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The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 9
A few days later . . . Lacey and Brian were having a picnic a few feet away from the river that was on The Cozy Inn’s property. For the last two days, Lacey hadn’t seen much of Brian accept at meal times at the inn. He had gotten caught up on conference calls at Michelson Investments. Even though she missed spending time with him during the day it gave her a chance to do some work for All-Time Languages and scope out some scenery to take pictures of and paint. Brian was stretched out on his side on the plaid blanket facing her. Lacey was sitting with her legs stretched out in front of her. The picnic basket was between them. Rebecca had prepared them the picnic lunch – for an additional charge, of course. But, it was worth it. Sandwiches, homemade chips, pudding for dessert, champagne, water, etc.Lacey leaned back, bracing her hands behind her on the blanket. “It is such a beautiful day.” It was about seventy-three degrees out and the
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 10
Blake and Lacey packed up their mess in the picnic basket and placed it to the side. They laid back on the blanket, looking at the sky, relaxing. Blake put his hands behind his head as he looked at the brilliant blue sky and the whiter than white clouds. He hadn’t stopped to look at the sky since he was thirteen. He remembered how he had an appreciation for nature back then. Once he had reached fifteen, after Tiffany had broken his heart, he no longer cared about nature – or anything other than himself and money. Blake wondered if his mother leaving his father when he was eighteen and Tiffany making him look like a fool at such a young age had anything to do with how he turned into the person he was today. Had all that changed in over a week? Lacey breathed out a relaxing sigh, bringing him out of his thoughts. Blake turned to look at her. She had a lazy smile on her face and her eyes were closed. She was the catalyst that pl
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 11
Two weeks later . . . After much contemplation, Lacey called her mother from her burner phone. The truth was she missed calling her mother to let her know what was going on in her life and to get her advice. Her mother answered on the third ring. “Hello?” “Mother, it’s Lacey.” “Oh my god! Lacey! I had hoped against hope you would call again. I got your voicemail a while back. I didn’t pick up because I didn’t know the number or the name. Oh, darling!” she cried happily. Lacey smiled as she became teary eyed. “I’ve missed you.” “And I’ve missed you, too. Very much. Oh, my darling child. Where are you?” “I’m at an enchanting bed and breakfast with the most enchanting man,” she swooned as she laid back on the bed. “A man? Do tell.” Lacey told her mother everything about Brian. “Yesterday, he bought me twenty-one bouquets of flowers. The number of days we’ve known
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 12
Lacey and Brian entered Marty’s Bar at seven. It looked like a country western type of place. Wooden booths lined the walls. Round tables of various sizes were sprinkled around the room. The bar was in the middle of the room and went all the way around in a square. Beer mugs hung above it. “Hi,” a girl said who was wearing a waist apron. “Just take a seat where you like. Someone will be with you in a minute.” They walked to a booth and took a seat across from each other. “Well, this is different from what I’m used to. What about you?” Brian asked. “The same.” The menus were in a holder next to the side of the wall. Lacey grabbed two and handed one to Brian. The band, The Finleys, were supposed to start playing at eight-thirty. Before they could say anything else, a girl with really short brown hair came over. She was petite. “Hi, Welcome to Marty’s.” She sat down two glasses of water and straws. “Do yo
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 13
The next day . . . Blake had called his butler bright and early to tell him to have a guest room prepared for a female guest. He also told the butler to make sure the chef had all of Lacey’s favorite foods at the ready. Then, he called his personal shopper to have a list of stores ready to take Lacey to. He couldn’t order Lacey a credit card or open an account for her until Monday. Then, he called his pilot to let him know he wanted to be picked up at one p.m. at the Portland International Airport and he would have an extra passenger. He headed downstairs. It was a quarter till eight. He wore a white dress shirt, a white and silver stripped tie and gray slacks. He was going to drive into Portland to see if he could find any decent jewelry stores. He wanted to get Lacey something special. “Good morning, Horace,” Blake greeted happily as he landed on the last step of the stairs. He hadn’t felt this happy and content since – he couldn’t re
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 14
It was almost noon. Blake was only a mile away from the inn. He had found a top-notch jewelry store in Portland called Springer’s. He had purchased a fourteen carat gold sapphire and diamond bracelet for Lacey to match her blue eyes. It had cost him five figures but he didn’t care. It was the first time he had spent so much money on jewelry for a woman – family members included. As he got closer to the inn, he noticed a stretch limo. Someone wealthy had arrived. Blake parked his rental, grabbed the gift he had the jeweler gift wrap for him, and headed to the house. As he walked, Lacey popped up from a rocking chair on the porch. If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have seen her until he got to the porch. “Well, hello, gorgeous,” he greeted as he walked up the walkway. “Hey, handsome. I was told you went to Portland this morning.” “I did,” he confirmed with a smirk. He climbed the steps to the wrap around porch. He walked r
