Page 33 of Blessings in Disguise

“I’m not sure I can put one foot in front of the other.”

Maisy stood. “You can try.”

On the ten-minute walk, the sun warmed her face and seemed to pour energy into her body. Combined with a soft wind, the day was perfect. When they arrived at Magnolia’s, she felt a bit better.

As the receptionist led them to a table, Maisy stopped short. Her face drained of color.

Gemma went into doctor mode. “Maisy, is something wrong with the baby?”

Her gaze swung to Gemma. She shook her head.

“Let’s sit.”

“No.”

Maisy took in a deep breath and marched over to an occupied booth. A lone woman sat on one side. She had soft brown hair with highlights and her features were perfectly arranged. Her understated gold necklace sparkled in the light.

“What the hell are you doing in town, Marlena?” Maisy asked, her voice rising.

The woman tilted her chin. “I came to see myhusband.”

Gemma remembered Caleb’s comment.Marlena was my wife’s name.

Maisy plopped her hands on her hips. “You got that wrong, lady. You’re his ex.”

A smug smile crossed Marlena’s face. She reached over into a big purse and pulled out papers. She leafed through to a page. “Take a look, sugar.”

Maisy grabbed them. The header of the document read theState of New York Divorce Decree. Both Gemma and she peered down to the signatures. Caleb’s name was first. But the second line was glaringly blank.

“That’s right. Bless his heart. I never signed them. I’m still married to Caleb.”

* * *

In order to survive the after-effects of Harlan’s suicide attempt, Caleb threw himself into his practice. He’d had three two-hour sessions planned today and had just finished the first. He checked the clock. Nearly noon. He’d have some lunch.

He’d stood when Maisy burst in from the front door to the house. Caleb recoiled in surprise. Even more so when he saw his sister was with Gemma.

He steeled himself. “Maisy, Gemma. What are you doing here?”

Gemma stayed by the door while Maisy crossed to him and hugged him. She held on tight. “Something happened.”

His heart nose-dived to his stomach. “Is it Harlan?”

“No, no. He’s the same.”

He clasped her to him. “What’s wrong, honey?”

When she drew back, he saw her eyes were incredibly sad. “We have some bad news. When Gemma and I went to have lunch at Magnolia’s, we bumped into Marlena.”

He frowned. “Marlena’s here?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Caleb would be strong for Maisy. “No need to get this upset, Maise. That’s not the end of the world. I can deal with her.”

“There’s more, Caleb. When I confronted her, she showed us your divorce papers. Do you have your copy?”

“I filed it away unopened.”

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