Page 85 of Wait for Me

As for Marie, she had yet to get to her debriefing with INTERPOL Canada.

“I’ve seen worse,” Esperanza said as they climbed up the stairs into the Gulfstream G280, one of Mendenhall Security’s several jets.

This one would take them to Atlanta and, after that, Marie might have to leave right away with Esperanza to parts unknown. It could cost her job at INTERPOL, but at this point, she knew they had to take down Buchanan if her family were to live in peace henceforth.

Logan didn’t need to know all that.

As soon as they boarded, Logan was looking for a place for Jonas to sit. Marie watched him busy himself checking out the two living areas. She assumed he hoped that Jonas could take a nap or play quietly without adults talking around him.

He’s a good dad.

Mrs. Ping had tried to change her plans after the events of this morning, but neither Marie nor Logan allowed her to do so. Marie still hadn’t told Logan that she might not be able to stay in Atlanta the entire weekend. Marie would make her final decision at Logan’s house.

The situation was fluid anyway. Esperanza had assured her that Mendenhall Security was on it. They might have news today, or they might not have any news until next week.

Marie waited for Logan and Jonas to return before she buckled in because she wanted to sit across from Logan, to look him in the eye, and maybe to assure him that all was well.

Who am I to give anyone assurance?

Only God can assure us of anything.

However, when Logan returned, he sat across from Jonas. The jet only had one seat on each side of the aisle, leaving no room for Marie to sit beside or across her ex-husband.

Marie didn’t want to read too much into it, but was it possible for two people who loved each other to never be together again? She felt like he had died and left her—or rather, that she had died and left him.

Is this how grief really feels?

Marie checked Jonas’s seat belt.

“I fastened it,” Logan said to her.

“I know. I’m finding an excuse to give my son a hug.” Marie kissed Jonas on his forehead. “Mommy loves you very much and will always love you. Do you know that?”

Jonas nodded. “I’m glad you’re coming home with us, Mommy.”

“Me too.” But for how long?

“Do you have go back to work?” Jonas asked.

Did he mean at all? “Yes.”

“When?”

“I don’t know. But now I’m here.”

Without warning, Jonas pinched Marie’s arm nearest him.

“Oww!” Marie pulled her arm away. “What did you do that for?”

“Now you know you’re here.” Jonas nodded, eyes big and innocent.

Marie could hear Logan chuckle.

“Is that how you raised our son?” Marie joked.

Logan shrugged. “He never pinched me.”

Marie had no comeback for that. Her arm was still stinging from that little pinch. Jonas had strong fingers. Maybe it was time for him to take piano lessons.

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