LOVE, LIFE, and VOWS Read online

  She knew that Franklin and Josh were two different people but old habits die hard. Sandy pulled Franklin’s phone out his coat pocket and saw that he’d received a text message. Everything within her told her not to read it but she couldn’t resist.

  “Franklin, I’ll be in town this Friday. Would love to talk. Miss you. April.”

  Sandy’s hand started to shake. April? What could she want to talk about other than the obvious?

  Franklin was coming out of the store with his water so she quickly fixed the message to make it seem as though she hadn’t read it. Then, she put the phone back into his pocket.

  He filled up the tank and got back into the car.

  Sandy sounded a little breathless, “Did you miss me as much as I missed you while you were in there?”

  Franklin reached over and kissed her on the lips, “You know it. You okay, you’re trembling.”

  “I’m fine. It’s just a little chilly.”

  He turned the heater on, “Well let me warm you up.”

  Sandy was doing her best not to let old insecurities rear their ugly little heads. She had to trust him. What choice did she have? Hopefully, this will be no different than her rejection of Joshua. Hopefully, he’ll turn April down flat.

  She had to remember, Franklin had never lied to her and she was just going to have to trust him. So, Sandy did her best to push her nagging doubts to the back of her mind. She couldn’t punish Franklin for all the past mistakes of the other men in her life.

  *****

  By the time they made it to the condo they went straight to bed. Franklin fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It took Sandy a little while longer before she drifted off to a fitful sleep.

  They woke early. Sandy waited for Franklin to get into the shower before she had the courage to see if he’d read or responded to April’s text.

  After scrolling down to it, he’d definitely read it. Nervously, Sandy went to his sent file to see if he responded. Her heart sank when she saw that he had.

  “April, Thursday is no good. How about Friday?”

  Chapter 12

  Two weeks later, Vicky was sitting outside in the courtyard with Miriam and Aunt Shirley waiting for Sandy to arrive. She was flying in for an overnight stay. Vicky missed her like crazy and wished she lived in Atlanta.

  Angel was upstairs taking a nap. It was the end of summer and a perfect day in Atlanta; not to hot or humid. The sun felt good on her skin. Maybe she’d try to convince Jason to take some time out for a picnic lunch or a walk.

  It was hard to believe it had only been two weeks since she and Jason returned from the island. A lot had happened since then. She’d followed all of her attorney’s advice to ‘get in the game’ as he explained it. She felt like a dancing monkey in the circus; smile here, wear this, no don’t wear that, hold Angel like this, no don’t do that. Yet, the press had still been brutal towards her. It hadn’t been as easy as they hoped to turn the PR game around.

  Jason was so frustrated. When he wasn’t working on CkR International business, he and his father were consumed with working on the custody case and trying to win the PR war. Ryan’s team was definitely winning the battles. Vicky didn’t care as long as they won the war. Dammit, she was a good mom!

  “Mom, Aunt Shirley, I think I’m going to try and see if I can convince my husband to have a late lunch with me.”

  “Vicky, I think that would be wonderful. My son can be so singularly driven when he is working on something; especially when it’s for someone he loves.”

  “Why don’t you see if you can convince him to stay overnight at one of those swanky hotels and get away from everything. Miriam and I can hold it down here.”

  “Thanks Aunt Shirley but I’m not sure if I can convince him to take a break for lunch let alone spend a night away from Rutherford HQ.”

  Just as Vicky was about to leave, Sandy walked into the courtyard.

  “Well, I had hoped we could have lunch together?”

  Vicky hugged her friend, “You made it! I didn’t know what time you were getting but I can re-arrange my non-existent plans.”

  “My goodness…you are positively glowing and growing my friend.”

  Vicky rubbed her stomach, “I know. This baby is so much more active than Angel was. I think he or she wants to play soccer.”

  Miriam and Shirley were glad that Sandy had arrived. No one wanted to leave Vicky alone and with Sandy being there it would give them an opportunity to go and pick up a couple of things

  “We’re going to run out for a bit. You ladies enjoy this weather.”

