Chapter 1
"I've lost them, Jed. I've lost my rings."
"Abbey, they have to be here somewhere. When did you last have them?"
"Last night, just before bedtime. You know I take them off before bed."
"Well, they have to be here somewhere. Keep looking and have the staff help you as well."
Jed turned to Abbey to kiss her goodbye and saw the tears running down her face. "Babe, they're here. Don't worry. I love you." A second brief kiss and Jed was gone.
Abbey stared at the closing door. Then she sat down on the edge of the bed and cried some more. There was no way she could have lost her wedding rings. No way. So where were they?
She got up and started searching again. Looking under the bed, in the drawers, everywhere she could think of. No luck.
The door opened. "Ma'am, you have to leave in ten minutes." Lili, her chief of staff, was reminding her that she was expected to depart for a week-long trip in a matter of minutes.
"Yes, Lili. Just a few more minutes, please. I'm looking for something."
Lili quietly shut the door.
But the few more minutes made no difference. As hard as Abbey looked, she couldn't find them.
She felt so naked without her rings. The ones that Jed had given her at their twentieth wedding anniversary, repledging his love to her again exactly as he did at their original ceremony. In fact, this particular set of rings meant more to her that the original did. The newer set confirmed Jed's love for her and his desire to be with her forever.
The door reopened and Lili struck in her head. "Ma'am, you have to go now or you'll throw the schedule off completely."
"Damn!"
"Yes, Ma'am." Lili didn't budge.
Abbey sighed and turned to leave. She would leave notice with the staff to look for them. Abbey walked out of the bedroom with slumped shoulders. She had never been without her wedding rings. Never.
But she had responsibilities right now. Reluctantly, she had to leave.