Read Online Her Only Salvation by J.C. Valentine - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: J.C. Valentine
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away, letting the window dressings spring back into place. Needing to be surrounded by light and warmth, Terri strode quickly from the room.
Luke was relaxing on the overstuffed couch, his dark eyes surveying the photos hanging on the walls. All were of landscape or some such scenery, nothing of Terri or anything that hinted at her past, except for the picture of her parents sitting on the corner of the end table next to the colorful lamp.
The design was purposeful.
She had heard once that you had to surround yourself with positive things if you wanted positive things to come to you. Her parents hadn’t had a perfect marriage, but they had always been her champions, and whenever she looked at their smiling faces she felt a sense of peace envelope her.
Her life with Randy had been a sham. A total lie. People thought they were happy, but behind the scenes it was a nightmare. They didn’t know the abuse, both mental and emotional. They didn’t have to live with the betrayals, and they certainly didn’t have to live with the constant fear of never knowing what the day might bring looming over their head.
Yes, the design of her home was intentional. She kept all pictures of her and Randy from before, during and after their marriage in a box on a shelf in her closet. If she put them out she would have to pass by them each day, always seeing and being reminded of the life she so desperately wished to leave behind. One day she would be brave enough to destroy them.
She may be hiding from her husband, but some might say she was also hiding from herself. So be it. You had to do what you had to do to survive.
Gaze landing on her, Luke sat up, smiling in a way that called an instant blush to Terri’s cheeks. He really was a good-looking guy, she thought as she crossed the room and dropped down into the chair opposite him.
“Feeling better?” he asked, looking her over.
“Much. Are these the plans?” Scooting to the edge of her seat, Terri took a closer look at the papers spread out on the table. Luke had asked her for assistance in planning a St. Patty’s Day themed party at Sunset Black for the upcoming holiday, and she found that she couldn’t say no. Besides, she didn’t have much to keep her busy these days and it sounded like the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in something fun that would keep both her hands and her mind busy. Lord knew she needed the distraction, especially since she hadn’t been getting much sleep or peace of mind since that night Randy had contacted her at work.
“One and the same,” Luke confirmed, then leaned in closer so he could fill her in on what his ideas were and how they should go about making them happen.
Chapter Seven
I’m going to go pick out a snack and something to drink,” Terri announced, lifting herself from the floor where she had curled up nearly an hour ago to start drawing out ideas for the club. Stretching her aching limbs she looked down at Luke who sat in a similar position at her feet. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
Running a finger over his chin, Luke thought carefully before nodding slowly. “I could go for some coffee, if you have it.”
Smiling, Terri nodded and started off for the kitchen. “Coffee is the breakfast of champions, as my father always said.”
“Wise man.”
Not more than two steps inside the kitchen doorway, Terri stopped in her tracks. Her brows knitted together as she stared at the glass patio door standing wide open to the night. The chill of early spring air drifted in at a steady pace, cooling the small space by degrees. She half wondered why she hadn’t noticed the difference from the next room, but that was a moot point. What was it doing open in the first place?
As she stood there staring, she tried hard to recall when she had last opened it. Never, if her memory served. She hadn’t been in the home for long and had no real purpose for hanging around outside. Unlike her
Luke was relaxing on the overstuffed couch, his dark eyes surveying the photos hanging on the walls. All were of landscape or some such scenery, nothing of Terri or anything that hinted at her past, except for the picture of her parents sitting on the corner of the end table next to the colorful lamp.
The design was purposeful.
She had heard once that you had to surround yourself with positive things if you wanted positive things to come to you. Her parents hadn’t had a perfect marriage, but they had always been her champions, and whenever she looked at their smiling faces she felt a sense of peace envelope her.
Her life with Randy had been a sham. A total lie. People thought they were happy, but behind the scenes it was a nightmare. They didn’t know the abuse, both mental and emotional. They didn’t have to live with the betrayals, and they certainly didn’t have to live with the constant fear of never knowing what the day might bring looming over their head.
Yes, the design of her home was intentional. She kept all pictures of her and Randy from before, during and after their marriage in a box on a shelf in her closet. If she put them out she would have to pass by them each day, always seeing and being reminded of the life she so desperately wished to leave behind. One day she would be brave enough to destroy them.
She may be hiding from her husband, but some might say she was also hiding from herself. So be it. You had to do what you had to do to survive.
Gaze landing on her, Luke sat up, smiling in a way that called an instant blush to Terri’s cheeks. He really was a good-looking guy, she thought as she crossed the room and dropped down into the chair opposite him.
“Feeling better?” he asked, looking her over.
“Much. Are these the plans?” Scooting to the edge of her seat, Terri took a closer look at the papers spread out on the table. Luke had asked her for assistance in planning a St. Patty’s Day themed party at Sunset Black for the upcoming holiday, and she found that she couldn’t say no. Besides, she didn’t have much to keep her busy these days and it sounded like the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in something fun that would keep both her hands and her mind busy. Lord knew she needed the distraction, especially since she hadn’t been getting much sleep or peace of mind since that night Randy had contacted her at work.
“One and the same,” Luke confirmed, then leaned in closer so he could fill her in on what his ideas were and how they should go about making them happen.
Chapter Seven
I’m going to go pick out a snack and something to drink,” Terri announced, lifting herself from the floor where she had curled up nearly an hour ago to start drawing out ideas for the club. Stretching her aching limbs she looked down at Luke who sat in a similar position at her feet. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
Running a finger over his chin, Luke thought carefully before nodding slowly. “I could go for some coffee, if you have it.”
Smiling, Terri nodded and started off for the kitchen. “Coffee is the breakfast of champions, as my father always said.”
“Wise man.”
Not more than two steps inside the kitchen doorway, Terri stopped in her tracks. Her brows knitted together as she stared at the glass patio door standing wide open to the night. The chill of early spring air drifted in at a steady pace, cooling the small space by degrees. She half wondered why she hadn’t noticed the difference from the next room, but that was a moot point. What was it doing open in the first place?
As she stood there staring, she tried hard to recall when she had last opened it. Never, if her memory served. She hadn’t been in the home for long and had no real purpose for hanging around outside. Unlike her
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