Page 107 of Marriage (Red, White &) Blues

“I love having you here, but not going to lie, I was hoping that after last week, this forced separation was over for you two.”

“Dare to dream,” I replied. “We have to get through the election and then who even knows after? It’s getting old real fast, Pen. I want my husband back for good. Blake thinks we have to letthem thinkthey’re winning to draw out the reason whoever set me up, set me up.”

“Is he being careful?”

“He sure as hell better be. I have plans for my life and they don’t involve becoming a widow at twenty-four.”

“We’ll get you through this.” And I knew they would. That’s what friends were for. “What do you plan to do now that you have full use of your arm again?”

“I think I might volunteer at the shelter.”

“That works perfectly for me,” she said, smiling like the best idea just came to her. “Ant’s working from home tomorrow. We’ll pick you up at eleven.”

“For?” I asked.

“We’re heading to the animal shelter because we’ve decided to expand our family.”

“Oh my god, congratulations! Are you thinking dog or cat?” I asked. This news brightened my day right up.

“Well, Ant has his heart set on a dog, but you know, I don’t care so long as it’s healthy.” She bent forward touching her forehead to mine, bracing her hand on my shoulder while we giggled until breathless. God, we were so ridiculous.

“You’re here, want breakfast?” I asked, but she shook her head.

“Can’t I just wanted to make sure you were okay after this morning’s debacle. I have a commission coming due and we just took off all that time.”

We both stood from the sofa then I walked her to the door where we gave ‘goodbye’ hugs. I still kicked myself for thinking Pen had ever moved on from me. No regrets, I got a husband out of that zany thought, but still.

And speak of the devil. After Pen left, my phone lit up with a call from Blake. “Hey, sweetheart,” he said as a ‘hello.’ “I heard you had some excitement today.”

“How did you know?” I asked.

“Got a call from Ant.”

“Oh, so now you two are BFFs?”

“He’s a good guy and looking out for my interests.” His tone was teasing. I loved a teasing Blake.

“Your interests, huh? I’m an interest now?”

“Glory, never a time I’m not interested in you. How come you didn’t call me?”

“Well, you’re in Vermont and we were taking care of it. Ant called the station and I had my mom on the phone to help me find the title. There really was no need to bother you.”

“Sweetheart, you’renevera bother. I’d like to know when these things happen. I can’t be physically with you right now, but I’m still here. I didn’t marry you for us to still have to go it alone.”

“Technically, I wasn’t alone.” I thought it was playful but the twenty seconds of dead air changed my mind real fast. “Okay,” I said thoughtfully. “In future I’ll call.”

“Thank you.” His earnestness made my breath catch. This was hardly a blip on the trouble radar but it meant something to him for me to call. He wanted to be involved in my life—you said your ‘I do’s, he gave you a ring, of course he wants to be involved.Right. Enough of that.

“How is the world of espionage?” I asked. Fingers crossed he had good news, but instead he sighed heavily into the phone.

“I wish I could say better. I faxed Ant over the file. He’s got people on it. I’ve got people on it. But whoever is behind this, they’re keeping tightlipped.”

“Do you think we’ll ever find out?”

“Oh—we’ll find out. It’s just taking longer than I want it to because I want my wife back, dammit.”

“I have it on good authority that she wants to be back… For good this time.”

---