One Last Chance!

By Sandi Lorraine

When divorcee Carly Valachi gets caught up in a custody battle over her six-year-old daughter, she decides to leave Los Angeles and flee to Colorado, expecting a new job and a new life. Instead, she finds herself in jail, facing life in prison for kidnapping and a murder that she didnt commit. Little did she expect her ex-husband, Anthony, to be the one to come to her rescue by bailing her out and standing beside her to help prove her innocence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499081862

Sandi Lorraine

I grew up in the Midwest farming area, married my high school sweetheart, and moved to the big city, where our three children were born. Later we moved back to that same rural community so our children could grow up in a smaller school complex. Living in two different worlds taught me not only how to accept the different aspects of people that surround me but how necessary it is to do so. I was fortunate enough to work in a food management position for many years, giving me insight in working with all ethnic groups. After retiring, my husband and I operated a hunting and shooting preserve and had the opportunity of hosting hunting dog trials, getting to meet people from all over the world. I enjoy writing about everyday people in everyday situations. One doesn’t have to be a millionaire to experience a good romantic relationship. You just follow your heart.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Thirty year old Carolina Valachi had all that she could do to hold the tears back while she followed the emergency room doctor out of the room.

I’m sorry, Mrs. Valachi, but something has to change. This is the third time this month that you’ve brought Angelina in to the emergency room for treatment. You’ve got to get her out of this smog if you want her asthma to ever get better.

But you don’t understand, Carly wiped the now irritating overflowing tears with a tissue, trying not to smudge her eye liner and mascara. Her father and I are in this custody battle, and I can’t take her out of state!

Dr. Nichols shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. Well, if her father thinks anything of this child, he will consent for you to at least get her out of Los Angles. She needs to be breathing good clean air, not dust or smog. Think about it. The older doctor patted Carly on the shoulder and started to walk away. But then he stopped and turned around. I can call your husband if you wish and tell him the seriousness of this.

No…no, Carly sniffled and shook her head. I will talk to him just as soon as I can, and if he objects beyond reasoning, then I will let you talk to him. Thanks!

Carly wiped the tears away, trying to get herself pulled together. But when she walked back into the room where her six year old daughter laid receiving oxygen, it was plain that she was upset about something, and Angelina knew it.

Don’t cry, Mommy. I’ll be okay!

Carly sat down on the edge of the bed and gathered Angel in her arms.

Yes Sweetheart, I know you will because Mommy is going to do whatever it takes to get you better. Then Carly stood back up and told Angel that she had to make some phone calls and Angel nodded in agreement.

Carly cursed as she walked out of the room. Why couldn’t she be as strong as Angel? Maybe it was because Angel didn’t understand the severity of her illness, and Carly did. Now if only she could make Angel’s dad understand. She sent him a text message telling him to call her immediately, and then she called her employer to tell her about Angel. Not only was Angel’s health being threatened by living in this city, but Carly’s job as a hotel activities coordinator was being threatened because she had to take off work so often due to Angel’s asthma attacks.

She waited, and waited, and waited…! It didn’t surprise her that her ex-husband, Anthony Valachi, wasn’t returning her text or calling to see what she needed. It was just par for the course. Same old scenario, just a different day! She decided to call his office to leave a message. Maybe if his secretary told him to call, he might attempt to make an effort.

I’m sorry Carolina, Maxine, his candy speaking secretary, replied when Carly asked to talk to him. He’s not available this afternoon. All I can do is pass the message on to him that you’ve called.

Give him the message that I had to take Angel to the hospital again this afternoon, and I need to talk to him about her. That is, if he’s not too busy to be concerned about his daughter! Carly bitterly responded.

Mrs. Valachi! Carly turned to see Angel’s nurse approaching her. You can take your daughter home just as soon as we get her release papers ready. Her oxygen level is up now, and she’s breathing easier.

Carly nodded, heaved a deep breath, forced a smile on her face, and followed the nurse into Angel’s room. She didn’t realize she was so upset about not getting to talk to Tony, until she went to sign her name on the papers that the nurse was handing her. She was shaking so, that her signature hardly looked legible.

