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Amazon
KateMarie Collins
Category:
Fantasy
Publisher: Solstice Publishing
ISBN-10: 1625263902
Type: Fiction
Pages: 122
Copyright: June 13, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781625263902
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
One should always read the fine print...especially with an inheritance from a relative you didn't know existed
One should always read the fine print...especially with an inheritance from a relative you didn't know existed. In a rut doesn't even begin to describe Grace's life at 22. Her ex is using his position as a cop to stalk her, getting her fired from every job she finds. Her parents, not knowing how abusive he could be, believe all her problems would vanish if she'd simply marry him. After losing yet another job, a lawyer arrives. A relative has died and left her entire estate in Maine to Grace. Eager to shake the dust of Bruce and small town Texas off of her for good, she leaps at the chance. She even changes her name. Then she learns that her great aunt was a Witch...and the house has some big secrets. Secrets that she has to protect for six months if she hopes to inherit the entire estate and truly be free of her past.
Excerpt
“Grace, come find me in my office when you’re done,” Mr. Jones called out as he walked through the kitchen.
Grabbing at the towel slung over her shoulder, she threw it at the counter in front of her. She grasped the edge, her stomach sinking to the soles of her feet. She knew what was coming. Bruce had been ghosting the restaurant for a month now. Sometimes outside, sitting on the hood of his car. Other times, holding court in a corner booth with his cronies. He knew where she worked now. Being fired was just a matter of time.
Tearing off her ponytail holder, she reached up to smooth back her brown hair before twisting the scrunchie around it one more time. If she was going to be fired, she’d at least look presentable.
This had become routine. She’d dated Bruce briefly, back in high school. Long enough to know he wasn’t the guy for her. He never really let go, though. Four years later and he still chased after her. And every other woman in town between sixteen and thirty-five. The only difference was that Grace had said no to him.
She dusted crumbs off her apron before making the short walk to Mr. Jones’ office. The door was open slightly, but she still knocked as she slid up to the framing. “Yes, Mr. Jones?” She was certain she knew what was coming.
Looking up, the balding manager refused to make eye contact with her. “Sit down, Grace. And shut the door. No one else needs to hear this.”
She sidled into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Lowering herself onto the edge of the chair in front of his metal desk, she folded her hands in her lap. And waited.
He tapped a few keys on his keyboard before facing her. Even then, he focused on a spot on the wall behind her.
“Grace, I want you to understand that I think you do a great job. Kitchen’s never run better. It’s just that…well, business has taken a dive over the last month.”
“Since Bruce Davis started coming around.”
He nodded, “Yes. The Davis family isn’t one I can cross. They run the town, Grace. If Bruce has his sights set on you, he’s going to get what he wants. And his family’s going to help him.”
“By making every single person who hires me fire me.” She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.
Leaning back, he sighed. “I know this isn’t the first time you’ve heard this all, Grace.” He paused, his fingers nervously tapping on the arm of his chair. “I tried to keep you on, I really wanted to give you a shot. But the bottom line is what pays my mortgage, keeps my kids fed. When Margo Davis announces at the country club that she won’t be back until you’re gone…people listen.”
Grace rose, “I’ll go get my stuff. Thanks for at least trying.” She held a hand out to him. “Can I at least put you down for a reference if I ever get an interview with someone?”
He looked at her hand but didn’t take it. “Sure.” He turned his attention back to his computer monitor.
Grace let her hand fall and left the room, not bothering to close the door behind her. This was her life since he’d come back from college. She’d get a job, he’d find out where, she’d get fired after word got around. No one thought Bruce Davis’ “fiancée” should be doing manual labor. Only Grace had no intention of ever marrying the jerk.
Silently, she untied the apron around her waist. Hanging it on a peg near the back door, she glanced around to make sure none of her coworkers were watching her leave. Not that she’d made friends here. The women all thought she was insane for not going out with Bruce. And the men all wanted to be him.
She pulled her purse and dark green jacket out of her locker, but didn’t bother to put the lock back on. She wasn’t coming back. She slid her arms through the sleeves before digging for her bus pass. Without a job, there was no car of her own. Or apartment.
Bruce and his posse hadn’t been in the restaurant that night. Which meant he was probably out front, waiting for her. Ready with a ride home if she wanted it. Only it would be on his terms and without any care for her needs. Her dreams.
