Page 42 of Chasing Sunsets

Chapter Twelve

“What a nice thing you’redoing,” Kelly said as Sadie ended a call.

Sadie sat on the couch in their room, her bare feet on the coffee table in front of her. She’d just gotten off the phone with her cousin, Rhianna, a stylist in San Antonio. Her cousin would arrive with the supplies Doreen needed to cut men’s hair this afternoon around four. At dinner the night before, she’d proposed the idea to Doreen, who was thrilled about the chance. “I hope we can make it happen.”

“I’m sure Brett will let her cut his hair.”

“Zack will too.”

Now it was up to Doreen to change Ted’s mind.

Kelly’s phone chimed. After checking it, she uttered, “Brett is infuriating.” Uncertainty passed over her face. “He’s harassing me about speaking to you. He told me he asked you to talk to me.”

“Did he also tell you I wouldn’t approach you?”

“He did. Of course, he’s bugged me about it ever since he learned you were a PA. I’ve seen doctors, Sadie. None were able to help me. I want you to know I’ve really tried to get past my problem.”

“I respect that.” Sadie set her phone on the couch cushion beside her. “I guess my only question is if you’re ready to give Brett up over it? He mentioned he’s fighting to stay married.”

“Some things can’t be fixed.Ican’t be fixed.”

“While that may very well be true, finding the right doctor can certainly help. An older patient of mine in her fifties got to where she was constantly sick. She went to doctor after doctor and not one of them could diagnose her. It took her fifteen years to find the right one. Although she still has a disorder, she is sick much less and can enjoy life again.”

“Fifteen years?”

“She never gave up because she has a husband and children who love and support her.”

Tears filled Kelly’s eyes before she marched to the door and gripped the knob. “Thank you,” she called as she left the room.

Ten minutes later, a knock pounded on the door. Sadie looked out the peephole before opening the door to Kelly and Brett.

“May we come in?” her roommate asked.

“It’s your room too.” She backed away and sat in a chair while the couple took the sofa.

“I’d like to explain.” Kelly glanced uncertainly at Brett, and he rubbed her back. “Brett and I met in kindergarten and remained friends from the very first day. We started dating our junior year of high school. We were both raised strictly, and we never had sex before we married. Our wedding night, we both expected I’d suffer some pain.” She sniffed and wiped a tear away. “Every time we tried to make love the pain proved too much for me to bear. I was diagnosed with Primary Vaginismus.”

Sadie’s heart squeezed. The disease could ruin the best of relationships—and a woman’s self-esteem. She kept her professional mask in place. They might mistake her sadness as pity.

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