The Dolls

By Kathleen Patel

It all started with a bad decision. Meeting someone from a social networking site is risky. Shari took a chance on Jill McCain. Jill and her fiancé’, Ivan were an odd pair. Nevertheless, they seemed to be good people. Ivan was a flamboyant gypsy and Jill was a retired talent agent who specialized in female mud wrestlers. Chicago was a real melting pot. When Shari’s cousin, Tara came to visit, from Ireland, they had a barbeque in her honor. Then they invited the cousins to join them at their luxurious villa in Spain. Who could resist? The cousins realized that the couple was eccentric, but they were harmless...or were they? Ivan was flirtatious and his signature greeting of wet kisses to the hand was a bit unnerving, but... Jill was moody and rough around the edges, but...They tried to ignore the red flags until it was too late. The strange couple had lured them into an evil trap. Who could have imagined the horror their hosts had in store for the lovely cousins?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathleen Patel
• Release date: Jun 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476223803

Kathleen Patel

Kathleen Patel is a happily married, peace loving author, speaker and anti-bullying crusader. Her books are fun to read, but always educate and contain a message. As promoter of acceptance, she believes knowledge is the key. “With ignorance comes fear- from fear comes bigotry. Education is the key to acceptance."

Book preview

The Dolls

Published at Smashwords by Kathleen Patel

Copyright 2011 Kathleen Patel

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

There is nothing more precious than family. I dedicate this book to my dear cousin, Mary O’Donnell. Without you, there would be no story to tell. We will never forget this vacation!

Thank you, Mary.

Chapter 1

We have to get out of here!

The pain was starting to intensify. It seared in to my neck, shooting daggers to my brain. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The air felt thick. We had to remain calm if we were going to make the break. I squinted as my eyes strained to see him in the dim lighting. I spotted him at the other side of the spacious lounge. He was chatting with some other guests of the resort, but keeping a close eye on us.

Let’s get another round and figure out how we are going to get out of here alive.

I whispered quickly to Tara. Her face gave no indication of the emotional trauma within. Only the deep red rash crawling down her neck gave her away. Her hand trembled slightly as she raised the glass to her parched lips and drained it.

I'll get the drinks. Tara slowly stood up as she glanced across the room at Ivan. She made her way across the room to the bar. She was a head turner wherever she went, and this was no exception. Her form fitting cream-colored sheath swished as she walked gracefully on her matching Christian Louboutin four-inch heels. I chuckled as I saw the hopeful looks on the men who stared at her as she walked past. I kept my other eye on Ivan.

A moment later, Tara was back with the drinks. Aside from her nervous rash, you would never guess at her level of anxiety. She placed the glasses of wine on the table, straightened her dress, and sat down. She was always very lady-like, even in a stressful situation. From her elegant brunette bob, to her tasteful beige ensemble, she exuded class.

I leaned against the large picture window. The glass felt cool on my head. It seemed to slow the throbbing of the migraine, which was threatening to take control. We were lucky to get a table with a view. We could see our terrace from where we sat. Jill was up there, her crazy hair blowing in the evening breeze. She was standing very still, glaring down at us. She could not possibly see us, but it looked like she was staring right at me.

We were in a messy situation with no easy way out. Escape seemed impossible. They would not let us out of their sight.

Leave the empty glasses on the table, if they see that we had more than one drink, they might think we’re a couple of drunks and be happy to see us go.

Tara spoke with a sliver of desperation in her voice. I agreed. I would do anything to make us less attractive to our captors.

Chapter 2

How we came to this

My mother ran off with the traveling circus when I was a young child. I never got over it.

Deep down inside, I was looking for a mother image, trying to fill that gap. My mother’s departure hurt me deeply. I had idolized her. She was the prettiest girl in the entire village - maybe the prettiest in the entire country of Ireland. She was only nineteen years old, yet vivacious and always the center of attention. She would practice her ballet dancing on the lawn, twirling and laughing until her pink tutu was just a blur. I believe that she loved my father, but she always needed more.

With her petite build and shocking flexibility, she was a natural for the trapeze. I still remember her twinkling blue eyes and dazzling smile as she told me she was leaving. I buried my head in her hair, inhaling her floral perfume as she gave me her last hug. She was so excited. I can still see her long blonde hair, blowing in the wind, as she looked back at us, from the back of the caravan, and