Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (36 page)

After Hugh met Annie, he changed his mind about you. I thought because of Annie was why he became your advocate. I never believe you would go through with the wedding, but you did. Then Shane announced you were pregnant. Miranda was furious. I didn’t want to lose my golden goose, I knew I had to stop you somehow.  My cousin works in a photo shop, so I asked him to help me play a joke on someone.  He called a week ago to tell me there was an investigator asking questions.  I swear to you Stacey, I had forgotten I had sent those awful photos to you.  After the twins were born, I more or less accepted you. Then the night of the concert, well, I saw you in a completely different light.”

Rachael was quiet for a bit and Stacey waited for her to gather her, thoughts together. She kept licking her lips and jumping from one thought to another. “We happened to run into Miranda and Shane at a club one night. It was stormy and the place was getting ready to close when Miranda invited us all to her flat.  The flat was spacious, reeked of wealth and over-looked the Thames. I wanted to live like that, I wanted her to be my friend.  I knew she had a chateau in France, a villa in Tuscany and god only knows where else. If she and Shane were together, then we would be invited too.

Then you turned up out of the blue. You were more a child than an adult. Another child I did not need in my life. Remember I’m a teacher. I had children all day clamoring for my attention, and then when I arrived home, there were two more of the little pest demanding attention. You look shocked, Stacey.  Do you understand now how far I had sunk into psychoneurosis?”

“Yes, I believe I do. Did no one notice this change in you?”

“Only my children, Ian was oblivious to everything that didn’t concern him. You know, I was shocked when there was no reaction to the photos.  I thought, maybe you didn’t receive them. You were still sweet to my children and nice to me.  I didn’t understand how you could not leave Shane after such a betrayal.”

“I had no idea it was you who sent the photos, but I knew the photos weren’t of Shane. I thought, Miranda was the culprit. I had no intentions of letting her or anyone else break up my marriage. Rachael, I must ask, why did you start consulting a psychiatrist? What brought you to that point?”

“It was just before, and again, after the concert. My children had been so hurt because of my attitude. What you did for Madison by pitching your hat to her and the confidence that thoughtful act instilled in her. She was so proud of that red hat. To tell you the truth, I was afraid I might hurt my children. I found myself having difficulty distinguishing fact from fancy.”

Stacey moved over and put her arms around Rachael. “I’m so sorry, I wish there was some way I could help you through this. One good thing did come out of this. It gave me a legitimate reason to punch Miranda.”

“I’m so sorry, Stacey. I wish you would strike me too. I think it would make me feel better. By the way, does Shane know about me too?”

“No, he doesn’t. I just found out today.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Yes, of course, eventually. I don’t want to cause hurt to you or your family. Perhaps you should confide in Ian; after all, he is a doctor. I know men take wives for granted, but surely he has not been completely oblivious to your inner-turmoil.”

“Ian, no longer lives here, Stacey. He packed his bags and moved out about a month or so ago. I’m surprised you didn’t know. Oh, I’m sorry, of course, you didn’t know. You were still in Texas at the time. Has Shane said nothing to you about Ian no longer living here?”

Stacey shook her head, no, and looked at her watch and said, “I’m sorry to cut this short, Rachael, but I need to get home to the girls. Perhaps you will come visit sometime and we can talk more. Bring the children and we’ll go to the park.”

On the way home, Stacey decided not to tell Shane about the information Miles had given her. As for as she was concerned Rachael had more than enough to deal with, without more piled on her fragile psyche.

That night after the twins were fed, bathed and put in bed, Stacey told Shane as they were cleaning up the kitchen, “I stopped by Rachael’s to say, ‘Hello.’ Did you know Ian had moved out?”

“Yes, I did, sweetheart. He stayed here a couple of nights until he found a place. Did Rachael discuss their problems with you?”

“No, she didn’t. As you well know, she and I have never been that close, but I think now because of Madison and Andy we may get closer. She said she sees me in a different light after the concert. Whatever that means.”

Two weeks to the day later, the house phone rang. Stacey was surprised to hear Miles on the other end. “Stacey, Shane is on my other line. He wants to know if the investigator has information on the photos yet. What do you want me to tell him?”

