Chapter 12

"Jed, are you awake?"

He moved sluggishly, trying to place the voice. 'Who? Oh.'

He opened his eyes to see Abbey standing next to the bed.

"What time is it?"

"Three fifteen. Were you asleep?"

'Of course, jackass,' he thought.

But he responded, "No, just taking a short nap."

"I'm sorry. I just had to talk to you, especially after all that has happened." The tears he knew would come had started in earnest.

He sat up and pulled his wife into a tight hug. "Shhh, Abbey, its okay. It'll be fine. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. I promise you. I promise you."

After a few minutes, he shifted positions and she stood up again. "Jed, I shouldn't have ever doubted your love. Not for a second. Let me change clothes and then we'll talk." She turned and went into the bathroom.

Jed lay in bed, listening to the blissful sounds of a spouse home again. Where she should be at a time like this.

Just as his eyes were about to close again, he felt the bed give way as Abbey laid down and moved to cuddle next to him.

"I'm so sorry, Jed. I never should have doubted you. Can you forgive me?" She leaned up to give a kiss on the cheek.

As her chest rubbed against his body, his body wanted something else. But this was not the time. 'Funny,' he thought, 'how a man's body can grow as fond as his heart during his wife's absence.'

"Abbey, this is a sick joke played by someone who doesn't like us. For whatever reason, only God knows. It's not your fault. It's not mine. I promise you I will find out who this is and make him pay. I promise you, sweetheart. Now, let's get some sleep." He leaned over and kissed her. He only hoped the rest of his body would allow him some sleep as well.

The phone rang at six, the usual wake-up call. Their two bodies were still entangled so he had to move carefully to get to the phone.

Whispering, he answered, "Yeah, Charlie, I'm up. Abbey's asleep so I'll be out shortly." He gently moved Abbey's limbs so he could get out without disturbing her. A quick shower and dressing finished his routine.

Abbey was still sound asleep as he made his way out of the bedroom. 'She needs her rest. This hasn't been easy for her either,' he thought as he quietly closed the door, Charlie meeting him with a cup of hot coffee in his hands.

"Thanks. It was a quick night," as he took a sip. He noted Charlie's expression and laughed. "No, Charlie. Not that kind of night. Although I must say, it would have been nice."

"Sir, that's too much information."

"Yes, Charlie. It is. Now, what's next?"