Page 53 of Like You Love Me

Sierra walked into the room, already wearing her hat and coat. “Hi, Mommy. I’m ready to go.”

Bianca smiled and signaled her to follow. “We better get home.”

Brenna softly squeezed her hand and said, “I’ll give you a call in the morning.”

Bianca tried calling London during the drive home, but he still didn’t answer. Sierra talked nonstop about her evening with her cousins, but Bianca barely listened as she rushed home. When she finally arrived and discovered London wasn’t there, she began to panic. She called London’s sisters, but none of them were answering either. Bianca sent Sierra up to get ready for bed, then disappeared into the master suite and quickly changed into a pair of candy-striped leggings and an oversized black sweatshirt while waiting for someone to call her back.Where is he?Bianca mumbled under her breath and paced around the room. She contacted the three J’s, and no one had seen him. Jaden offered to go out and look for London, but her brother called within an hour to let her know he had been unable to find him. London’s phone had to be dead because her calls went straight to voicemail. Fear filled her chest, and her mind started painting scenarios of her husband somewhere out on the dark, icy road. Was he in danger? Dread filled her thoughts with memories of being run off the road. If London hadn’t found her when he had, the outcome could have been different.

What if London is out there needing help?

“You’re doing it again,” she muttered under her breath. She forced the thought away and slipped her feet into a pair of warm slippers and went downstairs to the kitchen. She was letting her imagination scare her, and she was going to try and stay positive. London was fine.

Then why isn’t he home?

There was a reasonable explanation. She was sure of that. Bianca poured herself a glass of wine and took one swallow followed by another to calm her nerves. She was startled when her phone chimed and spilled wine onto the floor. She immediately reached for her phone.

“Hi, Denise. Have you seen London?”

“Yes, I saw him earlier.” Bianca could hear the hesitation in her tone.

“What time was that? I have been trying to reach him, and I am not getting an answer.”

Denise drew a sigh. “I think he’s looking for Caleb.”

“He found him at Spanky’s,” Bianca said as she walked over to the utility closet and removed the Swiffer. While she cleaned the wine from the flooring, she told Denise about the video.

“I was afraid of that.” It was her turn to talk as Denise shared as much as her older sister had told her. “My brother was pretty upset when he left Mona’s.”

Bianca released a groan. “Oh no! He must be pissed.”

“Yes, and London probably went somewhere to cool off,” Denise assured her.

“Yes, you are probably right,” she replied, tossed the pad in the trash, and put the mop away.

“Just take your mind off it. He will be home shortly.”

Shortly?Bianca glanced over at the clock on the stove that read almost midnight.

“I had to leave early, but how was the rest of the auction?”

The question gave her a reason to smile. Denise was trying to take her mind off London. “It was a success.” Bianca walked into the family room and relaxed on the sofa while she gave Denise a few highlights. She was thankful for the distraction and decided it had been a long week and an even longer and more successful evening. But it was time for everybody to relax and enjoy the rest of the weekend. London will be home eventually.

Bianca had just ended her call with Denise when she heard the garage door rise. She hurried through the kitchen, left the glass on the island, and waited for him to step into the mudroom. As soon as the door swung open, her heart flooded with relief and anticipation.

“Hi, baby.”

“London!” Bianca rushed over and threw her arms around his waist.

He chuckled and hugged her close to him. “I’m happy to see you too.”

She squeezed her eyes close and gave thanks that everything was okay before she drew back, and a frown creased her face. “You had me worried sick. Where have you been?” London released Bianca and slipped off his coat. She stood in the door jamb with a hand planted at her hip while waiting.

“I went for a drive,” he replied as he yanked the cap from his head and hung it on a hook. “I needed a chance to clear my head.”

“Your sister told me what happened.” When his eyes met hers, she shook her head. “I saw the video. I’m sure everyone in Sheraton Beach has seen the video of you punching Caleb.”

“Video, huh?” he said and then scowled. “He’s lucky that’s all I did was punch him.” While he slipped off his boots, he went on to tell Bianca about Caleb’s cool demeanor. “He had this look on his face like everything was right in the world when he had just robbed his wife and his daughter.” London shook his head. “I just lost it. Thank goodness Ryan was there. He stopped me from doing something I might have regretted.”

She released a breath. “I’ll make sure I thank Ryan.”

---