| Copyright © 2006, Barri
Bryan Reviews For LOVE WILL FIND A WAY by Barri Bryan "Barri Bryan is the pseudonym used
by the writing team of Billie and Herb Houston. Love Will Find A Way
shows the insight that only two people who are totally in sync with
each other can produce. It is written with a style and clarity that
flows beautifully. I felt as if the story progressed naturally, never
rushed or dragged, and the characters were real to me."
“For anyone who
has been married for many years, this story is, I believe, essential
reading! The whole story is unique in that it touches areas in which
many of us live, but few address. The way the story concludes is a tribute
to an understanding pair of authors who know how to involve the reader
in a romance that is almost impossible to put down. I did not want to
stop until I finished the book, and then I wished for a sequel.”
Overall rating: 5 Hearts! Sample Chapter For LOVE
WILL FIND A WAY by Barri Bryan
Emily Franklin closed the ledger in front of her. “That takes care of the household accounts for this month.” She turned to face her husband, Robert. “Sorry I took so long, but this couldn’t wait.” “Couldn’t you have done it tomorrow?” Robert gave his newspaper an impatient flip before laying it aside. “I do volunteer work at the library tomorrow. I have to take Boo to the vet. And I promised your mother I’d go by the nursing home to visit Aunt Beth. Then there’s that meeting with the Historical Society tomorrow evening.” Emily spread her hands in a helpless little gesture. “I had to do this tonight.” Robert’s voice was caustic. “So I run a distant fifth behind a volunteer job, a Labrador retriever, an old maid aunt and your civic obligations?” “That’s tomorrow.” Trying to ease the tension that throbbed like an open wound between them, she added, “Tonight you have my undivided attention.” “Really.” He lifted one dark eyebrow. “Don’t be sarcastic. You’ve worked late every Tuesday for the past six months. How could I know you’d come home early?” Guilt was replacing Emily’s anxiety. She had been busier than usual over the past several months. Maybe Robert was feeling a little neglected. “Don’t fret. After Larry’s graduation I’ll have a little more free time.” “I’m sure you’ll find new projects to take up the slack.” At forty-seven Robert Franklin was still an extremely handsome man—tall, with a well-proportioned body and aquiline, almost patrician features. His hair had once been black as ebony. It was now feathered with silver and beginning to recede. “Maybe I should have called earlier for an appointment.” “That’s not necessary.” Emily flinched at the tone of his voice. “Neither is your sarcasm.” He apologized without conviction. “Sorry.” “If it’s about your parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, Debra and I have already begun to make plans.” Robert had said more than once that he wanted this to be an elaborate celebration. “I’m sure you and my sister have the situation well in hand.” Robert was on his feet and prowling across the room. “We have made tentative plans. I’m thinking of renting the hall at the Civic Center,and hiring a band, then—” “I thought I had your undivided attention.” Robert stood with his back to her, staring out the window at a pale and setting February sun. Emily’s uneasiness was giving way to frustration. “Have I done something to displease you?” Robert’s shoulders slumped. “I’m a little edgy tonight.” Turning, he faced her. “It’s nothing.” Emily’s patience was wearing thin. “It must be something if you think it’s more important than plans for your parents’ golden wedding anniversary celebration.” “And what do you think is important, Emily?” Robert asked with a taut jerk of his head. “Where are your priorities?” “You seem terribly unstrung tonight.” She shifted in her chair. “Is this about one of the boys?” “Our sons are eighteen and twenty-three years old,” Robert reminded her sharply. “We no longer have any boys.” Emily struggled to control her irritation. “It was a figure of speech.” A disturbing thought surfaced. “Are there problems at the office?” Robert said, “I don’t want to talk about work.” Emily laughed to cover her annoyance. “Then what do you want to talk about?” “I’ve reserved a room for us at the Rustic Inn in Wimberly. I thought we might go there for the weekend. That is if you can spare the time.” Emily caught her breath. They had gone to the Rustic Inn often during the early years of their marriage. Recalling those bygone days evoked sweet, romantic memories. Her uneasiness gave way to cautious joy. “I’d love to. I’m surprised you can spare the time.” “I’ll make time.” Robert came back across the room and sat down. Emily’s voice softened. “Do you know how long it’s been since just we’ve gone away together for a weekend?” “Not really,” Robert said. “Make your excuses. I need some time with you and God knows we don’t have any privacy here.” That was a strange thing to say. Emily looked around the elegantly