“So,you’rethe reason they’re suddenly pushing me so hard?”
“No, that’s part of the job. Of course, you wouldn’t knowthat, because you never have been able to stick it out long enough to really commit to one.”
This time that twitch turned into a snarl, and he grabbed her arm. “Come on. We’re leaving.”
“Stop it!” she yelled at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“I saw you come back from next door in the middle of the night. I guess that’s what orwhohas you all tangled up in this little town.”
“That is none of your business.”
“I miss you. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, Merry Anna. My life is just…I need you to give me another chance. I’m a changed man. No more running around. I promise I won’t ever do that again. That was a mistake.”
She started laughing. Everything he said, she’d wanted so badly to hear right after she’d caught him. If only he’d said those things then, she’d have been wrapped up in their relationship forever.
Even throughout the divorce, it probably would’ve swayed her. After all, she’d never known a relationship with anyone else.
But now she knew she didn’t need someone to be complete. She knew she was more than her work. All those investments and properties she’d fought for in the divorce—she hadn’t missed them at all.
“It’s not going to happen.” She started for the house. He was hot on her heels, but she didn’t let it stop her. She didn’t even turn around.
He called out from behind her, “You can’t be married to someone since high school and just flip a switch. You can’t run away and pretend none of it ever happened.”
She raised her hand, shaking her head as she walked inside and slammed the door.
“Who are you to judge me? I made one little mistake. You won’t even listen.”
Her breath coming out in short puffs, she ran to where her phone was plugged in next to her bed. She fumbled, wishing she’d locked the door behind her, hoping he’d already left. Finally, she pressed send on Krissy’s number.
“Krissy, it’s Merry Anna. Kevin is out front. Can you call Grady for me? Please hurry.” She dropped the phone on her bed and ran to lock the front door.
She was able to twist the dead bolt just as he grabbed the handle. She let out a breath.
He banged on the door.
“Get out here and talk to me.” He slapped the door three times. “It was you that broke our commitment, never having time for me. You forced me to find others to fill that void. All you did was work. You—”
“Stop it. Just stop right now!” she shouted. “I’m not perfect, but I never said I was. I realize I am partly to blame for our marriage ending, too, but you know what? It was a blessing. Yes, a blessing, Kevin. I love my new life. I’m helping people, and I’m doing things other than work. After all these years, I’m trying things that I’d never tried, and—”
“A blessing?” he sputtered.
She heard the gravel before she saw Grady’s car out the sidelight next to the door. “I think your ride just showed up,” she said.
Peering through the glass, she caught a glimpse of Adam and Zan over by the fence. Grady got out of his car with his hand on his hip.
Grady’s voice carried. “We have a problem?”
She ran and lifted the living room window, not wanting to open the door to where Kevin was still standing. “A trespasser.” She held her voice steady, determined to stand her ground with him. She glanced toward where Adam and Zan had been standing, but they weren’t there now.
Kevin came over to the window, throwing his chest out to her. “Really. We’re doing this?” He looked at her as if daring her.
“Yes. And if you go back to that job at the Supply Cabinet, I suggest you put in your whole eight hours a day and dot everyiand cross everyt.I’m not going back, but Iamstill on the board.”
“Let’s go, sir.” Grady had come up on the porch and was towering over Kevin.
Kevin stared at her.
“Now, sir.”
