“I tried calling you today, right after I first found out, but you didn’t give me the courtesy of calling me back,” she said tartly.
“I was in meetings all day. I hardly had time to breathe, much less return calls.”
She shrugged. “That may be the case, but you asked why I didn’t tell you earlier. Now you know,” she snipped.
“A commissioned piece,” he mused.
“Yep.” She felt a swell of pride. “It’s a tremendous opportunity.”
“It’ll eat up a lot of your time.”
“Yes,” she admitted, “it will. I’ll need your help with the kids.”
He rubbed his jaw. “Things are tenuous at work. We have so many things at play, especially now with the new clients. I’m not sure that I can pull away …”
Zoe wanted to start screaming at the top of her lungs. “Okay, I’ll work while the kids are at school. Also, I can hire someone to come in a couple evenings each week to watch the kids.”
He gave her a disbelieving look. “Who are you and what have you done with my wife?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you always saying that you don’t want to farm your kids out for other people to raise?”
“Yeah, but it would only be two days a week.”
“Look,” he began, “it’s incredible that you got this opportunity.”
“Yes, it is.” She braced herself, waiting for his rebuttal. “But?”
“But, it’s not a good time. The kids need you here. This year is pivotal in the business. With us getting the Breckinridge account, we’ll be poised to get more business in San Diego. Once we can get a foothold there, we can expand all over California.” His voice gathered enthusiasm as he caught hold of her hands. “Think what that will do for us. We can pay off the house and the cars. Take vacations anytime we want.”
“You mean in between your nonstop work schedule and the kids’ school?” she asked, resentment coating her throat.
Carl peered into her eyes. “I know how much your sculpting means to you. I appreciate the sacrifices you make for our family.”
A lump formed in her throat. “Do you?” She blinked to stay the tears pressing behind her eyes. Zoe loved being a wife and a mother, but sometimes, she felt so lost. Her art had been her passion, and she felt like a piece of her was dying. It was especially hard to see Noah doing what he loved and being so successful at it. Also, he’d married Piper last August, and the two of them were traveling the world together, living their dream. It had been Zoe’s dream to have a home and a family, but somehow the reality of marriage to Carl was falling miserably short. She felt guilty for having those thoughts, recognizing that it took two to build a successful marriage.
“Yes, I do. I promise you, Zoe, there will be more opportunities in the future.”
“You can’t promise that. No one can.” Should she go against Carl’s wishes and accept the commission? Her daddy would tell her to do it, as would her mama. If she turned the commission down, Noah would be ticked. He already felt like Zoe was selling herself short.
“I have an idea,” Carl said. “Spring break is coming up. With the Breckinridge account, we’ll have some extra money in the coffers and can take a trip. How about a Disney Cruise?”
“The kids and I are going home to Nashville for spring break, remember? The kids are looking forward to spending time with my parents. Milo wants to learn to ride a horse.”
“Are you seriously telling me you’d rather go to Nashville than on a cruise?”
“Yes.”
He bunched his brows. “You know how much I detest going back to the ranch. Your dad hates my guts,” he frowned.
Carl could be such a baby sometimes. “He doesn’t hate you.” It was true that her daddy didn’t much care for Carl. Daddy was a man’s man. Ranching was in his blood. In her daddy’s words, Carl was a cream puff who would melt if left in the sun too long.
“Yes, he does hate me.” He scowled. “He’s still bent out of shape because you didn’t marry Briggs McAllister.” He rolled his eyes. “To hear your dad talk, you’d think Briggs could walk on water.”
“Well, Briggs is Daddy’s veterinarian, err, the veterinarian for the ranch. Of course, Daddy would have a high opinion of him.” Her voice sounded squeaky in her ears as she forced a laugh. Why had she had that stupid dream? It almost felt like Briggs was in the room with them.
Carl gave her a piercing look. “Are you telling me you don’t ever think about Briggs … not even in the slightest?”
