Page 39 of Between Our Hearts

Stepping into the muggy evening air, the sound of a running engine and his mother-in-law’s shrill voice could be heard over Sadie’s car speaker. Seeing his wife’s car tucked into the garage beside his truck used to bring a smile to his lips, but now deep creases tugged at his face.

Emptiness at the thought of his wife’s crossover never occupying the space again was interrupted by Penelope’s contemptuous words. “I’m sure Pastor Noel appreciates you calling him, even though he’s a man of God, so he’d never say otherwise. I told him I wasn’t sure you could even help since he’s having heart issues and you’re abone doctor.” The last two words were said with such disdain Clark’s nose wrinkled reflexively.

His wife’s voice was tight. “I just helped him get in contact with a good cardiologist. He only wanted a recommendation.”

Though Clark hadn’t spent a lot of time with Sadie’s family—they never visited, even though they only lived three hours away in Florence, South Carolina—from his limited interactions with Penelope, he got the distinct impression that she was not happy that her daughter was a surgeon.

Which was mind-boggling.

Every day he was proud of his wife.

That gut punch sensation hit him again, knowing that soon she wouldn’t be his to be proud of.

Clark focused on the group of fireflies weaving and dancing across the nearby patch of grass as his breathing evened out. He should grab the spare key from the playhouse and go into the house through the door to the deck. With things as strained as they were already, he didn’t want Sadie to think he was eavesdropping on purpose. He took two long strides away before Penelope’s harsh words halted his movement again.

“I guess that’s helpful, but really, if you had to be adoctor, couldn’t you have been a pediatrician or something? At least then, all your nieces and nephews could have had free care. Then you could have actually been of some use to the family.”

Clark’s fist clenched at his mother-in-law’s words. What a toxic catch twenty-two. Penelope wasn’t proud of her daughter but still expected her free medical council.

“I prefer to work with adults.”

A forced laugh preceded, “I’m aware, shug. You’re not great with kids.”

Irritation vibrated across his shoulder blades as Clark spun to face the back of Sadie’s pearl white crossover. His wife was a tender and attentive mother, and the handful of times he’d seen her with her many nieces and nephews, she’d been the same way with them. She’d been working more than usual lately, but the minute she was home, Lottie was in her arms.

This is a bunch of—

“It’s a wonder you found yourself a man like Clark to take care of that daughter of yours because Lord knows you couldn’t do it yourself. Not when you’re always running off to the hospital. You know what your problem is, Sadie Love? You’re selfish. Always have been, always will be.”

“I know.” Sadie’s head bent until her forehead was resting on the steering wheel.

Clark unintentionally took a step back. He’d never felt that Sadie’s time taking care of others was selfish, but did she? She was helping their community in a way few were capable of doing. Anybody can build a set of shelves or collect pieces of wood together in an appealing way, but few can reassemble bones and save lives.

“That on top of your”—she cleared her throat—“larger size and the fact that you simply can’t be bothered to do something with your hair or put some color on. Honestly, I don’t know how he puts up with you.”

“Me neither.” His wife’s words were a defeated breath.

What the hell?

Sadie was agreeing with her mother? His incredibly strong, capable, intelligent wife with whom he was insanely in love with was agreeing with this vile woman who’s only contribution to society had been painted nails and a smile.

How long had this been going on? The way Penelope talked to Sadie almost sounded like a script, like a well-worn tirade she repeated over and over. His heart squeezed thinking of how much abuse Sadie must have endured over the years, how it had happened right under his nose for years, and he hadn’t known.

Instantaneously, his mind started sprinting in a different direction.

How much else had Sadie kept from him?

He’d always trusted Sadie, never doubted her when she said she was working extra shifts or had added on surgeries, but what if she hadn’t been at the hospital all this time?

What if she’d been spending her time elsewhere? What if all these early mornings and late evenings weren’t whittled away in the OR or on call? What if she was already spending time with the man she’d rather be with?

A cough burst from his lips, and he slapped his chest against the splintering pain below his breastbone.

“Any. Day. Now.” Penelope’s enunciation of each word brought Clark back to the driveway. “I said it on your wedding day, and I’m saying it again now. Any day now, that man’s gonna wake up from whatever trance he’s in and realize that he’s too good for you.”

Penelope had told her own daughter on her wedding day that she wasn’t good enoughfor him? If anything, it was the way around.

Before he could revert back to the tail-spin he’d been in moments ago, his wife’s sagging sigh and broken words penetrated his bones.

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