She remembered the evening in question quite vividly. It had been the same evening that had ended in a midnight kitchen raid for strawberries, peanut butter and chocolate ice-cream topping. The next day she’d sent their comforter to the dry cleaners to deal with the sticky stains.
“I know what you’re doing,” she said suddenly.
“What?”
“You’re hoping to get what you want by going through the back door when you normally tear down the front.”
“Is it working?” he asked hopefully.
“Not so far.”
“Too bad. But for the record, I know how difficult it is for you to move into our house when you weren’t mentally prepared.”
His insight caught her by surprise and she simply gaped at him.
“But we have to learn to talk to each other again and dusting off the good memories seems a good place to start.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Did you read a do-it-yourself marriage counseling book somewhere?”
“No. I just spent a lot of time thinking,” he said simply. “So, how does my theory sound? Shall we begin there?”
She didn’t want to because she sensed what would follow. She’d drop her defenses and be vulnerable, but they couldn’t spend the next six weeks limiting their conversation to the weather or medicine. To be honest, she’d like to know what had been going on in Gabe’s mind during those days when life had become so dark and bleak because he’d appeared so … unmoved by it all.
Or, as she’d already considered briefly, had he simply been better at hiding his reactions? Or worse yet, had she pushed him away so completely that he’d felt as if he couldn’t talk? The latter question was one that she hadn’t considered before, and the potential answer didn’t sit well on her chest now. But, as he’d said, they had to start somewhere …
“Sure, why not?” she said. “We can stroll down memory lane, but I never have denied that we had some great years together. However, all good things come to an end.”
“That’s debatable, but for now we need to deal with a few housekeeping issues first. Moving your things comes to mind.”
“I thought after you were settled, I’d run home and—”
“I’m coming with you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Afraid I won’t come back?”
“No,” he said solemnly. “You gave your word and I trust you. I want to come along so I can help.”
“You want to help? You’re limping worse than a Saturday night drunk, your ribs hurt if you breathe too deeply or move suddenly, and you aren’t supposed to lift anything heavier than a pen.”
“It’s not that bad,” he defended.
She cast him a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. “No offense, but let’s be realistic. How much help do you think you’ll be?”
“Maybe not much, but I want to go with you.”
“What for? To supervise?”
“No. To keep you company.”
He wanted to keep her company? Once again, he’d surprised her. “Oh.”
“Do you mind?”
Of course she did. The little house she was renting was her childhood home—her sanctuary. She didn’t want Gabe’s overwhelming presence to ruin that for her.
Yet, once again, it seemed cruel to make a fuss over something so trivial, especially when they wouldn’t be on the property any longer than it took to empty out her refrigerator and throw a few clothes into a travel bag.
Letting out a soft sigh, she surrendered. “Suit yourself, but if I catch you overdoing things, I’ll convince Jeff to re-admit you.”
“Understood. Is the coffee ready?”
She found the cups in the same cupboard where she’d always stored them and filled two. As she carried them to the table where Gabe was sitting, a brisk knock at the back door caught her off guard.
“Are you expecting someone?” she asked.
“No.”
There were few people who qualified as back-door guests and she already guessed their visitor’s identity. She wasn’t wrong.
“Sheldon.” She greeted him halfheartedly, not entirely shocked by his appearance given his eagerness to talk to Gabe while he’d been in the hospital.
Gabe’s second-in-command stood on the threshold, his face somewhat apologetic. “Sorry to bother you because I know this isn’t the best time, but I’d like to talk to Gabe. I promise I’ll be gone before you realize I’ve been here.”
Heaving a sigh, she stepped aside wordlessly and tried not to read anything into the way Gabe’s eyes brightened at the sight of the familiar face.
“What’s up, Shel?” he asked.
“The memorial service for Will and Ramon is set for day after tomorrow,” he said.
“You worked fast.”
“The families wanted it this way,” he said simply.
Gabe simply nodded. “Of course.”
“And,” Sheldon continued, “we’ve been trying to make head or tail out of your notes for our Ecuador project and haven’t had any luck. We’re scheduled to go there in two weeks, and to make matters worse the health ministry is dragging its feet over the permits again. Would you mind setting me on the right track?”
“Not a problem,” Gabe answered.
“Wait a minute,” she protested. “You just got home from the hospital. You’re supposed to rest, not work.”
“This isn’t physical labor,” Gabe pointed out. “I’m only answering a few questions.”
“That’s right,” Sheldon chimed in. “As soon as Gabe brings me up to speed and we sort through the problems, I’ll be out of here. Ten minutes, tops.”
“Do any of your projects run smoothly?” she countered.
“Lots do, but not this one. While you’re waiting, why don’t you relax? Shoot, lie down for a few minutes. I know you didn’t sleep much last night.”
He wanted her to lie down? When she had so much to do, the least of which was changing her address? Wasn’t it enough that he’d blackmailed her into spending the coming weeks together, simply because it was what he wanted? Disbelief instantly filled her.
“It’s only for a few minutes,” Gabe coaxed. “Sheldon wouldn’t be here unless it was important.”
