Page 52 of Evidence of Secrets

First thing, he’d set up a personal meeting with Sam. Time to come clean about a couple of things. He hoped Sam would have some suggestions to help Laura.

And he hoped to resolve any misunderstandings that he and Laura had. That was crap. He really needed to stop lying to himself.

He hadn’t been honest or fair to Laura, and she was right to feel betrayed.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

Sam returned with a small suitcase and Laura’s prescription. She brought both to Laura and went to the kitchen to talk to Hailey. Danny and Logan were in the living room talking about who knows what.

Hank pretended he needed to go to the restroom and snuck into the guest room to check on Laura. Laura was asleep, and he didn’t want to disturb her. What he wanted, though, was to have her recuperate in his bed while he watched over her. But that wouldn’t happen until he talked to her.

When he came out, Hailey, Danny, Logan, and Sam were sitting around the contemporary walnut table in the dining room. Hank remembered Danny telling him that Hailey had fallen in love with the patina. Like he cared about patina but it wasn’t his table.

They’d stopped talking when Hank walked over.

“Awkward silence here,” he said.

“Nah,” said Danny. “We were discussing how to help Laura. Any suggestions?”

Hank took a seat. “I don’t have a clue right now. I know that Laura needs to be part of the conversation and be open to getting help.”

“That’s true.” Sam sighed. “Laura and her mom were always self-sufficient. If they didn’t have something, they worked harder for it or went without. Which can be good or bad.”

She picked up her glass of water and took a sip. “I’d like to talk to her and find out exactly what she needs. Is it more servers? A pastry chef? More cash?” She shook her head. “Probably all the above, but an infusion of cash will take care of the other issues.”

“I heard she had a loan due at the bank soon,” said Hank. “Which means she doesn’t have the money to cover it.”

“Claire offered to give her money through a grant for women entrepreneurs, but Laura rejected it,” said Sam.

Stubborn woman! Hank had some ideas that he’d pass by Sam on Monday. He didn’t want to discuss them here.

He knew Logan and Danny wouldn’t say anything, but he didn’t want his personal wealth to get around.

There was nothing else to discuss since Laura was a key player. He checked in the bedroom again to find her snoring softly. The medicine must have kicked in. She looked so peaceful and beautiful lying there, even with the cuts and bruises she had suffered. He kissed Laura on the forehead, spoke to Hailey for a few minutes and met Logan at the front door. They were driving to town to meet a client.

“So, what are you going to do about Laura?” asked Logan.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s clear that you care about her. From what I heard, you’ve been acting like a jerk and she won’t talk to you.”

Hank shook his head. He did not want to get into a conversation with Logan about relationships.

“Thanks for pointing that out, but it’s none of your business,” said Hank.

“Ouch.”

Hank punched the steering wheel. “Fuck. I’m sorry. Laura’s situation bothers me, and I can’t do anything about it. She won’t speak to me. I’m … I’m frustrated and angry with myself.”

“I hear you. In my limited experience, women will accept a sincere apology,” said Logan. “And lots of sex.”

Was Logan serious? “I’m not taking woman advice from you since you haven’t had a woman in…” he looked at Logan. “How long? But I’m fairly sure an angry woman does not want to have lots of sex.”

Logan shrugged. “You’ll figure it out.”

Hank was sure of a couple of things. One, he would bring Laura home, and two, Hank was definitely resolving Laura’s issue with him. Then they’d have lots of sex. Hopefully.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

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