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The hallway leading to the bathroom was dimly lit and empty. As soon as they were away from the main portion of the restaurant and out of ear shot, Pamela started in on Faith.
“I don’t know what you think you’re playing at,” she said, her lip curled in distaste.
Faith let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m not playing at anything.”
Pamela stomped her foot. “Yes, you are! So you just happened to start dating Micah? Rafferty’s best friend?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what happened. We met at your engagement party and through a few coincidences we saw each other again. We hit it off, Pamela. That tends to happen from time to time. I’m not sure why it’s so upsetting to you.”
“You ruin everything!” she ranted. “Just like when we were kids. You were always good at stepping on my toes and making yourself the center of attention. Even the fire managed to do that. You were the poor burn victim orphaned by the fire. You came into my home and took all the attention away from me. It was always about your suffering, your hurt, your pain. My own parents cared more about you than they did about me!”
Faith shook her head. She really didn’t want to have to deal with this tonight. Pamela was delusional. The things she was ranting about weren’t true. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Could you move so I can go the bathroom?”
“No I will not! You need to answer my question. Why are you hanging around? This is my life not yours. I feel a little bit sorry for you because I know Micah must be using you or something. He couldn’t possibly want you when he could have had me.” Pamela was shrieking now. Faith stood there stunned. Her cousin was really losing it. She hadn’t ever realized the extent of Pamela’s hatred until this very moment.
“Pamela.” Faith and Pamela turned toward the sound of Rafferty’s voice. He was standing a few feet away from them in the hallway looking shell shocked and wounded.
Pamela’s jaw dropped. Her skin looked ashen. “Rafferty! I was just coming back to the table.”
“Really? It sounded like you were just getting started. Continue,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. “Why don’t you continue to berate Faith? Why don’t you continue to show me why you’re the very last person I should be engaged to?”
Pamela let out a wounded cry. “Rafferty! How can you say that? You’ve misunderstood. It wasn’t me who started it—”
He held up his hand. “Save it, Pamela. I heard more than enough. I know who was being aggressive and it wasn’t Faith.” He turned toward Faith. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to believe this was going on, but I have no choice now.”
“Rafferty, let’s talk about this privately,” Pamela said in a pleading tone. She reached out to grasp Rafferty’s arm and he shook her off. Faith wanted to leave but she was transfixed by the drama unfolding before her very eyes.
“There’s really nothing to say, Pamela. Let’s go back to the table and excuse ourselves. I’ll take you home.”
Pamela turned toward Faith. “This is all your fault.” She lunged in Faith’s direction, only to be restrained by Rafferty.
“Ouch! You’re hurting me!” she wailed.
Rafferty shook his head. “You’re unbelievable. Thank the Lord I came after you just to check on things. Call it an instinct. Call it divine providence. Whatever you want to call it, I’m done.”
Rafferty grasped Pamela’s arm and walked back toward the main dining room. Pamela was softly crying and whining. Despite his anger, Rafferty wasn’t holding on to her in any way that might hurt Pamela. As usual, she was being dramatic.
Faith went into the bathroom, making sure she didn’t rush back to the table. Frankly, she didn’t want to run into Pamela and Rafferty out there. She’d had enough drama for one night. She hoped they were gone by the time she returned. Almost ten minutes later Faith made her way back to the table.
Micah had an anxious expression etched on his face. “There you are. I was about to come looking for you. Rafferty stormed back here with Pamela, then said his goodbyes and left. What happened back there? Rafferty looked like a storm cloud.”
Faith sat back down and let out the breath she’d been holding for the last twenty minutes. “Rafferty overheard Pamela laying into me. It wasn’t pretty.” Faith gave Micah the lowdown on what had transpired in the hallway.
&nbs
p; “Do you think he meant it? He’s done?”
“I can’t imagine they’ll be together after this one. Pamela was acting unhinged and he caught her in the act. I think Rafferty might be realizing he doesn’t really know Pamela as well as he thought he did. That’s no way to start a marriage.”
“I feel so bad for him, Faith. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known. He’s loyal and good and a man of faith. He saves lives for goodness sakes. He treated that woman like a queen.”
“That just means he’ll be ready when the right person comes around. He’s a keeper.”
Micah grinned at her from across the table. “You’re right. This paves the way for him to meet the woman he’s really meant to spend the rest of his life with.”
“And perhaps my cousin will learn a few lessons through this experience.”
Micah made a face. “Doubtful. She doesn’t strike me as the type who thinks she ever has to change.”
