Cross Country Chaos

by Lesli Richardson

  He reached behind him for something, keeping it out of sight. “I’m not trying to pressure you. I’m afraid if I don’t say something soon, I’m going to screw this up. Our false alarm the other day was a wake-up call. I need to quit being a chicken and put my cards on the table.” He turned her face to his and looked into her eyes. “I love you. I think I’ve loved you ever since the day I met you. And I don’t want to spend my life with anyone but you.”

  He took her left hand in his and slipped a ring on her finger. “Will you marry me?”

  Kelly felt lightheaded. David never proposed to her, not in a romantic, tell your kids kind of way. He’d simply said in the car one day, “Let’s get married before the end of the year so we can take the tax deduction.”

  Her vision doubled, tripled as the tears came. She nodded frantically and threw her arms around him.

  Mart tentatively put his arms around her. “Is that a yes?”

  She nodded even harder, and squeaked, “God, yes!”

  “When you’re ready to get married, let me know and we’ll do it.”

  “Tomorrow?” she choked.

  He laughed and gently pushed her back so he could see her face, brushed the tears from her cheeks. “No, not tomorrow. I want to do this right. I want the boys to be comfortable with me as their stepfather.”

  “If we leave it up to them, we’ll be married by tomorrow night.” She looked at the ring. It was gorgeous. A small diamond surrounded by amethyst. He’d remembered.

  More than she could ever say about David.

  “Wait…”

  She studied the ring, then looked at him. “This is the ring from Spokane!”

  He smiled. “Guilty.”

  “But—” She thought back to their date in Spokane. “You bought it?”

  “Call it a feeling. I was already in love with you. I wanted to buy it for you right then, but I was afraid you might think I was a weirdo.”

  “When did you get it?”

  “Remember I was late to field the next morning after our date?”

  She remembered how he’d smiled at her, his great mood despite getting chewed out for being late.

  “You didn’t?”

  “I was waiting for them when they unlocked the door the next morning.”

  “I can’t promise you I’ll want to have more kids.”

  “I don’t care. I told you, that’s not a deal-breaker. If you do, great. If not, okay.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’ve waited all my life to meet someone who makes me feel the way you do, and I’m not about to let you go.”

  Mart was still there when the boys returned. They raced inside, eager to see him.

  Denny was the first to see the ring. “What’s this?” He grabbed Kelly’s hand before she could hide it.

  Paulie looked at it, then grinned at Mart. “You asked her?”

  Kelly sensed she’d missed something when Mart smiled and nodded.

  “You said yes, right?” Paulie asked her.

  “What is it?” Denny asked again, frustrated no one answered his question.

  Paulie flew into Mart’s arms, surprising Kelly and Mart. “Thank you!”

  “What’s going on?” Denny asked again, flapping.

  Kelly knelt in front of him. “Honey, Mart asked me to marry him.”

  Denny looked from her to Mart and back. “He’s going to be our stepdad?”

  Kelly and Mart exchanged glances. “Yes.”

  “All right!” Denny spun in a happy victory circle. “Yes yes yes!”

  “Well, that went better than I expected,” she said.

  She got the boys settled and in bed. When they were alone again, she eyed Mart. “What have you and Paulie been talking about?”

  “He asked me last weekend if I was going to marry you, and I told him I wanted to. I asked if he was okay with that, and he said yes, they wanted me to be their stepdad.”

  “He’s going to be a hell of a handful when he’s older.”

  “I’d say he’s a hell of a handful now. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m just…overwhelmed. In a good way.” She looked at him. “You sure you want to marry into this madhouse?”

  “Your mom said if I didn’t, she’d hunt me down.”

  “God, does everyone know about this besides me?”

  He moved to the sofa. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to cause you any problems. You’ve got enough stress in your life without me adding to it.”

  She studied him. “So when does the other shoe drop? Are you a serial killer or something?”

  “No. I’m grouchy in the morning when I don’t have my coffee, I’m not the world’s best housekeeper, and I can be pushy and stubborn and I’m very opinionated. I have other faults too, if you’d like me to list them. You want them alphabetically, or in order of severity?”

  She laughed. “At least you’re willing to put up with me.”

  “I think you have that the wrong way around.” He kissed her. “You’re willing to put up with me.”

  She cuddled against him. “What’s next?”

  “I could think of a few things, but they involve having the house to ourselves.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “You tell me. I want you to set the pace. And I’m not kidding when I say I’m not always easy to live with. I need space to work. Plus I do a lot of traveling, sometimes at a moment’s notice. Are you willing to put up with me?”

  “As long as ‘business trip’ isn’t a euphemism for screwing around on me, yes, I can put up with that. I need space, too.”

  He kissed her. “I can’t quit thinking about you.”

  She closed her eyes and relaxed against him. “I never felt about David the way I feel about you.”

  “That’s good, right?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  They sat like that for a while longer, and then he looked at his watch. “I hate to say this, but I have to go. I have a seven o’clock flight.”

  “Where?”

  “Las Vegas. I’ll be back by midnight tomorrow.” He looked at her. “Want to go? Have a Vegas wedding?”