  *****

  Sandy and Vicky sat down on the swing.

  “So, how are you doing Vicky? You’re hanging in there?”

  “Barely. You don’t know how much your visits mean to me. When you’re here I feel like I can finally relax. Everybody watches me like a hawk looking for the littlest thing to see if I’m stressed. Of course I’m stressed! Who wouldn’t be? It wouldn’t be normal not to be. So, I have to walk around not just in public but at home never being able to show any emotion but calm. When what I really want to do is hit something.”

  “That can’t be good for you or the baby either.”

  “I’m sure it’s not. However, I was just at my doctor’s office a couple of days ago. The baby’s good. I’m good…health-wise we are both good.”

  “Well…that’s good!” Sandy kept a straight face for a moment before they both burst out laughing.

  Vicky hit her in the arm, “not funny Sandy.”

  “No, it’s not and I’m sorry. But, think about it…you’re complaining about everything being good. It is a little funny.”

  Vicky became a little more solemn, “Well, we both know everything is not good. Is it possible to be sick of yourself? I’m actually sick of me. I mean at least talking about myself. So…let’s not; let’s talk about you or anything else other than my life of ‘As the Rutherford’s Turn’?”

  “I can do that. Let’s see, your replacement sucks. I mean she is not terrible enough to fire but she isn’t even half of you. She takes the most bathroom breaks of any rep I’ve ever had. And, I also heard a little rumor that she was dating Joshua.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  Sandy sighed thoughtfully, “Absolutely not. I told you I was over him and I am. I think what bothers me the most is his contribution to my distrust of men and their ability to do dumb stuff.”

  Vicky raised a brow and was hesitant to ask but felt compelled to do so, “Like what?”

  “Like lots of things but especially texting. Texting always seem to get men into trouble. They are so careless.” Sandy focused on picking off that non-existent piece of lint from her designer blouse.

  “I’m sure a lot of men are but not Franklin. So, I don’t know what you think you found but Franklin is a good guy. And if we know anything about Franklin…he is meticulous in everything. I know he wouldn’t cheat on you.”

  “Technically, Franklin and I are not a couple.” Sandy used air quotes, “Remember, we are seeing ‘where things go.’ Anyway, his ex sent him a text message the night you guys got back from your honeymoon.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I never really knew the deal with that relationship. Wasn’t her name Amber, April or something? Anyway…all I ever knew was that he was engaged one minute and the next he said they’d broken up. What did she want?”

  “I wasn’t going to bother you with this then. There was just too much going on. Anyway, she wanted to meet him for dinner.”

  “Did he go?”

  “I think so. The next morning when he went to shower, I finally got the nerve read his reply. He told her he couldn’t meet Thursday but he could meet her Friday. Who am I kidding…I can’t prove it but I know he went. Especially since he’s been acting…differently ever since.”

  “Different…different like how?”

  “We’ve spent almost every night together since Angel’s accident. But, right around the time of t
heir ‘reunion’ he’s come up with every lame excuse why either he or I shouldn’t stay over. We haven’t really made love since around the time he got the text.”

  “Sandy, you have to talk to him about this.”

  Sandy moved a strand of her hair behind her ear, “I know because it’s eating me up. I just have no idea how to do it. Remember, he hasn’t mentioned one word about April. I only know because I snooped in his cell phone.” She slammed her hands down on her lap.

  “Damn my exes. Because of Joshua and men like him, I’m an insecure mess and it’s come back to bite me in the ass. Bad habits don’t die easily. You know…I didn’t really think I’d find anything when I looked in Franklin’s phone.”

  Vicky put her arms around her friends shoulder. “I’ve seen you two together and Franklin has very strong feelings for you. Have faith in him.”

  “I’m doing my best.

  *****

  Jason was locked up in his office with his father and of course Franklin.

