Escape to Love Read online

  “Yeah well, we see where your prayers have gotten us.” Ramsey shook his head as he exited their bedroom.

  Lifting her hands as she looked heavenward, Carmella said, “What just happened, Lord?”

  She got on her knees next to her bed with tears in her eyes. “My Lord, my God, Your word says that if I abide in You and You abide in me, I can ask what I will and it will be done. But I’ve been praying and praying about Renee’s situation and things have only gotten worse. This man had a gun at Renee’s job today. I trust You to take care of my family, Lord. I believe that You can bring Renee through this situation safely. I’ve witnessed You work on this family’s behalf before. But I need You to step in so that my husband doesn’t lose faith. Tears were streaming down her face as she ended the prayer with, “We are helpless without You, Lord. I don’t know what to do but turn to You. Please don’t make us walk this road alone.”

  After praying to her savior, Carmella was so fired up that she went into her office and turned on the computer. The devil was busy, but she wasn’t going to let him destroy her family... not without a fight. And the way Carmella chose to fight was with praise.

  She opened her email and began typing:

  I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34: 1-3

  Today has been one of those days where I would have rather just pulled the covers over my head and sleep through all of it. But God is able to make all grace abound toward me and that is why I praise His holy name no matter what is going on in the Marshall-Thomas household. Thank You, Lord Jesus for always looking out for my family... and this too shall pass. I believe it because I know my God.

  She ended her her email and hit send. Carmella had been vague about her situation on purpose. She wanted to give God praise, but she would never expose Ramsey to scrutiny, especially since the email went out to their seven grown children. For years now, Carmella had been sending out what she called praise alerts to her family. She needed them to understand that God is worthy to be praise no matter what she or any one of them was going through... Praise Him Anyhow.

  ***

  Far above the clouds, on streets paved in gold, Aaron, the captain of the host was passing out assignments to legions of angels. A group was being sent to help hurricane victims, another group was sent off to help with other catastrophes around the world. Then Captain Aaron called Arnoth to the front.

  Arnoth stood like a soldier in the army of the Lord. “At your service, Captain sir.”

  “Carmella Marshall-Thomas’ prayers concerning Renee have shook heaven and we have orders. It is time.”

  Arnoth was a warrior... a demon slayer for the kingdom. But perhaps a more accurate description of Arnoth’s specialty would be that he aided the people of God in slaying the demons that held them in bondage. His new charge reminded him of Cynda Stephens, a woman who’d had her spirit crushed by every man she’d ever tried to love, until God sent that one man who would love away the hurt and anger that had taken root in her heart.

  But the enemy hadn’t been willing to let Cynda go without a fight. The battle had been fierce and by the time it was over, Cynda had given her heart to God and to a godly man by the name of Keith Hosea Williams. Arnoth had won the battle and had earned an extra jewel on his sword, but he’d come back to heaven with tattered wings. His wings had long since been healed, but even as Arnoth unsheathed his sword, he knew that he’d be coming back to heaven in need of another healing before he’d be able to begin the next battle. “We will fight, for all that is good and all that is right!”

  6

  The Atlantis resort in the Bahamas was a sight to behold. There was something spectacular to do everywhere Renee turned. From the eleven pools, water slides, river rides, movie theaters and on and on it went. The place was decadent... definitely for the two percenters. A lowly assistant like her could never afford such a vacation. She could hardly believe that they were staying in the Royal Tower, the absolute best part of the resort because the rooms were fabulous and the tower was centrally located around all of the resort attractions.

  Dean had told her that she and Dawn would be sharing a room, so Renee was pleasantly surprised when they arrived at the reservation desk and discovered that they each had their own rooms. Their rooms were much smaller than the suites the executives had, but Renee didn’t care. She was in the Bahamas, on Paradise Island, over seven hundred miles away from Marlin and she was going to enjoy every minute of her time away.

  But she had packed light, but she realized that no matter what Marlin was sending her through she didn’t want to be so far away from her parents. And that whole idea about walking around with fruit on her head, was a non-starter.

