Discovering Pride (Pride Series)

by Jill Sanders

  “They won’t mind, let me just…mmmm.” she said taking his ear lobe into her mouth, causing his eyes to cross. She was moving underneath him again, this time in a slow more sensual rhythm. He knew they needed to finish talking and what he had to say, he couldn’t completely concentration if they stayed in their current position. So, he pulled her up to a sitting position quickly before he could change his mind.

  Turning her towards him, he continued. “Lacey, I should have told you from the start. I’m sorry I let things get this way.” He looked down at their joined fingers, they were both breathing hard.

  “I asked Jennifer to marry me early last year; we were only engaged for a few months. But at a friends party, I caught her with a co-worker of mine. I called it off.” He took a deep breath trying to steady his breathing.

  “I overheard her saying that she was just marrying me for my money and that they would continue their affair after the marriage.” He looked up into her eyes. “I thought she’d broken my heart.” Lacey reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.

  “My parents don’t know the whole story, all they know is that I called it off, and a few months later moved here. They think all of this is some kind of sabbatical.”

  Lacey remembered his parent’s words at the restaurant and heat flooded into her face.

  “I thought…” she began.

  “I know what you thought, I’m sorry.” he began.

  “No, let me finish.” She stood up and walked to the window looking out at the back yard. She watched Todd, Megan and the new baby strolling around the back yard in the sun and smiled.

  “I thought you were done with me.” She turned back to him and could see the hurt cross his eyes. “I’m inexperienced in all this.” she waved her hands about. “I thought you were done and then when I overheard your parents and….” she couldn’t say her name. “I don’t know how to deal with this.” she stammered.

  Aaron stood, walked over and laid his hands gently on her shoulders. “Lacey, I’m sorry I didn’t open up to you sooner. This is entirely all my fault; I’ll never forgive myself the hurt I’ve caused you. I’m not done with you; I don’t think I could ever be done with you. I was building up enough courage to tell you that I’ve fallen in love with you, and I blew it. Maybe we can start over?” she tensed, he felt her stiffen and reached around and pulled her tight against him.

  “Lacey, I can’t go another day without you. I love you and want to be with you.” he murmured into her hair.

  “I…mmmm.” she smiled into his chest. She heard his heart skip a beat and could tell he was holding his breath waiting for a response.

  Pulling back she looked into his eyes and smiled. “I love you too. It was killing me thinking that you were over me,” she hugged him again. “and then it killed me further thinking that I’d been your rebound girl.”

  He chuckled, then pulled her back to him. “You are not my rebound girl. You are much more then even I had dreamed. When I came to Pride, I was broken. You did more then fix me, you made me see for the first time in my life what it was I truly wanted.” he kissed her softly. Her cheeks were wet from tears. He kissed each eye and gently wiped away each drop.

  “And what is it that Doctor Aaron Stevens truly wants?” she smiled up into his face.

  “You, just you.” he said again and claimed her mouth once more, running his hands down her back. When she’d melting completely against him, he pulled her closer.

  She arched towards him and ran her hands up to grip his hair, pulling him closer.

  “Ouch.” He pulled back releasing her to rub his head where he had hit it on the dresser just five minutes before.

  “Oh, Aaron I’m sorry.” She pulled his head down to her level to look at the small bump that had starting to form.

  “You know, I’ve been hit by almost every member of the Jordan family today, now all I need is for Megan and the baby to clock me.” he smiled.

  “The day is still young.” she smiled back into his face.

  He laughed. “I have to go into the office,” he frowned down at her. “My parents and Jennifer are still in town and I have to deal with them once and for all. Will you be coming home tonight?”

  “Yes.” she liked how he had said that. She really did think of his home as hers now.

  Lacey quickly changed her clothes and they headed down stairs, just as Iian came out of the kitchen with a plate of food. He sat it down at the large table for the guest at Megan’s bed and breakfast, and signed.

  “Everything get straightened out?”

  “Yes.” Both Lacey and Aaron said smiling.

  “I’d better go get ready. I’ve an early day, there are more chicken pox cases coming in. But, I can see if I can break for lunch. Can I see you for lunch?” he pulled her close.

  “I’ll save the best table for you.” she smiled back and kissed him quickly.

  After Aaron left, Lacey headed over to his house to shower before heading into work herself. She was sure her brothers were both happy to have the situation resolved. She knew they would do anything for her, but seeing the marks on Aaron’s face had just confirmed it. Not that she ever condoned violence, but in this case she couldn’t help feeling more pride than anything.

  When Aaron walked into the clinic, he had expected to see the waiting room full, he hadn’t however, expected to see Jennifer sitting in his office with her hands folded in her lap.

  He crossed the room without saying anything, and sat behind his desk.