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 15
Three days later . . . Lacey was home at her mother’s estate in Brookeville. Her mother along with her siblings had grown up on the estate. When her parents were married they lived there together. Now, that they are divorced they were living together again. Lacey had been surprised when she learned her mother had invited her father to move back in after he had to give up his homes. Granted, he was sleeping in a separate bedroom, but to Lacey that was a minor detail. The only reason they got divorced was because of his gambling. Now, that her father was getting help for that, there was a chance they might reconcile. Surely, nature would take its course. They had been married for over twenty years. She walked down the stairs. She was about to cross the landing when the butler got her attention. Alfred hit a button on the phone base. He was holding the receiver in his hand. “Ms. Lacey. It’s Mr. Blake Dandridge again. Shall I giv
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 16
The next day . . .Blake went to the Dandridge estate outside of the city. Lacey wasn’t the only one who needed to gain some perspective. There was only one person in the world who he could talk to.Blake had to let himself in. The butler was no were in sight. He walked to the living room and the den. His grandmother wasn’t in either place. He went outside to the patio.The only person who was out there was little Moxley. He was the seven-year-old son of one of his cousins.“Who are you?” the boy asked. He had thick, brown straight hair. It was like a perfectly straight mop atop of his head.“I’m Blake, your second cousin.”The child was wearing blue swim trunks. “Who?” he said with confusion.“Blake Dandridge. I run the family business.”“Oooh. You’re the cousin who took over the family business after Uncle Ben died.”“That’s right.”“Your nickname is Satan.”“What?” Blake blurted out.“That’s what everyone calls you. Satan. Aren’t you supposed to be in hell or something like that?
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The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 41
It was almost eight in the evening when Blake carried Lacey over the threshold of his penthouse. Lacey had said he didn’t have to do it, but he wanted to make sure that everything was traditional the way she wanted it right down to a T. Lacey thought Blake was going to set her down in the living room. But instead he continued to carry her through the living room to the back hallway. “Where –” she stopped when she realized he was taking her straight to the bedroom - his bedroom. “Oh.” Blake chuckled. They were alone in the penthouse. Blake had given his housekeeper and butler the night off. Besides, their bags were already packed for their honeymoon in Paris. Of course, Blake had been to Paris before but he had said he waited to take her there for their honeymoon so he could see the city through her beautiful blue eyes. Blake gently placed her down on the end of the bed in the sitting position. He didn’t seem to be
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 40
The wedding party prepared to walk down the aisle. Father Thomas, who was in robes, waited for them at the archway ahead. His blond hair was slicked down and parted on the side. He had also conducted Lacey’s and Blake’s marital counseling which was required by the Catholic church. They had to wait for Roxanne, her mother, and Blake’s grandmother to be escorted down the aisle. Once that was done, it was Blake’s turn. Brad and Blake walked side by side up the aisle as Gladys Knight and a choir sang, I Hope You Dance. Lacey had wanted a professional singer at the wedding. It was Roxanne who had booked Gladys Knight. The three-piece band, although small, sounded beautiful. Blake noticed a few of his family members with their eyebrows up like they couldn’t believe this was it.A helicopter could be heard in the distance. Once they got to the front, Blake turned around. He glanced over to his grandmother. She gave him a
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 39
The day of the wedding . . . Nothing like a ninety-something chasing your guests out, saying she should call their wives and mothers. And how Grandmother Phillipa chided the girls. They hadn’t dared to say anything back to her. They got dressed and left. Blake didn’t have a hangover, thank god. He had drunk quite a bit of scotch last night. He hadn’t drank like that since his junior year in undergrad. Leo and Brad had come over for breakfast. They sat at the dining room table with Blake at the helm. Leo was to his right and Brad was on his left. “Well, today is the day. Are you nervous?” Brad asked. “No.” Blake answered simply. “Truly?” Leo asked with an inquisitive look. “Truly. Why would I be nervous about something I am beyond sure of?” Blake asked. “You couldn’t have picked a nicer and prettier girl that’s for sure,” Brad commented. “So, when will it be your turn
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 38