And therein lay the rub. His work was important. She knew so many people who wouldn’t have gotten the medical help they’d needed now did, and it was all because of Gabe. The problem was with her. She simply wasn’t as philanthropic of his time as he was. Perhaps she needed to live in a third world country to get her husband’s attention.
Deciding she was being petty, she sighed. “You’re right. Everything else can wait.”
His gaze searched hers and, apparently satisfied by the acceptance he saw, he cupped the side of her face. “I know this isn’t working out the way we’d planned.”
“It isn’t the first time.”
“I promise we’ll hurry.”
“Yeah,” Sheldon interjected. “I only need a few minutes.”
Leah had learned long ago that “a few minutes” was code for “a few hours”, if not longer. So much for things being different …
On the other hand, Sheldon probably did have a lot of questions. Gabe was involved in every aspect of the foundation and unless he’d left copious notes—which he wasn’t known to do because he carried so much of his information in his head—Sheldon had been left to unravel the mess left behind.
Resigned to the inevitable, she simply nodded before she addressed Sheldon. “Would you like a cup of coffee while you’re working?”
“I’d love one,” he said fervently.
As soon as she handed a fresh mug to Sheldon, Gabe stepped forward to brush a kiss on her cheek. Instant awareness shot through her as she felt his lips touch her skin and she inhaled the scent that was only Gabe. Stop that, she mentally chided her traitorous body.
“Thanks,” he murmured. “Would you like to join us?”
Another first. Well, not really a first. At one time he’d included her when he’d discussed foundation bus
iness at home, but that had ended after their adoption had fallen through. Then he’d stopped asking, as if he couldn’t bear to be around her any more than necessary.
“Maybe next time,” she answered. “While I’m waiting, I’ll make my lists.”
“Good idea.” He turned away, then stopped short. “Is my computer still here?”
“It should be. I haven’t taken anything,” Leah replied. In fact, she’d been postponing the task of cleaning out the house to list it with a real estate agent. Now, she was grateful she’d dragged her feet. It would have been awful for Gabe to suddenly find himself homeless. “Sheldon?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t taken anything, either.”
Gabe seemed relieved by the news, which was understandable. “I presume you didn’t cut off my network access or delete my files?”
Sheldon grinned. “Do I look stupid, boss? Of course not.”
As the two men headed toward Gabe’s home office, Leah was certain they’d both lose track of time once they began discussing work.
She found a pencil and notepad in the drawer near the telephone and sat down to begin her list. Unfortunately, her mind couldn’t get past the fact that they hadn’t been in the house for five minutes and she was already competing with his job. Her temper simmered.
She wanted to march in and yell at him, to remind him of his “things will be different” speech, but doing so with Sheldon in the room would only make the situation uncomfortable for everyone. But if Gabe wanted complete and total honesty, she intended to give it to him. No more holding things inside, no more being the sweet, forgiving, pushover wife.
Yet as she stared blindly through the window into the garden she’d once loved, her irritation faded. She hated the way she’d overreacted, even though no one knew it except her. Sheldon wasn’t purposely sabotaging their life. Deadlines had to be met and questions had to be answered so the job could go forward, but what would he have done if Gabe hadn’t been here? He would have muddled through on his own and probably done a wonderful job.
On the other hand, did Gabe have to run every time Sheldon, or anyone else at his office, called? She had so many questions and so few answers, which, according to Gabe, was what the next few weeks was all about.
Six weeks suddenly seemed to stretch into forever.
Gabe had tried to watch the time—he really had. However, one thing had led to another and by the time he’d checked the clock, two hours had passed.
So much for his “few minutes” promise, he thought glumly. “Sorry, Shel, but that’s it for today.”
Sheldon glanced at his watch and cursed under his breath. “Hey, man, I’m so sorry. It’s just been such a relief having you back that the questions just kept coming.”
“I understand.”
“Tell Leah I’m sorry, too, and that I’ll make it up to her.”
“I’ll tell her,” he said, before Sheldon let himself out. Unfortunately, he had more to tell her than Sheldon’s promise of restitution. A sincere apology was in order. He’d vowed things would be different but so far he’d failed his first challenge. Now he had to hope she’d give him another chance, although he would wager his old Beamer that she’d simply been waiting for him to screw up so she could say “I told you so” before she walked out the door. She’d given him one pass already in the hospital when she’d questioned him about his nightmares. He didn’t think she’d do it again.
Yet he wasn’t willing to surrender so soon. If that was her plan, then he’d argue they were both bound to make mistakes on their way to getting things right.
Practicing his apology, he slowly made his way past the living room to the kitchen, but she wasn’t there. Thinking she’d gone upstairs and taken a nap, as he’d suggested, he ignored the pain in his leg and grimly climbed the stairs, hoping to find her in their bedroom, tucked under the covers, fast asleep.
At least, he hoped she was there because he wanted to wake her and he knew exactly how he wanted to do it. He’d first run a light finger along the side of her face before moving down her neck to take a detour along her collarbone. From there, he’d meander through a most luscious valley until she finally reached for him.
