Page 14 of Gideon's Gratitude

How to even process that?

Wasn’t sure I wanted to. Let it just be a memory. The night I imposed upon a neighbor.

The night things changed forever.

Chapter Three

Gideon

The final pause stumped me. Archer had been striding toward his property when he stopped, pivoted, and stared at my old house for what felt like forever. Had my unwanted guest spotted me? No. Moments later, the man shrugged and then swung back to continue his journey to his new home.

A chainsaw had started up about fifteen minutes ago and that, combined with the sounds of construction, guaranteed I wouldn’t have any peace today. Just as I hadn’t—except for some Sundays—in the past two months.

My injury left me sensitive to noise, light, and potent scents. The doctors couldn’t provide an adequate explanation, and Leo, my asshole ex-husband, had been skeptical as well.

For a doctor, he didn’t always exude empathy. Or perhaps that attitude was only toward his husband.

I would’ve laid easy money that Leo’s patients were treated differently. Except perhaps the addicts. Leo had little patience for them either.

My back ached. Sleeping on the sofa had been an asinine idea, but leaving the thing to the taller Archer would’ve kept me awake all night worrying. At least I’d slept. Overslept, in fact. Finding my guest cooking breakfast had been a shock.

Archer didn’t seem the type to stoop to domestic duties. His hands were smooth and, if I didn’t miss the mark, soft. The nails were trimmed, and despite the storm, he appeared well-groomed. Put together.

Expensive.

And a divorce lawyer to boot.

I winced. Notalldivorce lawyers were bad. Well, actually, I didn’t have experience except my own, and that’d been a disaster. My lawyer had been very expensive and never seemed focused. Several times he even forgot my name.

Leo’s lawyer had been smart, laser-focused, and out for all she could get for her client. I hadn’t stood a chance. Once she raked me over the coals about my past, I’d given up. Signed over custody of the kids and accepted I wouldn’t get spousal support. The only saving grace was I wasn’t expected to pay child support. Not that I would’ve been able.If only my circumstances were different…

But they weren’t. I scrimped and saved every penny for the pathetic Christmas presents for the kids and then eyed my pantry, trying to figure out how to make the food last until the next disability payment. Feeding Archer two meals would put a dent in the budget, but nothing to be done about that. I hadn’t hesitated. Wouldn’t again in the future.

Lucky, tired of being held back, tugged forward.

To prevent further injury to myself, I followed my dog into the clearing by the front of the house. I hadn’t spotted significant damage on my property—for which I was grateful.

A lot fewer leaves graced the trees, though, so some serious raking was in order. Fortunately, my grandparents had stuck to mostly evergreens, so the leaves weren’t as plentiful as they might’ve been otherwise.

Still, the anticipation of the pain was almost enough to have me diving back into bed and staying there for a month.

Speaking of bed, I had one to change. Sheets to wash, dishes to clean—a house to put back to rights. As we neared the house, I glanced over my shoulder at the property to the north of mine. I couldn’t see it through the trees, but its presence loomed large over me. And now I knew. Knew the neighbor. The man whom I’d never forget. The man whose existence would cause unrest in my life. I’d always wonder whether Archer was there or in the city. Entertaining guests or there alone.

Hell, I hadn’t even asked the man if he was married. No ring meant nothing these days.

Checking him out?

Shut up.

I’d been observing—nothing more and nothing less. Had there been a ring, I’d have inquired. Assured myself no one else was in danger.

Bullshit.

Okay, I’d have asked myself a dozen questions. Happy marriage? Faithful spouse? Did she work or did his vast wealth allow her to live in luxury? How long had they been together?

I fingered the spot where my ring had been. Seventeen years. I’d been married almost as long as I’d been single. At eighteen, just afterhigh school graduation, we’d tied the knot. Since same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada by the time we graduated, we didn’t hesitate. We always carried hefty insurance policies to ensure the other was cared for should something happen.

If I’d died in the accident, instead of being badly injured, Leo and the kids would’ve had a huge settlement. Enough to pay off the student loans, the mortgage, tuition for the kids, and some left over. Instead, we’d all been left with nothing except my meager disability pension. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I still had life insurance. Only if Leo kept up the payments, since I was unable.

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