She could feel her cheeks burning. How in the heck was she supposed to answer that? “Of course, I think of him from time to time. He’s a large part of my past.” Briggs was Zoe’s first love. She’d wanted to marry him right out of high school, but Briggs got cold feet and broke her heart. She met Carl’s gaze. “I didn’t marry Briggs, I married you.”
“That’s right, you did.” He touched her cheek, his eyes softening. “And, I will be forever grateful.”
That was the Carl she knew, the one she fell in love with. A part of him was still in there. She just had to work to bring it back out.
“I’ll make a deal with you.”
“What?”
“If you won’t take the commission, I’ll go to the ranch with you this spring.” A smile touched his lips. “I’ll even be nice to your dad … and Briggs, if I happen to see him.”
She shook her head. “Seriously, you have no need to be worried about Briggs. That was a lifetime ago.” Zoe had been a different person back then. Sure, Briggs had shattered her heart, but she’d picked herself up and moved on, meeting Carl.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such a beast lately.” Carl leaned his forehead against hers. “I’ve just been so stressed.”
Her eyes went to his mouth. “I can think of something to help that,” she murmured, leaning in to kiss him.
A second later, he drew back. “Hon, if you don’t mind, I’m a little tired.” His hand lingered on her cheek. “Do you mind if we just go to sleep tonight?”
Disappointment sat like glue in her stomach. She forced a smile. “Sure.”
“That’s my girl,” Carl said, as he gave her a peck on the cheek before settling back into his pillow and turning his attention to the TV.
3
“Hello? Is this Judith?”
“Yes, it is.”
“This is Zoe Stevens.”
Judith’s voice warmed ten degrees. “Yes, hello.”
Zoe cleared her throat. “Thank you so much for considering me to do the sculpture.” Her throat constricted as she swallowed. “Unfortunately, I’m going to have to turn down your offer.”
There was a long pause before Judith spoke. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can say to change your mind?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”
“I’m sure,” she croaked.
There was a long pause. “Okay, then I’ll have no other choice but to contact the next person on the list. I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thanks,” Zoe said hoarsely as she ended the call, tears springing to her eyes. She had to put Carl and her kids first, but this about ripped her heart out. Needing a listening ear, she called Kate. “Hey,” she began as she picked up a sponge and began scrubbing the counter with a vengeance.
“You sound strange. Is everything okay?”
She gulped, hot tears slipping from the corners of her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. “No,” she trembled.
Kate’s voice lurched. “Did something happen to Carl? Or the kids?” she added.
“No, they’re fine.”
Kate blew out a relieved breath. “Good. Geez. You scared me. What’s going on?”
“I turned down the opportunity at the Gads Art Gallery.”
“Why? You were so excited about it.”
She told Kate about her conversation with Carl and how he thought the timing was all wrong. “Did I m
ake the right decision?” she asked, after she’d spilled her guts out.
“Yeah, I mean, you did what’s best for the kids and Carl.”
“I know,” she sniffed. “But if it’s so right, then why do I feel so lousy? I’ll never get another opportunity like this,” she said fiercely. This was met with silence. “Kate, are you there?”
“I’m here.”
Tears streamed down her face. “I don’t know what to do.” Her voice broke. “Something’s wrong between me and Carl.” She hiccuped a breath. “And, I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Did Carl say something is wrong?”
She gripped the phone tighter. “No, not in so many words, but I can feel it.” Zoe put down the sponge and folded her arms over her chest. “All we do is argue.” She hated to admit the next part out loud, even to her best friend. “Carl doesn’t look at me the same way he used to. He hasn’t touched me in weeks.” It was more like months, but that was too embarrassing to say out loud. Zoe felt a sense of shame that her husband no longer found her attractive.
“I wouldn’t be too hard on Carl,” Kate soothed. “He’s under a lot of stress with the business. It sounds like the two of you are just going through a rough patch.”
Her spirits lifted. “You think so?”