  She smiled. “What happened to letting me set the pace?”

  “It was worth a shot. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  She kissed him. “I think the boys would kill us if they couldn’t be there.”

  “You’re right.” He returned to his chair. “Sure you don’t want help with the dishes?”

  “No. You go home and get some sleep.”

  When he left, she stared at the ring and tried out the name.

  Kelly Rawlings.

  She liked the sound of it.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  They settled into a comfortable routine. When Mart wasn’t out of town, he was with Kelly and the boys. And she was coming to terms with the reality that Mart seemed to be the real deal.

  One morning, Kelly had just started working when her phone rang. Wasn’t that always the way? Her heart lifted when she saw it was Mart.

  “Hey, you,” she said.

  “Hi. Honey, I have to cancel tomorrow night.”

  Her heart sunk. “Why?”

  “I have to catch a flight out of TIA this afternoon. We’ve got a client having some major problems. Corporate wants me out there personally.”

  “Out where?”

  He hesitated. “Tokyo.”

  “Japan?”

  His voice was unusually quiet. “Yeah.”

  “How long?”

  Another long pause. “Two weeks, probably three.”

  “Oh.” She was a big girl. She could handle this. Most of Mart’s trips were only two or three days. This was the longest he’d be away.

  “Come with me,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Come with me, I’ll buy your ticket. You’d have to take a later flight, but I’ll pay all your expenses.”

  “Mart, I can’t leave the boys for three weeks.”

  “Your mom
would take them.”

  She would. It was tempting. So tempting.

  Then reality hit.

  “Mart, I can’t go.”

  “Kelly, please. At least come for a week. It’d be great—”

  “Mart, I can’t go. I mean, I really can’t. I don’t have a passport.”

  “Oh.” He was quiet for a moment. “I guess that is a problem.”

  “Yeah.” She tried to swallow back her disappointment. This was her new reality. If she was going to marry him, she had to accept there were times he might leave on a moment’s notice and be gone for days—weeks—on end.

  But he wasn’t David.

  “I’m sorry. I hoped you’d be able to go.”

  “Can I come by before you leave?”

  “I won’t have time. I just got off the phone with corporate. I’m packing now. I’m going to be pushed to make the flight to L.A. as it is, and the connection there is tight. Susan’s taking me, she’ll be here in about an hour.”

  “Susan?”

  Who the hell is she?

  “Yeah, they’re sending her, too. She helped write the code, we need her there.” When Kelly didn’t reply, he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Kelly wasn’t fine, but she’d be damned if she’d admit it. He had asked her to go.

  But had he really expected her to say yes? Maybe he knew she’d say no, and it was a calculated risk…

  Stop it. He’s. Not. David.

  “Kelly—”

  “I’m okay. I understand. I’ll get used to it.”

  “I wish I knew you’re okay. I get the feeling you aren’t.”

  She covered the receiver and took a deep breath. “It’s all right. Email me when you get there so I know you’re okay. And have a safe trip. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  When you and Susan get back.

  “Kelly, I’m so sorry. Tell the boys I’ll bring them something from Japan. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  She hung up and stared at the phone, fighting the tension in her gut. After an hour of trying—and failing—to write, she started a load of laundry, cleaned out the fridge, and swept the front porch. She thought about calling Mart, trying to catch him before he got on the plane, but didn’t.

  I won’t do this. I won’t stress him out. I can handle this. I’m a big girl. He is not David.

  But she couldn’t get rid of the tension in her stomach.

  The next afternoon, she received an email.

  Got here safe. I miss you. I wish you were here. I love you.—Mart.

  She was glad the boys were at school because she choked back a sob, then quit fighting it and cried. He was halfway across the world with Susan, whoever she was.

  But he asked you to go. That was the voice of reason, the one that, lately, was gaining traction and worked to counteract the voice that sounded like David and spoke her every doubt and fear.

  She hit reply.

  I miss you, too. Any idea when you’ll be home?—Love, Kelly.

  Send.

  * * * *

  Kelly fought the urge to check her email every five minutes. She managed to write a few hundred words for her article. Before bed, she checked her email and found his reply.

  Three weeks, everything’s screwed up here. I’m sorry. Are you okay? I love you.—Mart.

  Kelly closed her eyes. She should have waited until morning to check her email. Now she’d spend the night sleepless, thinking about him.

  I’m fine. Be safe. The boys and I miss you. Love, K.

  * * * *

  The next morning, she waited until the boys were off to school and she’d finished her morning chores and errands before turning on her computer and phone. She was feeling a little more levelheaded and didn’t want a note from Mart to send her into a breakdown in front of them.

  As if on cue, her phone rang. She almost didn’t answer because the number wasn’t familiar.

  “Hello?”

  There was an echo on the line. “Hi.”

  She gripped the phone. It was almost midnight there, a thirteen hour difference. “Mart?”

  “How are you?”

  “I’m okay. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too, babe. I’m so sorry I had to leave.”

  “It’s okay, really. I understand.”

  “Did you get my email?”

