Page 36 of Leon

"I feel like I'm losing control of everything."

"Then take it back." Grace touched her hand briefly. "It's up to you."

Later that night in her room, she put aside the paperback novel she had brought up with her, finally admitting that she was not concentrating on the story. Her dad had arrived home shortly after Grace had left and gone straight to his room, after grunting goodnight to her.

And she wasn't getting through to Leon. Pulling back the quilt, she slid into bed and turned out the lamp. Where was he? Was he with her? She had spent several minutes staring at the glossy photo, her heart quickening. The woman was beautiful and sophisticated. Why hadn't he told her about them? Was it because there was something there still? And why shouldn't he be with her? she thought in despair. It was not like he was getting anything from his wife. She was here and he was God knows where. They weren't together and as Grace warned, there was coming a day when he was going to get tired of waiting.

She had to make a choice. And she could not put off the trip. She had to go. She needed the week. After the week ended, she had a decision to make. This had gone on for too long. Her father was just going to have to accept that she was a married woman. Hewas going to have to put aside the past and try and be happy for her. She did not see that happening, but she could only hope.

Adjusting the pillows, she turned on her side and closed her eyes. She wasn't going to torture herself with images of him with another woman. She would ask him about the photo and hoped that he would tell her the truth. As strange as the situation was, she was still his wife and deserved an explanation.

Where the hell was he? she fretted. If he was with her... Sitting up, she rubbed her hands over her face and not for the first time, wished her mother was alive so she could have someone to talk to. For the first time in a long time, she felt the loss so keenly, it stole her breath and brought helpless tears to her eyes.

*****

She woke at dawn, not that she had gotten much sleep. The first thing she did was check her phone, to discover that there wasn't a text message or a missed call.

Well, that was that. He was either sulking or with that woman and there was nothing she could do about it now. Firming her lips, she rose and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Mightas well get an early start on the day. There were things to see to. She hadn't finished the paperwork and of course there was a display to set up. In two days' time it would be Thanksgiving. The children's corner had been decorated, but she wanted to add something else. Some scary cobwebs she had purchased at the novelty store. Orange and black candles for added effect.

A life-size skeleton for atmosphere. There would be a story telling, white sheets for the tent and tombstones of course. A leftover from Halloween. She would make it a thing: The Shadow of Halloween in Thanksgiving. The children had been so excited by the party they had thrown in October she had decided to bring it back again. She had the idea all in her mind. And the way she wanted to set things up. It was no use pining over a man, even if that man happened to be your husband and the love of your life.

She had a life to live. If he could spend an entire night without hearing from her, then she could do the same.

Makeup, she decided as she stared at the shadows under her eyes. Black trousers and a sweater and of course, knee-high boots. While living in New York, she had taken advantage of the fashion there and shopped accordingly. There was no rule against dressing to kill. And if he happened to call and ask to see her, she was going to make certain his eyes popped right outof their sockets. He was not going to find her hollow-eyed and dejected.

Playing with the eyeshadows, she smoothed the nude color over her lids, highlighting the shape of her eyes. Lipstick was next. Cranberry crush not only added boldness but plumped up her full lips. Capping the tube, she picked up the hair spray and spritzed before using the brush to bring a sparkle that shone under the overhead lights.

After she finished, she went to stand in front of the full-length mirror. With a nod of satisfaction, she deemed herself ready for the day.

Stopping in the small functional kitchen, she put on a pot of coffee and grabbed half a bagel. A search in the pantry and fridge told her that she had to go to the market. Mentally adding it to her list of things to do, she popped the bagel in the toaster and waited for the coffee to brew. She had quite a lot to do and to top it off, she could not very well put off telling her father that she was leaving for a week. It had to be today.

*****

"I had to get away."

"I see." He had called while she was at the bank and asked to meet. There was a little-used road leading from the harbor, that they used whenever they had to meet suddenly. It was deserted at that time of day and the scent of the water, the rising tides crashing against the boardwalk permeated the air. He had taken a long look at her, and she was smugly satisfied to see the hunger in his green eyes. But he hadn't touched her. Not even when they walked along the winding cobbled path, shrouded by trees. His hands were in the pockets of his cashmere jacket, and he seemed very aloof as if he was not here.

"I had some things on my mind." He stopped forcing her to do the same and this time he reached for her. "I need you." He muttered abruptly, fingers digging into her jacket. "It's becoming more and more difficult to accept the situation." His green eyes wandered over her face and felt the familiar fire in his loins. "I need my wife."

"Soon." She promised. The anger and despair were no longer churning inside her. All she wanted was to melt in his arms and forget everything else.

"When?" He shook her lightly. "Give me a timeline."

"What's this Leon?" She asked him quietly. "Is it about her?"

"Who?" He looked puzzled.

"That opera singer. I saw your photos in the papers."

His expression cleared, and he smiled and shook his head. "She's an old friend."

"She was more than that."

"Once, yes." One hand moved to cup the back of her neck. "She asked me if I was involved and I did not know what to tell her."

When she started to turn away, he held her there. "I told her it was complicated. I couldn't mention that I'm married to an amazing woman, couldn't tell her your name, anything." His fingers bit into her flesh. "It pissed me off. I'm getting harder and harder to deal with. I had to apologize to David twice." He blew out his breath. "I'm miserable, that's why I had to go away, to try and cool off and think things through."

Fear laced her heart, coating it with panic, but she did not allow it to show. "And what was the result? Where did you go?"

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