Life After Perfect

by Nancy Naigle

“It is. I think it will work out this time.”

  “Well, then I hope it does.”

  “Tell me about you. How’s it going in that little town? What was it called again?”

  “Boot Creek. Oh, and the inn where I’m staying belongs to the sister-in-law of that country singer Dillon Laumann. You know who I’m talking about, right?”

  “Yes.” Peggy started singing one of his hits.

  “Yes. That one!” Katy hummed along. “His sister-in-law, Naomi, is such a darling. Her inn is right on a creek. So peaceful. I never thought I’d enjoy the whole back-to-nature thing, but it’s been a good place to tune out the old noise and get my head on straight.”

  “I’m so glad for you, Katherine. It sounds like things are going to work out perfectly for both of us.”

  Katy couldn’t imagine Tucker could change that much. And with that in mind, it was hard to even have small talk. Besides now that she had those separation papers in hand, she had every intention of going back and clearing everything up with Derek. It was long overdue, but at least now she could completely let go of the past.

  She looked at her watch. “Gosh, I’ve got to get on the road or I’ll hit all the traffic heading back.” She hugged Peggy. “I’m so happy for you. Keep me posted on how it’s going, okay?” Only she knew that she’d probably never hear from Peggy again.

  Peggy wouldn’t want the reminder of the other path.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Derek stopped by Angie’s house on his way home. She was sitting on her front porch, still wearing her waitress uniform, watching Billy play kickball in the yard with some friends.

  He parked along the curb and walked up to the house. “Hey, girl.” Derek sat down next to her on the stoop.

  Angie leaned her elbows on her knees. “I got a call from the garage. They finally figured out what was wrong with my car and it’s to the tune of five hundred dollars.”

  “Need a loan?”

  “Real funny.” Her lips pursed.

  “What?”

  “I know that was you who left that envelope on the counter. You know I won’t borrow money from you, Derek. Is that why you’ve been scarce lately?” She dug into the pocket of her apron and handed him the envelope.

  He looked inside. A stack of twenties. “I didn’t do this.”

  “Stop.”

  “No. I didn’t. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t.”

  “Well, then who . . .” A look of realization crept across Angie’s face.

  “What?”

  “I found this right after Katy left the other day. Do you think she did this?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know, but it’s good timing. Maybe it was just a happy customer. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but do let me know if you need me to watch Billy for you.”

  “That would be great. So much is going on, it’s a little overwhelming.” Angie laid her head on Derek’s shoulder. “How long have we been friends?”

  “Forever. You were the first girl I kissed.”

  “In first grade. A girl never forgets her first love, and man, I’ve been so proud of you. You’ve done big stuff, man. Thanks for talking to Kelly Jo the way you did. I know it wasn’t easy for you, and I know it’s tough on Todd. On her too, but there is some joy in them being together. You did the right thing.”

  “It wasn’t easy, but she shared some things with me that were eye-opening too.”

  Angie reached for his hand. “I’m sorry this is still so hard for you, but Derek,” her hefty sigh seemed endless, and then her voice softened, “it’s been eating you alive for two years now. You have to move on. You have to forgive yourself one day. I think your meeting Katy has been a good step for that.”

  He couldn’t disagree.

  After Billy went to work on his homework, Derek and Angie talked on the porch. It was close to eight by the time he left.

  He drove over to the inn hoping he might catch Katy there.

  When he walked in, he was delighted to see Katy standing there talking to Naomi.

  She looked beautiful in a black dress and heels. And happy. Her smile absolutely radiated.

  “How’re you doing?”

  Derek smiled at Katy. Her caring way endeared her. “Want to go walk down by the creek with me?”

  “Sure.” She waved to Naomi, not even hiding her grin. “Let me change into jeans and tennis shoes real quick.”

  “I’ll wait for you on the porch.”

  “Okay.”

  A few minutes later she rushed outside wearing a faded pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. She had her shoes and socks in her hand. “Ready?”

  “Let’s go.” He took her hand and they walked down to the water.

  She dipped her foot into the water. “It’s amazing to me how cold this water can be when the air is so hot. It’s not that deep. You’d think it would be like bathwater.”

  He steered toward the dock. They stepped over a thin cable meant to keep people off of it. “It’s sturdy.”

  She followed him and they sat on the edge with their feet dangling.

  “I like spending time with you, Katy.”

  “Derek, I need to tell you something.”

  “Sure. Anything.”

  Anything? He might not really feel that way when he heard what she had to say. Her throat felt dry. “I tried to tell you before, but the situation just never seemed right, and then when you asked me about selling my car and if I needed money, I should have told you then.”

  “Do you need a loan?”

  “No. I’m good.” She pulled her hands into her lap and picked at the polish on her thumbnail. “That car was paid for. I had a really high-paying job. I bought it with my bonus. Technically, I still have that job. I’m on a leave of absence.”

  “So, you’re trying to tell me you’ll have to go back.”

  “No, I’m trying to tell you something else.” She dropped her head back. “This is not easy. You see, I never even wanted to buy that car in the first place. I’m not that kind of gal. I like nice things, sure, but that whole status symbol thing, it just isn’t so important.”

