And it didn’t help matters that he was so guarded. Jake was open and honest with me in all aspects of our marriage except one: the kidnapping. It was a topic that had always been off-limits to me. Although I’d learned to live with the secrets Jake carried from his past, that didn’t mean Ilikedit.
“You seem a little happiertoday.”
Jake caught my eye for a quick moment before tipping his head and kissing my forehead. “Things will be better soon. Ipromise.”
“Really?” Perhaps there was too much surprise in my voice, but it was the first time he’d articulated an end to hismelancholy.
“Yes, really. I know I’ve been weird lately, but there are some things I’m working out right now. I can’t say what they are yet, but as soon as I can talk about it, I promise totellyou.”
“Maybe I can help,” I said, perking up. Was there really an end insight?
His body tightened against me. I could feel his hesitation. “No. It’s something I have to do onmyown.”
“I just don’t understand why I can’t be a part of whatever it is you’redoing.”
“I know, but you will understand. Soon,everyonewill.”
There was a strange foreboding in his words, but just as I was about to ask for clarification, Riley came barreling out the front door and flung himself full speed into Jake’s arms. “Can we go in the pool now? Youpromised!”
“Did you help Gramspickup?”
“Yep, she said I could comegetyou.”
Jake rumpled his hair. “Well, a promise is apromise.”
I was still watching Jake, analyzing his body language for clues to this latest mystery. I had to assume thatsome things I’m working out right nowexplained why he’d been disappearing every day for hoursonend.
“Riley, can you give us a minute?” Iasked.
My nephew groaned, clearly impatient for his promisedplaymate.
Jake leaned into me. “Not now, Case. There’s nothing I can tell you yet. Give me a couple more days and then you’ll have the answers. Will youdothat?”
“Do I have achoice?”
Jake shook hishead. “No.”
23
Jake: WhereTheyLive
“Casey?”I whispered, waking her from a dead sleep. “Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a drivewithme.”
With her hair splayed out every which way and her eyes still sealed shut, Casey definitely didn’t appear in any shape to keep me company. I nudged her again. “Babe, wake up. It’s7:30.”
“Go away,” she mumbled, her limp hand trying to push me away. “It hurts when someone you love says mean things like ‘It’s time towakeup.’”
Smiling, I traced a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “I’ll buy you a coffee if you comewithme.”
One eye emerged from under the pillow she’d placed over her face. “Starbucks?”
“Sure. Wherever. But no meet and greets. Strictlydrivethru.”
“As if I want people seeing me like this. I look like I swallowed ablowfish.”
“You look beautiful.” I commented on this statement, or some variation of it, daily. That was my standard reply – the onlyreply.
She removed the pillow completely and raised her brow. “Why are you up so early? Can’tsleep?”