  “You didn’t show up for dinner last night.” she said in a bored tone. Then seeing his face she stood. “Oh Aaron, what happened to your face?” she started walking forward.

  Aaron put up a hand to stop her, then touched the swollen eye and shrugged. “A misunderstanding, nothing too serious.” he sat behind his desk and took a deep breath. “Jennifer it’s time you stopped playing these games.”

  When she said nothing, he continued. “Go home, you know you don’t belong here.”

  “Aaron, I’m truly sorry about the party. I never meant any of it. You have to understand, I was under a lot of pressure with the wedding plans and your family. Brett was just a distraction, he never really meant anything and well… It only happened the one time and we called it off. Can’t we just forget it ever happened?” She stood up and walked over to his side of the desk, leaning against his chair.

  “We can start over in Philadelphia, a new life, the job your father has line up will make us both happy. There was that cute little house just outside of the city. Oh Aaron,” she tried to grab his hand, but he pulled away. “We can start a family.” she looked down at him.

  He saw it then, in her eyes, the desperation.

  “Why are you here Jennifer? Don’t lie to me.” he stood and looked at her.

  Her eyes started flooding with tears and he could see there was no real emotion behind them. Had he ever really fallen for her tricks? She was as transparent now as an X-Ray.

  “Aaron, can’t we make it work? I’ve given you so much of my heart, my time; we have to make this work.” she began to pull closer to him.

  “Jennifer, it’s over, it’s been over. Not only do I not believe you, I no longer care. I’ve moved on, I have someone in my life now, you need to move on. It’s time you went home and left my parents out of your schemes. Just go.” He grabbed the files off his desk and walked out, leaving her staring after him.

  Jennifer stood there for a full minute letting his words sink in. How could he do this to her? She had taken so much time tracking him down two years ago, when she had walked into the hospital and researched who he was, finding out everything she could about him. She had planned and planned and finally he had noticed her, she’d given up everything for him.

  She had been stupid that night at the party, when he had caught her with Brett, one of her many lovers. She had a few men that she had helping her pay her rent, her car payments, and the other bills she had. Brett had followed her into the back room and she was caught of
f guard when Aaron had walked in. She was sure Aaron would have believed her when she accused Brett of molesting her, but apparently he had overheard part of their conversation and had immediately called off the wedding.

  All her carefully laid out plans had been ruined. When Aaron stopped returning her calls and she had tried to go see him, then his doorman wouldn’t let her in his place. Then she had tried to see him at work, but they had told her he had quit. Trying everything she could think of, day after day. Then days turned into weeks and after a whole month went by, she had almost given up. But, then his parents had called her and they hadn’t heard the news of the break up. She played it up to them that they had moved the wedding date back six months, due to Aaron’s new schedule at the hospital and the next thing she knew she was on a flight to visit them in London.

  Her in London! She’d never been out of California before. Then, she was traveling with them to Greece, where they purchased a wedding dress for her. She’d spent three months traveling with his parents, not once mentioning to them that the wedding had been called off.

  Then, when she’d told his parents, it was under the pretense of them just having a small fight. She had shown them just the right amount of tears and they had believed her. It was actually quite easy for her to play the role. If she looked at it, it actually was more of Aaron’s fault then her own. After all, she’d tried to rectify the situation, but he hadn’t wanted anything to do with her. If she’d just had an opportunity to explain, she was sure he would have taken her back. Even now, she was sure Aaron would take her back, if he would just listen.

  What had he said about seeing someone else? She had to find out who he was seeing. Walking slowly out of his office, she turned towards the front office and saw the old woman sitting behind a small desk.

  Walking over to her Jennifer was sure she could get any information she needed out of the old hag. She would just have to make Aaron see how serious she was about winning him back.

  Even though Lacey had only slept for almost four hours last night, she felt better today. Her mind was so much more at ease, she knew she could sleep for hours as long as it was next to him. Just knowing that everything was better between them gave her a little bounce in her step. She smiled a little brighter knowing that he loved her and knowing that he knew that she loved him back. She saw her walk in after finishing with a smaller lunch group. She was all alone this time. Lacey thought she’d come to grab another clean salad, however, instead of stopping at the front desk; she marched over to Lacey with her fists clenched.

  “Just who do you think you are?” she said in a loud voice which rang out across an empty dining hall.

  “I beg your pardon?” Lacey said watching several of the local’s heads turn towards the pair. “You’re Jennifer right? Maybe we should head in the back to my office for a minute?” Lacey ushered towards the double doors.