  “Okay.”

  “I didn’t pick it out. I don’t know how to explain this.” She closed her eyes. “This is harder than I thought.”

  “It’s just a car, Katy.”

  “I know that, but it’s not just about the car, but everything it stands for.”

  “You don’t owe me any explanations about your car. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

  “No. It’s good you did. I need to do this.”

  “Is this going somewhere?” he asked.

  She looked up and their eyes locked. “My husband picked out that car.”

  “Your—?” Where the heck did that come from?

  Her breathing became heavier and her voice lowered. “My husband.”

  She absently stroked her ring finger. She’s married? What do you even say after that kind of news?

  “I left him. He’d cheated on me.”

  “Okay. So, you’re divorced.” That was a whole different story. A better one.

  “No. Not divorced. But I will be. Actually, we just signed separation papers in Atlanta.”

  “You mean ‘just,’ like today?”

  “Yes. Today. I told you this is all so complicated.”

  His mind reeled. “How long has this been going on?”

  “I saw him.” She took in a breath. “With her. The day before the Blackberry Festival.”

  “Two weeks ago?”

  Her gaze pleaded. She shifted in the seat, moving toward him. Tears welled in her eyes. “I know. I should have told you. I’m so sorry.”

  What could he say?

  “It’s over. When I saw Ron with her I thought I was going to die right there on the spot. I wasn’t sure what to do, a
nd then I left town and I ended up here. He didn’t even realize I was gone until Monday.”

  “My God, Katy.” He lowered his gaze. “You’re married?”

  “I’m getting divorced.”

  “You just up and left. Without a word?”

  Tears fell down her cheeks, but this wasn’t something he had the least bit of interest in being in the middle of. “I saw him. I left him a message . . . and . . .”

  “Oh man. I never expected this. Not in a million years. There’s a lot more to marriage than that.”

  She straightened. “Don’t tell me that. Tell him! I have always been faithful.”

  “You don’t just leave.” He looked at her like she was crazy. “When the going gets tough, and it will, believe me no marriage is so perfect they never have a problem . . . but you work it out. Together.”

  “But this was—”

  “No.” He raised his hand to stop her from saying anything else. “I trusted you. Do you have any idea what it meant for me to open up to someone again? Shit.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “You got all bent out of shape because I was a doctor and didn’t mention it, but you had a husband at home who didn’t even know where you were?”

  “I know. It sounds horrible.”

  “Yeah. It does.” He blew out a breath and scrubbed his hand across his chin. “It is.”

  “The separation papers are signed. I was leaving him before I met you, and then I met you and you made me feel so . . .”

  “What? You thought a one-night stand would be a good way to get back at him? Thanks a lot.”

  “It wasn’t like that. I promise you.” She clutched her hands to her face. “Please. You have to understand.”

  He got up and walked back to his truck, then started it and spun tires down the lane.

  Katy watched him leave. Watched all she’d hoped was good news turn into her being as bad as Ron. A liar. A cheater.

  Naomi came running to the front porch. “What was that? Is everything okay?”

  Katy was crying so hard she couldn’t even answer.

  “What’s the matter, Katy? What did he do?” The old woman looked like she was ready to grab the heaviest cast-iron pan in the kitchen and go to war.

  “No. He didn’t do anything. It’s me. I messed up.” There was no way she could tell Naomi. She’d be as upset as Derek. “Excuse me,” she said and went straight to her bedroom, leaving a wide-eyed Naomi standing there with her mouth dropped wide open.

  I have to find a way to make it up to him. Will he ever forgive me?

  She hung the DO NOT DISTURB sign over the handle and closed the door behind her.

  Pacing the room, she fielded conflicting thoughts—more anger at Ron, which she knew was misdirected, but had he never done what he’d done, then all of these dominoes would have never been lined up, or toppled over.

  Derek had trusted her. He’d put himself out there, vulnerable and barely prepared for a perfect run, much less one that was going to create chaos in his life.

  Was there something there? Something real? Or were they just two broken hearts finding temporary comfort? She had baggage. A lot of it, and it didn’t matter if your baggage was being dragged behind you in designer-labeled bags or trash bags—when you got right down to it, baggage was baggage.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Before Katy could dry the tears streaming down her face, Angie knocked and walked in. She tossed the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the bed. “You know real friends ignore this kind of stuff, right?”

  “What are you doing here?” She dropped her face into her hands. “Oh, Angie. I have let everyone down.”

  “Naomi called me. She doesn’t know what’s going on but she’s worried sick. I called Derek. He filled me in.”

  “I messed everything up. I’m so sorry.”

  “You should have told—” Angie stopped mid-sentence. “It doesn’t matter. It is what it is. Should-haves won’t put things on a better path. Quit looking back. Look ahead. You’ll figure it all out.”

  “There’s no fixing this.”

  “Yes, there is and I’ll be right here with you no matter what.”

  Katy closed her eyes, more tears finding their way down her cheeks. “Will you ever be able to forgive me?”