appointed living room. “We’re alone now, except for Boo.” She nodded toward the sleek black Labrador retriever that lay stretched out, sound asleep in front of the fireplace. “For how long?” Robert asked caustically. “Until Larry comes charging through the door with half a dozen friends? Or Kevin calls to tell you about his new apartment or his new job, or an odd assortment of relatives or friends decides to drop by unannounced, or you get yet another urgent telephone call from one of your many charities or projects?” For no reason she could explain, Emily sought to justify the situation. “We have children and a host of friends, you have family and I’m involved in civic and school activities… It goes with the territory.” “I’m not complaining.” He sounded almost contrite. “At least I don’t mean to be.” “You’ve been working too hard.” Emily narrowed her eyes in her husband’s direction. He looked tired, almost haggard. “A weekend away will do you good. I’ll call Berta tomorrow. I can explain to Mrs. Perez on Thursday at the PTA executive meeting—” “Spare me the details and just get it done,” Robert interrupted. The censure in his tone made her ask, “When would you like to leave?” He stood and put his hands in his pockets. “Would Friday evening around seven be all right?” “Friday at seven would be fine.” Emily stretched and yawned. “Let’s go to bed. I can begin to tie up all these loose ends tomorrow.” She was almost to the door when Robert said, “I have to go back to the office.” “Tonight?” Emily asked and then offered a half-hearted apology, “I’m sorry.” Her husband of twenty-five years had just asked her to go away with him for a romantic weekend. She should be able to make allowances for his having to work late in order to keep that rendezvous. Still she couldn’t help asking, “Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” “I’m sorry but I have to go.” “Over the past six months you’ve spent more and more time at that office.” She knew she should shut up but she couldn’t. “Sometimes I wonder what the attraction is there.” “What is that supposed to mean?” Robert was suddenly defensive. “It means that I never see you anymore. You work late three or four nights each week. When you are home you’re too tired to do anything but fall into bed and sleep.” Emily tried to smile. “I miss you when you’re not here at night.” Robert’s look said he doubted that. “We’ll talk over the weekend.” * * * * It took some doing, but by Friday afternoon Emily had made all the arrangements for her weekend trip. She was standing on the porch with her suitcase beside her when Robert pulled into the driveway. He was thirty minutes late. Braking the car, he leaned across and opened the door. “Sorry I wasn’t on time. I see you’re ready to go.” “I’ve been ready for thirty minutes.” Emily put the suitcase into the back seat. “You could have called. I was beginning to wonder if you’d had an accident.” She got into the front seat and closed the door. “Something came up at the last minute.” Robert pulled the car into drive. They had passed the city limits and Robert was pulling onto the access road before Emily spoke again. “Do you know how long it’s been since we were in a car together going away for a weekend?” Robert turned to glance at her before looking back at the road. “Since before Larry was born.” He did remember. “We left Kevin with your mother and dad and drove up to Wimberly for a three-day weekend. You didn’t know I was pregnant with Larry. I still remember the expression on your face when I told you.” Robert maneuvered the car into the flow of freeway traffic. “We’d agreed not to have another child. I didn’t think you’d get pregnant without talking to me about it first.” Even now Robert didn’t believe her second pregnancy had been an accident. “I didn’t plan for Larry. He just happened.” Remembering made Emily smile. “I was so sure he would be a girl. But when he got here, it didn’t matter that he was Larry instead of Lorrie.” She sighed. “Those were happy days.” “When I got over the initial shock, I was glad, too.” Robert asked sadly, “Where did those happy days go?” His words had a chilling effect. “Does that mean you’re not happy now?” “That’s not what I said.” Robert’s tone warned her against pursuing the subject. But Emily couldn’t stop. “You implied as much. Is that how you feel?” Robert pulled around a slow-moving eighteen-wheeler. “Since when have you cared how I feel?” Much more of this and they would be quarreling. Emily didn’t want anything to spoil this weekend. “I’ve always cared and that was a thoughtless thing to say.” Robert reached for the stereo. “Would you like to listen to music?” She suspected that he preferred music to conversation. “Sure.” The soothing voice of George Strait drifted out into the air. Emily leaned her head against the seat and feigned sleep until pretense became reality. It was past nine when they pulled into the drive of the Rustic Inn. By the time they were settled in their suite, it was