Are you okay? the nurse inquired.

Yes, Carly nodded. It’s just been an upsetting afternoon. I’ll be okay as soon as I can get Angel home and relax a bit.

The nurse cast Carly a crooked smile as if she didn’t believe her, but didn’t want to contradict her either. Here are her discharge papers. You might want to read them again when you get home. Dr. Nichols has written several things on there for you to think about. She signed her name, handed Carly some copies of the papers she had just signed, and walked out of the room.

Carly gave them a quick glance and then stuck them into her purse before helping Angel down off of the bed. The nurse returned with a stuffed teddy bear and handed it to Angel. How many does this make for you now? she asked.

Angel beamed and proudly announced, This is number eight and I have all of them named.

The nurse looked directly at Carly and shook her head. Not good!

Carly knew what the nurse was trying to tell her. Something had to be done for Angel, and it was up to her to see what it was and make it happen. But what no one seemed to understand was how hard a battle she had been fighting, first to get through the divorce, and secondly, to keep Angel. Even though her lawyer could show that Anthony was gone away from home too much, Anthony was bound and determined that he was going to keep his little girl, and kept taking Carly back to court to fight for full custody instead of shared. And since the dispute hadn’t been settled, plus he had succeeded in getting out of paying Carly any alimony, the burden of raising Angel by herself meant she couldn’t afford a lawyer that could hold a candle to his in fighting this custody battle. His lawyers kept coming up with new angles.

The assistant manager of the hotel where she worked had asked her out several times, but she had declined, because her lawyer had advised against it, stating that she just needed to hang in there until the final court date,– which never seemed to come about, because Tony’s lawyer continued to bring up new evidence to be evaluated,– and the family court judge had made it plain that he wanted her and Tony and the two lawyers to work something out that was best for Angel before he made his final decision. How she wished she could afford a private investigator to keep an eye on Tony. But she couldn’t. However, now she had this written statement from Angel’s doctor stating that Angel needed to move out of Los Angeles, and Carly knew Tony was restricted to the Los Angeles area due to his work.

As luck had it, it was Friday, and Carly had the weekend off. She still hadn’t heard from Tony by the time she and Angel reached their two bedroom apartment. What made him think he could take care of Angel when he couldn’t even call to find out how she was? Would he have his secretary, or maybe a girlfriend, go get her from school and take her to the hospital when she had these attacks?

The way it was, he had all he could do to get there on Saturday mornings to pick Angel up. He always said his Friday afternoons were too busy and he couldn’t get free until late. That was the same scenario of the eight years that he and Carly had been married. He was always busy, too busy to spend any time with her. So many nights he had climbed into their bed late, claiming he had been with customers or venders. At first she had believed him, knowing that his interior decorating company depended on him spending time with representatives from all over the nation, including other countries, and him wining and dining prospective customers. However, after catching him in the arms of one of his female customers at a party that he and Carly had hosted, Carly surmised that he had been lying to her. He had denied having any affair with the woman, claiming that Carly had just caught them when the woman was showing her appreciation for all that he had done for her.

Whatever the reason, Carly found it hard to trust him after that, and eventually, her mistrust led to bitterness, arguments, their separation and then the divorce.

Carly spent the afternoon searching on the internet for employment similar to what she was already doing. The only thing she could find in the state of California was located in the larger cities, and that wasn’t going to work. She had to find something in a smaller town located in the mountains. But, it seemed everything she found meant Tony would have to drive quite a distance on his weekends to have Angel. California stretched out too many miles to be convenient for him, and Carly knew he wouldn’t be happy about it. Well, so be it. She continued to search and send resumes via emails to those that she thought she might be interested in. Now, all she could do was wait and hope.

CHAPTER TWO

The evening passed by and still no word from Anthony. Carly looked forward to Friday nights, because it was the one night that Angel was allowed to stay up with her, and didn’t have to be in bed by eight o’clock. She always let Angel pick out what movie they would watch, and what they would eat for dinner, and then later they would pop some corn, spread their sleeping bags out on the living room floor and pretend they were having a slumber party. Sometimes, they would go ahead and put their matching night shirts on just for the fun of it, and other times they would leave their clothes on until it was time to crawl into the bags to go to sleep.

