Here's the next chapter of Runaway.
Thanks for all the reviews, etc.
I own Marianne & Jack in this chapter.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Heath was still asleep when Jack made breakfast the following day. The New York native had made a point of checking on the redhead every couple of hours before she went to bed herself. His bruises were settling into a lighter tone than that of the angry purple they had originally been. Being naturally curious, Marianne had made her mind up that there must be more to Heath's injuries than just a drunken brawl.
"I'm not stupid, you know."
Jack raised his head from the newspaper he was currently reading and turned his attention to Marianne.
"I know you're not, honey." He replied.
"So what do you think really happened to Heath?" the brunette raised a brow towards the older man.
"Like I said, he's gone off and got drunk. Knowing Heath, he's jumped into a fight with someone. I know what he's like, and so do a lot of other folks. Ask Stu next time we're at the bakery." Jack sighed as he went back to his paper.
"Maybe I will." She nodded.
"Good. I need to head into town anyway." Jack nodded.
Back in New York, Phillip Brooks was making the walk to the Addison residence once more. So certain was he that his fiancée would be home, that he had picked up a bunch of fresh flowers for her. Making his way up the stone steps, Phillip smoothed down his hair, before knocking on the door with great purpose. Straining and hoping to hear the sound of Marianne's heels clicking on the hallway floor, the Chicago native was not amused when Joseph Addison, and not his daughter answered the door.
"Still fixing her hair?" he asked hopefully.
"No, Marianne has not yet returned." Joseph shook his head.
"What? Why not?" Phillip exclaimed.
"She has come down with the same virus as her friend. They agreed that she should remain in St. Louis until she feels well enough to travel." The older man explained.
"I don't believe you." Phillip replied.
"Here is her letter. See for yourself." Joseph told him, handing over a folded piece of paper.
My dearest Phillip,
I am sorry not to be able to see you, but I have been looking after a dear friend. I'm sure you appreciate that I wanted to care for her.
Unfortunately, I seem to have been struck down by the same virus. The doctor here informs me that I should be well enough to travel again in around seven days.
I will miss you, as I'm sure that you will me. I trust that such a caring gentleman as you would understand how much I care for others. I'll count the days until we are reunited.
Love always, Marianne.
Marianne had indeed written the letter, although Phillip did not know that she had written it before she even left New York. If anything, it would buy her more time. Folding the paper back up, Phillip turned on his most apologetic face.
"Forgive me Joseph, for it's hard for me to be without her." He sighed.
"I understand." Joseph nodded.
"I shall be counting down the days too." Phillip nodded, turning to walk back down the steps of the New York townhouse.
"Goodbye Phillip." The older man nodded as he closed the door.
Walking into the bakery once more, Marianne noticed that Layla did not look as harassed as she had done on her previous visit. The brunette wore a wide grin as she served customer after customer. In fact, the brunette looked positively glowing from how she had looked previously. Stu emerged from the back with a similar smile on his face, looking as if baking loaves was a truly exciting experience. Turning to glance at Jack, Marianne saw that he looked just as confused as she was over the couple's matching grins. The New York native and the older man stepped forward in unison as the customer in front left the shop.
"You two look very happy." Jack raised a brow.
"We are Jack, we are." Stu replied, wrapping an arm around his smaller wife's shoulders.
"Well, if it's the bread I'll take an extra loaf!" Jack chuckled.
"Shall I tell them?" Layla asked her husband. He nodded, a grin still plastered across his face.
"You tell them while I fetch Jack's usual order."
"I'm expecting!" Layla revealed.
"That's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you two." Jack replied.
"How long have you known?" Marianne asked the smaller woman.
"Only since yesterday. I was feeling just awful, so I saw Dr. Freeman and he confirmed that we're having a baby." Layla grinned.
"Congratulations." Marianne smiled.
"Thanks." Layla sighed happily.
"Here you go." Stu grinned as he passed over the bread.
"Weren't you going to ask Stu something?" Jack whispered to Marianne. She shook her head.
"I don't want to say anything when they're both so happy." Marianne replied.
Heading back to the truck, Jack stopped and sighed.
"What's wrong?" the New York native asked him.
"I forgot to pick up the mail." He replied.
"I'll get it." Marianne offered.
"Ok, you do that. I'll wait in the truck." Jack nodded.
Walking into the Post Office, Marianne spotted Michelle sitting behind the counter. The blonde looked up and gave what was supposed to be a smile, although it didn't look all that friendly either. She pushed her glasses up her nose and finished stamping some papers as the New York native approached the desk. "Hello Marianne, how can I help you?" the slim woman asked her.
"Jack forgot to collect his mail." The brunette replied.
"Yes, I just sorted it for him." Michelle replied, grabbing a stack of letters and pulling out a few, handing them to the New York native.
"Thank you." The brunette nodded.
"You're welcome." The blonde replied as she went back to work on some parcels.
Exiting the building, the New York native dropped one of the letters. Bending down to retrieve it, another hand reached out and picked up the letter. "Here you go." Said a man's voice. Marianne stood up and looked to see who had said that, focusing her eyes on a handsome man of around thirty, with piercing blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was dressed smartly in a button down shirt and slacks, with expensive looking boots.
"Thank you." Marianne smiled, attempting to walk past him.
"Not so fast." He replied in a deep voice.
"What?" she asked cautiously.
"Can't I even know your name? It's not often you see someone so beautiful in these parts. Because you're not from around here, are you?" he asked her.
"Are you?" she retorted.
"No, I'm actually from St. Louis. Just doing business around here. My name's Randy Orton, and you are?" he raised a brow.
"Marianne." She replied before rushing off to Jack's truck.
Back in New York, Phillip Brooks tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair that he sat in. He raised his head to see who had walked in to the room. It was another one of his 'employees' that he knew would come in handy. A tall balding man that went by the name of Luke Gallows.
"Luke, sit down. I have a proposition for you..." he began with a smirk.
What do you think?
What does Phillip have planned?
Does Randy have his sights set on Marianne?
What will Heath say?
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