Page 59 of Don’t Open Your Eyes

Annabelle felt backed into a corner, but she didn’t have a logical argument for her daughter, so she simply nodded. “All right. As long as Avery’s parents are okay with having you another weekend.” She paused. “Such an imposition.” She grinned.

“Yeah. I’m the worst!”

“All right. I’d better go and see what Dad’s up to. Love you.” She kissed Scarlett on the cheek and left.

As Annabelle approached the bedroom she heard James’s voice. She didn’t know why, but something made her hang back and listen, her back to the wall next to the bedroom door.

“This is all your fault,” James hissed, sounding angry. Who was he talking to? A few seconds later he spoke again. “You’d better figure something out and fast! And don’t call me when I’m home.”

She walked in. “Hey, were you on the phone?” She made her voice breezy.

He looked up, startled, then smiled. “Hi, babe.” He waved a hand. “A patient with a question. So tell me about your trip.” He clicked the remote and turned the television off.

She was sure he would never speak to a patient that way. “You sounded angry, James. What’s going on?”

He stood up and pulled her to him. “It’s nothing. Boundary issues, that’s all. Welcome home. Come sit.”

Annabelle looked at him a moment longer. Whatever it was, clearly, he wasn’t going to tell her. “Let me go wash up first.”

James was reading when she came out, and she took a seat on the love seat in their room. He put his book down and gave her his attention. “I don’t like it when you’re gone over the weekend. Seems like you’re working more now that you turned down the promotion than you were before. Maybe you should take some time off.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t like you jetting off with some man. I looked him up. He looks like a player.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? And I wasn’t jetting off with some man. It’s work. What’s up with you? You’re not normally the jealous type.” Annabelle had to fight to keep her tone even.

His voice rose. “Things are falling apart here. The girls need you. I can’t do everything around here.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that. What happened to ‘you’ll support me whatever’?”

“You’re gone too much. It’s like you don’t even care about the family anymore.” James stood up and began to pace, his breath coming in short spurts. “I’ve been patient and supportive. But I’m at my wit’s end! Take a damn break! It won’t kill you.”

Annabelle’s mouth dropped open. What was going on? He’d never spoken to her like this before. “James, calm down. It was one weekend! You’re gone a hell of a lot more than I am.”

Like a switch, he deflated. “I’m sorry. The truth is, I need you. You’ve been distant lately. I guess I’m feeling a little insecure.”

“Well, it’s not attractive.” She knew her words would wound him, but she didn’t care. “If I’ve been distant, maybe it’s because you did an end run around me with Scarlett. We’re supposed to be on the same team.” Why was she using sports metaphors now? Riggs must be rubbing off on her.

He clenched his jaw. “Not this again. You can’t blame me for that. You were being unreasonable. All I’m asking is for you to take some time off. Let someone else follow this guy around the country.”

The heat rose to her face. “Enough, James. I’m not taking time off right now. I’m beat. I’m going to sleep.” She wanted to end the conversation before it got heated again. His extreme mood swing made her think again of that horrible dream, and there was a part of her that was nervous.

Suddenly he was the old James again, conciliatory, protective. “I’m sorry, babe. I just worry about you. How’s your anxiety?”

Annabelle tensed. “Just because I was worried about Scarlett’s trip doesn’t mean I’m anxious. Some people worry a bit more than others. It’s not abnormal. Stop treating me like I’m one of your patients.” She got into bed and turned on her side away from him. Then she sat up again. “Scarlett told me she’s not joining us next weekend. That’s a shame. I was looking forward to some family time.”

“I was, too, but she’s getting older, and we can’t expect her to spend all her weekends with us. Besides, it’s for school, and that’s important.”

“Let’s do Port Jeff instead. That way it can be a day trip. To be honest, the last thing I want to do right now is spend another night away from home.”

“That sounds fine,” he said as he slid in next to her and turned off the lamp. He moved toward her and began to stroke her arm. He must be kidding.

She pushed him away. “I’m exhausted, James.”

“Got it,” he said, moving over to his side of the bed.

She closed her eyes and drifted off.