Gracie's Journey

By Tara Marie

Gracie married expecting a perfect life with her handsome husband, Rob - financial security, world travel, and a chance to pursue her dream job. But, things did not go to plan. Gracie's disappointments peak when the FBI arrests Rob the day after their first anniversary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Ready
• Release date: Jun 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781958626160

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

W E’LL GO OUT and explore the town tomorrow, Gracie. I promise. Rob’s whispered words annoyed me.

I rolled my eyes and began cleaning up dishes from our first-anniversary celebration. Rob went to our bedroom.

Typical for him to leave me to the woman’s work. He could have at least stayed to keep me company.

I wrapped the remainder of the wedding cake; frozen for a year to bring us luck. Some luck.

I had such grand expectations of adventure and excitement when we moved from our small Tennessee town to New York City. Instead, I got beige walls and long nights waiting for my husband to come home. As a reward for my patience each night, I got a quick kiss, and he was off to his home office with more work to do.

Rob’s employer, Monroe and Madison Attorneys at Law, paid for our apartment, so I wasn’t allowed to paint or hang any decorations. That might have been fine for Rob during the year he lived here by himself, but it wasn’t going to work for me.

I wanted to explore on my own, but Rob wouldn’t hear of it.

It’s too dangerous for you to go out in New York City by yourself. Rob’s words sounded like a broken record every time I mentioned doing something outside of the apartment.

He promised to take me out on Saturday, but every weekend it was the same story. He was too tired or had too much work to catch up on.

But tonight was our anniversary, and Rob was home by seven-thirty. To me, that was a small win.

I fully expected Rob to be too tired to venture out to a restaurant, so I made steak and potatoes with all the trimmings.

He didn’t say anything about our meal, but I chalked it up to a long day at the office. He was taking tomorrow off, so we could celebrate—on the condition that I didn’t wake him up too early.

I usually got up when he did to help him get ready and make his breakfast. So, I was looking forward to sleeping in with him.

I tried to quiet my thoughts while I finished cleaning the kitchen. I took a last look at the gleaming counters and flipped off the lights.

I crawled into bed next to my husband, who was already snoring.

CHAPTER 2

THE SUN was barely peeking through the window when loud knocking jarred me awake. So much for sleeping in.

I’ll get it, Rob mumbled.

He groaned as he pulled on a pair of slacks, and the persistent knocking grew louder.

Rob’s footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor, and I pulled on a pair of shorts under my oversized T-shirt.

Robert McKenzie? Federal Bureau of Investigation.

What?!

The loud male voice sent fear through my entire body.

He continued. We have reason to believe that you are involved in interstate trafficking of child pornography.

Rob didn’t respond to the accusation.

We have a search warrant for your apartment, the same voice commanded.

Let me see it. Rob took the warrant from the older FBI agent as I walked up behind him.

Robert sighed and stepped out of the way.

The younger man followed the first officer in; I assumed he was the junior agent.

The wheels in my mind started turning as fast as a jet gearing up for takeoff.

Surely, the agents must have the wrong apartment. Rob? Involved in child pornography? That’s impossible. Besides, how could he do such a thing without me knowing? He certainly wasn’t perfect, but I couldn’t believe he was involved in something so disgusting. This has to be a mistake.

The junior agent looked at me. Ma’am?

I was in a fog. Y…yes?

If you will please have a seat while we finish our search.

Oh, yes, sorry.

I was still standing in the middle of the hallway, absorbed in my thoughts. He led me to our couch and motioned for me to sit.

My cell phone started playing the wedding march, my mom’s ring tone. I glanced at it, then back at the officer. He shook his head, so I ignored it.

My mom was calling for the first of our twice-daily chats. She gave me an update on all the Primrose Street gossip each day at ten in the morning and seven at night. She called back a few minutes later and then a few minutes after that. I knew she would worry that something had happened to me.

I guess, in a way, something had.

If the allegations were true, how did Rob get involved in this? He must not have known he was viewing minors. But how could he not know?

Not that I was a fan of him using pornography at all. I knew that certain magazines were scattered all over his old frat house, but he assured me he never, ever picked them up. Of course, I believed him, he was my first and only boyfriend.

I ran my hands through my hair.

Today wasn’t supposed to be like this.

We were finally going to see New York City and have some real quality time together. My heart raced even faster. I tried to focus on taking deep breaths to keep from spiraling into panic mode.

I could feel it, just on the edge of my brain, trying to creep in and take over. I fought it back as best I could. I had met with a therapist in high school to help me with panic attacks, and now I tried to remember some tools she had taught me. I knew if I allowed panic to control me, it would only make things worse. I needed to stay calm, if not for Rob, then for me.

I looked around. Where’s Rob?

The junior agent motioned behind him. Agent Nichols had a few questions for him. They’re in the master bedroom.

