I wanted tonight to spend with Madison. I knew my conversation with Carrie about the state of our marriage would be coming up soon. I had to think things through. I needed to decide if I loved Madison or was just dazzled by her.
There was part of me that was afraid I only thought I loved her because she was my first love. If that was the case, I was ruining my marriage for nothing.
Either way, I had to know.
I took one more sip then rinsed my mug and left it in the sink. I grabbed my keys and walked out of my house.
The Orchid Ball didn’t cross my mind again that day.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Carrie
I woke up and stretched. I’d slept like a rock. I felt the sheets on Thatcher’s side of the bed. Cold. He’d been gone for a while. I sighed. He was probably already at work. I reached for my phone, taking it off its charger. He’d sent me a text after midnight the night before to let me know he was on his way. But this morning? No texts. No words of encouragement about the ball tonight. No more apologies for the previous evening. Story of my life lately.
I ate some toast, brushed my teeth, and pulled on some old jeans and a T-shirt with holes in it. I pulled my hair in a messy bun as I walked out the door, and I was good to go. It was time to work until every last detail had been taken care of.
Thoughts of Thatcher, our marriage, and stupid Mads would just have to wait.
I worked at the country club most of the day, making sure all décor had survived the night. I shored up whatever needed tightening or straightening. Then I moved on to the auction. I double and triple checked all the items. I was beginning to think I had developed some OCD symptoms over the course of preparing for this event. It was getting late in the day when I glanced at the clock and realized that unless I wanted to greet people in jeans and a T-shirt, I had to get moving.
Time for the Orchid Ball had arrived whether I was ready or not. But I’d worked my ass off, and I felt good about all I’d accomplished. I looked around one last time before heading home to get dressed. My helpers and I had successfully turned the boring old Indigo Falls Country Club into a dreamy New Orleans nightscape. The decorations were perfect, the plants were spot on, and the atmosphere was just right. I’d gone for elegant, luxurious, and just a tad bit mysterious. I’d hidden fog machines behind some plants. They were small enough that they’d let out just enough fog to provide a ‘haunted’ ambiance without causing anyone’s hair to frizz.
It was going to be perfect. The caterers were ready, the bar was over stocked and well-staffed, the auction items were ready to go, and the band was scheduled to arrive an hour ahead of when I needed them. I’d found out they were great but had a reputation for being late.
I took a deep breath and hoped everything went off without a hitch.
And on a personal level, I hoped my husband arrived on time as promised. As I drove home, I tried to push off my mounting anger and frustration over everything I’d learned about Thatcher recently. I didn’t have a good feeling about our marriage going forward. But I’d given myself until at least after the ball and maybe the launch party to make a decision.
And I couldn’t think about that now. I had to focus on tonight.
I pulled into the driveway and immediately had a sense of foreboding. Thatcher wasn’t here. It was past five. He had promised he’d be here by now. I sat in the car and closed my eyes. “Please don’t do this to me again, Thatcher,” I whispered.
I got out of the car and made my way inside to get ready. My mother’s car was in the driveway as well as that of her long-timehairdresser, Wendy. She’d asked her to come by and give us both an elegant updo for the evening.
I laughed and talked with Mom and Wendy while she did our hair. Mom left, dropping a kiss on my cheek. “Thatcher’s coming, right hon?”
“Of course,” I said with way more conviction than I felt. I pretended not to notice the worry and doubt in Mom’s eyes.
“Alright, sweetie. See you at the club. I can’t wait for tonight. I know it’s going to be just perfect.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I put my makeup on and slipped into my wine-red ballgown. It had a black lace overlay, and I thought it had the perfect mix of elegant for the event while being a little creepy for Halloween. It was after six now. Thatcher was more than an hour late. My hands shook as I picked up my phone to text him.
Me:Are you almost here? I need to leave for the club in about twenty minutes. I really wanted us to arrive together.
I waited, but there was no response. It didn’t show that it had been read, either.
Five minutes later, I called. “Thatch, I hope you’re on your way. I won’t be able to wait on you much longer before going to the club by myself. Ireallywanted us to arrive together. Please call me or text me and let me know what’s going on.”
I waited five more minutes, but he didn’t call me back. I shook my head in disbelief. I didn’t even know why I was surprised anymore.
Me:I’m going to the ball by myself. I hope whatever you’re doing is worth it, Thatch.
Somehow, I knew it wasn’t.
***
