Page 3 of Missing Marcus

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll be out of your hair soon.” She smiled sadly.

“If you’re moving to Seattle, why don’t you contact his sister, Bryanna? Maybe she’ll allow you to stay with her until you find a permanent place?” Alabama suggested.

Gabby shook her head. “I’ve tried calling her and she doesn’t return my messages. Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

Caroline’s brow wrinkled. “Tex flew to Seattle not too long ago. He stayed in a cabin in Serenity. Maybe one of his friends will put you up? He mentioned he and Melody visited and she raved about the place.”

“No. I want to do this on my own. Right now, it’ll keep me focused on something else besides dwelling on what happened,” Gabby explained.

Alabama gave Gabby’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know. Abe’s meeting me at home. Cheyenne and Dude offered to watch the kids, giving us a date night.”

“Thank you, Alabama. You’re a great friend. You, too, Caroline. I really appreciate you giving me support and not judging me.”

Caroline exchanged glances with Alabama as she left. They felt for their friend. Military people struggle through divorces all the time. Somehow, they didn’t see this one coming and it bothered them. Knight and Gabby seemed happy. Whatever occurred must’ve hurt both of them and they hoped the men might step in to help a friend.

Abe kissedhis wife and greeted the kids, who clung to his waist upon his entering the door. Cheyenne sat on the couch and laughed at their antics while Alabama brushed her hair and appliedlip gloss. Then they left for dinner.

Abe waited until he and Alabama ordered their food before questioning his wife. “What’s on your mind?”

Alabama fiddled with her silverware. “I feel terrible about Knight and Gabby. They seemed close and I hate seeing them at odds. Did he say anything to you? Gabby remains tight-lipped about what happened to bring them to divorce. I can’t imagine what occurred to bring them to a breaking point.”

Abe frowned. “Wolf asked us to meet for a drink at the bar later. Do you feel up to meeting him and Caroline? Knight said nothing to us until he mentioned attending a mediation.”

“Sure. We hoped he might have spoken with one of you. I don’t want you to betray a confidence, but I guess I hoped it turned out as one huge misunderstanding.”

Abe nodded. “Knight always keeps to himself. It seems like the last year has taken a toll on him. We’re as surprised as you.”

Alabama frowned. “I hate seeing a friend hurting.”

The waiter set their dinner before them. Abe waited until he left before speaking. “We both do. If we can help him, we’ll try. Let’s not let it ruin our night.”

Alabama smiled. “I agree. Hopefully, someone can get through to one of them.” She sighed.

Abe squeezed her hand before he let it go to cut his steak and add dressing to his salad. He knew Knight worked on a special assignment, but didn’t know what. They ran into his team a few times and Knight never seemed present, nor did his team bring him up. Yet he’d seen him on the base a couple of times.

When they finished dinner, Abe drove them to the bar, where they sat in a booth with Wolf and Caroline.

“I tried convincing Gabby to come, but she refused. She needs to get out of the house,” Caroline informed them.

“She barely eats anything and I heard her crying when you left for the grocery store. I’m at a loss on how to help her, I feel horrible for her circumstances,” Alabama shared.

Abe caught Wolf’s attention and nodded to the bar. Knight sat alone, drinking a beer. Wolf gave a silent nod, and they watched him until the ladies finished their drinks. Seeing Knight still sitting in the bar, Wolf turned to Caroline. “Do you mind driving Alabama home? I’ll drop Abe off in a bit.”

Caroline turned a questioning gaze at her husband when he glanced toward the bar. Upon noticing their friend, she kissed her husband and agreed.

“Come on, Alabama. We can visit with Cheyenne until the guys return.”

She motioned toward Knight.

Alabama’s eyes widened as she understood. Both women grabbed their purses and Wolf walked them to the car while Abe approached their friend.

“Haven’t seen you in here for a while,” Abe greeted him as he ordered a beer.

Knight glanced up and gave a slight nod. “Yeah. It seems like forever.”

Wolf sat beside Abe. “How are things going?”

Knight took a long draw of his beer. “Could be better. How about you and the wives?”

---