almost ten o’clock. Emily frowned as she looked at the two double beds that stood against one wall of the room. “Couldn’t you get a room with one king sized bed?” “We’ll have to make do with this.” Robert tossed his hat on one of the beds. “I’ll order dinner.” He reached for the telephone. “What would you like?” “Something light, it’s too late for a heavy meal.” Emily opened her suitcase and began to hang garments on a rack. “I brought you a pair of sneakers and a warm jacket. I thought we might walk down the scenic path behind the inn tomorrow. Even in the middle of winter the view should be beautiful.” Robert put his hand over the telephone receiver. “Will chicken salad be all right?” “Chicken salad is fine.” Emily hung up the last garment, grabbed her overnight case and hurried to the bathroom where she quickly showered before putting on a new satin gown and robe and slipping her feet into matching slippers. The ensemble had cost a mint, but she thought, as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the bathroom door, that it was worth every penny. The robe fit snugly over her firm breasts and small waist, and clung delicately to her slim hips and long, well-shaped legs. It was the perfect shade of green to complement her auburn hair and hazel eyes. Leaning forward she studied her heart shaped face and small figure and liked what she saw. “Not bad for a middle-aged, old married woman.” When she smiled, her mirror image responded in like manner. The food was delicious; Emily devoured her chicken salad and ate a portion of her homemade apple pie. “You’re missing a good meal.” Robert had hardly touched his food. He didn’t answer. She wondered if he’d even heard her. “How do you like my new robe?” She hated fishing for compliments but it seemed that was the only way she could get one. Again, there was no response. “Robert! I’m talking to you.” His head snapped back. “What did you say?” “I asked you how you liked my new robe.” His eyes scanned her slim figure. “It’s very nice.” “Very nice, is that the best you can do?” She grimaced in good humor. “I was hoping for glamorous or maybe even sexy.” Robert pushed his chair back and stood. “I think I’ll have my shower now.” Emily pushed the dinner cart out into the hall, locked the door and secured the chain. She was beginning to wonder if Robert was ill. Maybe he had been stricken with some life-threatening malady. That thought was too horrible to contemplate. She closed her mind to such a frightening possibility. She was sitting on the side of the double bed she had turned down when Robert came out of the bathroom. Sitting on the bed across from her, he took her hand in his. “I’m sorry to have dragged you up here, but I have something important to say to you and I need privacy to say it.” A shiver tingled down Emily’s spine. It had been a long time since Robert had made a special effort to be alone with her. The thought that he might want to rekindle the embers of passion that had once burned white-hot between them sent a warm glow flowing through her. “I was happy to come. I’ve always loved it here. What did you want to tell me?” “This is very—” a sigh punctuated his words, “Difficult.” Emily’s heart began to pound against her ribs. What she saw in the deep blue of his eyes was not a glow of desire, but a look of pain. “Are you all right?” He snapped, “Don’t fuss over me.” “I wasn’t fussing.” Fear, like a coiled spring, began to unwind in her stomach. “I’m concerned. I know you well enough to know that something is wrong.” “I don’t think you know me at all.” He stared past her toward the wall. The pain in Emily’s chest brought her to her feet. She paced across the small room before pausing by the door. “Maybe I don’t.” Robert ran nervous fingers through his hair. “I didn’t mean that. Will you come back and sit down?” He added a painful, “Please.” Emily retraced her footsteps and sat on the side of the bed. Robert cleared his throat. “I care about you, Emily.” “Well I should hope so,” she said, trying to lighten the moment. “I’m your wife.” “Don’t make this,” he swallowed deeply, “any more difficult than it already is.” Exasperation gave Emily’s words an edge. “Say what you have to say, it’s late and I’m tired.” “I want.” Robert took a deep breath before blurting out, “Damn it, I want a divorce.” In the charged silence of the room, his words erupted like an explosion. Emily whispered, “I don’t understand.” “I’m asking for my freedom.” His face was grim. “I can’t go on this way.” In the space of a heartbeat, the foundation of Emily’s world cracked and shifted shattering her universe in one incendiary moment. Even before she asked, she knew. “Is there someone else?” Robert ignored her question. “I’ve leased an apartment near my office. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop paying your bills or caring for you. You can have the house and one of the cars. I’ll take care of Larry’s college expenses and see that you have ample alimony.” Even in her agitated state, one fact became crystal clear; this was not some sudden impulse. “You want to move out of the home we’ve shared for twenty-five years?” Panic battled with disbelief. “Why?” Distress deepened the furrows in his brow. “Our marriage has been over for a long time.” A churning began in the pit of Emily’s stomach. “I don’t think of our marriage as over. I love you. I don’t want you to go.” Tears trickled from her eye, ran down her face and fell onto her chest. “Tell me,” she whispered in a voice that quivered with emotion, “what I’m doing wrong and I’ll change.” She read in his granite stare pity and remorse, coupled with an inflexible determination. “People don’t change, Emily.” “Are you,” she choked on the words, “involved with someone else?” He hung his head. “Yes.” A dozen questions converged in her brain as she sat stunned and speechless, staring and not seeing. “Don’t try to tell me you weren’t expecting this.” After an anxious pause he ground out, “Say something.” She had grown up with this man. Their parents had been best friends. She could never remember a time when Robert Franklin was not the center of her universe. Jagged lines forked across Emily’s vision as incredible pain shot through her head. Squeezing her eyes shut, she asked in a voice splintered by anguish, “What’s her name? Do I know her?” “Her name is Susan Barrett. She bought old Sam Morrison’s share of the realty company when he retired last year.” His voice was calm, yet oddly disconcerting. “I never meant for this to happen.” Emily felt disjointed, separated from her physical body. “Are you sleeping with her?” Why hadn’t she seen this coming? All the signs had been there for months. Irrelevantly, she added, “I don’t know if I can live without you.” “That’s utter nonsense.” Robert’s chest expanded and then deflated slowly. “You have a full life without me.” The paralysis of shock froze her. “I have no life at all without you.” This was too much for her brain to assimilate and more than her heart could bear. “I’ve been your wife for twenty-five years. I’m the mother of your children. How could you do this to me?” “I never intended to hurt you.” He was looking shattered. “Please believe that.” His contrite words ignited a spark that singed through her frozen anger, “You bastard!” With one swift movement, she struck him with her open hand full across the face. The blow echoed through the room, “You son-of-a-bitch!” She raised her arm again. He caught her wrist and held it. “Stop it, stop it now!” Emily was past hearing anything he had to say. Pulling her hand free, she doubled her fists and struck him blow after resounding blow across the head and along both sides of his face before driving a left jab into his chest. He caught her wrists again and held them in a vice-like grip. “Calm down, Emily.” A pall of utter futility swept over her. She fell back on the bed and began to cry, great gulping sobs, wretched to watch and painful to hear. Robert came to sit beside her and taking her in his arms, soothed her with soft words and gentle pats. “Please don’t do this. You will make yourself ill.” After several minutes, she pulled away and leaned back to look at him. “You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?” Grimly, he answered, “Yes.” “And nothing I can do or say will change it?” “That’s true.” Why had he brought her here of all places to ask for his freedom? “And this last cruelty, this final betrayal what was that for?” “I am trying to make this as painless as possible.” Robert catapulted to his feet. “Do you think this is easy for me? It isn’t, I care about you. I’m just not in love with you anymore.” He was angry and frustrated, but there was pain in his reply and an alien emotion she couldn’t measure. “Is that why you chose this place to ask me for a divorce? You invited me to go away with you for what I thought would be a romantic weekend at our old hideaway. Now you calmly announce that you want your freedom. How could you be so cruel?” He struck his forehead with the heel of his hand. “I thought it would be easier for you here, away from the boys and the family.” Seemingly shocked and embarrassed at what Emily had construed as ruthlessness he added, “There’s no privacy at our house anymore.” “How would you know?” she retorted. “You’re never there anymore.” “I don’t want to quarrel with you. I don’t want to trade insults.” She wondered how many times he had rehearsed this speech. “I would like us to part friends. It would be better for everyone concerned, the boys, my family, you and me, if we could do that.” Emily’s cold fingers brushed her flushed cheeks. “What will we tell them?” “The truth.” Robert’s voice faded and then rallied. “That we’ve decided to divorce.” Emily grasped one of her hands in the other, to stop them from shaking. “I don’t know what the boys will say.” “They are both adults. They will understand.” “What about Mom and Dad Franklin, and Debra?” For the first time since her parents had been killed in an automobile accident five years ago, Emily was almost glad they were gone. They had thought that she and Robert had the perfect marriage. But, then until tonight, so had she. “It’s really none of their business.” Robert seemed to have found some of his composure. “Our divorce concerns only the two of us.” “If you believe that, you are a fool. Divorces have a ripple effect.” Emily picked up her clothes and moved toward the bathroom. “I’ll dress. We can go home now.” “I’m too tired to make that long drive tonight.” “Then I’ll drive.” She was dying inside. “I certainly don’t intend to spend the night here with you.” For the first time, he looked her full in the face. “You’re behaving like a child.