“Tell him the truth, Miles. That you gave me the information the day I had tea with your mother. I will take it from there. Don’t concern yourself about this, and thank you for calling.”

When Shane arrived home, it was obvious he was upset. Stacey was feeding the girls their supper. “What’s the matter?” Stacey asked.

“Oh, I think you’re well aware what the matter is, Stacey. But we’ll wait until the lasses are in bed before we discuss it.”

Stacey could see he was very upset, however, she felt she had right on her side. Even if she didn’t, she wasn’t going to help destroy a family that was already in strife. She had taken Madison shopping and she and Rachael had taken all four of the kids to watch their dads play Rugby for their charity team. Megan and her two little ones were there too.

As Stacey came downstairs and went to the kitchen; Shane followed her in and asked, “Well, are you ready to talk now?”

“Yes, of course, what do you want to talk about?”

“Don’t give me the innocent act, Stacey. You know perfectly well, what I want to talk about. I spoke with Miles today and he informed me that he entrusted certain information to you a fortnight ago, and you have yet to discuss it with me.”

“Okay, you’re right. Do you want to discuss it now or after supper?”

“I bloody well want to discuss it now. I believe I have a right to know who the perpetrator was of such malicious intent, and why have you kept this from me. Why do you always do this, Stacey? You keep me ignorant of certain facts and make decisions on your own that involve both of us.”

“I kept it from you because, I didn’t want to see you hurt or innocent people hurt.”

“Innocent people! They can’t be too bloody innocent to have arranged those obscene photos of Miranda and me, and why are you defending this vile person.”

Stacey walked over to the buffet and took the envelope from the draw and handed it to Shane. He opened it and read the report. He looked at Stacey and read it again.

“I don’t believe this,” he said. “Why in bloody hell would Rachael do such a thing? I know there’s no love lost between you two, but to do this..., no there has to be another explanation.”

“Well, Shane, as much as you don’t want to hear it, Rachael was not by herself in all this. Miranda did her part too.”

“What do you mean, her part too? They hardly know each other. You’re wrong, Stacey. I saw Miranda’s face when she saw those photos. She is not that good an actress. By the way, what did you do with those photos?”

“I didn’t do anything with them. I haven’t seen the rotten things since you took them to Miranda’s. Maybe you should ask her or Miles what they did with them. Besides, aren’t we getting a little off the subject here. I didn’t say Miranda knew about the photos, but she did encourage Rachael to help get rid of me. She supplied Rachael with snapshots of you and her together. I feel sure she knew Rachael was teetering on the edge of instability, but that didn’t stop her, did it.”

“I find this all very difficult to believe. Ian stayed here a few days with me. He never said a word about Rachael acting psychotic.”

“Well, Shane, sometimes the husband is the last to know. They don’t always pay attention. Ian didn’t walk out on his wife only, he left two lonely innocent little kids too. They are so mixed up, wondering what they did to cause their dad to desert them.  They’re all hurting. I don’t know what Ian’s problem is, but those sweet kids need him more than ever with their mom going through a hell that we can’t even begin to imagine and where is he when Rachael needs his love and his strong shoulder of support and understanding now more than ever.”

“You’re so compassionate and understanding about Rachael, can’t you show a little compassion for Miranda. After all, she’s a victim in this also.”

“Are you deaf or out of your mind, Shane? I just explained her involvement in this to you. I’m not going to discuss this with you anymore, and as far as I’m concerned you can stick Miranda where the sun don’t shine.”

Stacey went upstairs and checked on the twins. They both were sleeping like angels. Stacey was so mad she could spit nails. She put on her boots and her coat and grabbed her shoulder bag. Shane saw her coming downstairs and asked, “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

“What about the babies?”

“You’re their father, remember. I’m sure you can handle it,” and walked out the door.  Stacey knew she was too angry to drive, so Alfred hailed her a cab.

The cabbie asked, “Where to miss?”

“I don’t know. Just drive around the block a few times. I’m trying to cool off.”

The cabbie smiled at her, through the rear view mirror and said, “Yes, ma’am. I know how you feel. I’ve been there a time or two myself.”

As they passed by the park, Stacey said, “Maybe you can just let me out here and I’ll walk around for a bit.”

