Sleep claimed me easier than it had since the last time she belonged me.
The sound of a whining engine and the familiar shouts between the blokes that cleaned mine and my neighbor’s windows woke me.
And even though I’d been sleeping alone for a long time, I remembered Callie should be in my bed. My eyes flew open, and I turned my head on the pillow to find the space beside me empty.
Disappointment and something worse crept in, fully pushing me out of sleep state. I pushed to sitting, rubbing a hand over my beard. “Callie?” I called.
Nothing.
Knowing what I’d inevitably find, but not wanting to discover it, I reluctantly got out of bed and checked the bathroom.
No Callie.
Padding down the hall, naked as the day I was born, I entered the living space.
No Callie.
With a huff of anger and hurt, I turned around and headed back to the bedroom to pull on pajama bottoms, only to return to the living space in search of a note.
There was none.
None in the bedroom either.
Her clothes and purse were gone.
Callie was gone.
Without a word.
Like a one-night stand desperate to be rid of me.
For a moment, I wanted to dwell on the fact that she’d treated me that way. However, if I let my hurt and anger win, then we’d be right back where we started. And I didn’t want that. I wanted to get past this.
Hands shaking, I found my phone in the kitchen. There were a couple of texts from friends and one from Eilidh this morning.
Callie already on her way back to Ardnoch. What did you do?
Irritation made my skin hot, but I didn’t reply to my sister. Instead, I scrolled through my contacts and hit the call button.
After a few rings, he picked up. “Morning, son. You all right?”
The sound of my dad’s voice eased the franticness that threatened to consume me. “No. I need to know something.”
“Okay?” he replied slowly, his concern evident in his voice.
“Does your offer for me to come work with you still stand?”
There was a moment of hesitation, then, “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
“Then, aye.” Dad’s delight was obvious. “Of course. The job is yours as soon as you’re ready.”
“I’ll need to find a place to stay.”
“Stay with us.” He was so eager, I felt guilty for staying away for so long. “Until you find a place. Youcan have the annex.”
“Really?”