  “Franklin, so where are we with the private detective? I haven’t gotten that update.”

  “He’s still digging. If there is any dirt out there to be found he’ll find it. Jason, I hate to have to tell you this here and now but…it looks like CkR Int’l is going to lose the Leimann account.”

  Jason walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink.

  “Son, you think it’s a bit early for that?”

  Jason didn’t respond to his dad but downed the drink in one gulp. “Just out of curiosity how much of a loss would that be for us Franklin?”

  Franklin rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s about one-hundred and twenty million over three years. It’s not the money that’s the problem. If Leimann pulls, which will make the board a little shaky, how many more may follow?”

  The news didn’t seem to faze Mr. Rutherford, “Let the bastards walk. And, I don’t give a damn about the board…Jason and I installed all of them. As long as we have the controlling interest they could run around the building with their hair on fire and I would care less. But, they better know that I have a long memory and I promise you, I’ll remember this. Franklin, make sure you put that word out there.”

  “Consider it done Sir.”

  Jason was exhausted, “We’re not going to lose Leimann. I spoke to Phil this morning. I convinced him it would be in his best interest to sit tight.”

  Franklin looked impressed “How’d you do that? I’ve been working the phones all week and couldn’t get anywhere.”

  “Leimann is leveraged up to the wazoo and guess who they’re getting most of their financing from? Edgewater, Price & Stone our favorite Hedge fund. I gave them a call this morning and they only need a word from us to call in Leimann’s note. I hate having to use strong arm tactics but he needed to know that the Rutherford’s are not in a weakened position.”

  “Well, I will be flying back to Minnesota in the morning. That should still the waters for a while. In the meantime, we’ve got the monthly Dept. heads meeting. I’ve been gone over a week and one of us should be there. You’re going to conference in though right?”

  Jason cracked a half smile, “Yeah, I’ll be conferencing in. But, just admit it you’re trying to get back to Sandy.”

  “She’s actually flying here today. She should probably be here anytime. We’ll fly back together tomorrow.”

  Mr. Rutherford’s cell phone rang, “I’ve been waiting for this call. I’m going to take it in another room. If you’re not here when I’m done Franklin…have a safe trip.”

  “Thanks Mr. Rutherford.”

  After they shook hands, he left the room. Jason poured himself another drink.

  “Jay…you’re going pretty heavy on the drink today. It’s not like you, what else is going on?”

  Jason sat his glass down on the bar and sighed, “I’ve got to tell Vicky that Ryan arranged an emergency hearing for this Friday to establish some sort of visitation rights. So, we’ll be flying to Minnesota too.”

  “Jay, you do know that even if Ryan is unsuccessful in his full custody battle that he will probably get some form of visitation with Angel.”

  Jason slammed his fist down on the bar, “He doesn’t deserve it! Where the hell has he been all of her life? He’s never been there for Vicky or Angel. We damn near had to black mail him to save his own daughter’s life.”

  “Look man, I can’t even imagine what you guys are going through but you’ve got to keep it together. They need you.”

  Jason closed his eyes for just a moment, “I know. I’m doing my best but I’ve got to be honest this is really starting to get to me.

  “It would get to anybody. You’re doing your best that’s all you can do.”

  “I just hope my best is good enough. Anyway, I need a time-out from this nightmare. If I haven’t said it already thank you for handling things for me at the office. I know it’s been stressful for you too. I’m just glad you’ve at least got your love life together and that Sandy is there for you.”

  Now it was Franklin’s turn to pour himself a drink. “I think it might be an overstatement to say I have my love life together. As a matter of fact to say my love life is complicated is an understatement.”

  Jason tipped his drink toward Franklin, “You better put a ring on that woman’s finger before someone else steals her out from under you.”

  Franklin laughed sarcastically to himself, “I’m not like you, Jay. I was engaged once. It ended in disaster. I’m in no rush to travel that road again; if ever. There is no wedding in my future.”