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “I feel like a child, like a foolish, betrayed, neglected little girl who wants to go home.” She wiped her nose on the sleeve of her new robe. “I can’t bear being in the same room with you.” “You’re in no condition to drive and neither am I.” Robert dropped his head and stared at the floor. “What about your mistress?” Emily taunted. “Don’t you want to get back to her?” “Don’t call Susan my mistress.” The hand he brushed through his hair was shaking. “Had you rather I called her a bitch?” Emily’s voice rose. “That’s what she is.” “I had rather you left Susan out of this. Our divorce is between you and me.” “There is no way to leave her out.” Somewhere in the back of her confused mind, Emily knew she was teetering on the brink of hysteria. “She’s the third member of this little triangle.” She was appalled that she could feel such intense hatred for a woman she had never seen. “I hate her!” she screamed. “I hate you!” Robert’s voice quivered. “This is not easy for me either. Go to bed. You’ll feel better in the morning.” By sheer force of will Emily regained a measure of self-control. He was right about one thing. She was in no condition to drive. She couldn’t even think. What did it matter where she laid her head? She wouldn’t sleep this night. Without bothering to remove her robe, Emily lay down on the far side of the turned down bed and pulled the covers up under her chin. “I will go to my grave hating you for what you’ve done to me tonight!” Quite calmly, he asked, “Shall I turn off the lights?” “You can go to hell for all I care.” Robert flicked the light switch, plunging the room into total darkness. Emily could hear him moving about the room, preparing to retire. After awhile the sound of squeaking springs told her he had lain down on the other bed. Seizures of sobbing wracked her body, pulling her down into the depths of black despair. Robert was leaving her for another woman. A fist of pain closed around her throat, making breathing difficult. Sitting up, she gulped and gasped for breath, afraid she was going to lose consciousness. “Emily?” Robert’s voice sounded in the darkness. “Are you all right?” “What the hell do you care?” she asked between choking sobs. He got into bed with her and took her in his arms. “I had no idea you would react so emotionally.” He kissed the pulse that beat at her temple. “Please don’t do this to yourself.” “I didn’t do it to myself.” She pushed against the wall of his chest. “You did it to me!” His touch was soothing and his voice gentle. “Relax, Emily.” He massaged the back of her neck. She laid her head on his shoulder. “What did I do that was so wrong?” “You’ve done nothing wrong.” His mouth brushed the side of her face. “It’s not you, it’s me.” He was holding her and caressing her. Even in her dazed condition, Emily could sense his arousal and she was amazed. “Robert?” “My God.” Robert reached behind his head and loosened her fingers from around his neck. His breath was an erotic puff against her cheek, his lips hot against her skin. “Emily, please.” His pleading words bled out into the charged atmosphere. “You do still love me. I know you do.” She was suffering the torments of the damned, but so was he. Emily was moved by compassion so exquisite that it shocked her. “My poor darling,” she murmured. “My sweet, sweet love.” Pulling his face down on her breast she kissed the top of his head. His skin was hot and moist against the satin of her robe. He buried his face in the softness of her bosom. “I’m so sorry, so damn sorry.” She sensed his surrender even before his arms pulled her nearer. Why shouldn’t she anticipate his every mood? They had been lovers for such a long time. She knew his nature, his preferences and sometimes his thoughts. Raising his passion-laden eyes, he stared into her face. “Say you forgive me.” Even before his lips touched her parted mouth, she knew sympathy had transmuted to a sudden, fiery, intense passion. Every part of her body responded to his touch. She surrendered with a quivering sigh of ecstasy. “I can’t let this happen.” With a groan that seemed torn from the depths of his very soul he grabbed her even closer. He not only let it happen, he instigated it. His hands caressed her