One Bride for Five Mountain Men

“You can always sue them. But I guess you don’t have enough money to hire a lawyer,” her sister smirked. “If you’re planning to chase any other celebrities today, please let me know. I’ll look out for the pictures tomorrow,” Tara remarked, then laughed that evil laugh of hers and made a quick exit.

Rory just stared at the wall. Blank, numb, and totally out of place was how she felt. She wanted to break all the expensive crockery in that kitchen. Turn the refrigerator over and destroy this perfect little kitchen that her mother had painstakingly built.

She wanted to get away. Run away as far from this house as possible and never return. But she couldn’t. Her muscles refused to obey the directions of her mind. Rory cursed herself for coming here. She longed for the quaint house in Montcove that seemed so far away.

Chapter 22

Thank heaven for small mercies, Rory thought as she realized that she was finally home alone, since her parents had gone out to make the final check on the wedding arrangements.

She called up the band’s office again, asked for Don, and once again he was unavailable. This time, she left her cellphone number and asked the receptionist to make sure that he got the message. There was very little chance that he would—especially since Rory didn’t state the purpose of the call—but all she could do was be hopeful.

The next morning, she decided to head out and go to a quiet little chapel that she had always liked when she was a child. If nothing else, I can pray for Lizzy. Maybe the gods above would listen to that, at least, since I rarely pray for anything.

After praying, Rory spent a few hours wandering around the old places she used to frequent, the places where she had done odd jobs to make ends meet. It was no surprise to her that there was barely a positive memory to be evoked. Besides, with every passing moment, Rory knew that she had to talk to her father about helping her out with money.

I could wait until the wedding day when he is happy and hopefully intoxicated.

As she made the long walk back home, Rory rehearsed the speech again and again in her head. She couldn’t be overly sweet or too meek. Sure, she desperately needed financial help, but she didn’t want to beg for it either. Rory knew her mother would do her best to make her grovel. Anything she told her father would certainly reach her mother’s ears. That’s just how it was. Especially since, in this case, money was involved.

Rory entered the house through the kitchen door and her mother was standing at the counter, preparing lunch. Good, I am famished, Rory thought. The long walk in the LA heat had exhausted her and she just wanted to put her feet up and laze around on the couch. But for now, the only option was a proper meal on a dining table.

“What are you cooking, Mother?” Rory asked in her most cheerful voice. Her mother remained silent at first, and then she turned and nodded to the living room.

“I think you should head in there first.”

Rory wondered what was going on. Did I do something else now? Why is she being so serious? Rory cautiously made her way to the living room, all kinds of possible situations going through her mind. She hated being this clueless.

Her voice got stuck in her throat as she entered the living room.

“Lizzy!” She let out an excited whisper. Lizzy sat on the couch, looking disheveled and distraught. It looked like she hadn’t slept for days or had even taken a bath for that matter.

“What…? How…? Lizzy, how are you?” Rory rushed to hug her tight. The relief that she felt completely overwhelmed her.

“I’m okay. I guess,” she replied meekly, not sounding anything like the chirpy Lizzy that made her way to the bookshop every morning. “I got your message, Rory, and once Mickey kicked me out, I had nowhere to go. I didn’t know anyone in LA, so I… so I came here.” Lizzy tried not to break into tears. “I hope your mother doesn’t mind. She didn't look very pleased to let me in.”

“Don’t mind her. She’s just stressed with the wedding and all that,” Rory lied, clearly knowing that her mother had probably judged the hell out of Lizzy. “The important thing is that you’re okay and that you’re here. I came to LA to find you, Lizzy, and that’s all I wanted to do. To make sure that you’re safe.” Rory smiled, but Lizzy didn’t.

“I am stupid, aren’t I, Rory? I should’ve just listened to you and not let my stu

pid little head do the thinking.”

“Don’t say that, Lizzy, you are not stupid,” Rory said.

“I am, Rory. I fell for a guy who’s a jerk. I fell for his words and his promises and left everything behind for him. This guy used me and once he was bored, he threw me away. What else am I if not a fool?” A single tear slid down her cheeks and Rory quickly wiped it away.

“Lizzy, my darling, we all make mistakes. I have too and so has everyone else. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

“But why do I make the worst mistakes? Why do I do things even when people who care about me warn me against them?” Tears were streaming down her face.

Rory wanted to ask her what happened, what Mickey had done, but she thought it best to avoid that for now as Lizzy seemed to be in a very fragile state of mind.

“Lizzy, the important thing is that you are here now, safe, unharmed, and before long we’ll be back in Montcove where we can continue our lives as if none of this ever happened.”

Lizzy broke down again.

“What will I ever tell my mom? How will I ever face everyone else back home?” As the realization dawned upon her, Lizzy was falling apart. “I’ve lost everything, Rory.”

Rory gently patted her head and held her close.