by D. A. Young
“Fuck your china! You know what’s even more expensive? Being a Fowler!” Annabelle retorted. She was so frustrated and desperate to get through to Edith that she pulled Edith by the arm to gain her attention. “Are you listening to me, Edith?!”
She was stunned when the older woman quickly yanked her arm back and cowered, throwing her arms up as if to defend herself from Annabelle. Understanding dawned on her as Edith slowly lowered her arms.
Edith was mortified by her reaction and the weakness she’d revealed and refused to meet Annabelle’s eyes. She struggled to regain her composure, placing her clasped hands in her lap, and staring in fascination at the neck bow on Annabelle’s blouse. Her face was drawn, eyes hollowed, and lips compressed in a line so tight, they became practically nonexistent. “Don’t. Don’t ever do that again.”
“How long?” Annabelle whispered. She held her hands out to Edith with a pleading look. “Edith, please! How long has it been going on?”
Edith was still for so long, Annabelle expected the other woman to deny what was happening to her. Then her face crumbled and her shoulders fell as she pitched forward and Annabelle caught her. Sobbing Edith confessed, “Since my wedding night. But it’s my fault! I saw the way Brenton’s father treated his mother and mistakenly thought we were nothing like them! That we would be different and my love would be the change he needed.”
She sniffled and tried to control herself, but Edith couldn’t stop the outpouring of guilt. “Your troubles with Davis are a direct reflection of my cowardice, and I’ve been stalling the wedding in the hopes that you would change your mind and break the engagement. I tried to drive you away by being mean to you, but you were so determined to show me you were worthy. I’m so sorry, my dear! I’m so sorry!”
Annabelle’s vision blurred as she held her. She didn’t offer words of comfort because she had none. She wasn’t even Davis’s wife yet and he was out of control. There was no way she could spend the rest of her life like this. Not after what she’d discovered today. “I’m leaving, Edith. This morning I found out I was pregnant and refuse to raise my child as a Fowler.”
Edith stiffened and withdrew from her embrace to stare at Annabelle’s stomach accusingly. “How-how could you let this happen? You can’t have this child knowing what lies ahead for it!”
“I thought about that as well, and that’s why I can’t stay.”
“I know a doctor.” Shamefaced, Edith looked away. “She’s in Pennsylvania. Very discreet and will take care of your problem. I’ve used her in the past.”
“Abortions?” Annabelle whispered, shocked that they were having this discussion. When the test reflected positive results, her first instinct was to protect the innocent life inside of her. Her baby was the wake-up call she’d needed.
“Yes, I did.” Edith cut her off with a steely defiant glare. “You’ll never know how much of my soul it cost me, but Davis was never my child. Since birth, he’s been groomed for this lifestyle. Are you sure this is what you want to do, Annabelle?”
Placing her hand on her stomach, Annabelle matched Edith’s glare. “This is MY baby! No one else’s. I’m not judging you for doing what was best for you, but abortion isn’t an option for me. I choose my baby and myself over this. We don’t deserve this treatment and neither do you! Come with me, Edith.”
“You have no idea what you’re up against.” The pity and resignation in her voice were like nails on a chalkboard to Annabelle. “You won’t get far. The beating your father suffered in that holding cell will be child’s play compared to what they’ll do to get you to come back to Davis.”
Her words forced Annabelle to relive that particular nightmare.
***
During breeding season, Annabelle’s stay at Cinnamon Farms was the most peace she’d had in years. She stayed in the room off the barn and shared meals with Farmer Jennings, Max, Tavish, and Donna. Annabelle had never been so happy and relaxed at work without Davis hovering around. She was able to voice her opinions and not worry about repercussions. Once, she’d corrected Davis’s diagnosis in front of a customer, and he’d made her pay when they got home. She couldn’t leave the pool house for a week.
At Cinnamon Farms, her opinion was valued and Annabelle was contemplating offering her services as a veteran concierge when Davis showed up demanding that she come back home.