Why?

I’m sorry, Ma’am, I’m not at liberty to discuss it.

I’m his wife.

He dismissed me with, This is a criminal investigation.

Trying to work off my nervous energy, I stood and started pacing around the living room.

Mrs. McKenzie, I need to ask you to sit down.

I nodded and made my way back to the couch.

No sense in both of us getting in trouble. Okay, that was a good, rational thought. Good job, Gracie. I was a little in control—a little.

I reached for my journal, always in its proper place on the side table. I hoped that if I concentrated on writing, the knot in my stomach would go away. But before I could open it, the voices from the bedroom got louder, and I heard footsteps coming toward the living room.

I didn’t understand what the senior agent was saying at first, but then I recognized the familiar words that I had only heard on television crime shows.

….right to remain silent. If you don’t have an attorney, one will be provided for you…

The agent pushed Rob in front of him, who was looking at the floor, his hands behind his back as he shuffled to the front door.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I didn’t want Rob to see me cry. He looked at me as the junior agent stood to follow his superior.

Gracie…

I ignored him. Where are you taking him?

The Twenty-Seventh Precinct. He’ll be booked and stay there until his arraignment, the junior agent answered.

When is that?

When the court schedules it.

I couldn’t hold back the tears, and I guess the younger agent noticed.

He said quietly, They’ll let him call you when he knows the date. And you can visit him before then.

Okay, great, I’ll visit now, I said, slinging my purse over my shoulder. I wanted to know now, and Rob was the one person who could give answers.

The agent held his hand out in front of me. Not until he’s booked in. He’ll be able to call you then. Just wait a bit.

I nodded.

He stepped out the front door following Rob and the senior agent. He turned and gave me a sympathetic glance. Then he pulled the door closed with a gentle click.

I collapsed onto the sofa.

Thankfully, all the blinds were still closed from the night before, so the people living in the building only inches away couldn’t witness my breakdown.

My mom called again, but I just responded with a text.

I have a headache this morning, Mom. I’ll call you in a day or two.

Okay, hon, feel better. It’s a shame you and Rob will miss your big day out for your anniversary.

Yes, it’s a shame.

That started the waterworks all over again. I don’t know how long I sat on the couch sobbing, but I figured it must have been getting close to noon or later, and I was still in my pajamas.

I needed to take a shower, but the effort to walk from the living room to our bathroom seemed overwhelming. The short hallway had seemed to transform into a thousand-mile highway.

I sighed for the millionth time that morning.

What now? Was my marriage over? Could Rob use his legal knowledge and charm to make this all go away?

He already knew all the tricks law enforcement agencies used to get suspects to incriminate themselves. Let them bring a female agent into the interrogation room, and he would be a free man within five minutes.

I smiled, remembering the first time I met him. I was so headstrong and convinced I didn’t need a man. He had his sights set on me for whatever reason, and I was hopeless to resist. When all the other guys were going for the bubbly cheerleaders, he picked the outspoken nerd girl. In our small town, of course, I knew of him, but we had never talked before the first meeting of the student council during my freshman year. I was too green and naïve in high school politics to be afraid to stand up to him.

Our small-town high school didn’t have a dedicated space for elected student leaders, so we met in the English teacher’s classroom. The desks had been rearranged from the standard classroom setup into two equal rows facing each other. Rob was the student body president, so he had a desk at the head of the rows, facing me and the rest of his subordinates.

The last item on the agenda is the approval of mandatory vegetarian meals in the cafeteria, said Rob.

Mandatory?

You could hear a pin drop when I questioned Rob, but I continued. I fully support the motion to include vegetarian options on the lunch menu, but we shouldn’t force everyone to eat vegetarian.

I still remember the flabbergasted look on his face. It was obvious he wasn’t used to people talking back to him.

Rob didn’t say anything for several seconds, then he said, But it would be healthy and with the obesity rate climbing, it’s the best thing for everyone.

What gives you the right to decide what’s best for them? I shot back. Everyone should have a choice in what they eat.

Rob’s tanned face broke into a dazzling smile. Despite myself, my knees went weak, and I gripped the desk for support.

The students elected me to tell them what’s best for them because they don’t want to take the time to decide for themselves.

No, they elected you to speak for them, to make this school a better place. You’re to be their liaison to the administration. You have no right to control what the students at this school eat for lunch. When we all graduate and go to college or get jobs, who is going to tell us what to eat then? High school is supposed to be a time to learn to make the right choices. If someone wants a burger instead of a salad, who are we to tell him he can’t have it?

Well, well, look at our little sophomore trying to be council president. Does anyone else have anything to add to this discussion? Rob looked around the room.

No one twitched a finger.

No? Then I motion to bring this to a vote. All for leaving the lunch menu the same?

Silence.

Okay, he smirked, clapping his hands together. All for adding a choice for vegetarian menu items?

