“Did he spend the night?” Amber leans forward.
“No. He kept Ruby at his apartment and took her to school the next morning.” I pause as the waitress stops by with our lunches. “Anyway, I’m sitting in church, and the next thing I know, Rory sits down next to me, and he held my hand through the service.”
“How’d that feel?” My sister wants to know.
“Good. My palms sweated like they used to when we started dating. After the service, we spoke … well, he did. I stood there, staring at the wall because I couldn’t face him. He knows his job’s an issue and says he’s going to change, that it’ll be family first.”
Amber looks at me questioningly. “So what’s the problem?”
I smile weakly. “I don’t know if I believe him.” I turn my attention toward my turkey club, taking a few bites before wiping my mouth and meeting their gazes again.
My sister speaks first. “Before I start babbling, know that I love you and support whatever you do. So playing devil’s advocate, Rory moves home, things are good, like he’s coming home by five and all that jazz,” she says in between bites, “does that fix things between the two of you?”
“Maybe?” I shrug. “It’s been awhile since we actually acted like husband and wife behind closed doors.”
“Do you want that with him?” This time it’s Amber asking.
I swallow the giant knot forming in my throat. “I miss him. He’s all I’ve ever really known, and these past months have been torture. I don’t sleep and hardly eat. Last night was the first night I went to sleep without crying. And I woke up happy. I’m ridiculously happy that he’s joining Ruby and me tonight.”
“What’s tonight?” Amber wants to know.
“We’re getting our Christmas tree.”
“And you’re going to reconnect in the bedroom.” Eliza waggles her eyebrows only to have Amber elbow her in her side. Sometimes I think Eliza has a one-track mind when it comes to some things.
Thankfully, she decides her lunch is more important and focuses her attention there. We continue to talk, but mostly about the kids starting vacation soon and how it’s never enough time and who is hosting what for the holidays. I’m off the hook for being a hostess this year, though, which I’m relieved about. If things were to work out for Rory and me, it’d probably be best if we’re given some time away from family. The last thing either of us needs is our parents’ meddling.
I’m trying not to get ahead of myself when it comes to Rory. I want to believe him and trust he’s making the changes needed, but something deep inside gives me pause when it shouldn’t. I don’t like being alone, so it’s not that I’ve enjoyed my so-called freedom, so what is it? It’s Jerry and the hold he has on my husband. I fear our marriage won’t be strong enough to resist that man and his financial needs.
Rory deserves a second chance. That’s the conclusion I come to as I’m strolling through the park after lunch. Much to my surprise, I run into Gabe again, but this time he’s sitting on the bench reading a book. “Hello.”
“Oh, Mrs. Sutton. It’s such a pleasure seeing you again.” He folds the corner of the page down and sets his novel next to him before I can catch the title.
“I have something for you.” I hand him the bag of clothes. “I don’t know if they’ll fit, so you’ll have to let me know the next time I s
ee you if I need to make any exchanges.”
He rifles through the bag, pulls one of the shirts out, and rubs it against his cheek. “Soft.”
“And hopefully warm.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good night, Gabe.”
“You too, Mrs. Sutton.”
Chapter Seven
Rory
Like clockwork, I’m on time and standing at the entrance to the tree farm. Ruby screams my name, and I look over the heads of the other people until I spot Gwen weaving through the people. When I do, my heart beats a bit faster. I’ve missed her.
I hurry through the crowd until I’m face-to-face with her. I desperately want to kiss her, but the fear of rejection is too much to handle. Baby steps. That’s what I have to take with Gwen.
I crouch down and pick Ruby up. With her in my arms, I pull Gwen to my side and kiss her stocking cap–covered forehead. While my lips may not touch her skin, the intent is there. She must know this. I’m surprised when she takes my hand in hers, but work hard to keep my emotions in check.
“Shall we go get our tree?” I ask the two of them. If Gwen’s shocked that I said our, she doesn’t show it. I have hope that I’ll be there on Christmas morning, whether it means waking up in the house or just arriving before Ruby rolls out of bed. Either way, I’m going to do what I can in the next few days to show my wife how serious I am.