I keep driving until I’m out of town and on my way to Nashville. To my relief, after a few miles I pass a gas station, and my pursuer slows down and pulls off the road.
I take my chance and hit the gas.
* * *
Close to two hours later,I arrive in Nashville. I drive around until I find a cheap motel nestled in a busy part of town. I pay for two nights to start with, and when I get to my room, I pull out my phone and search for an OB-GYN close by.
Half an hour later, I’m sitting in the examination room of Dr. Jared Summers, who agrees to see me right away.
He assures me that the baby is fine and I have nothing to worry about. He even puts a hand on my shoulder when I cry with relief. I don’t know whether he recognizes my face or my last name from the news. If he knows something, he doesn’t let it show. Maybe he’s simply more professional than Dr. Rogers.
As soon as I’m back inside my motel room, I lie on the bed and wait for Alex to call me.
I wish I had asked for his lawyer’s name and phone number. If I had it, I’d call him or her for information. It’s unbearable being in the same city as Alex and not being able to see him.
The doctor said I should get some rest, so I close my eyes and try. To my surprise, I fall right to sleep. An hour later, I’m woken up by my phone ringing.
My eyes are still closed when I answer the call without even checking who the caller is. My heart leaps at the sound of Alex’s voice.
“Baby, I’m out,” he says. “I’m free. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come and get you.”
Chapter 11
Alex is wrapped in a cloud of fresh aftershave. He must have just showered because his hair is slightly damp. The crisp blue shirt he’s wearing is smooth against my cheek, and it smells new. He doesn’t look like someone who just came out of jail.
When he lets me go, I glance at the expensive Mercedes behind him. Where did he get the money to rent it? We were counting pennies before he was arrested.
I pull back and search his eyes for answers.
“How… What happened—” Ididhold on to the hope that he would be released, but as time went by, I started thinking it would not be any time soon.
“It’s over, baby.” He smiles and kisses me.
When our lips part, I continue my questioning.
“Was the bail hearing decision overturned?”
“Nope. I’m out for good. No more metal bars for me. I told you I’m innocent.”
A warm glow radiates from within me, but my joy is controlled. I’ve become so used to being let down. At the back of my mind, I’m still afraid the carpet will be pulled from underneath my feet.
“They let you go just like that?”
Why am I still asking questions? Who cares what happened? My husband is free. That’s all that matters.
“It was not just like that. But let’s not talk about it here with everyone staring at us.” He opens the door to the Mercedes and I get in.
So many questions are burning holes in my mind, but I don’t know where to start. I’ll wait until we get home so I can sit him down for a chat.
Home? Where exactly is that?
Do we have to return to Aston? The thought sends a whisper of terror running through me. The way they treated me back there makes it hard for me to trust them again, and of course, many people will still believe that Alex is guilty. How will we ever be able to run errands or make small talk as though everything is normal with the weight of the past hanging over our heads?
After the way they all treated us, I’m sure Alex will feel the same way I do.
The only person I owe anything to is Lavinia.
How will she react when I tell her what has happened since the last time we saw each other? Maybe she already knows, and that’s why she called a few minutes ago. I couldn’t answer her call because Alex showed up. I’ll call back later.
