Lacey and Brian entered Marty’s Bar at seven. It looked like a country western type of place. Wooden booths lined the walls. Round tables of various sizes were sprinkled around the room. The bar was in the middle of the room and went all the way around in a square. Beer mugs hung above it. “Hi,” a girl said who was wearing a waist apron. “Just take a seat where you like. Someone will be with you in a minute.” They walked to a booth and took a seat across from each other. “Well, this is different from what I’m used to. What about you?” Brian asked. “The same.” The menus were in a holder next to the side of the wall. Lacey grabbed two and handed one to Brian. The band, The Finleys, were supposed to start playing at eight-thirty. Before they could say anything else, a girl with really short brown hair came over. She was petite. “Hi, Welcome to Marty’s.” She sat down two glasses of water and straws. “Do yo

It was almost noon. Blake was only a mile away from the inn. He had found a top-notch jewelry store in Portland called Springer’s. He had purchased a fourteen carat gold sapphire and diamond bracelet for Lacey to match her blue eyes. It had cost him five figures but he didn’t care. It was the first time he had spent so much money on jewelry for a woman – family members included. As he got closer to the inn, he noticed a stretch limo. Someone wealthy had arrived. Blake parked his rental, grabbed the gift he had the jeweler gift wrap for him, and headed to the house. As he walked, Lacey popped up from a rocking chair on the porch. If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have seen her until he got to the porch. “Well, hello, gorgeous,” he greeted as he walked up the walkway. “Hey, handsome. I was told you went to Portland this morning.” “I did,” he confirmed with a smirk. He climbed the steps to the wrap around porch. He walked r

The next day . . .Blake went to the Dandridge estate outside of the city. Lacey wasn’t the only one who needed to gain some perspective. There was only one person in the world who he could talk to.Blake had to let himself in. The butler was no were in sight. He walked to the living room and the den. His grandmother wasn’t in either place. He went outside to the patio.The only person who was out there was little Moxley. He was the seven-year-old son of one of his cousins.“Who are you?” the boy asked. He had thick, brown straight hair. It was like a perfectly straight mop atop of his head.“I’m Blake, your second cousin.”The child was wearing blue swim trunks. “Who?” he said with confusion.“Blake Dandridge. I run the family business.”“Oooh. You’re the cousin who took over the family business after Uncle Ben died.”“That’s right.”“Your nickname is Satan.”“What?” Blake blurted out.“That’s what everyone calls you. Satan. Aren’t you supposed to be in hell or something like that?

Once month later . . . It was Labor Day, and the Dandridge clan gathered at the family estate to celebrate the holiday. Blake was in attendance. Normally, he detested spending time with his family at large functions, but he was trying to be a different man. A man who appreciates women and family – God help him. The woman part was easy. The family part not so much. He couldn’t stand half the moochers and whoremongers. But per his grandmother’s request, he was there. Maybe I can stay for an hour or so and then leave. He walked in the back yard. There was a white air conditioned tent set up for them to eat in. The smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking filled the air. Blake wore a pair of jean shorts and a brown shirt with a collar. He didn’t wear denim of any kind until after he had started seeing Lacey. He had bought a few pairs of jeans and denim shorts in Maine. It felt freeing for some reason. It was like he was a teen again

The front of the temporary stage had a clear glass podium and lilac curtains behind it. Soft purple light lit the room. Crystal chandeliers were above. The round tables were covered in white tablecloths. The centerpieces were shortly cut white carnations in clear round like glass vases.It was almost six o’clock. The Stevens settled down at their table, which was in the middle of the room. Roxanne and Lacey were surprised that they were located in the middle of the room. At most charity events, the middle of the room seating was reserved for major contributors. Of course, Lacey’s mother donated to any charity that assisted St. Patrick’s Cathedral because they were members of that church. But she hadn’t donated enough to warrant middle room seating – not as she knew of. They had returned from Paris two weeks ago. The invitation was at the estate waiting on them. When her mother asked if she wanted to come, she had asked if she could bring a friend. Her mother ha