Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Isla

T he house was still quiet, but I could hear activity outside where the staff was busy getting ready for the big day. It had been such a rough night, I doubted I got more than an hour of sleep. Aria, Ella and Layla had been up late at the cottage watching a Doris Day marathon. I was sad that I’d missed it and even sadder that I’d interrupted the fun but I needed to talk to them, to see their faces. They’d all sat around the phone with concerned expressions and encouraging words while I went on for a good twenty minutes about the whole night, including the horrible scene with Margaret on the dance floor. They also all agreed I’d done the right thing, and they were anxious for me to get home. I’d never felt so homesick in my life.

I got instructions from one of the staff about how to reach the back gate and door, the service entrance. I sent the same instructions to the Uber driver. With any luck, he’d be waiting just past the door in an hour. I’d left the heavy drapes shut, and the shadows that fell across the room fit my mood perfectly. I should have been relieved that I was getting away from this place, but it was impossible to deny that leaving Luke for good was hard. There were moments when I felt a strong connection with him, and knowing that we’d never cross paths again hurt badly.

The Uber driver would take me to the nearest town, to the bus depot where I’d already reserved a ticket back home. I wanted to make a quick and clean escape, so I shoved all my belongings into my suitcase, but I left the expensive dress in the armoire. I had no need for it, and it had only bad memories. I’d placed the jewels back in their velvet case the second I got back to the room, and that was where I planned to leave them. I had no idea how to find Hazel, so it would be up to her to take them back. I didn’t want to risk running into anyone in the house. I hated leaving without at least saying goodbye to Gretchen, but I planned to make a quick, clean dash to the door before anyone woke up.

I glanced around the room to make sure I didn’t leave anything else behind. It was such a ridiculously lavish room it made me laugh. I couldn’t wait to get back to our humble cottage on the beach. I stuck my head out the door and glanced around. The guest hallway was empty. I carried my suitcase to the stairs and startled when two housekeepers walked past the bottom landing. They were chatting and didn’t notice me. Once they were out of sight, I hurried down the stairs and shot through to the entryway. The front door was heavy as I pushed it open and then shut behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief just knowing I wouldn’t step foot in the house again. In the distance, the white tent tops billowed in an early morning breeze. Preparations were well underway. So much money and time spent for a loveless marriage.

I had to circle around the house to get to the path that would lead past the rose garden and the pool and eventually to the back service gate. I’d made it through the house without a problem, but I ran into a major one just past the veranda. Margaret was driving back from the tents in a golf cart. We both stared hard at each other. She brought the cart to such a fast stop; her sunglasses flew off her head.

I could have walked over to her. Instead, I waited, making her walk to me. “Where is the necklace?” Not surprising that it was the first thing she asked.

“In the box in the guest room,” I said plainly.

She looked pointedly at my suitcase. “This is for the best. I’ll let the guard know to open the gates when you reach them.”

“Don’t bother. I’m going through the service entrance.”

“Well, as I said, it’s for the best.” She lifted her chin and added a sneer.

“You know, here you are, Mrs. Greyson , a woman who has it all. A woman who has everything a person could possibly want, money, beautiful homes, an important standing in society— your society , at least,” I added derisively. “But you’re lacking one thing, something money can’t buy.”

She tugged haughtily at her shirt and gave me a simpering smile. “And pray tell, what is that?”

“A soul.” I turned and walked away, picking up my pace after a few steps. I wanted away from this place as soon as possible. I hurried past the over-primped rose garden and turned the corner to the pool area. David, the groom, was just entering the pool house. A soft giggle floated out before he could shut the door. Rachel was making a mistake that would be hard to erase. I continued along the path and just as I thought about her, Rachel appeared. She’d been out for a run. She saw me and pulled the earbud from her ear. She took a sip of water from her bottle and then frowned at the suitcase in my hand.

“I’m sorry you’re leaving,” she said. “My brother is a big, unforgivable boob. I hope you at least had some fun.”

“I did and I got to try some of Gretchen’s delicious baked goods, which was a highlight.” I’d told myself over and over again that it was none of my business, but while Rachel and I had little in common, we were both women, and I wasn’t sure I could live with myself without at least giving her a hint. It was possible I was wrong, although my intuition was telling me I wasn’t. “Rachel,” I said quietly and then looked back toward the pool house. “It’s never too late.” I looked pointedly back at the pool house this time and gave her a little nod. She seemed perplexed at first, then a light seemed to turn on behind her expression.

“Right.” She took a deep breath. “Thank you.” She picked up a jog and headed toward the pool house.

I began to jog myself. It wasn’t easy with a filled suitcase, but I managed to get to the back door at the service entrance without any more encounters. I hurried out the door, set my bag down and checked my phone. My driver was ten minutes away. Thank goodness.