  “A couple of us are going to the beach. Do you want to hang out with us?” Dawn asked.

  “Sounds good. Let me change into my bathing suit and get the novel I brought to read.” Renee changed into her swimsuit and then grabbed her beach bag. She put her novel, a towel, small bottle of lotion and a sun visor in it. Then she rummaged through her purse for a few other items to put in her beach bag.

  She grabbed her mints and a bottle of water. As she was pulling the Pure Life water out of her purse, Renee caught sight of the pepper spray she bought to protect herself from Marlin. She grabbed hold of it, getting ready to put it in her beach bag. But then she had this strange feeling, like someone whispering in her ear, telling her to put the pepper spray on the night stand next to her bed. She then grabbed her bag and left the room.

  Down at the pool, Renee tried to concentrate on her book, but Jay was distracting her something fierce. She’d never imagined that he would look so good in swim trunks but he his biceps, triceps and washboard abs were doing a number on her. She wanted to call Carmella and ask her to pray this lust demon away. She had been celibate every since leaving Marlin and Renee intended to stay that way until some man put a ring on her finger and waited for her to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’.”

  “Come on in.” Jay splash water on her. “Put that book down and have some fun.”

  She didn’t want to be anywhere near Jay. So she pointed at Dean who was stretched out on a lounge chair reading documents instead of frolicking in the pool. “He’s reading too.”

  “Yeah, but Dean has always been a fun snatcher. You don’t want to end up like him.” Jay got out of the pool and sauntered toward her.

  Water dripped off of his body like he was making it rain. Renee was praying for a drought. She jumped off of the lounge, threw her book in her beach bag and said, “I’ve got to go back to my room.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Jay asked, as he watched her rush past him.

  “I’ll be back.” She had to get away from Jay. As far as Renee was concerned if she liked Jay, there had to be something wrong with him. So, she was going to stay as far away from him as possible. She had escaped from Marlin, and now she needed to escape from Jay. If things kept going like this, she might as well consider herself a run-a-way... maybe that was it, she was running away from false love that only sought to bring her harm. From this day forward, she wanted nothing to do with it.

  Jason grabbed a towel and dried himself off. He then followed after Renee. When he caught up with her, he gently swung her around to face him. “Did I do something to upset you?”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not about you. It’s just... I just need to get away.”

  Smiling that gorgeous smile of his, Jay said, “We already did that.” He did a sweeping motion with his hands, indicating the sand, the ocean and all the beauty before their eyes.

  “What I’m trying to say is, I want to explore the island.”

  “Okay, then I’ll go with you.”

  “No,” she practically shouted in his face.

  “I can’t let you go off on your own, Renee. Your father would never forgive me
if you turned up missing. We are not in North Carolina. You don’t know this place like the back of your hand, so I think it’s best if we travel together.”

  She wanted to argue but deep down she knew he was right. It would be foolish to go off exploring alone. “Okay she agreed, but put some clothes on.” She pointed at his nakedness as if it offended her.

  Laughing Jay said, “I doubt if the Bahamian women would want to hurt their eyes with such a punishing view of me. I’ll get changed and meet you in the lobby.”

  As Jay rushed passed her, Renee couldn’t help but sneak another glance. She couldn’t think of a single woman who wouldn’t consider the athletically built, Jason Morris something lovely to behold indeed. She fanned herself as she channeled her step-mother. “I need to get my mind on Jesus.”

  When they met back up in the lobby, Renee was wearing a sundress and Jay had on a pair of tan shorts with a polo shirt. He grabbed her hand and said, “Come on, I know just the place.”

  Jay had a rental, so they hopped in the car and left the resort. Their first stop was Bay Street for some duty free shopping. But as she looked around at the high end jewelry, clothing and other merchandise, she told him, “Tax free or not, I can’t afford this place.”