She pulled the back door open and poked her head out. The alley was dark, but clear. Just a few stray cats trying to find a meal in an open trash can. Slinging her purse across her chest, she shoved her hands into her pockets and headed for the street. If she was lucky, she’d be on the bus home before Bruce knew she wasn’t inside anymore.
Her mind tried to think of a plan. Something. The only way to really get away from Bruce, from everyone and everything, was to leave town. Small towns where everyone knew your business hadn’t appealed to her since she broke it off with him after their senior prom. Rumors about why circulated like wildfire across a dry wheat field. That she wanted sex and he refused her. That she was a man in drag all this time. That she was stupid. None of them knew the truth. Not even her parents.
No one knew he’d tried to rape her, beat her when she refused his demands. With his father running the police department, she knew they wouldn’t believe her. No one would.
She ran, hid. Snuck back into the house while her parents slept. Hid the bruises until they healed. Told her parents she just didn’t feel worthy of his love. And they believed the lie.
They graduated. He left town for college. And she moved on. Took a few classes, worked at a job she loved. And felt like she was safe at last.
Then, he graduated and came home to work with his dear old Dad. Had a badge now, and a gun. And told people the only thing missing in his life was Grace to be at his side as his wife.
The whoosh of air brakes broke through her thoughts as the bus stopped in front of her. She stepped on right after the doors opened and found a seat near the front.
Trying to forget everything, she pulled out her phone. One text, from an unknown number.
Too bad u lost another job. Can’t be many left in town 4 u now.
She blocked the number. Again. Bruce would use anyone’s phone to reach her. But she was tied to her parent’s contract and couldn’t change hers. Without a job, it was one more thing she couldn’t control in her life.
Tears threatened to spill from her brown eyes. Damn it, she thought. I’m trapped. Pretty soon, there won’t be anyone willing to hire me. I’ll have to give in, marry him. Or disappear somehow.
Staring out the window, she didn’t pay much attention to the shops or houses the bus passed. Her earbuds had died recently, and she hadn’t replaced them yet. She couldn’t even listen to music on her ride home.
Home. That was a laugh. More like prison, she thought. Her mom was a social climber, eager to get a larger slice of the pie. And had no understanding about why Grace didn’t want to plan her “wedding” yet.
Her dad wasn’t any help. He worked long hours for the post office. When he came home, he wanted peace. To relax in his chair. “Do not disturb” had been the rule since she’d been a small child.
The bus made a turn, heading down her street. At least Bruce hadn’t tracked her down on the bus. Reaching up, she pulled the cord to signal for a stop. She stood, one hand grabbing the chrome bar to steady herself against the swaying motion of the bus. She nodded once to the driver in thanks as he opened the door for her to leave.
Stepping out into the cool night, she shoved her hands into her pockets. Summer wasn’t quite over yet. But the slight chill told her that fall wasn’t far around the corner. Not that it mattered. She was stuck no matter what season it was.
Glancing up at the house, she saw lights in the living room and nowhere else. Briefly, she thought about going around to the back door and trying to get to her room unnoticed, but she dismissed that quickly. Her mom would know she’d lost another job already. There was going to be a confrontation no matter what door she went through. She took a deep breath and strode up the path to the house. Might as well get this over with.
She opened the front door and closed it behind her. “Hey, Dad,” she said as she pulled her jacket off and hung it on a too-ornate-for-the-room coat tree.
She heard him shift in his chair. “Mom told me you lost another job today. What’s the matter? Too stupid to clean dishes right?”
“No, Dad. He said he loved how I ran things. Business was slow, though, so someone had to go.” She crossed to the arched opening on the other side of the room. “I’m pretty tired, so heading to bed early.” She headed down the hallway to her bedroom. If she moved fast enough, she could avoid her mom. She hoped.
“Gracie, baby, is that you?” Grace’s heart sank as her mom’s shrill voice called out from the kitchen. She stopped, her hand on the knob. So close!
June came down the hallway, busily drying her hands on a towel. “Oh, baby. Bruce called and told us how you quit another job.” She reached out to hug her, and Grace knew better than to refuse. “Don’t you worry, baby. You and Bruce can set a date now, you’ll lose yourself in planning the wedding. You don’t need to work, after all.”