“Yes, I do,” Kate said heartily. She paused. “And for the record, I think you made the right decision … about the sculpture. You’re stressed out of your mind as it is, trying to keep up with the kids, the house, and the PTA. You would run yourself ragged adding in another thing, especially one of such magnitude.”
Zoe made a face. “I could’ve handled it.” She pushed her hand through her hair, groaning. “Noah’s going to be furious with me when he realizes I turned down the opportunity.”
“Noah doesn’t have kids to look after.”
“True,” Zoe conceded.
Her doorbell rang. “Hold on a sec. There’s someone at the door.” Cradling her phone on her shoulder, she went to answer it. She frowned when she looked through the glass side panels and saw the woman standing outside. “It’s Nelly Jordan.” Nelly lived next door.
“What does she want?” Kate grumbled. “Probably trying to get you to buy something for one her kid’s fundraisers. The woman never stops. She hit me up for wrapping paper during Christmas and several coupon books.”
Zoe chuckled. “Yep, I bought the wrapping paper and the coupon books too.” She sighed. “No telling what Nelly’s selling this time.”
“Be strong, girl,” Kate teased. “Just say no.”
“Ha ha. Easy for you to say. Nelly’s not standing on your doorstep.”
“No, she’s not.” Kate trilled out a deviant laugh. “Thankfully! Call me later.”
“Okay. Will do. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
The doorbell rang again. Quickly, Zoe wiped away any remaining tears. “Hello,” she said, plastering a cheerful smile on her face.
Nelly didn’t return the smile. “Do you have a minute?” she asked solemnly. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Sure.” No signup sheet that Zoe could see. She had no idea what this could be about. Nelly wasn’t much for socializing. Nelly was one of those competitive suburban women who was wound up a little too tight for Zoe’s taste. Nelly was always the first one to sign up to volunteer at her kid’s school for every position available, and she made a point of outselling all of the other parents—three to one—at the fundraisers. She dressed a little stodgy, like a preppy homemaker. As usual, her make-up was perfect, not a single hair out of place. Zoe stepped back and motioned. “Come in.”
She led Nelly into the den where they both sat down. “Can I get you anything to drink?” Zoe asked.
“No, thank you.” Nelly clutched her purse in her lap, her hand winding around the strap. Nervous energy radiated off her like a nuclear spill.
Zoe scooted forward in her seat, cradling her hands around her cell phone. “What’s up?”
“There’s no easy way to say this,” Nelly began, as she took in a breath. “Last night, Herb took me out to dinner for our anniversary. We went to Benson’s Chop House in Salt Lake.”
“I love that place. Great loaded baked potatoes,” Zoe added, trying to lighten the mood.
Nelly tipped her head. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t eat potatoes—too many carbs.”
Zoe bit back a smile. “Oh, well, if you ever decide to splurge, you should try it.”
Nelly nodded, her expression remaining rigid. “As I was going to the restroom.” She hedged. “Well, I saw a couple sitting in a booth.” She bit her lower lip as she shifted in her seat. “They didn’t see me because they were too engrossed in what they were doing.” Color seeped into her face as looked at Zoe. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” She wanted to pull the words out of Nelly.
“I’ve been debating all day about whether I should tell you.” Her brows darted together in determination. “If I were in your shoes, I’d want to know.”
Frustration mounted inside of Zoe. “I have no idea what you’re getting at.”
Compassion touched Nelly’s features. “Maybe it’s better if I just show you. I snapped a picture.”
This was getting weirder by the minute. “Okay,” Zoe said, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. She placed her phone down beside her on the sofa.
Nelly reached into her purse and scrolled to her photos. She handed the phone to Zoe. It took her eyes a second to process what she was seeing. The breath left her lungs as her hands began to shake. It was Carl and Kate. His arm was slung around her, and their lips were entwined.
Her world began to spin.
