Chapter 75 An Unexpected Visitor

Everyone was now staring as Julie leaned over and whispered in Elizabeth's ear. "The dead husband? This sounds like trouble to me." Elizabeth's mouth dropped having no doubt of Stacey's intentions now.

"I can't believe it, but Stacey showed up here and said you were dead." Lucas remarked shocked at the latest news.

"Lucas, Stacey and I are divorced. I followed her here, because I had an idea she would try to find you." Derrick said.

"Please come in and explain. I am feeling totally lost at the moment." He said as he introduced Derrick to his family.

"Lucas your wife is extremely beautiful and you have a gorgeous family." Derrick complimented as Lucas offered him to sit. Elizabeth was charmed by his flattery.

"Can I get you a drink?" Lucas asked.

"Just a water will be fine." Derrick replied. "Lucas, after you disappeared things changed between Stacey and me. What I realized was that she was not in love with me, she was in love with you the whole time." Derrick explained.

All jaws dropped. "I am so confused Derrick. I am happily married and I have no idea why she would come here. This is so uncomfortable. I have not seen you guys in years, I do not want any trouble here. My family here in this room means everything to me and I don't know what she is up to but feel free to go into town and take her back with you. I have no need for deceptive people in my life." Lucas said firmly.

Elizabeth ran out of the room and up the stairs in tears. "Wait here." Lucas said as he ran upstairs after Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, please I don't want to do this again. I can not tell you how much I am in love with you and our family. This will get taken care of. I am not going anywhere. I do not love her. That was in the past, but you are my present, my future, my lifetime and the only one I will spend my days with." Lucas said wrapping her in his arms and stroking her hair. He brushed the tears from her face as she kissed him passionately and he returned her kiss.

"Lucas I don't understand what her angle is? This is so dramatic. I just don't understand how she could come here and deceive us like this." She said weeping into his shoulder.

"I don't either Elizabeth. With the help of our family we are going to get rid of her you have nothing to worry about. We will figure something out." He said holding her close and rubbing her back. "Now, let's head back downstairs and figure out what we are going to do about Stacey. She needs to go back to where she came from."

Lucas wiped the rest of the tears from Elizabeth's eyes and they headed back downstairs where William and Jonathan had been questioning Derrick.

"Derrick, why exactly did you come here?" Lucas asked.

"Lucas you were a good friend to me. You helped buy us a house and not to mention all the other little things that you did for us. I didn't want her to hurt you the way she hurt me." He said now getting emotional.

"Am I to assume you still have the house?" Lucas asked. "She told us she sold it to pay for your medical bills."

"Yes, I still have it."

"What do you think she wants from Lucas, Derrick?" Elizabeth asked concern in her voice.

"I honestly think she wanted the kind of life he could have given her that I couldn't." Derrick said.

"So she wants money." Lucas replied. "If I offer her some money will she go away?"

"I don't know Lucas. She is definitely not to be trusted. Do not believe anything that comes out of her mouth and if she is here you can bet she is going to cause trouble." Derrick replied.

"I need time to figure this out. I can't believe this is happening. I will never be with Stacey, Derrick nor have I ever been. I would not have done that to you." Lucas stated as he patted him on the shoulder.

"I know Lucas! I also know that she is capable of some devious things and hate that she came here to manipulate you. You can be assured that if she is here a scandal is sure to follow."

Elizabeth buried her head in Lucas's shoulder now weeping as he held her close. "This is just great; I am a very respectable man and hold the highest regards in this town. The last thing I need is a scandal from her." Lucas said with an irritated voice.

"Derrick, you know her better than any of us. What do you suggest we do to get rid of her? I mean that in a completely legal sense that is." Lucas asked.

"Lucas if I knew what she wanted I would tell you, but the last few years of our marriage were nothing but lies. I can assure you though I will do whatever I can to help you." Derrick offered with a heavy heart.

"Then I think we need to confront her." Lucas suggested.

"Lucas, NO you will do no such thing!" Elizabeth said firmly.

"I will not be alone Elizabeth. You can go with me as well as our fathers. We need to know what she wants and we aren't going to find out sitting around here. Derrick, you can stay here this evening. It's probably not a good idea for you to be seen with us she will no we are on to her little charade." Lucas suggested. "Shall we get dressed for town and go? The sooner we find out why she is here the sooner we can get rid of her."