Chapter 16: Hiding Places

"Is that everything?" I asked as Annie picked up her suitcase and carry on bag. She surveyed the room for a moment and then she nodded.

"I believe so," she answered.

"Good. I'm starving. Why don't I take your things downstairs to the lobby and you make sure there's nothing you forgot?" I suggested. She shrugged.

"If that's what you want," she said, handing over her things. I smiled and quickly kissed her.

"Be right back," I promised. I went downstairs to the lobby where my things were and put Annie's. One of the hired help was watching the bags and offered to call us a cab. I told him that we would appreciate that. Moments later, Annie came downstairs, confident that she had everything. We both went to turn in our room keys and by the time we had done that, our cab had arrived.

"We'll ask the driver to stop at a place for breakfast, a biscuit or something," I said as I helped the man who had called us a cab load our things into the car. I opened the back door for Annie and she smiled at me before she slid into her seat. I followed and shut the door. I asked the driver to stop somewhere so we could get breakfast and then I told him we needed to get to the airport.

The flight attendants thought Annie and I were newlyweds and we truly were acting like we were. We laughed and touched each other, kissed often, and when Annie grew tired, she laid her head against my shoulder and dozed off. I knew she was a little nervous about coming to Foxworth Hall with me. I then realized that I hadn't even called Jory once like I had promised him. I hoped he wouldn't be too mad at me. I really had forgotten. Being around Annie made me forget a lot of things . . .

"Wake up, love. We're here," I whispered, kissing her forehead and caressing her cheek softly. I was so lucky to have met her. Maybe I was finally supposed to be happy for once.

"I've never been to Virginia," she said, looking out the window as our plane landed.

"West Virginia is more in the mountains . . . but there are mountains here too. Plenty," I assured her.

After we'd gotten all our luggage together, I found Trevor waiting outside with my car. I had called him to tell him I was coming home the night before and although he had asked what time my flight was, I hadn't imagined he would come pick me up. I hadn't even thought about it. He looked surprised to see I wasn't alone.

"Trevor! I had no idea you were going to come pick us up," I greeted, smiling.

"It's easier this way. You look good, Mr. Foxworth. The vacation did you well," he said, glancing at Annie as if he knew she was the real reason I looked and felt so good.

"Thanks, Trevor. I think the vacation helped somewhat . . . this is Annie Tatterton. Annie, this is Trevor. The last of my hired help because he won't ever leave when I fire him," I teased.

Annie laughed.

"Well, it takes stubborn help to serve a stubborn person," she said lightly, her blue eyes glittering mischievously. I scowled at her. She was definitely going to get it.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Annie," Trevor said as he opened the car door for her.

"Thank you, Trevor. It's nice to meet you too," she said before she got into the backseat.

"Where on earth did you find HER, Mr. Foxworth?" Trevor whispered as I went to get in. I looked at him for a moment and chuckled.

"Just lucky," I said before I got into the back. Trevor just grinned at me before he shut the door and went to get into the driver's seat.

"Nice car," Annie said, her eyebrow lifting slightly. I smiled.

"Thanks but I hardly ever use this one. I like to speed around in my red Mercedes," I admitted.

About half an hour later, we arrived at Foxworth Hall. I looked to Annie for her reaction and she gazed up at the mansion for a moment. I couldn't tell what she thought of the house until she looked at me.

"It's really beautiful, Bart," she said. I shrugged.

"Sometimes it is. Other times, it's a dark house. A house full of sadness," I softly said.

"Farthingale was like that. It was as if sadness was dripping from the ceiling and hanging all over the walls. But it's just a house . . ."

"My mother never thought so. She hated it, I know. It creeped her out," I said.

"She was locked in an attic in the original, Bart. I'm sure that even though this house wasn't the same, it felt like the same to her because you wanted it like the original," Annie softly said. I stared at her for a moment and then I nodded.

"Yes. Well, I can't wait for you to see the inside," I said, getting out of the car and turning to help her. As we started towards the house, the front door opened and Jory looked out.

"Welcome back! Trevor told me you were coming back today. Why didn't you call me at least once during your trip? I started to wonder if you'd disappeared off the face of the Earth," Jory called and then his eyes froze on Annie.

"I . . . er . . . I got distracted," I admitted, running my hands through my hair. Jory grinned.

"Eh, I bet. Well, are you going to introduce me to your friend?" he asked, reversing his chair so we could enter the house.

"This is Annie Tatterton. Annie, this is my brother, Jory," I introduced. She smiled.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you," she said, gazing at his chair sadly.

"I used to be a dancer until I was in an accident. My legs are paralyzed," Jory said automatically.

"I know. Bart told me," she said. Jory stared at me as if he was shock. I saw the question in his eyes. Have you told her everything?

"My legs were paralyzed once. I was in a car accident with my parents. They died and my legs were paralyzed. I'll never forget how scary it was and how helpless I felt. I got better, but I almost didn't," she admitted softly. Jory looked surprised.

"Oh? Well, Toni just finished fixing dinner . . . I hope you haven't ate," he said. I shook my head.

"Just breakfast. What is this, a welcome home feast?" I asked, smiling slightly. Jory chuckled.

"Yeah, sort of," he admitted.

"You're back," an emotionless voice said and I turned to see Melodie.

"I see you're still here," I said, grimacing slightly.

"I haven't saved up enough money yet, Bart . . ."

"I still don't understand how you got into this situation, Mel. We got paid good for dancing and you were still dancing before you came here. You remarried. What happened?" Jory asked. Melodie darted her eyes away.

"He ran off with my money," she muttered.

"Oh."

For a moment, the room filled with silence. Luckily, Trevor came into the room with our bags.

"Where do you want me to put Miss Annie's things?" Trevor asked.

"Miss Annie?" Melodie asked, grimacing as if she'd swallowed sour milk. She then noticed Annie standing beside me.

"Who is she? Did she need employment too?" Melodie dryly asked and I felt my face flame.

"She came because I invited her, Melodie. If I were you I'd keep your mouth shut because you can't say anything nice about anyone," I snapped.

"This is Annie Tatterton. Annie, this is Melodie. She won't be here too much longer," I added, glaring at Melodie and daring her to do something about it. She glared back and looked at Annie.

"Welcome. I hope you enjoy it here," she said coolly before she turned and marched out of the room.

"Bitch," I muttered.

"Let me have her things, Trevor. I'll find her a room," I said. Trevor nodded and brought me her luggage.

"I'll be back in a moment, Jory. Tell Toni that we'll be in the dining room in a moment," I said, starting upstairs. Annie followed me.

"Why do you let her stay, Bart?" she asked, referring to Melodie. I threw a shrug at her.

"Because I liked seeing her beg. I wanted to make her suffer," I admitted.

"It's a beautiful house, Bart," she softly said. I smiled at her.

"You really like it?" I asked. She smiled.

"Yes. I just think you need some happy memories here . . . to overpower all the bad," she said. I chuckled.

"It would take a lot of happy memories to do that . . . but we'll try," I said, grinning happily at her. I stopped at a room that was across from mine.

"You can have this room," I said, opening the door. She came inside and looked around.

"I love it, Bart. I really do," she said, turning back to me. I smiled and put her things down before I walked over to her and slid my arms around her waist.

"You know the good thing about this place?" I whispered, kissing her neck.

"No, what?" she murmured, wrapping her around me.

"There are lots of hiding places," I said, grinning wickedly at her. Her eyes widened for a moment and then she laughed.

"Me thinks you have a dirty mind," she teased. I grinned at her and kissed her.

"Me thinks you right!"