Anticipation, coupled with his months of celibacy, created a physical response so strong he could hardly turn the doorknob. When he did, he saw the master bedroom’s king-size bed covered in the familiar green-and-gold comforter she’d bought when she’d decorated the room. A variety of matching pillows were artfully arranged near the headboard, but the bed itself was empty.
Leah wasn’t there.
He checked every room upstairs—the guest room and even the nursery—but she wasn’t in any of them.
He went downstairs, through the house and into the backyard where she’d once loved to sit and enjoy the butterfly garden.
No Leah.
Where had she gone? More importantly, was she coming back? His gut churned at the possibility.
No, he decided logically, she would be back. She wanted his signature too much to give up so quickly. She was probably running an errand or, having grown tired of waiting for him, she’d left for her place without him. No doubt she was on her way back this very moment.
Reassured by that thought, he returned to his office—his favorite room of the house. They’d spent many comfortable hours within these four walls, he realized as he sat behind the oak desk Leah had given him one Christmas. Leah would often curl up in the overstuffed chair with one of her fiction books while he’d read through his stack of medical publications or taken care of business paperwork. Music or the television would play in the background and when they had both tired of whatever it was they’d been doing, they’d put the smooth desk surface to good use.
Now, though, instead of being cluttered with medical and cooking magazines or her latest knitting pattern, the highly polished wood only held his pen and pencil set, a framed photo of the two of them, which had been taken shortly after she’d learned she was pregnant, and a desk calendar with its top page showing the day he’d left on his last trip.
He didn’t need to open the top left-hand drawer to know what it contained. A phone book, the Yellow Pages, and the divorce papers she’d delivered. With any luck at all, those documents would soon be shredded and residing in the trash.
He glanced at the wall clock and saw another hour had passed. Telling himself not to worry about things like car accidents, ambulances or the county morgue, he broke down and dialed her cell phone number from memory, but his call went straight to her voice mail.
He told himself to wait. Traffic could have snarled, checkout lines could have been horrific, or she’d simply got caught up browsing and had forgotten to watch the time. He hoped the latter was the case because then he wouldn’t feel so badly about doing the same.
After another fifteen minutes he simply couldn’t wait any longer. He had to do something, even if he had to drive from one end of the city to the other, but he’d find her. One way or another, he would.
CHAPTER SIX
LEAH watched the play of Gabe’s muscles underneath his cotton shirt as he soaped her little blue Mustang. It was still almost hard to believe he’d married her when he could have had his pick of all the beautiful women in the world, but the shiny new ring on her finger said it was true. So did their marriage license and the wedding picture proofs she’d picked up from the photographer that morning.
Suddenly, a blast of cold water struck her chest.
“Gabe,” she protested. “Look what you’ve done. I’m all wet.”
His appreciative glance suddenly wiped away her irritation.
“So am I,” he reminded her.
“But I wanted to wear this to my parents’ house,” she protested without heat. “Now I’ll have to change.”
“Can I help?” he asked hopefully.
“You can’t.” She pretended to pout as she struck up a sultry pose. “You’re busy.”
“Not anymore,” he said, immediately shutting off the tap.
<
br /> In a flash, she was in their bedroom, entwined in the sheets as his mouth and hands roamed over her body. “Oh, Gabe,” she murmured as he caressed her breast and nipped at her neck. “That feels …”
“Wonderful?”
“Yes.”
“How about this?” His fingers skittered a path down her body to a secret spot only he had found.
She arched in his arms. “Oh, my …”
Suddenly, the pleasant, swirling sensation disappeared as she felt something solid underneath her.
That wasn’t right. How had the mattress become that hard … and bony?
She wiggled, wanting Gabe to fly her back to the clouds before she’d been so strangely and rudely interrupted, but she couldn’t get comfortable. She and Gabe had fit so well together, but now there was this thing between them.
She elbowed the object, but it wouldn’t budge. Irritated now, she pushed harder, but it only moved a fraction. Determined to remove this strange obstacle, she raised herself on one elbow and opened her eyes to see just what had dared to ruin her romantic interlude—
Leah gasped as she realized Gabe was lying beside her. Lying in her bed, in her house, on top of her quilt. And right now he was watching her with his intensely dark eyes.
This is certainly awkward. “What …?” She swallowed. “What are you doing here?” she asked faintly.
“Looking for you.”
Oh, dear. “Is everything all right?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “You tell me.”
Instinctively, she understood his unspoken question. “I’m not upset because Sheldon came by,” she assured him. “Well, I was at first, but I got over it once I put myself in his shoes.”
The intensity in his eyes faded and he visibly relaxed. “I’m glad.”
“By the way, what time is it?”
“Quarter before five.”
She sank onto her back and flung her arm over her eyes. If he was right, then she’d been here for over four hours, and had been sleeping for most of them.
“How … how did you get in?” she asked.
“I recognized your fake rock in the flower bed near the front door. You really should find out a better place to hide your house key,” he said.
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