Page 48 of Starting Our Chance

Even though I knew there were unresolved issues between us, I felt confident that we could work through them. So, I put aside the hard questions and thought of how I was going to break the news to my mama that I was sleeping over at the neighbor boy’s tonight . . . and likely for a lot more. It felt as though I floated on a cloud across the pasture to my mama’s house. I wonder if she’ll let me move in with Duke, or if she’ll put her foot down and say we have to get married first?

I hadn’t thought of a wedding before, but now the thought of white dresses, scrumptious cake, and Duke in a tux had me consumed. A June bride; I was definitely a June bride. He would see that I really did want him and that I was in this for keeps. And I was going to make my place in this community—then as his equal. Only then would I walk down that isle of daisies, not rose petals, to him.

“Hello, Ms. Forman.” The city accent was stark in this hospitable place. I snapped my eyes to Mama’s front porch and froze in the yard as the man added, “It’s so good to see you again.” It was one of the hired help who I had seen floating around my boss’s New York City skyscraper. And flanking him were more burly men.

Although the icy fingers of fear crept up my spine, I squared my shoulders and politely asked how they were doing.

“We’ll be much better when you give our boss the money.” Their leader, who I could have sworn was named Frank, said carefully, “Mr. Oscolti has been patient, but since you haven’t made a move to access your share of the spoils, he asked me to take matters into my own hands.”

I couldn’t run. They would be on me in a moment. And Mama wasn’t home, so I couldn’t call out and hope to be heard. Sweat coated my palms, but I knew the only way out of this was to be firm and use logic. “Well, I have told everyone that I am innocent—”

“Nope. You aren’t getting out of this that easily. Mr. Oscolti would like to speak to you himself.” Frank rose, and I could see the wicker chair was a touch bent. Why my panicked mind chose to fixate on that detail, I wasn’t sure.

“I don’t have the money. I never fucking took it.” I took a step forward, anger blooming beneath the fear. It was a mistake; the men were advancing toward me. However, I continued to shout at them, “I know where the fucker is who did this—and I know that he’s being brought to the States in a matter of days. If you will let me call a friend—”

“And get arrested for extortion? I think not.” My phone was knocked out of my hand as Frank continued, “You are coming with me.”

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