Lexi looked at the time. It was noon. She had cleaned the house from top to bottom. She had found a Piano dealer in the phone book and put in an order for the piano she wanted. It would be delivered tomorrow. She decided she would make Mark some lunch and take it by his shop. She had the address and was sure she could find it. She fixed him 3 roast beef sandwiches on toasted buns and fixed some potato salad. She wrapped everything up and put it in a bag and headed out. She took the small blue truck in the garage. She figured she would drop this off and then take care of the shopping.

Lexi found shop with no problem. Callaway's Harley dealership and repair. She got out of the truck and went in the front door. There were model Bikes sitting all over the show room.

"Can I help ya?" A man asked her.

He was about 6"0 and had sandy brown long hair and twinkling blue eyes. Lexi smiled up at him.

"I'm looking for Mark." Lexi said.

Todd grinned.

"You must be Lexi, his wife. He's right you are a pretty little thing." Todd said.

Lexi blushed. She couldn't believe Mark had said that.

"I'm Todd Meacham, Marks business partner." Todd said taking her hand and shaking it.

 "Nice to meet you." Lexi said.

"I guess ya want to see Mark, I'll go get him." Todd said disappearing into the back.

Mark appeared a moment later, grease smudges all over him. He frowned at Lexi, worried there was something wrong.

"What are ya doing here?" Mark snapped.

Todd who was behind him frowned, Mark wasn't going to keep her long acting like that.

Lexi got a worried look on her face, maybe this hadn't been a good idea. But she was here and decided not to let his grumpy attitude get to her.

"I brought you some lunch. I thought maybe you were hungry." Lexi said.

"Ya didn't have to do that." Mark said still frowning.

"Well I'll just leave it here and you can have it if you get hungry." Lexi said.

Lexi sat the bag down. She walked up to Mark.

"Bend down." Lexi said.

Todd figured she was going to punch him in the nose for being a jerk.

Mark bent down so she was level with him. Lexi wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Mark and Todd were both shocked. Lexi hugged him for a moment.

"I'm dirty." Mark said.

"I don't care." Lexi said and let go of him.

She smiled up at him. That smile could melt an iceberg, but could it melt Mark, Todd wondered. Mark just stared at her. She was a hard one to figure out.

"I'll see you tonight." Lexi said.

"Nice to meet you Todd." Lexi said and left.

Mark grabbed the bag and went to set down in his office. Todd followed him in.

"Want some, she made plenty." Mark said.

"Sure." Todd said.

They both sat there eating.

"Ya know Mark; you could be a little nicer to her. She seems real Sweet." Todd said.

Mark sighed.

"Listen, me and Lexi understand each other, she knows how I am." Mark said.

Todd just shook his head. How long would any woman put up with a cold unfeeling husband?

Lexi spent the afternoon shopping. She had gone to a department store and bought her several pair of jeans and a good number of shirts. She even got her several dresses. She got some Tennis shoes and some black flats to go with the dresses. She also got some shorts and tanks since she didn't have any and the weather was warm. Next she went to a home furnishing store. She got new curtains for the kitchen and the den. She spent several hours buying things to redecorate the downstairs. Then she headed to the grocery store where she got a large load of groceries, She was figuring the way Mark ate she would need them. She drove home with the truck packed. She groaned as she pulled up to the house. He father was sitting in his car in front of the security gate. Lexi pulled up and got out of the car. Jamison hopped out of car and walked over to her. Lexi seen he looked furious.

"Do you know what that bastard did to me?" Jamison asked.

"Yes." Lexi said.

"Well I want you to get in the car. You're coming with me. He went back on the deal, so I'm taking you back." Jamison said.

Lexi knew there was no way she was letting him take her away from Mark.

"No." Lexi said.

"I don't think I heard you right girl." Jamison said.

"I'm married to Mark you don't tell me what to do anymore." Lexi said.

"If you try to force me to leave, Mark will have you charged with kidnapping." Lexi said. She didn't know if it was true but it sounded good to her.

Jamison figured she was right. He couldn't force her to leave. He hauled back and punched her in the eye and Lexi fell back to the ground.

"Okay so stay here, but I'm going to give you something to remember me by." Jamison said pulling off his belt.

Lexi wished now that Mark's house wasn't so isolated, it might have done her good to yell for help. But there was no one. She lay there and closed her eyes as the pain began as it had so many times before.