  “Look, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I love my wife and would do anything and everything for her. But, I hope you don’t let whatever happened with your last engagement to cloud this relationship.”

  “April called me a couple of weeks ago.”

  Jason raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

  “We’ve been talking on the phone lately and have had dinner a couple of times.”

  “Seriously? I can’t say I expected that. You’ve had dinner a couple of times? Why?”

  That was a really good question that Franklin didn’t know how to answer. Initially, he thought it would help him get some type of closure. But, after having dinner with April he wasn’t sure if closure was what he ultimately wanted.”

  “I…can’t answer you. April and I were together for a long time Jay. I can’t just turn my feelings on and off. I thought I could stay angry with her forever. I couldn’t and I didn’t. However, I didn’t realize that until she text me. When I finally heard from her, after she text, it was just good to hear her voice.”

  “What really happened between you two? You only said the engagement was off. You didn’t offer any more details so I didn’t pry.”

  Franklin took a long sip of his drink before answering, “Honestly, I don’t know. She went to visit her sister and when she came back she decided she no longer wanted to get married. She said it was her way of trying to get my attention. She never intended for things to get this far out of control. I’m not sure if I believe that.”

  Jason took a seat behind his desk, “Me either. But, what surprised me the most was your reaction to the broken engagement. I thought you would be angry or hurt but you didn’t seem to be either.

  “I wasn’t. I felt…nothing.”

  “Hmm…that might be telling you something. Honestly, I never expected you to marry her. You dated for what…six years and I barely knew her. No offense but, you seemed more married to CkR International. So when you told me you were engaged to April…I was kind of shocked. But, I knew if you were going to take the plunge…you had to really care for her.”

  “April and I have this unexplainable connection. Granted it’s no passionate love affair but that shit is over-rated and eventually fizzles out. She gets me and all of my issues. I don’t trust emotion. That’s why I’m a numbers guy. A fact is a fact is a fact.”

  “Well there seems to be a lot of passion between you and Sandy? Is that why you never co
mmitted to her? Are you waiting for it to fizzle out?”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it; Maybe? I didn’t really have to think about commitment because we were just enjoying our time together when we were together.”

  Jason could see the strain on Franklin’s face. “Obviously, there is some unfinished business with April…and Sandy. Sandy does deserves to know what’s going on. From the looks of things, she might have some strong feelings for you. You’ve got to be honest with her and tell her what’s going on.”

  “I know and I know she has feelings for me. I have feelings for her. Jay…I don’t want to hurt her but April…” Franklin’s voice trailed off. “I’ve got to be honest with myself too.”

  Their conversation stopped when Vicky knocked on the door.

  “Hey, is it safe to come in?”

  “Always for you.”

  Jason watched her as she walked into the room. Although she looked tired, she was glowing with his child growing inside of her. She was round and getting fuller every day. “Hey beautiful.”

  Vicky gave him a dazzling smile before remembering Franklin was in the room.

  “Hey Franklin, Sandy finally made it. She’s in the courtyard.”

  Franklin kissed her on the cheek, “Then I better get to the courtyard. Jay we’ll talk later.”

  “Keep me posted.”

  “Will do.” Franklin walked out and closed the door behind him.

  Vicky walked over to Jason and sat on his lap. Then, she put her arms around his neck. She noticed the drink on his desk and smelled it on him. She didn’t like it but didn’t say anything. She’ll save it for another time.

  “I’m sure you and Franklin haven’t eaten yet so I asked Willa to make us a lunch. I’m hoping I can pull you away for just a little while to have a late lunch with us.”

  “Hmm…lunch with my beautiful wife or work? I think I’ll choose you.”

  *****

  Franklin and Sandy decided not to stay for lunch. So for the first time since Vicky and Jason returned from their honeymoon, they didn’t have a house full of people. Willa had prepared them a picnic lunch. Jason spread the blanket out on the grassy area of the courtyard. He laid out resting his head on Vicky’s lap while she fed him fruit.