you were pregnant. Lucky for you, you’re as thin as a reed.”
Tricia laughed. “Stop being a hater and feed us.”
Melanie merged onto traffic on US 41. Ten minutes later she crossed the bridge into Port Charlotte.
Melanie turned into The Soup Jungle Café. It was a mom and pop joint near the huge Bingo building. Soup Jungle served everything from salads and pizzas to subs and wraps. Melanie swerved as she parked in one of the spots, which said, No Bingo Parking. Arm-in-arm, they entered the restaurant.
The smell of grease hit Melanie’s nose. The café smelled of French fries and grilled chicken. Her mouth watered. The place could use a paint job and the monkeys, lions, and tigers hanging from the ceiling could be replaced. But who cared when the food was so good?
Melanie waved at the owner/waitress, Minka, and scanned the chalkboard. The soup of the day was Italian. She always read the sign even though she always ordered one of two things—the Mediterranean salad or the Buffalo wings with fries.
Tricia snagged them a booth in the back. From experience, Minka brought two glasses of Diet Pepsi. “What can I get you ladies?” she asked.
“I should get the salad, but…” Tricia inhaled. “My baby is saying, fries, fries, fries.”
Melanie laughed. “I know what you mean.”
“Baby wins,” Tricia said.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger, well-done, with fries. Plus, please add an order of eggplant fries.”
Minka wrote down her order and gave Melanie a quick nod.
“I’ll have the Mediterranean, with no onions, and the dressing on the side,” Melanie said.
“Small or large?” Minka asked.
“I’ll take a large salad today,” Melanie answered.
Minka went to fulfill their orders.
Tricia signed, “So tell me, when did Chase move to boyfriend status?”
Melanie shook her head. “Chase isn’t my boyfriend. One kiss doesn’t make—”
Tricia’s eyes rounded. “You kissed? When? You didn’t tell me about that.”
“It was on Monday.”
“And today is Thursday and you’re just now getting around to telling me?” Tricia’s hands flew with her words.
“Uhm, our friend was arrested. I think that’s more important,” Melanie said.
Tricia raised an eyebrow. “Not in my book. It’s equally important. Now tell me all about that kiss.”
Melanie signed, “It was… toe-curling.” She lowered her head. She knew her face had to be red. “Chase knows what he’s doing.”
Tricia leaned forward. “Wow. That must have been some kiss. When will you see him again?” she signed.
“I told him I needed space.” Melanie did not add she had been sleepless in Port Charlotte for nights. She definitely would not mention how she replayed Chase’s kiss several times in her mind.
“Space to do what?” Tricia quizzed.
“I’m not trying to have some man I met about a week ago rule my life.” Melanie’s neck snapped left to right. “Chase felt I shouldn’t have helped Rachel. Where does he get off telling me what to do about my friend?”
“I understand why he said that,” Tricia said.
Melanie narrowed her eyes.
“Chase is objective. He’s looking at Rachel from a different viewpoint. She kidnapped a child and had an affair with a married man. Frankly, Rachel is making Christians look bad.”
Their food arrived. Melanie and Tricia thanked the waitress and blessed their meal.
Tricia licked her lips. “This smells so good.”
Melanie ate a piece of grilled chicken and closed her eyes. “I forgot how good their food is.” When Melanie opened her eyes, Tricia’s mouth was stuffed.
“Take your time. The food’s not going anywhere,” Melanie said before addressing Tricia’s earlier comment. “What do you mean Rachel is making Christians look bad?”
“The news media was quick to point out Rachel was our church secretary. Pastor Brooks must be humiliated. I know the members of Ransomed Hope are appalled.” Tricia bit into a chicken wing.
“I can’t believe she kept her relationship a secret for ten months,” Melanie said.
“It’s not the first time,” Tricia said.
Melanie pierced Tricia with a gaze. “What do you mean?”
Tricia wiped Buffalo sauce off her mouth. “When we were seniors in high school, Rachel had an abortion.”
Melanie almost choked on her food. “Wha—What? How do you know?” The words, Rachel had an abortion, swirled through her mind.
Tricia nodded. “Rachel told me about a month or two after she did it. Rachel conned her mother into giving her money for the clinic. She was scared to tell you.”
“Why?” Melanie furrowed her brows.
“If you had known back then, you would’ve dropped her as a friend. Rachel knew that and that’s why she didn’t confide in you.”
Melanie blinked. “I wouldn’t have agreed to that but apparently anything goes with you.”
Tricia glared. “I didn’t know about it until after. Rachel couldn’t take the guilt and she needed to talk to someone. I have my personal beliefs but I’m not going to turn my back on a friend.”
“And I would’ve?”
“I’m not saying that but you were different then. You would’ve cut her off.”
“Well, I don’t know what I would’ve done,” Melanie said. “Rachel didn’t give me a chance. Look at what she’s done now and I’m here.”
“Yes, you are. I know Rachel is grateful for that. But the you back then wouldn’t have been so understanding.”
“You don’t know that.” Melanie gritted her teeth. The women finished their meal in tense silence. Melanie was glad when the bill came. She dropped twenty-five dollars on the table, grabbed her Coach bag, and stormed out of the restaurant. Tricia was right behind her. Melanie clicked the locks and they entered the vehicle.
Tricia tapped Melanie’s arm. Melanie faced her.
“I wouldn’t have told you if I knew you would be upset with me. I told you because Rachel isn’t as innocent as she claims. I wouldn’t put it past Rachel to be the mastermind behind everything,” Tricia said.
Melanie sagged. “Rachel should’ve told me about the baby. I’m hurt she felt she couldn’t trust me.” She laced her fingers through her curls. “I don’t know her. Who is this Rachel? She kept a child hostage and stole another woman’s husband.”
Tricia’s eyes softened. “The same one who locked you in a closet.”
Melanie’s body heaved. Tricia hugged her while she fell apart. Soon, Tricia pulled away and grasped Melanie’s cheeks.
“Rachel still needs us. She needs her friends. Skip said her arraignment is on the 29th. Will you be there?”
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