“I grant you this is a nice neighborhood miss, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. You never know who might be hanging about just looking for trouble.”

“To tell you the truth sir, the mood I’m in right now, I just might enjoy kicking some ass.”

The cabbie smiled and said, “Tell you what, miss. I’ll stop the meter and we’ll just ride around for a wee bit.”

When Stacey walked out the door, Shane sat confused. She had never walked out on him before like that. He sat for a while, then called Miles. When Miles answered, Shane asked point blank, “Miles, what did you do with the photos, they weren’t with the report you gave Stacey?”

“I put them in the Shredder, Shane. I didn’t think you would want them back.”

“No, of course not, thank you. And thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

Shane was quiet and thoughtful for a few seconds, then said, “Miles, Stacey mentioned Miranda’s involvement with Rachael in this hoax.  You know her as well as anyone or better than most. What are your feelings on this?”

“Yes, I’m afraid she was involved, Shane. Why don’t we meet for a drink and we can talk about this. You know Miranda, she sometimes jumps in, where angels fear to tread.”

“I’d like too, Miles, but Stacey’s out and I’m minding the lasses.”

“How about I come by then. I think we should discuss Miranda and her many faults.”

Shane and Miles were sitting in the living room drinking a glass of wine when Stacey came in the door. She hung her coat and bag on the hall tree. She stepped a few steps into the living room and stood with her thumbs hooked in the hip pockets of her jeans and said with some sarcasm, “Well now, what do we have here. Two gallant knights to save their damsel in distress from the wicked witch from Texas, or to perhaps protect their fair lady’s good name?”

Shane knew that stubborn stance so well. That was part of the reason he loved her so much. After talking with Miles, he now knew Miranda had been more involved with Rachael than she would admit. True, she didn’t know about the photos, but she did suspect Rachael was a bit deranged.

Miles had never witnessed Stacey angry. Watching her, he felt his heart pounding. He wondered; how in heavens name could Shane take up for Miranda when he had this real live woman to hold and love. Each time he saw her, he fell more enamored with her.

“Hello Miles, did my husband call you in for reinforcements?”

“No, just for some clarification. I’ll say goodnight now. So good to see you again, Stacey. I hope you and Shane will come to dinner at Oxford house one night soon.”

Stacey shook hands with him and said, “Yes, that sounds very nice. Thank you. We’ll be looking forward to it. And thank you for your help on this other matter.”

“You’re more than welcome. If I can ever be of help to you, don’t hesitate to ask.”

As Shane shook hands with Miles and said goodnight, he had a strange feeling about the way he and Stacey looked at each other. But that was ridicules, they hardly knew one another.  Shane decided there and then, it would be to his best interest to eliminate both Miles and Miranda from their lives.

Chapter-58

To Error is Human, to Forgive is Devine

Stacey started upstairs when Shane asked, “Where are you going?”

“To check on my babies, why do you ask?”

“I want us to talk about this abominable situation.”

Stacey nodded her head as she went to check on her babies, then went to her bedroom to remove her boots. As she descended the stairs in her sock feet, she stopped and her heart went out to Shane. He was sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands. He looked so forlorn and dejected.  She just wanted to hold him in her arms and soothe his hurt away.

As she sat on the coffee table in front of him, she took his hands in hers. Shane kissed her hands and said, “I’ve been so unfair to you, sweetheart. I’m sorry, can you ever forgive me.”

“Yes, I think I can. You’re such a good man Shane, and you trust others that you think of as friends.”

“Yes, you’re right. I always thought of Miranda as a friend. I never expected her of all people to help orchestrate such a vendetta against you, my wife of choice; because of your youth. That’s incomprehensible to me and unforgivable.”

Stacey moved to his lap and put her arms around him. “It’s late Shane, why don’t we go to bed. This will all look better in the morning light.”

As Stacey stood up, Shane took her in his arms, kissed her and said, “You’re right lass, a good nights sleep will do us both good.”

Upstairs as they turned to go into the bedroom, Stacey heard a whimper from the nursery. She smiled at Shane and said, “Well, so much for a good nights sleep. You go warm the bottles and I’ll be changing nappies.”