Page 65 of His Loving Wife

I love spending time with my family, but I do value these rare moments alone. I don’t think I’ve even watched television in the two weeks we’ve been here. I’m busy taking care of everyone else’s needs.

“Kate?” A server walks to my table and drops off my drink. There aren’t many people inside, so I wasn’t hard to find.

“Thanks.”

“Your sandwich will be out soon.”

“Do you think you could turn up the television?”

“Sure. Seems like you’re the only one paying it any attention.”

It doesn’t seem the world has changed much in the two weeks I’ve been disconnected. Politicians are still fighting. Celebrities are still hooking up and breaking up. With each passing day, there seems to be another tragedy. A bridge collapse in Maryland. In California, an entire family was found dead. Another mass shooting in Colorado. Right before the program cuts to commercial, there’s a short segment about an army veteran who rehomes stray cats and dogs, as if to remind viewers the world isn’t as bleak as it seems.

If anything, hearing these stories of tragedy remind me I’m not alone in my grief. I’m lucky my family got out of it alive, even if each day is an ongoing struggle to find normalcy. There could have been so many more horrible alternatives. Maybe Paul Gunter is my reminder to stay on my toes, never allow the protective field I’ve built around my family to fall.

My stomach rumbles when the waiter arrives with my sandwich. I’m just about to dig in when my phone rings with a call from Dana. Finally, a happy reminder of home.

“It feels so good to hear your voice,” I say, genuinely.

“I thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth.”

I go into telling her about Andrew’s surprise extra week at the beach. I intentionally leave out the parts about Noah falling off the boat or Willow sneaking out of the house. I don’t tell her I have reason to believe Paul Gunter has followed us here, either. I’d rather focus on the pleasant parts of the trip—the way I’d prefer for it to have been.

“I’m happy for you,” she says. “If anyone deserves some time off, it’s you guys.”

“Thanks. For the most part, it’s been relaxing.” At least that much is true.

“And you both have plenty of time on your hands now.”

“Eh, not that much longer. The kids return to school at the end of the month, and I’m only a week or two behind them.”

“When’s Andrew starting the new job?”

As she asks the question, I take a sip of my newly refilled tea. It’s scalding, and I burn my tongue. I cough, wiping at my mouth with my napkin, before focusing again on Dana. I couldn’t have heard her correctly.

“New job?”

“José told me last month. I was a little surprised it didn’t come from you, but it seems we’ve not had much time to catch up since school let out.”

I lean against the table and press two fingers between my brows. There must be some type of mistake.

“What exactly did José say?”

“Just that Andrew left the company last month. He told him he got a better offer and would be starting somewhere else soon. What is it?”

“I… I don’t know. Andrew didn’t tell me he left the company.” I’m too shocked to be anything but honest.

“Oh.” An awkward pause follows. “Maybe I misunderstood—”

“What else did José say?”

“That’s it. He didn’t tell him where he was going, but I know he’s been out of the office the past few weeks. José mentioned all the changes they’ve made since Andrew left.” She waits, then, “He told me about his replacement.”

A replacement. His position has already been filled. This is a permanent decision, and it’s the first I’m hearing of it.

“Thank you for telling me,” I manage.

“Kate, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you didn’t know about this. Like I said, we’ve not talked. I’m sure Andrew has a reason—”

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