shoulders and then moved to her breasts. Pulling her robe away and pushing down the spaghetti straps of her gown, he dropped his face and ran his tongue around her aroused nipples. The dam of desire broke. Need raged like a fever. It seemed the most natural thing in the world that they should make fierce, passionate love. In the soft darkness they fumbled to shed clothing before coming together in a fiery symphony of pleasure that rose, receded, rose again and then climaxed in a wave of unbelievable ecstasy. The inevitable descent to reality left Emily feeling spent and used. She could hear Robert’s rough breathing as he pulled himself from her and turned on his back. Bitterly, she croaked, “I hope I was an adequate substitute.” Robert sat on the side of the bed, turned on a lamp and narrowed his eyes against the light. “This was a mistake. God, I am sorry.” He had carried her to soaring heights of ecstasy and he was sorry? “Sorry for what?” she questioned bitterly, “for making love to your wife?” “It’s not that. You don’t understand.” She sat up and pushed a pillow under her shoulders. “You’re right, I don’t. How can you say our marriage is over and then make love to me like that?” He lay down on the other bed, crossed his legs and put his hands behind his head. “I was trying to comfort you. You seemed so distraught.” “Obviously, for you it was no earthshaking event.” Never before had she felt so used. “You really are a bastard.” “If it makes you feel better to call me names, go ahead. God knows you have every right.” He reached to turn off the lamp. “Get some rest.” Emily had thought she wouldn’t sleep, but she did. When she opened her eyes the next morning the sun was streaming through the window. Robert was fully clothed was sitting on the end of his bed. “I sent for breakfast and packed your bag.” Emily sat up and ran her hands through her hair as the events of the night before came rushing into her mind. “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.” “There are a few details that have to be ironed out.” Robert said. “We should do that here instead of waiting until we get home.” She looked up in startled surprise. “You have everything mapped out. Say what you have to say.” “There are some practical matters that must be attended to.” A knock on the door brought him to his feet. “That will be breakfast.” While Robert was dealing with breakfast, Emily escaped to the bathroom and dressed. When she came out of the bathroom, Robert was pouring coffee into cups. “I ordered bacon and eggs. I hope that’s all right.” “I’m not hungry,” Emily said with a belligerent lift of her chin. “Emily, damn it!” Robert slammed the coffeepot down on the serving cart. “Don’t do this.” She was telling the truth. She didn’t think she could force food down her throat. Taking the coffee he offered, she was careful not to let her fingers touch his hand. “This will be fine.” He stopped pressuring her. Sitting down, he took his time eating, cutting the bacon into small pieces and pushing the eggs around on his plate. Emily perched on the end of the bed, drinking her coffee and looking pensive. After a while, Robert pushed his plate back and sighed. “Do you want to get the divorce, or shall I?” “If you want your freedom, you’ll have to divorce me.” “I thought as much.” He took a quick sip of coffee. “I’ll get the divorce. I’ll file the first of the week.” Emily stared into her coffee cup. “Then it’s settled.” “Not quite. I want you to have the house, the Buick and half of our savings.” Robert was having trouble keeping his voice steady. “You will be comfortably well off…” Emily slammed her cup down on the table beside the bed. “Shut up!” Vaulting to her feet, she grabbed her handbag. “We can settle our differences in a court of law.” She ran from the room, slamming the door behind her. Slowly and with deliberate movements, Robert picked up the suitcase and followed her outside. The ride home seemed endless. Robert began by trying to make small talk. When Emily refused to respond, he asked, “Do you want to listen to music?” “Does it matter to you what I want?” She was dangerously near tears and the last thing she wanted to do was cry. “It matters to me, you matter to me.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I care for you, very much.” Driven by sheer desperation, Emily pleaded, “Don’t throw our marriage away. We may have lost some of the magic somewhere along the way, but we can find it again.” “Please don’t cry. This is not worth your tears.” She turned toward him, tears spilling from her eyes. “I happen to think the death of my marriage merits mourning.” She fought to control the blistering anger that seared through her incredible pain. “Are you sure this is what you want?” His answer rang loud and clear. “I’m positive.” She did have some pride. When she could control her voice, she said. “I’ll pack your things. You can pick them up the first of the week.” On the end of a distressed sigh, he breathed, “Thank you.” |