He glanced at his watch. “In two hours.”
“I can drop you at the airport on my way—”
“You’ll be late. I’ll drive myself and leave the car at the airport.”
She nodded. Without another word, she turned and retraced her steps to the bedroom. She thought of nothing but getting ready for a regular day’s work.
Matt showered while she dressed. They said little to each other during breakfast. Only when she had swung her pocketbook to her shoulder did she look at him. Even her self-imposed anesthetization couldn’t fully immunize her against the swell of emotion that hit her.
“Have a safe flight,” she whispered.
He walked her to the door. “You know how to work the latch for this thing?”
“Yes.” He’d reviewed the process in detail when they’d entered the house last night.
“Be sure to reset it once you’ve let yourself in or out.”
“I will.”
They passed through and headed for the garage. “And this one?”
“Yes. I’ve got it now.”
“Lauren, I really wish—”
“Shh. Please, Matt. You have to do your thing, and I have to do mine.” She pressed the hidden switch that allowed her access to the garage without mishap, but before she could enter the car, Matt stopped her. He put both hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye.
“I know you’re angry, Lauren, and hurt. Believe me, I’d never be leaving if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary.”
She stared up at him, saying nothing because there was nothing she would permit herself to say. Only when he tugged her close and wrapped his arms tightly around her did she allow herself a moment’s softening. Closing her eyes, she leaned into his strength. By the time he’d released her, though, she was on her own again.
“Be cautious, Lauren,” he said. His voice was thick, his gaze clouded. “When in doubt, go with your instincts. They’re good. Trust them.”
For a split second, she wavered. Her instincts told her that Matt shouldn’t go, that she needed him here, that whatever it was that drew him back to California wasn’t as important as what was happening between them in Massachusetts. Her instincts told her that his trip would bring no good where they were concerned.
But reason ruled. Matt’s home and job were in San Francisco. She had no claim on either. She was right in what she’d told him; he had to do his thing and she had to do hers. And hers was to carry on with her life, just as it had been before Matthew Kruger had entered it.
“Take care,” she whispered, then slipped into her car. She didn’t look back to see Matt by the garage door after she’d backed out and around, or to see him still standing there when she drove down the drive and turned into the street. If she was aware that she’d left part of herself with him, she put that particular ache down to the general upheaval her life had gone through in the past few weeks. Doggedly she kept her sights ahead.
As the day passed, Lauren had less control over her emotional state than she might have liked. Much as she tried not to, she thought of Matt.He’s arriving at the airport now. His plane is taking off now. He’s over Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kansas, Utah.Out of the blue, she’d feel tears in her eyes, and though she cursed her preoccupation, she knew that it was diverting her mind from other thoughts.
Beth, who’d been quick to sense something amiss, tried to get her to talk, but all Lauren would say was that Matt had been called back to his home office for a few days.
“But I thought he was here for another week at least.”
“Things come up.”
“And he didn’t elaborate?” There was an undercurrent of accusation in Beth’s words.
Lauren, who was carelessly flipping through the morning’s mail, ignored it. “Other than to say it was important that he go.” She frowned. “I don’t believe it. Another letter for Susan Miles.”
“Who’s Susan Miles?”
“Beats me. But it’s addressed to her, care of this shop. There was one yesterday, too.”
“Mark it ‘return to sender, addressee unknown’ and stick it back in the mail.”
“I would if I could, but I can’t. There’s no return address.”
