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George sighed. “I’ll go sleep in the Queen tonight.”
“No,” yelled Vickie, standing up and knocking the chair down behind her. The time when they were estranged from each other flashed in front of her, and the idea that could be their future gave her the final courage she needed to speak. She’d kept him in the dark long enough. It wasn’t worth risking the breakdown of their relationship.
“Have you heard of the Black Hearts Club?”
“I’m listening,” said George gruffly, arms crossed over his chest.
“They’re part of the Spiritualism movement.”
“I told you—”
Vickie put up her hand to stop him from talking. “Short story, I exposed them for their fraudulent behavior.”
“And my suit?”
She cleared her throat. He was already rather stirred up.
“Donated.”
“What!”
“You see, the invitation to the club was for me and um… my husband, and well, you were busy…”
“Don’t blame this on me.”
“I’m not.” She paused to take a breath, then blurted it all out, “You were busy, so Ruby dressed up as you so we could go along. I couldn’t go alone.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” George shook his head. “I love you, and I want to protect you.”
“I know.” She remembered how upset Ruby was over Miguel. She had a lot to be grateful for with George. “I love you, too, and I want to protect you.”
“Your point?”
Vickie stepped over toward George, uncrossed his arms, and snuggled into his body. “We both want to protect each other, but we also both want to do our own thing. You as a doctor, me as a private investigator.”
He sighed, and his anger eased as she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and looked up to him. “I was always going to tell you. I just needed to do this by myself.”
“What about next time?” his voice was soft yet pained. “What happens then?”
Vickie’s eyes locked with his. “If I tell you, will you stop me?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it. His forehead wrinkled in thought. “How about I go with you?”
Vickie’s immediate reaction was to say no, but she saw his genuine love for her reflected in his eyes, the concern for her in his face.
“Now, I don’t think Ruby would like to be replaced by you. She loves a good adventure.” Vickie winked.
George’s expression softened. “What about you tell me, and keep me informed instead of leaving out important details, and I’ll promise to support you, which may or may not involve me coming along with you.”
Vickie went up on her toes and kissed him. “Deal.”
George smiled. “Good! Now look here…” He picked up the newspaper and showed her the front page.
Vickie’s eyes widened. The headline read,Black Hearts Club Exposed, the subheading read,Local Private Eye Puts an End to the Money Grabbers. There was a photograph of Vickie talking to Police Officer Nelson. She mused that it wasn’t the best picture of her.
“You knew?”
“I did, but I had to know if you would tell me after keeping it from me, and you did.”
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.” She understood the worry he had for her. Besides, they had now come to an agreement.
“Oh, and by the by,” he said.
“Yes?” Vickie braced herself. What else did he have to say? She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear.
“I’m proud of you.” He grinned and kissed her hard on the mouth. “And I love you.”
Vickie smiled and kissed him back. They were tight now. More than husband and wife. They had found their way back to each other and were finding ways to keep it that way. Who knew, maybe George could help her solve a case. She was beginning to think it might be exciting to give it a try.
“Good because I love you, too.”