  Angie patted her friend’s arm. “Nothing for me to forgive. I love you just the same. You are a good friend. I would have understood had you told me, but it’s okay, Katy. Really.”

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  “Sometimes life seems way more complicated than it really is. I remember when I was going through that stuff with Billy’s dad. I thought I’d never get through it.”

  “You are stronger than I am.”

  “No, I am not.” Angie sat down next to her. “But I’ll share my strength with you.”

  Angie handed Katy a tissue.

  “Derek’s another story. He’s hurt. Real hurt.” Angie cocked her head. “Your husband, ex, whatever . . . that came as a real blow to him.”

  Katy drew in a ragged breath. “This is crazy. I know it. But I felt such a connection with Derek that first day. I made some poor decisions.”

  “That’s how love is. It just comes out of nowhere.” Angie smiled. “Plus he’s a hot doctor. And a fireman. And kind of perfect. A triple threat.”

  “Derek thinks it was revenge. Me getting back at Ron.” She looked into Angie’s eyes, praying she understood. “It wasn’t.”

  “Katy, don’t worry about that right now.”

  Pain shot through her chest. “I’ve ruined any chance I had with him. Even as friends.”

  “No. He cares for you. I can see it in his eyes. He hasn’t looked this alive in . . . well, way too long.”

  “He will never forgive me,” she said. “I won’t forgive me.”

  “Stop it.” Angie walked over to the window and pulled open the drapes. “First, we need to concentrate on getting you back on your feet and getting you a job interview for that great job. You can’t be good with anyone until you can be good on your own. I think you might have even said something like that to me after you wrangled that date for me with Jackson. Thank you by the way. Second. You will forgive yourself, and Derek will forgive you too. It’ll all work out.”

  “I wanted to tell him, but I waited too long . . . and it . . . got complicated.”

  “Calm down, Katy. Everything will fall into place the way it should. We’re going to take this one step at a time.”

  Someone tapped at the door.

  Naomi poked her head inside. “You have a visitor. Do you want to come out here to meet with him?”

  “Him?” Katy and Angie exchanged a hopeful glance.

  Had Derek reconsidered? But when Katy glanced over Naomi’s shoulder, it wasn’t Derek . . . it was Ron.

  “Hey, Katherine. How are you doing?” He stepped inside the room and walked toward her.

  “I told you to wait out there, sir,” Naomi said, and she didn’t look like she was about to back down either.

  “You can go now,” Ron said. “I want a word with my wife.”

  “I’ll thank you to abide by my wishes in my home, sir.” She looked at Katy, and Katy could feel the one hundred questions coursing through Naomi’s mind, but the old gal held her cool. “Katy. It’s your call.”

  “Katy?” Ron laughed.

  Katy felt the hair on her arms prickle at his snarky laugh. “It’s fine, Naomi. I’ll get rid of him.”

  Naomi took off down the hall, but Angie held her ground.

  Ron looked at Angie and waved his arm toward the door, like she’d take his signal and move on.

  “No! You do not have to leave, Angie,” Katy said, then jumped up from the bed. “I do not want you here, Ron.”

  Ron glared at Katy. “I’m sure your friends have things they need to
do.”

  “I said I don’t want you here, Ron,” she repeated. “I don’t even know how you found out where I was. You have no right to be here.”

  He blinked, the fast blink he did when he was mad. “You’re my wife. I’m taking you home.”

  “No, you’re not, and I am not your wife. We have signed separation papers. I have a copy of those papers right over there.”

  “I don’t want a divorce,” he said. “Not doing it.”

  “It really doesn’t matter what you want now. You blew your chance when you took on that girlfriend. Please leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “How did you even find me?”

  “Peggy told me you were here.”

  Oh great. Peggy gives in to her cheater husband, and then suddenly she’s on Ron’s side? How could she have broken that trust?

  “Leave! Or I’m calling the police.” Katy felt the room shift a little. Please don’t hyperventilate here and now.

  Naomi came back in the room with Derek right behind her. Angie looked at Katy with a smile.

  Derek nodded to Katy, then leveled a gaze at Ron. “You heard the lady. Probably time for you to go.” His voice was quiet, but stern.

  “I don’t need you to tell me how to handle my wife.”

  Katy stepped closer to Angie, praying her strength would rub off. “Handle me?”

  Ron shook his head. “Don’t twist my words, Katherine.”

  “Please leave,” she said. “I came to this town to be away from you. I don’t want you here.”

  “You were just mad. You’re not giving up everything we’ve built together. We built a good life together. Katherine, women don’t leave this kind of life behind after one little indiscretion.”

  Derek stood quietly in the doorway.

  Katy was embarrassed for him to see this, but also glad he’d come to her rescue. Naomi obviously had called him, worried about what might happen.

  “Good life?” She blinked back tears but there was no sadness in them, just rage. “Which part was good, Ron? The part where you made me go by Katherine instead of Katy because you felt like it would be a better career move? Or when you put having children on hold when I was ready because you weren’t? The part where we lived in the big fancy neighborhood instead of in a small house with a big yard and two dogs? Or was it the part where you were running around with Melissa?”