Page 49 of Chasing Sunsets

Ted let out an irritated sigh. “She won’t stick with this. She abandons everything.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Sadie responded. “But right now, she’s the happiest I’ve seen her since the race started.”

~

Sadie meandered alongsideZack on the Riverwalk. She’d worn her hair down, out of the ponytail for a change, and he loved how it beautifully framed her face. They’d just finished dining at a romantic outdoor restaurant, where Zack had wished for better lighting to see her. What he actually wished for was to run his fingers through her hair like he used to do often.

She bumped against him as she dodged a couple who barreled out of one of the clubs. He steadied her, caught the scent of her vanilla lotion, and let his hands linger on her skin for a few seconds. They continued on to her favorite ice cream shop where the sweet smell of waffle cones hung heavy in the air. Three other parties were in front of them, one with six kids. If the children were anything like Sadie, they’d want taste testers, lots of them, and it would take a while before Sadie and Zack were served. If they had to wait all night, that was fine with him. It meant more time at her side.

An employee came from the back, and it only took ten minutes before it was their turn. Sadie requested testers of flavors until she settled on tiramisu ice cream. Zack chose a waffle cone dipped in chocolate with vanilla ice cream and a peanut butter drizzle.

“You always order the same flavor,” she accused while the server made their order. “Why not chance something different?”

She didn’t fool him. She loved his flavor of choice, and never had to order it because he always did. He was saved from answering when the server handed them their treats. Sadie took hers and held her hands out toward Zack, one with her two-scoop cup and the other with tester spoons. She must have seven or eight of them. “Would you like a taste?”

“You want me to taste yours because you want some of mine. How much are you going to take? Should I order another?” Ice cream was the one thing she binged on. She once told him she refused to buy any for their freezer because she had no control. He’d gotten her a half gallon of various flavors a few times and learned she hadn’t exaggerated. It never lasted in the freezer for more than a day or two.

“Well, I’ll need a piece of the chocolate-dipped cone for the full effect of the peanut butter.”

He picked up a tiny spoon from her hand and got a morsel of hers before holding his out for her. She’d lost weight the last few months, her face visibly thinner, and he was glad to see her eating. She broke a chunk off his cone and scooped out a huge mouthful.

They sat at a white and chrome table near the huge storefront window. Sadie pointed outside to where a man and a young boy were paddle boating. “We’ve never done that.”

“Look at them. Do they look like they’re having fun?”

Her brow dented as she watched them. “They look miserable.”

“Exactly.” He chuckled. “We always came here for a vacation. That’s too much like work.”

A short time later, she finished and placed her cup and napkin on the tiny table between them. “Detox has worked. I finally feel like myself. Thank you for not being angry, or at least not showing your anger with me.”

“I have no reason to be mad.” They both knew she hadn’t been at her best the last few days, no reason to put a finer point on it. He reached over and picked up her hand, wanting to make one thing clear. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you.”

She stared at their hands. “I have too. I’d forgotten how easy it is to be with you.” Her throat worked in a swallow. She squeezed his hand and lifted her gaze to his.

His heart seized in his chest.

Her eyes searched his like she wanted to say something before she glanced away.

Obviously, she wasn’t ready to forgive him.

He feared she never would be.

~

Sadie opened the doorto her suite and found the other women from the race, minus Doreen, sitting on the couch, chairs, and the floor in a circle. She hoped that meant Doreen and Ted were together somewhere working out their issues. Empty bottles of wine and candy wrappers littered the coffee table.

Kelly sat on the floor with a glass of red wine in one hand and a half-eaten Butterfinger in the other. “Join us, Sadie. You want some wine and chocolate?”

“No, I’m stuffed.” She rolled the executive chair from a desk in the corner over and eased into it.

Heather, in her early thirties, said, “Ryan’s not the same. He’s different since coming back from his last tour of duty.”

Maxine raised her wine glass. “That’s because you haven’t deprogrammed him. Jude served in the army for six years before starting a career in IT. He traveled for different duties all over the world and stayed gone more than he was with us.” She frowned at Heather. “Here’s the thing. The military trains them so they think only of themselves and the others on their mission. They must perform at their best, but they become self-centered.”

“I wouldn’t call Ryan self-centered,” Heather defended her husband.

“Okay, let me just tell you our situation. When Jude arrived home between assignments, we were so happy to see him we celebrated like Christmas. I remained responsible for everything at home because he might be called away at a moment’s notice.”

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