Page 56 of His Loving Wife

She sits up in bed, takes a sip of the water on her nightstand. She swallows it down and exhales heavily. “How much trouble am I in?”

“A lot. But don’t worry about that now. We’ll discuss what happened once we get back home.”

“That seems like forever away,” she says, falling back on the mattress.

I echo her frustration. It’s amazing how this escape has started to feel more like entrapment.

“Is Dad still mad at me?”

I think back to last night and Andrew’s vitriolic tone as he lectured Willow. I’d like to think parenting a teenager pushes us all to our limits, but even I’d been taken aback.

“I think he’s disappointed. You have to remember, after the year we’ve had, when we woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t find you, the worst came to our minds.”

“I’m sorry.” Her voice cracks. “You didn’t deserve that, I know. Now I feel like I’ve ruined the trip.”

“You’ve not ruined the trip,” I say, placing a palm on her clammy forehead. “Although, I doubt you’ll be up for another fishing trip today.”

At the thought of it, she makes a gagging sound. I laugh.

“Get some rest. You should feel better by the afternoon but be prepared for some stiff consequences once we get home. There’s still a few more days of vacation left.”

Unfortunately, I think, as I exit the room.

Chapter 28

3 Months Ago

Kate sat at an outside table at Morning Maple, the best coffee shop on campus. She was in between her afternoon classes. It was her shortest break of the day, but she wanted to make time to meet with Detective Marsh.

The sun was peeking out beneath the clouds, the sky a perfect color of blue. In the distance, she heard birds chirping in between the lively chatter of college students at the neighboring tables. In many ways, it felt like the first day of spring, although the season had changed weeks ago.

Detective Marsh arrived. She was wearing navy slacks and a khaki blazer. Her hair was pulled back, and Kate noticed a pair of pearl earrings. She wasn’t sure she’d noticed jewelry on her before.

Kate stood as she approached the table.

“Thanks for meeting with me,” Detective Marsh said.

Kate smiled, waiting. She was used to seeing Detective Marsh at their weekly workout class, but she still felt nervous meeting her in this capacity. She feared Marsh had bad news.

“Are there updates in the case?” Kate asked. Her voice quivered, failed miserably at hiding her nerves.

“Not in the case, per se. But I do have some news, and I wanted to tell you in person. I’m leaving Hidden Oaks at the end of this month. I’ve taken a new job in a different state, which means I won’t be working your case anymore.”

“Oh.” Kate looked down. She hadn’t expected this to be the news, something so personal. And she felt a sense of loss. Detective Marsh had certainly gone above and beyond to make the Brooks family comfortable. Kate wasn’t sure she’d have the same dynamic with another detective working the case.

“You know, I’m a hometown girl, but there’s an opening in a bigger city, and I can’t pass it up. This is my chance to see what else is out there.”

“I understand. I wish you luck.”

“I know we’ve already made an arrest, but the case isn’t officially closed until after the trial. I hope, for your sake, it doesn’t come to that. It appears Paul might be taking a deal.”

“Okay.”

“Either way, I know you’ll want to stay updated. The person replacing me is named Detective Barnes. I would have asked him to meet with us today, but he’s not here yet.”

“Another transplant?”

“It would appear. I don’t know the guy, but everyone from his old department has glowing reviews. I think you’ll be in good hands, and I’ve already told him to make sure he keeps you updated on everything pertaining to the case.”

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