The Wife He Left Behind novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The Porch

I took my time unhooking the chain.

Behind me, Stellan had stepped into the shadow beside the coat rack.

I held up a hand to tell him to stay.

Then I opened the door and walked out onto the porch and pulled it shut behind me.

Tobias stood on the top step in his navy overcoat.

He had his key in one hand and a bunch of grocery-store roses in the other.

He looked wonderful.

He looked rested, and sorry.

"Cas," he said. "Surprise."

"You're in Singapore."

"I got an early flight." He smiled. "I landed at six.

"I couldn't stand it any longer, not after that call.

"I came straight from the airport."

"Which airline?"

"What?"

"Which airline did you fly?"

He laughed, and it came out a little late.

"You're funny. Singapore Airlines. Can I come in? It's freezing."

"What time did it land?"

"I just told you."

"Six. At Sea-Tac."

"Right."

"Then your suitcase is in the car," I said.

He turned his head, very slightly, toward the street.

The sedan was parked at the curb.

The back window was clear and empty, and so was the seat.

"The airline held it," he said. "Lost baggage. It's coming tomorrow."

"All fourteen hours of it."

"Cassia." His voice dropped. He stepped closer and lowered the roses. "I heard what happened at the office."

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Wife He Left Behind from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.