  “At least look at some of this stuff before you prejudge.” Jay turned to the jeweler and asked, “Can I see that tennis bracelet?” He pointed to the one he was interested in and then pulled Renee closer.

  The jeweler put the sparkling diamond and white gold bracelet on her arm, and Renee was captivated by the beauty of the thing. But then she thought about all the things Marlin had bought for her and the ways in which he had extracted payment and suddenly the bracelet wasn’t so beautiful anymore. She took it off her arm and handed it back to the jeweler, and the told Jay, “I’m ready to go.”

  “What’s your hurry, don’t you like the bracelet?”

  “Of course I like the bracelet, but it’s three thousand dollars. I’m a lowly assistant, I don’t have that kind of money.”

  “What if I wanted to buy it for you?” Jay asked, his eyes locked on hers, sending her messages she wasn’t prepared to receive.

  Folding her arms across her chest, Renee smirked as she told him, “It’s still too expensive for me.”

  Blinking as he stepped back a bit. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I’m not going to sleep with you just because you buy me a diamond bracelet.”

  “Woa.” Jay lifted his hands trying to pause the situation. “I’m guessing that Marlin dude must have really hurt you. And maybe a few other men as well, but that doesn’t give you the right to assume that I’m just like them.”

  He stormed out of the jewelry shop and slammed the door to his car after getting in.

  Renee gave the jeweler an apologetic half smile and then walked out, hoping that Jay hadn’t been angry enough to leave her to find her way back to the Atlantis. But when she turned the corner and saw the rental car, she breathed easer. Jay had always been a gentlemen, even when they were in high school. Jay had always been the one to open doors for the girls and she’d never heard him say a disparaging word about the girls he dated... his jerk of a best friend had been the total opposite and had treated Renee horribly.

  She arrived at the car, Jay leaned over and opened the passenger door for her. “Thanks.”

  He didn’t respond, just started the car and drove.

  “Where are we?” Renee asked after they’d driving in silence a short distance and then parked.

  “The Straw Market. A place where you can shop without needing to sell your body for the privilege.”

  She knew that she owed Jay an apology, but her pride wouldn’t let her do it. Someone was always doing something to her, and no body bothered to tell her how sorry they were. She opened the door and got out of the car and started walking around to see what this Straw Market had to offer. If Jay wanted to hold a grudge that was on him. She hadn’t asked him to tag along, so he could either change his attitude or go on back to the hotel.

  Renee spotted some cute little Bahama Mama t-shirts that had Joy and Raven’s name written all over them. Then she saw the three for ten dollar sign above the t-shirts and grabbed another one for Carmella. “Oh Jay, look at this,” she picked up a straw hat that had Bahamas stitched on it and put it on his head. “I knew it would look awesome on you.”

  Looking in the mirror that was attached to the wall, Jay smiled as he slanted the hat. “I think you’re right. I like it.”

  “Take it off. I’ll buy it for you.”

  “Oh no,” Jay shook a finger at her. “I’m not about to trade myself for a twelve dollar straw hat.”

  Jay had no idea what she had been through, so her accusation must have sounded hateful and mean spirited. She twisted her lip and then said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things to you in the jewelry store.”

  Taking the hat off, Jay said, “But you did say them. And I’d like to know why.”

  “I was wrong. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?” She turned away from him and took her t-shirts to the check out counter.

  “I don’t want to leave it at that.” Jay grabbed her arm after she handed the clerk ten dollars and then handed her a bag with her t-shirts inside. Jay ushered her out of the store saying, “I’d like to know how someone as beautiful and vibrant as you are could have ever fallen so low to think you had to sleep with a man just because he offered to buy something pretty for you.”

  “I don’t want to do this Jay. I said I’m sorry so let it go.”

  “What if I don’t want to let it go?”

  They were standing so close that she could feel the heat rising off of him as his nostrils flared. But he didn’t have a right to be angry with her so she snatched her arm away from him and said, “Then go back to the hotel and leave me alone.”

