“Better than anyone else in the world. We could watch a movie, or some television, if you’d like.”
“To be honest with you, I’d rather just sit here and watch night fall on Charlotte. We’re never going to get a view like this again, and I want to memorize it as much as I can.”
“I think that sounds perfect.”
As we sat there in relative silence, I marveled at how lucky I’d been to find someone who matched me so well. There were no awkward silences between us, or words spoken just to fill the emptiness. Zach and I were in sync enough to let those quiet times envelop us, and to enjoy the lack of chatter like the gift that it was. When we went to sleep later that night, I felt as though my center was calm again, just as it had been in Parson’s Valley. It was my new home, and I loved it, but wherever Zach was, that was truly where I belonged, and everything else was just a matter of geography.
WHEN I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, THE BED WAS empty. I started searching for a note or something from my husband when I realized that I’d forgotten all about my scheduled breakfast with Lorna. It was too early to call her, so I’d have to phone her from the road. I’d been looking forward to seeing her again, but if I waited to leave until after we had breakfast and chatted a little, it would cost me too much time. I was sure she’d understand, and if she was free, I’d have to try to reschedule for the next day.
I found Zach in the shower when I walked into the bathroom.
“I thought you’d already be gone,” I said.
“Hey, it’s only seven.”
“I know, but you get obsessed when you’re working, and don’t try to deny it.”
“I went for a run,” Zach admitted. “You know how sometimes it helps clear my head.”
As the shower stopped and I handed him a towel, I asked, “Did you have nightmares again?” When my husband was wrapped up in a case, he often had bad dreams from trying to put himself into a killer’s mind. It was no wonder he reacted that way, though he didn’t want anyone else to know that he wasn’t always the calm, levelheaded guy he presented to the world.
“Yeah, they were pretty tough.” He frowned for a second, then said, “You’ve got a big day today. Breakfast with Lorna, and then a drive to Hickory.”
“I’m canceling breakfast,” I said as I took over the shower. “From the sound of Uncle Thomas’s voice, I’m not delaying my visit by an hour.”
“Are you afraid he’s not telling you everything?”
“He’s a man,” I said. “Most of you seem to be reticent by nature when it comes to talking about your health. I’m amazed he even went to the doctor in the first place. That alone tells me it must be serious.”
“We think we’re bulletproof most of the time,” Zach admitted. “When we’re not, we try to deny it until we can’t.”
“I don’t get you,” I said.
There was no response.
“Zach? Did you hear me?”
From the bedroom, I heard him ask, “Were you talking to me?”
“No, but you could tell me when you leave the room.”
He chuckled. “Sure I could, but what fun would that be?”
I stepped out of the shower, and my husband handed me a towel in turn. “I could get used to this.”
“What, fresh towel service every morning?”
“Sure, that, too, but I mean you handing me a towel every day when I get out of the shower.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said. In the short time I’d been in the shower, my husband had dressed, combed his hair, and was ready for work. He gave me a quick kiss, and then said, “Say hello to Tom for me.”
“I will. Zach, while I’m gone, you be careful, do you hear me?”
“Savannah, what trouble will I be able to get into when I’m locked up in that command center? I’m safer than the mayor up there.”
“Speaking of Grady, are you going to talk to him again today?”
“Why, because our last chat went so well? No, I’m probably not going to brace him again until I have something a little more substantial to say.”
As I dried my hair, I asked, “Do you think you’ll find something on him?”
“You can bet that if it’s there, I’ll find it,” he said.
“I know you will. Not that I’m not flattered, but shouldn’t you be going to work now?”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No way. I just don’t want to keep you from your investigation.”
“It will wait a little bit.”
There was a knock at the door, and I asked my husband, “Were you expecting someone?”
“I called room service while you were in the shower,” he said with a grin. “I thought we could have a quick bite together before you go. What do you think?”
“I think that’s a great idea. Give me a second and I’ll join you.”
I got dressed quickly, and then met Zach out in the living room of the suite. Dining in front of that spectacular
