Page 62 of Between Our Hearts

How long had it been since she’d called just to check up on her family during the day? Too long.

“Are you having a good afternoon?” she asked.

“We are.” Sadie could almost see Clark’s smile from the sound of his voice. “We had quesadillas for lunch”—in the background Lottie cheered—“and pretty soon this one’s going to take a nap, and I’ll work, and then we’re meeting Omar and Victor at the park to play before you get home.”

There was no doubt in Sadie’s bones that the minute she finished with her afternoon surgery, she’d arrow her car straight home. “That sounds really nice.”

The oddest feeling flushed through her bloodstream at having such a routine midday call with her husband. If anyone overheard their conversation, they’d think nothing revolutionary was taking place, but in Sadie’s heart she felt each little piece of their broken relationship lining up. Soon, she’d be able to apply reduction clamps, eventually a plate and some screws, and then allow it to heal under its own power.

It wouldn’t always be this easy, she knew that, too, but today, it was working. She was trying, and so was Clark.

“I can’t wait to see you.” Clark’s earnest words sent warmth sprinting down her spine.

“Me too,” she said. “I miss you.” Logic had no standing, even as it shouted at her that she’d seen her husband a mere three hours ago; it had already felt like thirty-six.

At her waist, her pager sounded.

“Is that you?” Clark asked.

“Yeah.” A reluctant sigh left her lips. “And I need to try to eat something before I’m due back in the OR.”

“Go take care of yourself. We’ll be here when you get home.” He paused. “We’re not going anywhere.” She caught the deeper meaning woven into her husband’s words.

“Okay.” She wanted to say more, but her tight throat wouldn’t let the syllables out.

“I love you, Sadie.” Clark’s voice reflected the affection bouncing around in every cell in her body.

Everything in her felt lighter, felt aligned, as she responded with the simple words she’d been using for years. Emotion laced them as their meaning resonated in her muscles. After a long period of grief-driven separation, she knew her heart was finally speaking directly to Clark’s.

“I love you too.”

?Chapter 32?

Three months later

The same icy air conditioning that she’d vacated moments ago upon leaving her office on the other side of Durham Medical Center’s campus blasted Sadie’s face once she entered the building that held Tara’s office. Even though the first day of fall had been two days ago, mother nature had decided not to relinquish her stranglehold on summer.

Inside the lobby, Clark stood waiting for her. That usual breathlessness that accompanied seeing her husband swept her body. With his hands tucked into dark jeans and a black polo stretching over every muscle, he looked particularly delicious today. She caught a mirrored expression on his face as his gaze dragged slowly over her cerulean blouse and pearl white slacks. Since she’d met Reagan for their bi-weekly mentorship coffee early this morning, she’d left the house while Clark had still been sleeping.

Apprehension and excitement fought for first place in her body. Last week, she’d encountered a smiling Clark before therapy only for them to end up disagreeing in their session. Later that evening, a shouting match had broken out that had woken Lottie. Part of her had to acknowledge that even screaming at each other was slightly better than the stoic silence and avoidance that had been their status quo several months ago, but she definitely preferred days like this one. The last few days, she and Clark had seemed to operate like two sides of the same mind.

He leaned in to give her a simple kiss before palming the back of her head, securing her close to him, his lips lingering over her ear. “Tell me you don’t have another appointment right after this.”

His hoarse, commanding voice sent anticipation shuddering through all her muscles.

“Not until two.”

“Good,” he said and then gave the crook of her neck a split-second suck before releasing her. “I want to make good use of Lottie’s remaining preschool hours before pickup.”

Sadie could feel her blush racing from her chest to the tips of her ears. A smug, satisfied look crossed Clark’s face before he grabbed her hand and tugged her to the elevator bank. As the wood paneled metal box began its ascent, she couldn’t help but fidget her free arm.

“Thank you.”

When she looked over, her husband’s eyes were on her.

“For what?”

“I know meeting with Tara isn’t your favorite thing.” He squeezed their interlocked fingers.

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