Page 52 of Capturing Hearts

The tense knot in my chest grips harder and I reach for my phone. “She would have told me,” I mutter, dialing.

Mark says, “Maybe she doesn’t know he kidnapped your wife.”

“If she does know…Rebecca.”

“Brendan? I didn’t expect to hear from you, today. Is this about Tommy?”

I share a look with Mark, holding his eyes as I answer. “Yes. It is about Tommy. How’d you know that?”

She pauses. “I got a call from someone yesterday. They didn’t say anything, but when I said his name, whoever it was hung up fast.”

My heart starts to pound. “Did you call him back? Give me the number! Why didn’t you tell me this?”

Becoming defensive, she argues, “Well, we’re not talking anymore, Brendan! And I saw he escaped, on the news, but I knew he’d leave the country and be long gone. So what was the use in calling you? I mean, really, I don’t think your new wife would have been too happy to hear from me on Christmas Eve, do you?”

With my elbow on my knee and my forehead in my hand, I listen to this. “He’s got Annie. I think she would have been very happy to hear from you.”

Mark takes the phone from me. “Rebecca, this is Mark. Give me the number, please.” He grabs a pen and writes it down. “Yes, he kidnapped her last night. They didn’t know Tommy escaped. Yes, it’s horrible.” He pauses again. “No, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know.” He hands me the phone. “She demands to come here.”

I frown, yanking it from his hand. “You’re not coming over!”

“Brendan, I’m coming over. I can help,” she says with her usual authority.

With angry sarcasm, I ask, “How can you help?”

“Okay, look. I wasn’t a fan of having things end between us. That’s no secret. But I don’t want your wife hurt and you need to know something I’ve been keeping secret. I lied to you, Brendan. I slept with Tommy. When I said I wouldn’t see him? Well, I did.” She waits for a response and when I say nothing, continues in a softer voice. “Brendan, he might try to call me again.”

My overall distaste for her shifts, replaced by a bead of hope. “Come over. If he calls, I want to know about it. But I’m not happy you lied to me.”

“And I’m not happy you got married. We’re even. I’m on my way.” She hangs up.

I lay the phone down and Mark sticks the coffee cup back in my hand as Nicole returns with bacon, eggs and toast on a couple of plates. “She fucked Tommy,” I tell him. Meeting Nicole’s raised eyebrows, I explain. “That’s Rebecca. My ex. Sort of. She fucked Tommy and didn’t tell me. But she may be our only way to find him. She’s coming over.”

Nicole shares a look with Mark, surprised at the news. Her smooth voice has a calming effect on both of us. “If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that there are angels watching over us. I know that sounds silly or foofy, or whatever, but–”

I cut her off. “I’ll take whatever help I can get.”

Mark asks her, “Babe? Where’s yours?”

She smiles and touches his arm again, and heads back for the kitchen. “On another plate. I just couldn’t carry them all. Now eat. The eggs are getting cold.”

Out of politeness, I pick up the plate, and dig in. My body takes over, and somehow I eat it all. We eat in silence and it’s dismal. Finally, I can’t take it anymore. “Alright, you guys go and put your things in your old room, Mark. Go rest. You must be tired from the plane ride. I’ll get the dishes; it’ll give me something to do. No, don’t argue,” I tell Nicole.

She smiles, her caramel-colored eyes filled with compassion.

She hangs their coats as Mark picks up both suitcases and heads for the spiral staircase. Watching them walk away, I feel pain in my chest throbbing again. They’re such a good fit, both tall, both serene in their countenance. The fact that they’re different ethnicities adds a strength to them, too. Like they’re ahead of the world’s curve somehow.

But seeing them here just makes me miss my wife.

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