“Dr. Farrow returned to the bank this afternoon.”
With that announcement, the appliances began swirling. She didn’t even bother with a chair as she slid to the floor.
Simon had returned.
Not that she wanted him at Haven House, but after more than a year overseas, how could he return to Catawba without even the courtesy of a visit?
“Did he ask for what was left in my savings account?”
“Yes,” Mr. McLean said. “We told him you would need to visit our bank together for any future transactions.”
She released the air trapped in her lungs. “Thank you.”
“I thought you should also know...”
She pulled her knees toward her chest. “What is it?”
“He asked to take out a loan against your house.”
“Oh, no—”
“We declined his request, of course. He wasn’t happy about being turned away.”
“I appreciate your calling.”
“Mrs. Farrow?”
“Please,” she said. “Mrs. Ashe.”
“Could I give you some advice?”
Another breath, trying to calm the flurry. “I’m always open to advice.”
“You might be able to obtain a legal separation from Dr. Farrow even without his consent. A court might allow it on grounds of abandonment.”
“How would that help?”
“A judge would divide your property and finances. Then you would have no fears.”
“I’ll look into it,” she said. “Thank you.”
She stood slowly before hanging up the receiver. If only the legal system would alleviate her concerns. She could petition the court, like Mr. McLean suggested, but if Simon fought the separation, a judge might award him, a war hero perhaps, half her property. And if he lost his position at Winfield, half of her income.
Either way, a legal separation could take months, and since she’d blocked access to her accounts, she feared Simon wasn’t going to leave her alone.
Parting the front curtain, she glanced out the window, afraid to see his convertible, but the only car in the drive was her Plymouth.
If he returned to Haven House tonight, what would she do?
She didn’t care if he took half of everything she owned. Didn’t even care if he took Haven House. She wanted Simon Farrow out of her life.
Instead of climbing back up her tower, she placed a call to Clinton.
“I need your help,” she said.
“Take your time on the edits. There’s no—”
“Not with the edits. I just found out that Simon has returned to Catawba.”
