Husband by Choice

He was doing what he had to do to take care of his family.

If Smith had Meri, would he kill her for having married another man?

“Mama home.” Caleb lay still, watching him.

“She’ll be home soon, son,” Max said, scooting the little body up and over so that his head lay on Max’s pillow. He flipped off the light he’d turned on upon coming into the room, and climbed into bed beside his son.

Chantel was using her police skills and resources to look for Meri. She’d promised him that she’d find her. They’d talk again in the morning, just as they had every day since Meri’s disappearance.

Tonight, he would do what Meri would do if she were there. He’d cuddle their son for her.

And find strength and solace in sleep.

But as Caleb snuggled into Max’s chest and the little boy’s breathing evened out, Max lay wide-awake in bed beside him.

Caleb had just had his first nightmare.

And his mother had not only missed it, she’d caused it.

* * *

JENNA DIDN’T ATTEND Sunday morning service. She went to the library instead to do more reading. To get into the mind-set of the abuser so she’d know how to approach Steve.

She had to convince him that it was in his best interest to let her go. The question was, how did she do that without getting herself killed?

If it were easy, or clear, she’d already have done it. She knew the risk she was taking. Had a pretty good idea the chances of her getting out alive weren’t in her favor.

But he’d pushed her as far as she could go. This wasn’t just about her and Steve anymore.

When the hour grew decent enough for a phone call, she went for a walk on the property—acres and acres of lushly landscaped colorful gardens and perfectly manicured lawns—pulled her untraceable pay-by-minute cell phone from the edge of her bra where she was now storing it, and dialed a number she knew by heart, waited for the machine to answer and said, “Yvonne?”

Olivia’s mother wouldn’t pick up an unknown number. “This is Meredith. I’m going to call back in a couple of minutes. Talk soon.”

She walked, head down, not wanting to engage in conversation with anyone. She waited a few minutes and then called back. Yvonne’s three-year-old daughter was going to be having surgery and would need to learn how to swallow again. Jenna had already started the little girl on exercises that would facilitate that learning.

“Meredith?” The woman sounded breathless as she picked up on the first ring.

“Yes.”

“I... Someone came to the house the other day, a policeman. He was asking about you. I’ve been worried sick.”

“I wouldn’t let you and Olivia down,” Jenna said, walking, turning her head as someone passed, staying in constant motion so that she wouldn’t be overheard.

“I was worried about you!”

“I’m fine, Yvonne. No need to worry.” Yvonne had enough problems of her own—she was still being hounded by an abusive ex who had already violated his

restraining order once, in addition to dealing with her little girl’s medical issues—and Jenna didn’t want to add to them.

Or set a wrong example, as she’d almost done with Renee the day before. She was going to have to be very careful. Sisters in victimhood watched each other, watched out for each other, learned from each other—all part of that which made recovery possible.

She couldn’t betray that sisterhood. Couldn’t have one of the other women following in her footsteps as she headed out to confront her abuser on her own.

And still, she knew she was on her own right course. “Is Olivia still on for surgery next week?” she asked, nervous about being on the phone at all. She couldn’t be traced. She knew that. But still...

“Yes, Tuesday at nine a.m. I just got confirmation on Friday morning. Are you home?”

“No, I’m not. And...I’m not going to be. Listen, Yvonne, I want to help you, as I promised I would.” Olivia was due to have reconstructive surgery to repair a bone in her jaw that was broken when her father shoved her mother while Yvonne was holding Olivia. “I want to do Olivia’s throat therapy after surgery. She trusts me and we’ve worked through the exercises so while someone else could certainly take over, I think I’ll be the most effective at getting the quickest results and giving her the best chance for complete recovery.”