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One week had passed since Heath had taken off. Marianne felt extremely guilty for this, seeing as her rejection had apparently caused his latest fleeing from the farm. Mickie had made a point of spending more time with the young brunette, hoping to occupy her thoughts with anything except the men in her life. Of course, one man would not leave Marianne's thoughts so easily, especially as he had taken to visiting the farm to ask her if she would like to go out. There was a definite attraction between them, although Marianne was hesitant to let herself be charmed by Randal, especially after her experience with Phillip, who still played on her mind.
"Do you like Randal? Mickie asked the younger woman as they groomed the horses.
"I do…" Marianne replied hesitantly.
"But?" Mickie raised a brow.
"I feel guilty liking Randal, when I know that Heath's left because of me." The New York native explained.
"Well, if Heath's not here, then there's no harm in spending a little time with Mr Orton then, is there?" Mickie shrugged.
"I suppose so." Marianne agreed.
Upon returning to the farm, Marianne found Jack in the kitchen with Rex at his feet. The old man smiled and patted the dog before turning his attention to Marianne. The look on his face told her that Heath had obviously not yet returned home. However, Jack motioned to a piece of paper on the table, which had her name written neatly in ink.
"From that young man Mr Orton."
"He was here?" Marianne asked as she reached for the letter.
"He only stopped to give me the letter. He was very adamant that I give you it as soon as possible." Jack replied.
Carefully opening the letter, the New York native scanned the neatly written words on the page.
Dear Marianne
I was unable to stay for long today, but I hope to see you tomorrow if that is acceptable.
There's a fairground not too far away, and I hoped that you would agree to let me take you there?
Yours, Randal Orton
The New York native placed the letter back down onto the table, giving a small sigh as she considered the request. Mickie's earlier words replayed in her head as she traced a finger over the neat writing and looked across at Jack. The older man seemed to know what she was thinking of, or rather who she was thinking of. If Heath had actually been there at the moment he would have almost certainly objected to Marianne going anywhere with Randal, but he wasn't there.
Phillip had just been to see how the marital home was doing. The builders had completed their work, so now it was a matter of decoration and filling with furniture. So sure was he that would go to plan, that Phillip had deliberately refrained from visiting Joseph that week. The old man would be confused of course, perhaps even assuming that he and his daughter were off the hook.
Luckily, Phillip Brooks had an ace up his sleeve. A business contact in the South had spoken of a young brunette turning up in West Virginia. Phillip had ordered the word to be spread that he would offer a substantial sum of money to anyone who was willing to offer any more information. One man had been very helpful indeed, even insisting that he could bring Marianne to her fiancé if need be…With the house well on the way to completion, all Phillip needed to do was get Marianne to the church and get that ring on her finger. It all seemed too easy.
Marianne awoke with the first streams of light entering the attic room. She felt the need to get some fresh air, throwing back the bed covers and creeping down the staircase to the door, opening it and walking out into the yard in the cool morning air. The yard was silent and almost nothing moved in the light breeze that swept around the young woman's ankles as she stood in her nightgown.
"Something wrong?" Jack's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Just felt like getting some air." She replied, still staring into the distance.
"I'll make us some breakfast." The older man said before walking back inside the house.
"Do you need me to help out today?" Marianne spoke, turning to follow him.
"You should go out with Mr Orton. You deserve a break." Jack replied knowingly.
"Thank you." Marianne nodded, offering a small smile to the man that she had begun to consider a surrogate father.
Luke Gallows' considerable frame stood in front of the desk and folded his arms as he awaited instruction from his boss. Phillip Brooks could not believe his luck. Part of him was disappointed that finding his fiancée had not been harder. His right hand man had just confirmed his suspicions about Marianne being in West Virginia. Running a hand over his slicked back hair, Phillip considered the fun he could have with Joseph, who was with any luck, fearful of what his future son in law was planning after discovering his deception over Marianne's true location.
"Gallows?" he finally spoke.
"Yes boss?" the large man replied.
"Cancel any plans. We're going on a little trip…"
Marianne gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she smoothed down the candy striped dress and jacket, adjusting the delicate necklace resting on her collarbone and positioning the ringlets that hung beside her ears at either side of her face. Hearing the roar of an engine, she felt her heart leap as she wondered if Heath was back, but sighed and shook her head when she remembered that his truck was still sitting in the yard, empty and unused.
"Marianne, your gentleman caller has arrived!" Jack yelled up the stairs.
"I'll be down in a minute!" she called out, taking one last look at her reflection before grabbing her purse and making her way down the stairs.
"You look beautiful." Randal smiled as she appeared at the bottom of the staircase.
"Thank you." The New York native blushed.
"I'll have her back before dark." Randal told Jack, offering his arm for the woman to link with her own arm.
"Have fun!" Jack chuckled as he watched the pair leave.
Marianne was soon watching the countryside rush past her as she sat in the passenger seat of Randal Orton's car. He kept his eyes on the road ahead, occasionally glancing to the side and turning the corner of his mouth up in a smirk towards the young woman. She blushed and turned her head towards the scenery, remembering her journey in Mickie's truck, as well as her day learning to drive with Heath. The memory made her smile.
The countryside soon turned into houses and businesses, as they arrived in another town. A sign by the roadside informed them that the fairground was not too far away. Randal turned onto a side road, which went on forever, before Marianne could see the fairground in the distance. A Ferris Wheel stood out against the blue sky and white clouds, followed by the appearance of a carousel that was littered with lights and traditional paintwork. Music could be heard playing, as well as the excited chatter of children.
"Where to first?" Randal asked as he parked the car along with some others at the side of the road.
"Ferris Wheel, and then I want some cotton candy!" Marianne broke into a grin.
"Ferris Wheel it is then!" he nodded, offering his arm to her.
Back in New York, Joseph hesitantly opened the door of his townhouse to see Phillip Brooks standing there with a smug look on his face. He looked to be alone, which both frightened and relieved Joseph. Pushing past the older man, Phillip walked into the hallway and turned on his heels, giving a smirk as he sensed the tension in the air.
"I won't stay. I just thought I'd give you advance warning and you can pack a suitcase." Phillip spoke.
"Suitcase?" Joseph frowned.
"We're taking a trip, you and me." Phillip replied.
"What for?" The older man asked, eyeing the younger man.
"That's a surprise." Phillip smirked, making his way back outside.
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