Leo had called to ask Blake if he wanted to play a few sets of racquetball before they had to meet Brad at Blake’s penthouse. It had been a few years since Blake played racquetball. Nevertheless, he accepted the invite and hoped he didn’t lose as badly to Leo as he did to Lacey at tennis. As the saying goes, hope springs eternal. He lost three sets of singles to Leo at the New York Athletic Club. They went to the tap room for drinks before showering and changing. “You’re a happy man these days, brother,” Leo remarked and sipped his imported beer. They were sitting at the bar. “That’s what the love of a good woman can do for a man,” Brad bragged proudly. Leo smiled. “Lacey is lovely. I’m sure you’re excited about tomorrow. Since we have a few minutes alone, I would like to say –” “Ugh, you’re not going to get mushy on me, are you?” Blake jested. “Not too much. I just want to say
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 37
Four months later . . . It was early April. The sun was shining. The winter snow had melted. The birds were chirping – Spring was officially here. And it was the day before the wedding. They had the wedding rehearsal that morning followed by a rehearsal luncheon at Lacey’s home. Since her mother had planned her bachelorette party for tonight, they had a rehearsal lunch instead of a rehearsal dinner. After the luncheon, Lacey led Blake into the den blindfolded. She had a surprise for him and she didn’t want him to peak. “We’ve stopped,” Blake stated. “now can I take this pink thing off?” Lacey laughed. She had blindfolded him with the pink scarf she had been wearing. He liked the color on her but not him and he had let her know it. “Yes,” she reached up and untied it from around his eyes. He was in perfect position to see his surprise head on. Blake blinked his eyes open and then stilled as he got a loo
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 36
“Hey, everybody look who stopped by!” Brad shouted. Everyone turned to see Santa Clause in the doorway next to him. The adults smiled and the children cheered. Santa walked to the middle of the room with his red sack over his shoulder. Brad followed. “Santa has gifts for all the good boys and girls,” Brad said. The kids happily surrounded St. Nick as he crotched in the floor. “Now, how hold on. Have you guys been good?” Brad asked. “Yeah,” the children chimed. “Are you sure? Most of you are Dandridges. We can be naughty by nature,” Brad said with a grin. “Just the adults are,” Moxley, his second cousin, said. The adults chuckled. Santa started pulling wrapped gifts out of his sack. The names of the children were on the packages. The words. Thanks, Santa, rung around them as the kids trotted off with their gifts to open them. Their parents slow
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 35
Three months later . . . The past few months had been the happiest of Lacey’s life. She was hopelessly and totally in love and it seemed like Blake felt the same about her. They had spent almost all their free time together. Blake had attended mass with her and her mother several times even though he wasn’t Catholic. They had dinner at least four times a week. He made a conscious effort to get along with her father. Blake had even volunteered with her at the Catholic soup kitchens and orphanage. Blake really had changed. He treated people with respect no matter what their station was in life. And it turned out he was pretty good with children. The kids at the soup kitchen and orphanage naturally flocked to him and he didn’t seem to mind. He had also taken Lacey’s suggestion, going to therapy to work out any relationship issues with women. He had his last session last week. While Blake was at work, Lacey would paint and draw. She was st
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 34
One day later . . . Lacey sat across from Will at the New York County Country Club. Will wasn’t a member, but as Lacey’s guest he could come in. As they looked over the menu, Will said, “I take it you invited me out to let me down easy.” Lacey looked up. He was staring at her with a slightly sad expression. “I . . . yes,” she admitted. “Do you love the dirt bag?” he asked flatly. “Yes, and he’s not as much of a dirt bag as you think – not anymore at least,” she said softly. “Will, I am sorry. At the time we met again, I had every intentions of putting Blake behind me.” “I know. But, he’s smarter than I am.” “What do you mean?” “He was smart enough to fight for you. To not let you go. If I wasn’t such a fool while we were in school . . .” he trailed off. His tone was full of regret. “You were young. We both were.” “We’re not that ol
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 33
Blake had showered and slept in Lacey’s room. She woke in his arms. He had waken her because according to him they had a full day. That’s when she remembered she had agreed to let him plan their last day in Bora Bora. When Lacey emerged from the bedroom, she was surprised to see Blake had prepared breakfast. “You know how to cook?” she said with shock. Blake chuckled. “A little. Enough to get by in a pinch.” He had grapefruit, sausage, and eggs on the table along with orange juice. After breakfast, they went on a morning tour in a helicopter. They flew over the main island, the lagoon, and coral islets. An hour after that, they went jet skiing. Blake had hired a boat man to drive. They had a late lunch and then they had gone to the Four Season’s spa. Blake had arranged for them to have dual massages in an overwater suite. The beds rested on glass panels above the lagoon. The outdoor tub overlooked Mount Otemanu.