  “Which one?”

  “I sent you some pictures.”

  “I just got home. I need to download my email. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

  “I’m going. I’ve been trying to call you for a couple of hours. I didn’t want to go to bed until I talked to you.”

  She closed her eyes, pictured his face. “I’m sorry. I had the phone off.”

  “I love you, Kelly. I miss you so much.”

  If she didn’t get off the phone quickly, she was going to cry. “I love you, too. Stay safe, okay?”

  “I will, I promise. Say hi to the boys for me.”

  “I will. Go to bed. Sweet dreams.”

  “Now that I’ve talked to you, I can. I will.”

  She checked her email and found his message. Pictures of the airport, the hotel, various local landmarks. A group picture of him and another American woman with several Japanese men and woman—the local tech team, according to the message. And the American woman was Susan.

  She was a petite blonde, trim, hair styled in a boyish flip, a little shorter than her. Not gorgeous, but not ugly either. Definitely younger, probably in her twenties.

  Kelly stifled her jealousy. There was nothing in the woman’s body language to suggest she was remotely interested in Mart. She wasn’t leaning into him or touching him or anything.

  Still, Kelly seethed.

  Remember Carole, she thought. Don’t jump to conclusions. He’s done nothing to make you doubt him. He’s never lied to you…

  That you know about. And there was David’s voice, back with a vengeance. You never knew David was lying until too late.

  Why the hell couldn’t it shut up and leave her alone?

  For a change, David didn’t cancel his weekend with the boys. Kelly did everything possible to keep busy and off her computer. It was almost harder to read Mart’s messages, missing him, wanting him home. She’d rather bury herself in other things, keep busy and not think about his absence.

  Or Susan.

  Chapter Thirty

  Patty sensed her disquiet at practice on Monday. “What’s wrong?”

  “Mart’s in Japan for another two weeks.”

  “What? When did he leave?”

  “Wednesday afternoon. Last-minute business trip.”

  “I know you miss him, but what’s up your ass? You look like you’re ready to rip someone’s head off.”

  Kelly burst into tears. Patty moved to her lounge and put an arm around her. “It’s okay. Talk to me. Did you have a fight?”

  Kelly spilled her guts, admitting her jealousy and nerves and fears. When she was done, Patty handed her a towel. “You know he loves you.”

  “I’m a moron. I know he’s not doing anything.”

  “But.”

  “How many times did I sit there like an idiot while David kissed me good-bye, only to find out later he was banging someone?”

  “I don’t think Mart’s like that.”

  “I didn’t think David was like that, either.”

  Patty looked at her over her sunglasses. “You were the only one. I hated him. I only tolerated David because he was your husband. Mart is a great guy. I don’t get any cheating slimebag scumwad vibes from him.”

  “So tell me I’m a stupid idiot.”

  “I’m not going to tell you that. But I think you should send Mart an email and tell him you miss him. Admit you’re having flashbacks and need some reassurance. He loves you. He’ll understand.”

  “I feel like a moron.”

  “You’re not a moron. You were stuck with a bad apple for a lot of years. Now you’ve got the pick of the litter.”


  Kelly glowered at her. Patty shrugged. “Sorry. You know I do my best writing at night. What do you want from me?”

  * * * *

  Kelly put the boys to bed. It was after nine, meaning it was after ten in the morning in Tokyo. Mart was working, most likely, but at least he’d get her email. Before she wrote him, she checked hers and found a new message from him, a short note, including more pictures.

  Kelly, I miss you so much. Here’s some more pics of the trip. I wish you were here! Love you.—Mart.

  The first few pictures were of local landmarks. The last was taken by someone else, of Mart and Susan, in front of a fountain, with a temple behind them. He sat in his chair, with Susan sitting on a low wall next to him. She leaned in slightly but not intimately so, both smiling for the camera.

  Not touching.

  But something about her smile set Kelly off.

  She closed her eyes. It was innocent.

  Totally innocent.

  Yeah, right.

  Patty answered on the third ring.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “How did you know something’s wrong?”

  “You only call me this time of night if someone’s died or Denny’s got a problem.”

  “No, not that bad. Can I send you something, email, you tell me what it looks like?”

  “What?”

  Kelly copied the two pictures that included Susan into a blank message and sent it. “It’s coming now.”

  “Hold on a minute.” Patty put the phone down. Kelly heard her fingers tapping on her keyboard. A moment later, she picked up the phone. “Okay, it’s Mart in Japan. Who’s the girl?”

  “Susan. The one I told you about.”

  “So? What’s the problem?”

  Kelly took a deep breath. “What do you make of them in those pictures?”

  Patty fell quiet. Kelly almost checked if the call ended when her friend moaned. “Oh. My. God! I see it now.” Kelly’s heart dropped while Patty ranted. “The secret, meaningful non-embrace, the symbolic lack of contact meaning the exact opposite, that they’re passionate lovers. The fact that they’re looking into the camera and not at each other means they’re so much in love they can’t bear the power of the others’ glance!”

  Kelly closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “All right, I get it. I’m overreacting.”