“You know I can’t do that. I’m needed here,” Annabelle said under her breath so as not to draw Tavish’s attention where he stood not fifty feet away from them grooming a horse in a stall.
“Needed doing what? Being Max’s whore?! Or are you servicing all three of them?”
“Why does it always come back to that? Your accusations are baseless and you know it! You should leave now and let me do my job to the best of my abilities.”
Eyes narrowed and lips twisted in anger at her defiance, Davis snarled, “I’m not leaving without you!” He grabbed her hand and squeezed so hard, Annabelle cried out. She tried to pull her hand back but he twisted it viciously.
“Is there a problem, lass?” Tavish called as he exited the stall and approached them. The question was directed to Annabelle, but his challenging glare was all for Davis. His Scottish brogue was thick with anger as he growled, “Might I be of assistance?”
Davis released Annabelle’s hand. “No. This is between me and my fiancée, if you’ll excuse us?”
“I’m afraid I canna do that. Visiting hours are over at the farm so ye best be on yer way.”
“Since when does the farm have visiting hours?”
“Since I implemented them,” Walter Jennings replied tersely as he joined them. Annabelle was grateful for him backing Tavish without needing an explanation. “You should leave now, Davis. Have your father call me in the morning. Good night.”
Annabelle allowed the farmer to guide her away as Tavish’s large hand clamped down on Davis’s shoulder and he forcibly escorted him from the barn. They walked to the front porch and Farmer Jennings gestured for Annabelle to have a seat in an Adirondack chair, before taking one himself. The sun was setting, and the farm was peaceful as the animals settled down for the night.
“Is there anything you’d like to talk about, Ms. Annabelle? I’m not much for words, but I’m a really good listener. Whatever you say will stay confidential.”
“I-,” Annabelle faltered. This was her chance to speak up, but she didn’t even know where to begin or how to say she’d allowed herself to be abused. She just knew she couldn’t go back there. “I think you’ll need me to stay on for a little while after the season is complete. Just a precautionary for the animals to be on the safe side…”
Farmer Jennings stared out at the green pastures, reflecting on the fear ringing clear in the young woman whom he’d known her entire life. It made him want to horsewhip that little shit and his daddy for not teaching him how to respect women. “Think another two weeks should give the animals enough time to heal?”
“That would be perfect.” Two weeks for Annabelle to get her life together.
Two days later, Annabelle received a call from a hysterical Samantha. Thomas had been pulled over, then taken into custody by the police in Baltimore for unpaid parking tickets. He’d insisted that the charge was bogus. While in holding, Thomas had been roughed up and needed to be taken to the hospital. Samantha had obtained the information from Davis whose cousin Jessie had called him. “Please call him and see what can be done, Annabelle!”
Annabelle sat staring at her phone for an hour before finally placing the call. He answered on the first ring. “I’m not at liberty to discuss your father’s situation on the phone, Annabelle. Come home and we can discuss his precarious situation face to face.”
That night after work Davis laughed as he opened the door to the pool house. “Welcome home, baby! Did you miss me?”
How she despised him! Annabelle crossed the threshold and Davis snatched her arm and pulled her to him. In her ear he whispered sinisterly, “When you defy me, bad things happ
en. Not just to you, but your family as well. Just remember, my sweet, that I can get to you and your family anywhere, at any time. You’ll never even see it coming…”
***
“Did you hear what I said, Annabelle?” Edith patted her hand, drawing her out of her reverie.
Annabelle stood up. “I did hear you and I’m still leaving. I won’t be chained to him or this way of life for much longer. I’m asking you to come with me. Aren’t you tired of being beaten? You need a fresh start just as much as me and the baby. I need to go to work now, but please think about it.”
They didn’t speak about it for a week and in that time Annabelle struggled to hide her morning sickness from Davis. One afternoon, he and Brenton were gone watching an Oriole game with Jessie and Sherman. Edith came to visit Annabelle at the pool house. “Let’s sit out at the pool.”
