Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 26 - To Catch A King, Trick A God

When they finally pulled up to her house, the trip felt short-lived. She didn't want to leave Jake. Anna started to panic because she felt she was missing the opportunity to see him again. He was so beautiful she didn't want to stop looking at his face. Anna wished Stacy wasn't in the truck, so she would be able to get to know Jake a little longer.

In the low light of her room Anna laughed for in truth, she had been nervous because she didn't know how to say goodbye. She wanted to invite them in but with how late it was and how tired her father had been, she knew this wouldn't be appropriate. Besides she didn't want anybody to meet Jake yet.

Needing to see him again, Anna just couldn't let this opportunity go. Her lips tingled so she briefly touched them with her fingertips again. Anna hadn't forgotten to get the sweater back from Stacy. It was a small attempt to get Jake to bring his sister back to her house tomorrow to return it. She noticed Stacy didn't mention it either.

Anna got up and went to the computer where she printed out the picture she took with Jake and Stacy. Anna remembered how the heat of his chest against her back that she was barely touching felt. His shirt produced enough heat that she could swear she could feel his skin.

Anna's cheeks reddened again under the soft glow of her lamplight. The memory of Jake's kiss burned in a way that made her need more from him. It's what had encouraged the second kiss as an afterthought before she rushed out of the car waving goodbye. Anna hadn't looked back, so they couldn't see how red her face had turned. Wanting to punch herself, she didn't even think to ask Jake for his number nor did she give him hers. She was going to have to look Stacy's address up and stake Jake out until he left. Anna knew he was leaving early.

Wishing she had taken more pictures at Bryce's party, Anna had a mission and it was one that may secure the happiness of her future. She let the picture fill the screen and for minutes that lasted longer than the wait in a DMV line, Anna memorized each of their features and compared their sibling relation. Anna wanted to cut Stacy out of the picture, but she was happy to have the shot at all. Jake was so fun to look at. It almost felt sick that she could hardly take her eyes off him. Anna wasn't too impressed with Stacy, but they would have to become friends if she planned to marry her brother. Oh man, Harmony was just going to LOVE that, Anna thought and giggled at her sarcasm. She was still angry that Harmony left her.

After pinning up the picture on her mirror, she ran inside her closet to pull out a two leather bags which she packed her clothes and bathroom stuff in. She had one smaller side bag for the few wigs she was taking in case she needed to use them. Most everything that was in her closet she had packed in boxes before Bryce's party, but she was sure to keep out everything she needed for a week before she got to the island. Anna didn't think it would take more than three days to trick Jake and bring him back to marry at Diamond Island. If she needed anything, she would buy it wherever she was at.

Diamond Island was sure to entice Jake. Anna just had to get him there. Her island, what an amazing feeling it was to own something so big. Once she got Jake there she could convince him to stay and live life with her forever.

With a fever pace, Anna sent a quick message online that she would be gone for a week. She logged off and stood at the end of the bed. She knew Harmony was going to see the message in the morning, but Anna had planned to be gone before she even got up. It would be wise to take a laptop to work on while she had time, then laughed at her foolishness. She hadn't planned on working on anything else, but Jake and she had her phone in case she needed to do anything online. A vacation was that, a vacation. Freedom from all responsibility, and she earned it.

Anna looked up Stacy's registration address and confirmed it by her sales history. Anna usually sent out emails of sales to her customers as well as information about her website.

Quickly Anna put the address in her phone and set it next to her purse. The Mason's lived in a house across town. Lucky most of her stuff was still in her room so she grabbed her ski equipment and set it by the door. She even had a special hidden section in her car to store it all.

Wish a flash of anxiety in her decision, deep down she knew there was another reason she was wanting to rush marriage with Jake. Anna didn't want Jake to get away because having a husband would keep Harmony in her place, so she won't try to take over, which she was starting to obsess about. She also needed Jake to be in love with her so Harmony wouldn't stand a chance of stealing him if they were to live on Diamond Island together. Jake wasn't Harmony's type but just in case, and she only had a short window of opportunity to accomplish her goal. Anna didn't want to be left behind when Harmony spread her wings. This was going to even everything up. With Jake on her side, she would have to confidence to stand firm. Diamond Island just might be the answer to happiness after all!

Anna wasn't tired but determined. She hoped that she was going to be able to talk to her Dad and catch Jake in time before he left. She knew he was stopping at Mt. Ashland at least and knew she had to call in the morning to secure a reservation.

It was scary trying to trick her dad. As she packed up the rest of her room she worked out the story she was going to give him. Boxes stacked high against the wall that was to leave on a boat Monday. Sadness filled her heart at the memories she was trying to push away so she could focus on completing her tasks.

Her empty room treated her like a stranger. She accepted that change was happening and even developed a plan to convince her father that her trip was important. Stacy was going to be Anna's scapegoat, which she didn't feel guilty about at all. Stacy was going to be gone for a week, so she wouldn't be around to question Anna's lies. She just couldn't let Harmony know she was leaving alone or she would be angry and come up to the house to talk her dad into who knows what. She couldn't risk Colin and Harmony running into each other, so Anna had two stories planned.

Anna looked at the picture she printed of Jake. She touched his lips with her finger then placed a kiss on his lips remembering what it felt like. How she was going to convince her Dad that Jake was coming with them, well that means a legendary fit may have to erupt. Anna would have to have him on the flight with her so her father couldn't talk her out of bringing him. She'd have to make promises to fly him back after being a visitor for a week or two.

Daddy will love Jake once he gets to know him. Worry creased Anna's forehead. She was going to have to press harder as to what surgery he was getting. Daddy might be uncomfortable with a stranger, so she was going to have to figure that out as well.

Tired from lack of sleep, packing and planning, Anna got into her bed and tried the relaxation techniques of a sloth. Just as she started to fall into a trance, Anna was interrupted by a jolt of her heart. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a flash of light. Anna thought she saw someone of female stature walk across her open closet door.

It was someone she recognized.