Page 86 of Wait for Me

She had no idea how that popped into her head, but she could see him playing the old piano in her parents’ house in Marseilles—like she used to do when she was about his age. She had taken piano lessons since the age of four, though she stopped playing any musical instruments after college.

Marie wished for her son more innocent days and comfort in life. That was all she wanted for her family. When she married Logan, she thought they’d have happily-ever-after seasons in the sun. But the rain fell, the storms came, and…

And here we are.

Marie sat down in her seat across the aisle from Jonas. She wondered if she should move elsewhere so she wouldn’t be facing Logan, but he had his eye mask on, as if shutting her out.

Maybe I shouldn’t read too much into that.

Marie looked out the window until Esperanza walked past her. She didn’t say a word, but by the duffel bag she was carrying, Marie guessed that she was heading toward the shower at the back of the jet to change out of her clothes.

Marie didn’t like to see Esperanza walking about in front of Jonas, still wearing her outfit that had blood stains on it. However, it was black material, and Jonas probably didn’t notice. Besides, Esperanza said that Zaid was healthy.

So what if it’s healthy blood? Blood is blood.

Chapter Forty-One

By the time they landed at Briscoe Field in Gwinnett County, Georgia, it was nearly midnight. Logan’s chauffeur had been waiting for over an hour to pick them up.

Jonas was asleep on Logan’s shoulder as they climbed down the steps. Logan let his chauffeur handle their suitcases, including Marie’s.

It had been the quietest five-hour flight from Victoria to Atlanta. Logan had tried to nap under his eye mask, but he ended up praying the entire time. For some reason, all the work he had brought with him on the cruise didn’t matter anymore. All that mattered to him on the flight was that his broken family had remained broken.

Had it been too much to ask of Marie to tell him the truth about everything? Were there couples who kept secrets from each other for years—or the rest of their lives? How did that work out?

Logan decided he had to let Marie go.

In fact, he didn’t want her staying with them this weekend. He wanted her to get a hotel room nearby. He’d even pay for it. She could come over to visit with Jonas on Saturday and Sunday before she went back to France on Sunday night. She had visitation rights, but Logan decided it was best not to welcome her back to his house.

His house.

That used to be their home.

Jonas stirred as Logan buckled him into the booster seat.

“Mommy?” Jonas rubbed his eyes. “Mommy?”

“I’m here.” Marie stood outside the SUV door, smiling.

Funny how we want to put on our best faces for our children.Logan stepped aside to let Marie get to Jonas.

“Sit with me, Mommy.” Jonas pointed to the empty seat next to him. “Daddy can sit in front with Mr. Wall Russ.”

“Walrus?” Marie asked.

“It’s Wallace, ma’am,” the chauffeur said from the driver’s seat.

“What I said, Wall Russ!”Jonas frowned. “He has tusks!”

“No, he doesn’t,” Logan said. “Please be polite to Mr. Wallace. He’s going to take you to kindergarten in a couple of months.”

“Why can’t Mommy take me?” Jonas reached for Marie’s arm.

“Because she has to go back to work,” Logan said. He chided himself for speaking for Marie, but wasn’t it the truth? She wouldn’t be around after Sunday.

“Someday, Jonas,” Marie said. “For now, we’re going to get you home and get you to bed. Tomorrow you can show me your new toys in your playroom.”

“Okay.” Jonas smiled. “I love you, Mommy.”

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