“I’m so sorry,” Nelly said again, but the words seemed to be coming from somewhere far off. “I can’t believe your best friend would stoop so low as to have an affair with your husband. If there’s anything I can do to help …”
Tears burned Zoe’s eyes as she dropped the phone and stumbled to her feet. She rushed to the bathroom where she fell to her knees and puked her guts out in the toilet.
4
“Can we stop by the shop and see Momaw before we go to the ranch?” Madison asked.
“Not today. Papaw’s waiting for us to have dinner with him,” Zoe answered. Her mama Birdie owned a clothing boutique in the quaint historical downtown section of Franklin. Birdie had promised Madison that when they arrived in town that she’d let her pick out a dress. Zoe’s parents had divorced when Zoe was in high school. It was a painful time for the family, but thankfully, Zoe’s mama and daddy were now close friends.
“I want to see Momaw,” Madison complained.
Milo scoffed. “You don’t wanna see Momaw. You just want to get a new dress at the store.”
“No, I don’t,” Madison shot back.
Zoe let out a long breath, trying to hold onto what little shred of patience she had left. “That’s enough,” she groaned. The long three-day trek across country had left her exhausted, her nerves raw. All she wanted right now was to just soak in a hot tub and forget all about her sordid life—Carl and Kate’s betrayal, the bitter divorce, the daunting process of rebuilding her life while trying to be a good mother and not blow up on her kids every time they argued with one another.
Zoe pushed her hair from her face before grasping the steering wheel again with both hands. She’d showered last night when they stopped at a hotel, but she felt greasy and grimy. Thankfully, it was the first day of May, and they still had a few weeks before the humidity of the summer in the South would take hold.
“I still don’t see why we have to start school on Monday when there are only a few weeks left,” Milo began, opening up the argument they’d been having since Zoe broached the topic. “Can’t you homeschool us?”
“Please!” Madison chimed in.
No way was Zoe homeschooling! The mere prospect of the idea was enough to push her over the edge. Zoe forced her voice to sound cheerful. “Guys, going to school is a good thing. You’ll get
to make friends before the summer.”
“I don’t need any more friends,” Milo pouted.
“Me neither,” Madison echoed but Zoe could tell that there was no earnestness behind Madison’s comment. She just wanted to be like her big brother. Normally, it was endearing, but not so much today.
“You’re going to school on Monday,” Zoe said firmly, squaring her jaw as she glanced back at Milo in the rearview mirror. His expression was set in hard lines, his dark eyes blazing. A feeling of sympathy welled inside her. The divorce had been especially hard on Milo. He couldn’t understand why they had to move from Park City, why they couldn’t just stay in their house, and why he had to give up his friends. Zoe understood Milo’s worries, she truly did, but that didn’t change the reality of the situation.
Zoe and Carl’s divorce had become final the middle of March. Zoe was relieved to finally have some closure. From the moment Zoe found out Carl was having the affair, things had transpired fairly quickly, but for Zoe, it felt like everything came to a screeching halt, putting her in a state of limbo. Zoe confronted Carl, and he admitted to the affair, having the audacity to suggest that it was Zoe’s fault. Carl’s hateful words circled through Zoe’s head like poison-tipped arrows as she bunched her brows. “You drove me into Kate’s arms,” he told her. “Kate understands the significance of my business and everything that I’m building. Whereas everything has always come so easily for you because you have your precious daddy to fight your battles.”
A lump formed in Zoe’s throat as she swallowed. She didn’t know which hurt worse—Carl having the affair or Kate’s betrayal. When Zoe confronted Kate, Kate had been tearful and apologetic saying that she never meant to hurt Zoe. “It just happened,” Kate had said. She begged Zoe to forgive her. All Zoe could do was look at her and say, “You’re not the friend I thought you were. Don’t ever come near me again.” She’d walked away, not looking back. There was so much more she could’ve said, but the intense hurt bound her tongue.
As the divorce proceedings drew to a close, Zoe knew what she needed to do. She could no longer live in that house, in the same neighborhood with Kate and the whispers of gossip that clung to Zoe like stale cigarette smoke. She needed a clean break.
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