Chapter One

Drew sees a headline about Aurora and remembers their time spent in Las Vegas.

Chapter One

Greg Garner stepped out of the limo, turned, and held his hand out. Twenty-eight year old Aurora Mendez took his hand and stepped out of the limo. Cameras flashed. Greg Garner, six foot one with blond hair and blue eyes, flashed the high-voltage smile that made him one of America’s most desired leading men. He walked easily down the red carpet, his Valentino suit moving with him as if he were born wearing it.

Aurora Mendez also put on a well-practiced smile. At five foot four her figure was considered almost too curvy by Hollywood standards, but she was quickly becoming a fan favorite in the romantic comedy film genre. She wore a red dress with a flared skirt. Her dark hair had been straightened with a flattening iron and cut into layers by her stylist.

Later that night the limo pulled in front of Aurora’s house. Greg stepped out and walked her to the door.

“I’m glad we went to our premiere together,” he said and gave her a polite kiss on the cheek. The two co-stars weren’t dating or even interested in one another, but they had become friends while filming and arriving at the premiere together was good publicity.

*****

Aurora crawled into her king-size bed and turned off the lamp beside her bed. She needed to fly to New York for the press junket for the movie, but she didn't have any early flight. She wanted to take advantage of that and catch up on sleep.

The next day Aurora taked to Melanie while she packed for her flight.

"I just saw you on TV this morning with Greg Garner," Melanie was saying.

“We’re not really an item.”

“Well, it was pretty obvious to me, but I think the press is speculating. I think I saw something about it on Facebook this morning. Speaking of which, guess what else I saw on Facebook today?”

“Do I really want to know?”

“I think you do. Drew changed his relationship status from engaged to single.”

“Shut up! He dumped the Cameron Diaz wannabe?”

“Well, I don’t know who dumped who, but it doesn’t get more real than changing your relationship status.”

Aurora was unable to have a personal account on Facebook because of her movie career, but Melanie always kept her up-to-date on their mutual friends.

“So you’re definitely hitting Evergreen Gap after the press junket?” Melanie said.

“Yes, and lunch with you and the kids at Tuscano’s.” Aurora said.

*****

Drew Macpherson tried to avoid reading or watching anything about Aurora Mendez, but today was proving difficult. He turned on his computer and the first thing he saw on his homepage was a headline screaming “Are They Dating?” with a giant photo of Aurora and Greg Garner at their movie premiere. As if breaking up with his fiancé wasn’t bad enough, his eyes had to be assaulted by photos of Aurora, of all people. He decided that ten years was long enough. It was time to settle things with her, once and for all. He hadn’t heard from her since the Vegas trip back in college, but she couldn’t keep ignoring him. His mind drifted back to that final night of the trip.

“I’ve had such a crush on you for the past two years,” Aurora said. Drew could hardly believe his ears.

“I‘ve had feelings for you for awhile,” he admitted. “But there was Mary Beth. I’m glad I’m free now. It just feels right.”

There was a breeze a beautiful a starry sky. It was a perfect night.

“Let’s go for a walk,” Drew said.

“I’d like that.”

As they walked along a strip of shops, Aurora told Drew of how she planned to go to New York City.

“When I heard Mary Beth broke up with you, it was like this knot I’ve been carrying around in my stomach suddenly came undone. But I can’t stay in Evergreen Gap, Drew. I don‘t even like my major. My parents would never go for my plan, but I have to do it. I.”

“Maybe I can go with you.”

“I don’t want you to give up your plans because of me. It might not work out and you’ll always hate me for holding you back.”

“I can take art classes and work on my art. I’ve always to live in New York for awhile. Just think about it.”

Aurora shivered. She was wearing a strapless white dress that she’d bought at a little stand the day before.

“You’re cold,” Drew said. “I don’t have anything to give you.” He was wearing a T-shirt and cotton shorts. “There are some shops a little ways down the strip. I’m sure they’re open. Let’s see if we can get you something to keep warm.”

They continued walking, Drew with his arm around her. Aurora noticed a patch of flowers.