The junior class secretary and senior class treasurer joined me and raised their hands.

And all for a mandatory vegetarian menu?

Most of the hands in the room went up.

I glared at him when he turned to look directly at me.

The people have spoken, Gracie.

Did he wink at me? The moment went by so fast, I wasn’t sure.

We’ll see about that. I dropped my binder and pen on the table in my hurry to get out of that room.

Where do you think you’re going? I haven’t dismissed the meeting yet.

Well, do you mind? I’m about to be late for book club.

Hmmm, well, since Gracie clearly has more important things to do, this council meeting is dismissed.

Rob grabbed my wrist as I brushed past him. A tingle shot through my whole body.

Stop it, this is not the kind of man you want to date. Your planner doesn’t even have time for dating scheduled until your second year of college. This is not the time to get involved with a chauvinist.

Rob, I really need to go. I tried to jerk my hand away.

If you haven’t noticed, no one ever stands up to me. Why did you?

Because I didn’t agree with you. Don’t look for anything deeper.

We can discuss this further over dinner. I can pick you up. What time does book club end?

As wonderful as that might sound to you, I tried to free my arm from his grasp, I’m busy tonight.

What about Saturday?

Busy then, too. Midterms are coming up. I need to study. Now, I really have to go.

I stared straight into his brown eyes until he released his grip.

Then I strode purposely out of the council meeting room feeling like I had defeated a giant.

If only I could go back in time and tell Ashley Grace Peterson that she would be Mrs. Ashley Grace McKenzie one day, I would have slapped myself.

After all, I had big plans. I was going to change the world. I couldn’t afford to waste time being arm candy for the most popular guy in town.

Whatever happened to that girl? I said out loud. I picked up my journal, so I could debate that very question with myself.

First, my mind wandered back to about three weeks before our wedding.

CHAPTER 3

IKNOCKED MY BINDER full of wedding plans off the bed in my rush to answer the phone. Hello? I smiled when my soon-to-be husband answered back.

Gracie, we’re going to be late for the dress fitting, my mom called from the other room.

Be right there.

My words ran together as I tried to squeeze a full conversation into a minute and a half.

I have to leave soon, but I wanted to tell you that I’ve been looking at publishers in New York City. There’s one that only publishes fantasy—Library House. And it’s a couple of subway stops away from the apartment building. Do you think it’s too late to apply?

I’ll see if the firm has any connections. If you want to work at a publishing house, so be it, said Rob.

I’m so glad you’re supportive. I still can’t believe Mr. Popular picked the nerd girl.

You were the only one not falling all over me. And besides, I liked you a lot.

I was sure he could hear me smiling through the phone. I liked you a lot, too. I’ll see you in three weeks.

In three weeks, my love.

I practically floated to the wedding dress fitting with my mom.

On the day of the wedding, my mom and I drove out to the wedding venue, an antebellum home about forty minutes north of my parents’ house.

We pulled up to the house, and I was thrilled to see the front porch wrapped with tulle. It’s so pretty!

The owner of the business met us outside. I’m glad you like it. Come on in and see everything.

As we walked through the house, I could see myself in the shine of the cherry wood floors and cabinet finishes. The living room was abloom with flowers, and the dining room table was spread with the delicacies I had chosen, an array of southern finger foods—fried chicken, cheese straws, cream cheese dip with pecans, cucumber sandwiches, and strawberry salad.

The cake is in here. The owner led us to the kitchen, and my heart fell. The cake wasn’t at all what I’d asked for. I wanted a tiered wedding cake with fruit between each layer. It was tiered, but plain white with one skimpy strand of flowers wrapping around and down the length of the cake.

I was speechless. I didn’t want to say anything. The lady seemed so proud.

It’s beautiful, my mom said. Gracie, don’t you think it’s pretty?

I nodded. Yes.

Uh oh. I know that tone. You don’t like your cake, said the owner.

It’s just not what I pictured. It’s fine. Too late to change it now, anyway.

The owner didn’t dawdle over my dislike for the cake. She simply changed the subject. Well, now, we’ve got to get you ready for your wedding. I’ll show you to the bridal suite. You’ll think it’s just the cutest thing.

I glanced back at the cake. Okay.

She took us through the back kitchen door and out to a cottage, separate from the rest of the house.

I looked at the little building with its own small porch and windows. Oh, it’s precious.

The outside door opened right into the master suite. Beyond that was a small living room with a couch and a big screen TV.

Who has time for TV on their wedding day?

My heart was racing, and I sat down on the bed to try to calm myself.

Well, are you going to get ready? asked Mom.

Yes. Wait, where’s my dress?

It’s in the car.

Oh, I’ll go get it. I stepped outside. Where’s the car?

In the front driveway.

Oh, yeah. I traipsed through the grass and gravel back to