  “You think he really wants you? You’re just a stepping stone, a distraction.” She waved her arms, not caring who saw or heard. “He could never stay here, this is all below him. I mean, just look at this place.” She waved her arms again. “Do you really think he could live in a place like this for too long? With someone like you? I’m warning you, stay away from him, he needs some time to realize that this isn’t what he wants. We’re going to move to Philadelphia, where he’s going to be the director of a very large and prestigious hospital. We have a large mansion that’s just waiting for us; we’ll be married this fall.” She stepped forward putting her face so close, that Lacey could see the specks in her blue eyes. “You think he would stay here with you? He’s done with you! What we have is forever! You’re just entertainment, something to warm his bed. You’re just another slut, a notch on his bed post.”

  Lacey had listened quietly and patiently through the woman’s rant, but with the last statement, she found her hand raised and before she knew what she’d done, a loud slap rang out and echoed in the room.

  Jennifer stood with her hand over her left cheek, a shocked look on her face. Lacey took a deep breath.

  “If you’re done, you can leave my restaurant, you’re not welcome back.” Lacey turned and without looking back, walked into the back rooms shaking. It had taken every ounce of courage not to argue with the woman. she’d acted like a spoiled child who wanted what the other kids had, nothing more.

  She didn’t deserve Lacey’s time. So why was it so hard to get the vicious words out of her mind?

  Less than half an hour later, Jennifer walked into Aaron’s offices again. This time, she didn’t wait patiently in his office; instead she screamed and cried until he came out of a patient’s room concerned that someone was seriously hurt. When he spotted her standing at the front door with Betty desperately trying to calm her down, he knew there was no stopping the scene that would follow.

  “She hit me!” Jennifer screamed. She was holding her left check that was a mean shade of dark purple and extremely swollen.

  Betty piped in. “Who hit you?”

  Jennifer didn’t even glance at the older woman before screeching out. “That whore Lacey Jordan. She hit me in front of everyone in that garbage pile she calls a restaurant.” Jennifer ran forward and threw herself at Aaron’s chest, weeping deeply into his shoulder.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Megan had enjoyed a quiet day at home with her new son Matthew. Todd had woken early with a phone call and a needed trip into the office. With the promise of a family lunch at the restaurant, she’d been enjoying having Matthew all to herself. This was to be her first real outing with the baby. Looking into the rear view mirror at her little bundle strapped in his car seat made her smile.

  She enjoyed dressing her little man in one of his new jumpers. This was Matthews second car trip since returning home yesterday and so far he looked like he was enjoying it.

  She had to change her clothes only once, because Matthew had decided he wanted to upchuck on her first shirt, she was now wearing her back up choice. With him tucked into his car seat and sleeping quietly she pulled into the parking lot of the Golden Oar.

  Turning off the engine to the Jeep, she turned around to watch Matthew sleeping in the car seat when a woman with long blonde hair came running out of the restaurant doors. She looked around frantically, then she walked over to a slick silver car and when she opened the door, she put her face right down into the door frame and proceeded to violently strike her face three times with her own door. Megan was so taken back by the woman’s action she never once thought to stop her.

  The woman just kept opening and closing the door to her own face until her left check was swollen and red. Megan could see the large purple mark on the woman’s face as she drove away.

  Having come from abuse, years of it, by the hands of her ex-husband she’d witnessed first hand the horrors of being slapped around. But, for a woman to do this kind of damage to herself, just confused Megan.

  She must have sat there for about five minutes thinking about what she’d just seen; finally she heard a knock on her window. Todd stood just outside the Jeep smiling at her, when he opened the door, she jumped out and said.

  “You will never believe what I just saw.”

  Aaron was having a hard time calming Jennifer down. It appeared she’d called his parents, because not two minutes after she came running in both of them ran in his office doors. He had just gotten Jennifer into one of his empty rooms to take a look at her face, when they stormed in.

  “We need to call the police.” His mother said after seeing Jennifer’s swollen face. “This is outrageous! Bradford, get the local sheriff a call now. I want this woman charged.” She rushed over to Jennifer’s side holding her hands in her own.

  Aaron found it funny that not once in the last few minutes had his parents asked him about his bruised and swollen face.

  Aaron wasn’t sure what had happened at the restaurant, but he couldn’t believe Lacey would have done such a thing. While his parents pampered over Jennifer, he excused himself and called o
ver there to find out what had happened.

  After talking to Todd for about five minutes, he slammed down the phone. He was as angry as he’d ever been. He tried to calm down. He even took several cleansing breaths as he made his way back to the room where his parents, Jennifer and now the local sheriff, Robert Brogan, was. He was standing there writing notes on a small pad, when Aaron walked in, the officer looked him over.

  “Dr. Stevens, may I ask how you got that black eye and fat lip?” He took a step in front of Jennifer.

  Obviously, Aaron could see the connection the man was making.

  “My face has nothing to do with what’s going on here. But, I can tell you this,” He touched his eye. “I received these last night from two different people and no.” he held up his hand when he saw what the officer was thinking. “I don’t want to press charges.” Aaron walked over to his parent’s side and looked at Jennifer.