“I’ve decided to help you,” Edith began in a stilted voice. “I have some money for you but you’ll need to go next weekend during the family reunion. I’ve spoken with Misha and her cousins are willing to take you away from here and keep you safe for a little while. Once you leave here, do not attempt to contact anyone. You know firsthand how powerful they are. Unfortunately, you will be on your own. That’s until everything dies down and then I’ll join you. That is if you still want me to. You’re right, it’s time for us to be happy and the baby deserves a chance as well.”
“I’d love for you to join me,” Annabelle said softly. “It won’t be easy, but we’ve already known extreme hardships, we’re due some happiness.”
“Let’s go over the plan…”
***
The day of the party Annabelle went to her parents’ house to say goodbye. There was no way she could leave without saying something to them. Annabelle didn’t even know when she’d next see them.
“Why are you doing this, Annabelle?” Samantha demanded to know. “Marriage isn’t perfect! Look at me and your father! Somehow, we’ve managed to make it work! Only a coward would run when the going got a little tough! I did not raise a coward!” She turned to Thomas, “Stop sitting there like a lump on a damn log and talk to your daughter! She’s leaving the best thing that ever happened to her!”
Thomas tried, “Sweetie, you’re being irrational. That doesn’t sound like Davis. I beg you to go and talk to him. Everything will look different after you do.”
“Yeah, because I’ll have two fucking black eyes, Dad!” Annabelle jumped up to confront her mother. “Or maybe he’ll only break my pinky finger this time. Something small that I can easily reset! How dare you say he’s the best thing that ever happened to me! He’s the worst and just hearing your money hungry ass say some garbage like that only confirms it!”
“You’re being overly dramatic and not thinking straight, darling!” Samantha chided her. “All we are asking is that you take your time and think this over wisely! Don’t be so impulsive. Think of your position at the hospital and the prestige you have because of it.”
“I have those things because I worked for all of it!” Annabelle seethed at her mother’s belittling as she stood up and pointed at herself. “Me! No one else!”
Annabelle grabbed her keys and purse. She allowed herself a good look around at the house she’d grown up in and hardly recognized it. Her parents had renovated again and everything was of a higher quality. The store must still be doing well. That was good to know. She could leave in good conscience. “I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. It’s always good to know where you stand with people. Take care of yourselves. Goodbye.”
“You’re making a grave mistake, Annabelle!” Samantha called after her with desperation. “Don’t do this! Annabelle!”
Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Annabelle got into her car and sped off.
***
Something was off. Annabelle could feel it in her bones as she mingled with the Fowler family. The feeling of being a deer tiptoeing through a pack of sleeping wolves was her current state of mind. Treading carefully, she only spoke to the wives, while giving the men distant smiles. The grandfather clock in the main hallway chimed seven on the dot and Edith appeared next to her with a martini.
“Accept it and drink. Don’t worry; it’s only water with a lime garnish,” Edith glanced around the room. “Davis just went to the bathroom. Go through the garden and exit out the side gate. The car is a silver Volvo and will be waiting at the end of the street. Misha’s cousin Fanny is driving and has all the information. You’ll stay with her tonight and then she’ll move you tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Annabelle.”
“Thank you, Edith,” Annabelle’s hand was shaking as she drank the glass’s content’s in one gulp. With great feeling she admitted, “I wish we could have gotten to know each other under better circumstances.”
“Likewise. Now leave. Misha and I will create a diversion. Go!” Edith walked away from her. “Misha, dear! It’s been too long since I’ve heard your angelic voice. Would you mind blessing us with a song?”
Annabelle left the room and headed for the kitchen. She smiled at the staff busy plating dessert and slipped out the door to the garden. Her heart was drumming so loud she couldn’t hear anything except for it.
“Where are you going, Annabelle?”