Twisting the handle, she looked at her mother. “Mom, there’s not going to be a wedding. I’m not marrying Bruce. See?” She held up her bare left hand. “No ring.” She wiggled her fingers for emphasis.
Her mom’s lips tightened into a disapproving line. “That’s because you’re too stubborn, Gracie Lynn! That man’s being very patient with you, Lord bless him. You’re denying us a beautiful life!”
Grace arched her eyebrows. “‘Us?’ Sorry, Mother. But I’m not paying the price for you to live in luxury.” She threw open the door, slamming it behind her. Turning, she put the chain on. She’d installed that about two years ago, after finding out her mom had been snooping through her journals.
Then she burned them all.
She removed her purse, tossing it on her desk before collapsing on her bed. Her hands flew to her face. Stifling the urge to scream, she tried to get rid of the headache threatening to form. She had to do something, but what? No one in town would hire her. And she didn’t have enough saved up for a bus ticket to anywhere worth going. Anywhere big enough to disappear in.
Tomorrow, she’d go to the library. Search for a job with a cruise line or something. Do they still want people to teach English in Japan? Sighing, she dismissed that idea. She’d need a valid passport, for one. That cost money. And the only place local to apply was housed in the same building as the police department.
A knock at her door broke through her panicked thoughts. “Grace,” her dad called. “Come out here, please. Someone wants to see you.” His steps retreated.
Something in his voice gave her pause. It couldn’t be Bruce. He would’ve said his name. And none of her friends lived in town anymore. They’d gotten out and stayed out.
She rose, glancing at herself in the mirror on the wall. Pulling out the scrunchie, she grabbed a brush and worked it through her hair quickly. That’d have to do.
Sliding the chain off the lock, she opened the door and closed it behind her. She heard her mom talking to someone, her voice nervous. Whoever this was, it wasn’t someone they expected.
Grace stopped in the archway. Her parents sat on the edge of their chairs. Near the front door stood an older man, his dark suit neatly pressed. His gaze settled on her, his face lighting up. “You must be Miss Adams,” he said, his voice warm. “I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Laurence Dixon,” he extended his hand to her. “I’m a lawyer. Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”
Grace shook his hand, surprised at the greeting. She eased into a chair nearby. “Hello, Mr. Dixon. I don’t understand why a lawyer would be here to see me, though. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
He smiled at her. “Oh, I know you haven’t, Miss Adams. I represent your great aunt, Amanda Cross.”
“I don’t have a great aunt, Mr. Dixon,” she answered.
“She’s been dead to me for decades!” Her mom stood, anger on her face. “Whatever she might want with my Gracie, she can’t have it!”
Mr. Dixon looked her way. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Adams. But your daughter,” he nodded toward Grace, “is named as her heir. And is of legal age to inherit. Whatever your issues with Ms. Cross may have been, it has no bearing on her last wishes.”
Grace blinked. “What inheritance, Mr. Dixon?”
He turned back to Grace. “Ms. Cross has named you her sole heir, Miss Adams. She has left you her home, and entire fortune. There is but one stipulation you must fulfill to inherit.”
For the first time in a very long time, Grace felt hope stirring within her. This could be her chance to escape! Disappear forever! “What’s the stipulation, Mr. Dixon?”
“Ms. Cross’ estate is on the Allagash River, in upstate Maine. In a small town by the name of Cavendish. Her will explicitly states that you must reside in her home for six months. The estate will pay all of your expenses for the duration. After that time, you will inherit all of Ms. Cross’ assets and can dispose of the home and contents as you feel best.”
“She is getting married! I’m not going to allow her to travel across the country to live in some hole in the wall!” Her mom screamed, her voice shrill.
That decided it. Grace stood, extending her hand. “Mr. Dixon, I accept the challenge. When do we leave?” She didn’t care how much her mother sputtered in rage and disbelief. She was, as he pointed out, of legal age to inherit. At twenty-two, her life was hers to lead. But she had to get out from under Bruce’s radar to do it. Six months in Maine? That should do it.
Mr. Dixon took her hand, placing his other one on top as they shook. “We can leave tonight, Miss Adams. I have a car outside. And a private plane at the airstrip. As soon as you’re ready to go.”
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