“They’re so pretty. I want to pick some.” She walked over and made herself a little bouquet. She held her nose up to them and inhaled. “There. Now whenever I smell the scent of these flowers, I’ll be able to remember this night.”

Drew turned to face her and wrapped his arms around hers. She looked up at him. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers, tentatively at first. She responded by kissing him back eagerly, and then they were kissing as if the world would end if they stopped.

When they finally stopped kissing, Drew said, “I don’t want this night to end.”

They walked on until they came to some shops along the beach. An outdoor vendor was standing outside with a cart full of purses and shawls. Aurora chose a white shawl and Drew bought it for her.

“You looking for some wedding rings?” The stout little vendor smiled at them.

“What makes you think we’re looking for wedding rings?” Aurora asked him.

“Your white dress and flowers. I thought maybe you were getting married at one of the chapels.”

“Oh, right. They‘re everywhere here.”

The vendor nodded. “Many young people come here to get married. You don’t have to wait. I recommend the Chapel of Doves. Peter is a nice man.”

Aurora and Drew thanked the vendor and walked around looking at more shops. Drew was quiet for some time.

“What are you thinking about?” Aurora asked him.

“The Chapel of Doves.”

“Seriously? As in, you and me? Going there? Tonight?”

“Yes. I feel as if this is all so fleeting. Fate has kept us apart for so long and if I don’t hold on tight you are going to slip away.”

“You’re asking me to marry you?”

“Yes. Then nothing can keep us apart. We can go to New York together.”

She laughed, feeling giddily happy. “Let’s do it.”

They found the Chapel of Doves. True to its name, there were dove sculptures all over. There was a couple just about to leave. A man came over and greeted them.

“Hello. Are you here to get married?”

Aurora and Drew nodded.

“Excellent.. I’ll get a form for you to sign. Is there anything special you wanted for your ceremony?”

“No, just the basics I guess.”

He went over to a table and took out a piece of paper. Aurora could barely read it, but she managed to fill out the information and sign at the bottom. Drew did the same. Peter explained the legal details and they went through a quick rehearsal.

Aurora stood in the back while Drew took his place in front. She held the shawl around her and clutched her bouquet. Peter started some recorded music and Aurora walked down the small aisle.

Peter prompted them to say their vows. The ceremony was over in ten minutes. Drew kissed Aurora and Peter offered them a toast. They each downed a glass of champagne and walked back down the aisle together. When they were outside of the chapel, Drew turned to Aurora.

“What about the wedding night? Do you want to get a room for just the two of us?”

“I guess we should. It’s the only way we’ll get any privacy. I need to go back to my room. Let‘s meet back here in ten minutes.”

Aurora felt dizzy as she walked toward her hotel. She wasn’t sure if it was those fruit drinks, or the shock of what she’d just done. She hadn’t gone to many drinking parties while she was in school, but everyone was living it up here. She hoped she didn’t get so sick she couldn’t go through with her own wedding night. She looked around for a pen so she could write a note to Melanie. Nausea suddenly overcame her and she ran to the bathroom. She leaned over the toilet and threw up. She found a cup and filled it with water from the sink. She rinsed her mouth and picked up her toothbrush. She was fumbling around for the toothpaste when the toothbrush fell from her fingers. She bent over to get it and smacked her head off the sink. A wave of dizziness came over her and she decided to sit on the floor a moment to get her bearings.

*****

Drew felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes to see Hal standing above him.

“I’ve been looking all over for you. Come on, we have to catch the plane.

“Dude, come on! There‘s going to be a storm. If we miss the plane, it might be the last one until tomorrow. What happened to you last night?”

“Where’s Aurora? Why didn’t she come back?” Drew stood up and Hal pulled him along.

“What do you mean, where’s Aurora? I think you were dreaming.”

“No, look, here’s her shawl. I bought it for her last night. And the flowers too.”

“So how did you end up alone in the lobby?”

“She wanted to go to her room for something. She was supposed to meet me out here. What time is it, anyway?”

“Just after nine in the morning. You probably passed out drunk. I’ll bet she did too, and that’s why she didn’t come back. What time was she supposed to meet you?”

