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his brow, and almost gouged his eye with the keys in his hand. He swore, and tossed
them on the seat.
"I'm okay, really Derek." She sounded a bit calmer. "Just talking to you is helping
me. You're a good friend."
Friend? Oh hell no. It took an act of God to keep from growling into the phone. He
took a deep breath, and kept his voice steady. "Are you really okay? Do you feel safe
with him?"
She laughed, a short dry sound. "He's my husband."
"Has he ever hurt you?" Okay, so he was reaching, but she didn't answer right away,
which made him wonder.
"I should go& "
"Has he?" That would explain her reluctance to get close to a man. By God, if Max
laid one hand on her, he would rip each one of them off of his wrists.
"No, of course not."
"You said he was upset about the clock." His car was hotter than hell, so he started it
up and cranked the air conditioning.
"Yes, he was upset, but he didn't hurt me. He has never touched me. I promise."
Derek believed her, but he'd still like to tear him apart. "You can call me any time
you know. Day or night."
"I& "
"You know I won't be able to sleep tonight. I already miss you."
"Derek don't. Don't make it harder on me."
"I love you, Kara. I can't make that go away just by not saying it out loud."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't think I could ever do anything to hurt you, and now& "
"No," he interrupted. "This isn't your fault. Don't you dare start building up that wall
of guilt to hide behind again." He sucked in a lung full of icy air. "I'm not giving you up.
I love you, and I could never & never & walk away from you Kara." He left the most
important words unsaid. Max had walked away. He didn't know the circumstances of her
husband's disappearance, but she had to remember that he made a choice, and left her.
Put her through her own personal hell.
"I know you have a lot to think about," he continued into the silent phone. "I'm not
going to push. I'm a pretty patient guy, you know that."
"I know." Her voice was quiet, almost like it got when she curled up beside him and
went to sleep.
"I won't call you, but I want you to call me whenever you can. I'll drop everything to
come to you."
"I miss you already."
He barely heard her, but he closed his eyes in deep pleasure at her words, as if by
keeping them shut he could keep her sentiment in his ears for a moment longer. "I miss
you too my love, but I'm here. Always."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You sound sleepy. Go on to bed. Call me from work tomorrow if you can."
"I can't go to bed yet. I have to call Casey."
"Your boss? Why?"
"The clock. I need to get it back for Max. I never should have given it away. I feel
terrible."
What the hell is up with the damn clock? "Don't feel bad. You didn't know it meant
so much to him."
"Yeah."
"Will you call me tomorrow?" So much for not pushing.
"I'll try."
"Please do. I love you, Kara."
She didn't answer, until Derek's jaw ached from clenching his teeth. "Good night
Derek."
Shit. "Good night."
She didn't hang up immediately, so Derek held on to the phone like it was his
lifeline, waiting for her to say something. Finally, with a quiet sob, she disconnected.
Shit. Holy God damned mother fucking shit.
He pounded his fists against the steering wheel. He replayed their conversation over
and over as the car hummed and the air blew in his face. She didn't exactly tell him it was
over. But then she didn't exactly tell him he had a chance in hell either. He pictured her
sitting on her couch, curled up with that blue afghan that her great grandmother
crocheted. Her eyes would be red, there would be a box of Kleenex by her side, and the
little wicker trash can by her feet, because she'd never just pile the dirty tissues together.
Maybe she'd even fall asleep on the couch. After calling Casey.
Derek shut off his car and got out. There was something about that clock that just
wasn't right. If he'd been away from his wife from Kara especially wouldn't the
whereabouts of a clock be the last thing on his mind when he returned home?
Derek walked back inside his house, and threw himself into his easy chair. The more
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