A Glimmer of Hope by Julie Lessman

Author:Julie Lessman [Lessman, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Published: 2015-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

I hate him.

Lacey slammed the front door as hard as she could, the sound defiling the beauty of a balmy June night where the sunset rippled over the river in ribbons of scarlet and gold. Oh, how she wished she could stay at Nicki’s forever, and if it wasn’t for her mom, she would, the sound of Daddy’s favorite rate of late still ringing in her ears.

“That’s a promise ring all right—a promise he’ll get exactly what he wants without paying the price.”

Liar! Lacey fled across her front yard and didn’t stop till she collapsed over the railing of the ramp to Jack’s dock, barely able to hear Jack’s and his sisters’ laughter for the pounding of her own heart. Her ribcage ached from exertion as nausea rolled in her gut, threatening to rise in her throat. Fear and insecurity clawed in her chest while waves of worthlessness slammed against her brain, deadly whitecaps in a storm against her soul. Daddy had been in a particularly foul mood tonight, triggering another fight with Mom before turning his wrath on her.

“That piece of tin is nothing but a license to use you, and when he’s done, he’ll just throw you away.”

No! Chest heaving, Lacey swiped at the tears on her face, wondering why her mother had ever married him. He was nothing but a liar. A monster. A sorry excuse for a father. And as soon as she could, she’d leave, whether it was to Nicki’s or to college—it didn’t matter. And that’s where she’d stay until Jack could take her away.

Jack.

His teases suddenly echoed over the water as he and his sisters fished on the dock, and instantly a familiar peace flooded her soul, slowing the frantic beat of her pulse. Yes! Everything would be all right because Jack was home for the summer. The one man who could redeem her from the wrath of Daddy, convincing her she was worth loving no matter what her father said before she’d stormed out of the house.

“He’ll never marry you, because you’re not worth the trouble.”

“You’re wrong, Daddy,” she hissed under her breath, bolting down the O’Bryen’s ramp. “Jack loves me no matter what.”

The weathered wood clattered beneath her feet, making so much racket that Jack turned around in his Adirondack chair to see who it was. His face lit up with a smile the moment he saw her, then instantly faded the closer she got, compelling him to rush to meet her at the edge of the dock. “What’s wrong?” he said, surveying her head to toe while he held her at arm’s length. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head and flew into his arms, unable to restrain the tears that leaked from her eyes. “I hate him!”

He bundled her close, tucking his head against hers. “Your dad again?” he whispered, stroking her head with a tenderness she’d never once received from her father.

A heave broke from her lips as she nodded, clutching Jack with all of her might. “I wish he were dead.

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