Tonight, Carly was the first to put her night shirt on. Because of the stress related day, she just wanted a glass of wine with their spaghetti dinner, and then she wanted to get out of her nylons and business suit that she had worn to work. She and Angel had similar night shirts that Carly had purchased for them previously during Kohl’s year end sale. Hers fit, but Angel was beginning to outgrow hers. Money was tight, so Carly wanted to wait until the custody battle was over before going shopping for Angel new clothes. If Angel was going to live with her father, then he could be the one to buy her things. He bought her things now, but mostly the clothes that he bought stayed at his apartment, and weren’t sent to Carly’s home with her. And until the battle was over, no child support payments were coming in.

Angel had fallen asleep on top of her sleeping bag much before ten o’clock. As always, every time she had one of her attacks, it left her tired and wore out. Carly was just getting up to turn the television off and turn in herself when the doorbell rang. It was fifteen minutes past ten when she checked her watch and wondered who would be ringing the doorbell this time of the night?

She peeked through the peep hole in the door and was surprised to see Tony standing on the outside.

What are you doing here this time of the night? she frowned as she let him in. Angel’s already asleep!

I couldn’t get here any quicker, he honestly sounded apologetic for once.

You could have called! she snipped.

No, he stopped and let his eyes roam over the five foot, six inch, Barbie doll form that he knew was in under the short night shirt. I wanted to talk to you and I didn’t feel comfortable doing it over the phone.

Having his dark seductive eyes comb over her, made Carly feel conspicuous. She had forgotten how suave and good looking he was in a dinner suit. However, tonight he didn’t seem as light hearted as he usually did when he came to pick up Angel or to bring her back home. He was serious the instant he walked through the door.

Do you have a beer in the fridge? he asked as he brushed past her and headed for the kitchen.

Help yourself! Carly shrugged her shoulders when he didn’t wait for her to answer.

He opened the refrigerator door and pulled out two beers, popped the top off of both of them and handed her one.

Must be serious! she scowled.

According to Maxine, she said you were really upset today when you called. She said something about Angel going to the hospital again.

That’s right! I sent you a text message.

I haven’t had time to even check my messages, he replied.

What if it had been really serious?

Well, that’s why I’m here! That’s what you wanted wasn’t it?

No! Carly retorted. What I would like is for just once, you could put Angel before yourself and your company.

You know I can’t just get up and leave when I’m in the middle of negotiating business with clients. We’ve been all through this.

So, she retaliated. If Angel was in your custody instead of mine, I suppose she would just have to lie down and die with an asthma attack if you were in the middle of a business negotiation!

You know better than that!

No! No I don’t! Suddenly Carly was finding it hard to keep the tears back. She wanted to lash out at him and hurt him however she could and she didn’t know why. She kept telling herself that she hated this man, and yet, every time she laid eyes on him, she got all weird feeling inside, and wanted to believe his excuses. Especially like right now when he acted concerned not only about Angel, but also how she felt. Just as he reached out to take ahold of her, Angel came walking in the kitchen.

I heard you! she exclaimed as she ran, flying into Tony’s out stretched arms.

What’s this I hear about you going to the hospital again? He asked as he picked her up, swinging her around and hugging her tight.

Yeah, she grinned. I got another teddy bear, too. That makes eight that they have given me.

Tony glanced at Carly and set Angel back down on the floor. You shouldn’t be up this late, should you?

I get to stay up late on Friday nights! Don’t I? Angel looked up at her mother with a defiant grin on her face.

Carly nodded her head. Yes, Sweetheart, you do. But tonight, your dad and I have some things to talk about, so you need to go back in and lay down.

Angel started pouting and slowly walked back toward the living room.

I tell you what, Tony smiled. I don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow. If your mother doesn’t care, I’ll spend the night with you. Will that work?

Yes! Angel brightened up.

No! Carly contradicted.

