Page 36 of One Forbidden Moment

"Oh, no, no, she's fine," Connie said quickly."I'm calling because someone found your bag on the sidewalk outside.I put it in your mom's room so you can grab it later."

Jillian's knees nearly buckled."My...bag?"

"Yes, dear.Clint Boyer's son found it a few minutes ago and turned it into the office.Since you had just left, I waited a few minutes to give you time to get home before calling.If you want, I can look inside to see if anything is missing, but the Boyer family has such a good reputation.I'm sure everything is there."

A few minutes ago?Why would Connie believe she just left work?

"Thanks for letting me know, and thank Mr.Boyer, too."She hung up, staring at the phone as if it might explode.

Moe moved closer to her."What is it?"

"I'm freaking out," she whispered.

He frowned."What are you talking about?"

She rushed to the living room, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV.The news flickered on.The date flashed in the corner.

Her breath left her in a sharp, broken gasp.She dropped the remote.

"Moe," she whispered, voice trembling."Today is the day you took me to Everstill.So tell me how no time has passed?I walked out of work a half hour ago, yet I was with you in Everstill for months.God, I don't even know how much time has passed at this point."

She turned slowly toward the kitchen.

Toward the banana.

Perfect.Untouched.And not quite ripe to eat.

Chapter 15

Moe

––––––––

Moe couldn't stop staringat the banana on the counter.After everything Jillian told him, he found it hard to believe time hadn't changed during Jillian's absence.

Even in Everstill, where time meant nothing, he recognized each new day, even if he forgot what he'd done the day before.