  7

  Jay had better things to do than chase a woman who didn’t want to be caught. He had never been spoken to the way Renee had spoken to him. Most of the women he dated appreciated the gifts he gave. But then again, he wasn’t dating Renee and obviously never would. He simply needed to get those silly high school dreams out of his head. He was a grown man now, and if some troubled woman wanted nothing to do with him, well then, he was going to take the hint and move on.

  They were having dinner beneath the stars at the Ocean Club. One of the most premier dining spots on Paradise Island. Jay dressed in a Dolce & Gabbana white linen blazer and a pair of black slacks. It was stylish without being too formal. The room was elegantly decorated with a romantic candle-lit fountain pool. However, Jay was all business as he shook hands and networked.

  Then Renee walked into the room and knocked him off his game with that curves for days dress she was wearing. Looked like something the Duchess of Cambridge would wear to one of those fancy balls she attends with Prince William. Jay silently fumed as the men in the room fell over themselves as the rushed to get an audience with her. He doubted he be able to watch Renee prance around the room all night, so he clasped his hands, getting everyone’s attention. “I’m sure you all have better things to do than hang around here all night. So, let’s take our seats and order dinner.”

  Several members of their group shot questioning glances his way. One actually accused him of being the fun police, but he didn’t care. Jay didn’t owe any of them an explanation. As far as he was concerned they could just sit down, shut up, eat and leave him alone. He was the leader of this bunch so he couldn’t just go to the back of the room and ignore everyone, but that’s what he wanted to do.

  “Hey buddy, you want to tone it down. I’m getting questions about your mood,” Dean told him as they sat down together at one of the round tables next to the candle-lit fountain pool.

  “What about my mood? Who said something about my mood?” Jay asked as if he was ready and willing to fire the culprit.

  Dean leaned closer and whispered, “If you want her so bad, why don’t you just tell her to come to
your room tonight?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jay had never discussed his love life with Dean and he wasn’t about to start tonight. Especially since the love going on between him and Renee was completely one sided.

  Dean looked over his shoulder and then turned back to Jay. “All I’m saying is, Larry looks like he’s about to make a move, so if you’re interested, you better stop acting like a choir boy and get at her.”

  Jay turned to his business partner and blurted out, “She’s not interested in me, okay? So just leave it alone.” He closed his eyes trying to block out the pain those words caused him. Why had God allowed him to spend so many years dreaming about a woman who was off limits? And why had he been fool enough to convince her to take this trip?

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Jay ate his food. Smiled and talked when appropriate but as soon as dinner was over, he excused himself and went for a walk on the beach.

  He needed to put as much distance between him and Renee as possible. After having time to think about it, Jay understood that offering to purchase a three thousand dollar bracelet for a woman he wasn’t even dating was too extravagant. So he wasn’t upset about the refusal of the bracelet. It was the way she refused it that was sticking in his gut. She treated him as if he was some slime guy who preyed on women as they got of the bus in a new city. Like he was going to wine and dine her and then put her on the stroll.

  She was not the same Renee he pined over all those years ago. With a heavy heart, Jay accepted that fact and he also accepted the fact that it was time to stop dreaming and move forward with his life. He picked up a rock and threw it into the ocean. Tiffany had been after him to make a commitment, either they were in a relationship or they weren’t. Jay had been prepared to tell her that they weren’t. But maybe Tiffany was real and right for him. He threw another rock in the ocean and then lifted his head heavenward, praying for an answer. Since he was a child his mother had taught him to trust in God. She’d run through the house shouting praises to a God that Jay couldn’t see or touch. He hadn’t understood her back then. But every time something good happened for their family... his dad got a promotion, Jay made the basketball team, they moved into a bigger house... his mother would tell him, ‘I prayed for that. Now I need to go thank and praise the Lord for bringing it to pass’. So right now, Jay was praying for the Lord to do something for him. He’d received success and made tons of money. But Jay was still waiting on the one. “Can you please make it plain to me, Lord? Can you help me find the woman I will spend the rest of my life with?”