I’ll sleep on the floor beside her and you can sleep on the davenport, he winked. I know this is your slumber party night and I don’t want to interrupt that.

No! Once more Carly shook her head.

But…, I want him to, Angel started whining again.

Carly heaved a big sigh and glancing back and forth between wailing Angel and coaxing Tony, she finally consented. Okay! But only if you agree to go back to your sleeping bag and let us talk a bit.

Angel agreed and hurried back to the living room.

What are you trying to pull? Carly accused.

Nothing! he shrugged his shoulders. You’re always complaining I don’t spend enough time with her. Now I’m willing to spend an extra night with her and you object to that. What do you want from me?

You can’t sleep on the floor in your good clothes.

I do believe that is what dry cleaners are for, he grinned and tweaked her chin before helping himself to another beer in the fridge. Besides, I don’t plan on sleeping in them.

Carly watched as he popped the top off of the beer, took a swig out of it, and then took his suit jacket off and hung it over the back of a kitchen chair. She had always found his six foot, one hundred and ninety five pound, stalwart body hard to resist and tonight was no different. His black hair was combed back away from his oval face, but when he leaned down in the refrigerator, it fell forward over his forehead, making him look just that much sexier and debonair. Damn him!

She shook her head and turned away, trying to get the thoughts that were running through her head to go away.

Okay, he grinned. What do we have to talk about?

Dr. Nichols says that I have to move Angel out of the city! Carly blurted out.

The mischievous grin instantly left his face, and was quickly replaced by a frown. I don’t believe you!

I have her release papers to prove it!

I don’t want to see any papers! he snapped when she started to go get them out of her purse. I can’t believe you would stoop so low to ask him to sign such a thing!

I didn’t ask him too, she reputed. Read them for yourself, or call him if you don’t believe me!

What’s his excuse? Tony’s eyes glared in disbelief.

Her asthma is getting worse, and he says she needs to get away from the smog of the big cities. He also said she has to stay away from dust! Carly could feel the anger building up and the voices beginning to rise. As always, this was the way they started arguing and if he didn’t walk out slamming the door before it was all over, it would be a miracle. If you weren’t always so damned busy, you would know that this was the third trip to the hospital this month.

Isn’t there something that they can do for her, like changing her medicine or something?

No! Carly refused to let him try to argue his way out of this. They’ve switched her meds three times in the past year. They’ve pretty much tried it all. Now it’s up to us to see that she is placed in the right climate.

He stood speechless, just staring at her as if he thought she was making it all up. Finally he threw his head back, rubbed his five o’clock shadowed chin and said, You and I both know I can’t move out of the city.

Carly knew he was right. He was quickly becoming one of Beverly Hill’s most wanted designers. Wealthy people with elaborate estates were having him design and redesign not only their everyday homes, but also their vacation homes. Plus contractors and engineers were hiring him to help design and decorate offices in new structures going up in the area. This is what he had worked so hard for. That was why she had tried so hard to overlook the late nights and weekend hours when he was always gone. He had to meet with prospective customers while they were home and he had always been willing to do that, jeopardizing his own relationship with her. He thought she should understand where he was coming from. But after a while, those late hours became lonely and heart breaking.

I’m sorry, Carly apologized. But if you love Angel like you say you do, you’ve got to be willing to make some sacrifices, just like I will. You can’t depend on me or your secretary or whatever woman you are entertaining to just drop everything to run her to the hospital every time she can’t breathe.

She knew she had hit a sore spot again by the frown that creased his face when she accused him of being with other women. She continued, I’m not as fortunate as you. I can’t just drop everything every time she has these attacks. I’ve already been warned that my job is in jeopardy because I’ve had to take too much time off with her. I’m not complaining because I have to be with her. I’m complaining because Dr. Nichols seems to think she will get better if she is put in a different atmosphere, and you are being your usual pig headed self about it.

He slammed the half drank bottle of beer down on the table. "Dammit Carly! I’m no more pig headed than you are. You know I love Angel just as much as you do. You might lose your job, but I can’t stand to lose a company that I’ve put so much time, money, and