She spun around to see Davis and Brenton advancing on her stealthily. They reminded her of two lions going in for the kill. Brenton’s perpetual mask of joviality was slipping away. Annabelle could see the arrogant scorn in his eyes.
“I needed some fresh air. It was too stifling in there.”
“You weren’t thinking of leaving after all we’ve done for you, were you, Annabelle?” Brenton asked.
“Like I said, it was becoming too stifling in there.” She kept her voice even knowing they fed off fear. “Is there a crime against that?”
“No, there’s no crime in that as long as that’s all you were doing.” Brenton’s smile was back in place. “I’m glad to know that’s not the case. Especially after all I’ve done for your parents.”
Unease slithered down her spine. “What do my parents have to do with this?”
“Uh-oh. Perhaps I’ve said too much,” Brenton replied insincerely. He turned to Davis. “Why don’t you enlighten her, son? I’ll leave you to handle your business. Keep it quiet so our guests don’t hear.”
Brenton gave Annabelle an ugly smile before walking away from them.
“What is he talking about, Davis?”
“He’s talking about how your parents agreed to make sure that we stay together and eventually get married. In exchange, my father has been giving them money to fund their business.”
“You’re lying! They received a loan—”
Davis cruel laugh filled the air. “Do you honestly believe a bank would have financed them? They had terrible credit and your grandfather ran that place into the ground! It was my father that bailed them out! In return, I got you.” He smirked nastily. “The arrangement was made a week after you first had dinner here. Your gold-digging mother was so greedy that she accepted the deal without even consulting your father first! She cleaned you up and presented you on a platter. All that was missing was the apple in your mouth.”
Davis stepped closer and Annabelle mechanically took one back. “Look at you! You still don’t believe me! I own you. I’ve said it from the beginning, but you’re too stupid to listen! My father bought you for me through your family which he owns. How do you think I was here to catch you red-handed?”
He grabbed her arms and squeezed. “Your mother called me and told me what you were planning. See, unlike her stupid, stupid daughter, she was aware of the consequences of keeping her mouth shut. Samantha understands very well that you don’t ever bite the hand that feeds you.”
Davis flung her to the ground. “When I’m done with you, Annabelle, you will understand once and for all that it’s pointless to defy me.”
Annabelle tried to fight back and protect her baby at the same time, but her strength was waning and her efforts only enraged him. T
he last thing she saw was Edith and an unfamiliar woman behind Davis with a stepping stone in her raised hands.
***
“Annabelle? Can you hear me, Annabelle?”
The voice was so familiar, and yet she couldn’t place it. Annabelle tried to open her eyes, and mouth to speak, but her efforts were eclipsed by the pain cloaking her body. She tried to recall what happened. The party. Edith. Brenton and Davis. Fighting with Davis. Edith...her baby! Was the baby okay? Annabelle tried to sit up, but the pain was jarring. Where was she?!
“It’s Chelsea Reyes, Annabelle. You’re here in Baltimore. Don’t worry; you’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you. I promise you. Just rest.”
“Nnnoo rugss!” The effort to get those words out made her throat burn but they were so necessary. No drugs for the baby.
“But you’re in pain…” Chelsea protested but stopped as Annabelle waved her hand no. “Fine. Just rest for now. No one knows you’re here.”
Annabelle listened to her walk away and only then did she allow herself to drift off.
She was finally free.
Chapter Twenty
Graham slid the slab apple pie into the oven before finally leaving the kitchen after instructing one of his employees to watch it.
He passed the front desk where Georgie and Forenzo were conversing with the bachelorette party. Graham deliberately ignored the thirsty bug-a-boo posing provocatively against the front desk, batting her eyelashes at him, and proceeded down the main hall to his office. He entered the room and quietly shut the door behind him, leaning against it as Annabelle rose from the sofa where she’d been impatiently waiting for him. Graham opened his arms, and she flew into them, wrapping her arms around his neck as he gathered her close, his mouth slanting over hers in a kiss that was possessive, greedy, and demanded everything of one another.