“I don’t know exactly. Hours ago. She said she’d only be a few minutes.”

Drew helped Hal load the luggage into a taxi and then flopped into the back seat.

“We were half afraid you got arrested or something.”

At the airport, Drew looked everywhere for Aurora. He went through security feeling like he wanted to jump out of his skin. They didn’t make it to their gate on time. The airline worker gave them more bad news.

“They‘re calling for a thunderstorm. I’m afraid all flights have been cancelled for the time being. Check back in a few hours.”

Drew sat down and buried his head in his hand. His cell phone was dead, and he didn’t even have Aurora’s number anyway. She had forgotten her charger and hadn’t been using it the entire trip.

“Well, I’m starving,” Hal said. “Since we’re stuck here, we may as well find something to eat.”

Drew sighed. It looked like Hal was right. And he couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten.

They weren‘t able to get another flight until 11 o‘clock that evening.

Drew’s mother, Kathleen, picked them up at the Pittsburgh

“Did I get any calls?” Drew asked his mother.

“No.”

“Well, I’m sure I’d have heard something if the other didn‘t get back okay.”

“Mary Beth hasn’t called the house,” Kathleen said.

“I’m not surprised. She and I broke up.”

“I’m sorry, honey. Are you okay?”

Hal gave him a knowing look.

“Sure, Mom. We’re better off anyway.”

****

It took an hour and a half to get to Evergreen Gap from the airport. As soon as he was home, Drew wanted to drive to Aurora’s house.

“Now? Are you crazy?” his mother said. “It’s almost nearly one in the morning! Where do you need to go so badly?”

“I need to talk to someone about something that happened on the trip.”

“Is it Mary Beth? I don’t think her parents will appreciate if you show up at their house at this hour.”

“It’s not Mary Beth. It’s really important, though.”

“Surely it can wait until after you’ve had a good night’s sleep.”

Drew threw his hands in the air. He knew his mother was right, but the sense of urgency wouldn’t leave him.

*****

Drew sensed something was wrong the minute he walked up to the Mendez house. People who looked like Aurora’s relatives were on the porch. He went down the walk and up the porch steps. Several people were speaking in Spanish, sounding very agitated.

“Excuse me,” Drew looked at them. “Is something wrong here? I was looking for Aurora.”

A small man with gray hair and a mustache wearing a loose fitting suit hobbled over with a cane.

“Are you a friend of Aurora?” He said to Drew.

“Yes, sir. I’m a friend of hers. Did I interrupt a funeral or something?”

The man shook his head slowly.

“She ran away. The police, they say she’s eighteen and can do what she wants. All she left was a note. Why don’t you go in the house? Talk to her parents. Maybe you can help.”

Drew opened the screen door and saw Aurora’s mother seated on the living room couch. She was crying into a handkerchief. Aurora’s father was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, shouting into the phone.

“She’s a young girl. She could get hurt. So many people could take advantage of her. A private investigator?” He walked over to a phone table and began writing something on a slip of paper.

An older woman, probably an aunt, noticed Drew.

“Where did you come from?”

“I’m sorry. My name is Drew. I am a friend of Aurora’s. What happened?”

“She disappeared. She was home alone yesterday and when we got back, gone. Just a note saying she wasn’t going back to college. She was auditioning for a play or something.”

“New York City,” Drew muttered. She must have gone without him. Why didn’t she wait for him? Oh, the audition. She probably would have missed the audition if she didn’t wait.

“New York City!” Mrs. Mendez shrieked. “They‘re going to take advantage of her! They‘ll want her to do dirty things.”

“That’s all I know. We were on the island and she told me she was going to New York City to be an actress. Have you talked to Melanie Potter?”

“She knows nothing. Or else she won’t say. My little girl, alone in the city. She could be killed.” Mrs. Mendez looked near hysterics.

“Have you tried calling her cell phone?”

“She got rid of it. The cell phone company said she cancelled it.”

Drew drove home. He was stunned. A few days ago he had been saying vows to her. Why did he let her out of his sight? Now she was gone without a trace.