Page 103 of Broken Bonds

It was definitely the best decision to stay in town. We both needed it.

“Or rather, Beauty and the Beast,” Valerie laughs, pulling me out of my thoughts. That girl is something else. “Because after kissing him, your husband became Prince Charming, bought you a house, and now he’s remodeling it… when will I find my Prince Charming willing to die for me?”

“You and your progressive ideas…” Stella responds, her voice full of sarcasm.

“Just so you know, true feminism is about having options, and there is nothing better for that than having a lot of money in your bank account so you can choose between them.”

And speaking of options, that reminds me that I have business to attend to.

“Hvezda,” I call to her using her nickname. “I gotta go to Louisville with the measurements for the kitchen and the wood sample we chose.” We both discussed the design in detail, the materials and the textures. In the end, we reached an agreement that left us both happy. In more ways than one. Planning the renovations of a new house between the sheets is the best way to do it. “In a little while, the team we hired will come to start lifting the carpet off the second floor.”

Even though I told my wife not to worry about the money, she thinks hard before deciding, weighs the options and generally chooses something that combines quality and price. Stella would be a perfect addition to my team. The girl has a good eye. Unfortunately, she has her own business to manage.

“I’ll stay here taking care of the fort,” she says while entering the kitchen wearing denim overalls, her little bump stretching the fabric. I love seeing this more confident and self-assured Stella. She’s still the same girl I fell in love with, but she has lost the fear of showing off her body. She doesn’t wear those long skirts all the time anymore.

Alexandra sent us a lot of stuff from Los Angeles, including some of the clothes they got from their shopping expedition, and I must admit they fit her like a glove.

“Two men are posted outside, and Sanders is going to come be here with you. He won’t take his eye off you.”

I’m rewarded with a smile as she walks up to me and wraps her arms around my neck. “I can say goodbye to my plans to escape to go swimming in the river.”

I kiss her on the lips, unable to resist.

“Don’t even think about it,” I reply, frowning. “It’s too cold, you might catch a cold.”

Yes, I’m an overprotective husband and future father.

It may not be the best idea to go swimming in the river, but we can do other things. In my short time living here, I’ve discovered this place is wonderful, not only because of the friendly people, but also the places Stella has taken me to. Last weekend, at the suggestion of my wife, we had a mini-getaway to Cumberland Falls. We stayed at a hotel that’s right inside the park. The room had the most fantastic view of the rivers. We had plenty of time to tour the striking surroundings. Stella enjoys a quiet and simple life. I think she will be happy spending a few days with me in the cabin.

“How about we go apple picking in an orchard nearby this weekend?” Another great suggestion. “Maybe get some inspiration for some fall-inspired soaps like apple honey. How does that sound?”

She brings her face closer to kiss my neck, then bites me gently, running her tongue right over the spot. She doesn’t know what she’s doing to me, if this house were in better condition, less dusty, and we were alone…

“Baby, I gotta go…” Otherwise, I’ll have to ditch the appointment with the carpenter. I would end up throwing Stella over my shoulder, and taking her on the second floor.

“Ok, ok,” she says without untangling her body from mine. “At least it wasn’t for lack of trying.”

“You’re killing me,” I rebuke her.

“And me too,” Valerie yells from the dining room. “You’re feasting in front of the hungry, dammit.”

Stella laughs, earning her a slap on the butt. “I’m leaving,” I announce. “I’ll call you on my way back.”

I leave the old house feeling light, like someone walking through the clouds. Stella is fine, the baby is fine, I can hardly wait for the next check-up to hear its heartbeat. The decision to stay in Carrollton was a good one. In the near future, I will start to expand my business here to Kentucky. There are several opportunities in Louisville and I like this area. We are close to several important cities. This would be an optimal location for a new business.

The gears in my head are already turning at full speed. I could hire someone to manage the operation in California and dedicate myself to growing this new venture. Time will only tell, but I like knowing new opportunities are opening up for me, for both of us.

Since the success of the ‘Bee My Honey’ soaps at Alexandra’s party after several of the celebrity guests shared them on social media, Stella has been busier than ever. Felicia and Lorraine have been helping her, and the house she rented is now a makeshift factory.

We are about to enter Louisville when my phone pings with an incoming text message. I smile when I see Stella’s name flashing on the screen.

Stella: The time has come to pay off old debts.

Somehow, I manage to finish reading those words without my heart stopping. The message is accompanied by a photo of my wife with a gun pointed at her head, her eyes closed, and I can see thick tears running down her cheeks.

I turn around on the first U-turn I find, my heart beating fast. Over and over I call Sanders, getting no answer. Shit, this is not looking good.

Ethan answers on the first ring. “He has Stella,” I tell him without greeting him.

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