Chapter 7
An audible whimper escaped from Kendall's entire body as she moved quickly into the arms of her husband. They held each other tightly without exchanging any words. Ethan, Simone, and Greenlee remained silent, feeling like peeping tom's witnessing a private moment. After several moments, Zach and Kendall pulled out of their embrace. Kendall began to speak but tears were rolling down her cheeks. Zach, in a whisper only Kendall could hear, "Sshh, darling, I am so glad you are OK. I was so worried." As he gently wiped away the tears flowing down her face.
Kendall was startled and repeated his words loud enough for their audience to hear. "What? I don't understand. Zach, your car. The driver, was killed. The medical examiner, I was suppose to identify…Ethan?" As Kendall was speaking she got her first look at Zach, he was rumbled and disheveled, which was highly irregular. It looked as though he slept in his clothes, and he needed to shave.
Ethan spoke up at that point, "Zach, you said you would explain." Kendall looked from Zach to Ethan and back again confused.
"Ethan" Zach, looking over his wife's shoulder acknowledging his son's presence. Zach began to explain the previous evening's events to Kendall. "I got through to Ethan's cell phone just as you left him at the medical examiners office." Zach led Kendall to a loveseat against the windows. Once they were both seated, he took her hand in his and continued his explanation. "I was in New York on business, I took a helicopter from the casino. A casino employee was driving my car back to the Pine Valley Airport, so I could have it when I flew back today."
Kendall was relieved but the details were making her head spin. Zach noticed Kendall's discomfort and took action. "Give me your keys, I'll drive us home." Kendall was being guided by Zach's firm, warm embrace, hearing only the words "us" and "home." Before Kendall knew it, they were in her car racing towards the condo complex. Zach was driving while Kendall held his right hand with both of her hands. Leaning back into the passenger seat, the fatigue of the last 18 hours washed over Kendall.
After parking the car, Zach and Kendall entered her dark condo. Zach directed Kendall towards the couch, while he retrieved drinks from the kitchen, before joining Kendall. Kendall immediately cuddled into his broad strong chest. Lazily running a finger in circles on Zach's chest Kendall purred, "Continue the story."
Zach couldn't put together a coherent thought, focusing instead on Kendall's touch. "Um," physically shaking his head to clear his thoughts "The meetings ran late. I decided to check into a hotel and fly back in the morning. In the room I turned on the TV, the report lacked many details. They reported that in Pine Valley, a Casino owner's late-model luxury sedan was crushed by a delivery truck. All I could think about was how I insisted you buy the sedan as opposed to the roadster. I had myself convinced that it was your car and you were the driver. I tried you at home, at the casino, on your cell phone. I couldn't get through to you. I rushed to the airport and took the first flight to Pine Valley." After Zach breathlessly finished the story, Kendall raised her head until their eyes met. Kendall softly laid her hand against his cheek. Zach reciprocated the gesture, noticing only then how puffy Kendall's eyes were. A pang of guilt rushed through Zach thinking of the tears shed by Kendall. He placed his hand over Kendall's, turned his head and brushed her palm with his warm lips.
"C,mon" Zach motioned for Kendall to get off the couch. Kendall confused, rose to her feet in front of the couch.
Zach rose, gently taking Kendall hand, leading Kendall…"Where are we going?" Kendall asked in almost a whisper.
With determination and a strong stride Zach replied, "To bed."