The Atonement (The Arrangement, #3)(11)

“I know. We’ve been slow, and I’ve been wanting to talk to you anyway.”

I froze, my breathing hitching. “Yeah?” I knew what she was going to say before she’d said it. Before she’d ever spoken a word. I recognized that nervous look in her eye; it was one I’d seen before, and it never brought good news.

She sank into the chair in front of my desk as I tucked the money away. “I, um, I hate to do this right now, because I know you’re not officially here, but…I need to put in my notice.”

“You’re quitting?”

She gave a guilty chuckle, rubbing her stomach again as if to remind me of it. “I’m sorry. It’s just…we’ve always planned for me to stay home once we have kids. I thought I’d still work through my pregnancy, but at my last appointment, my blood pressure was a little high. They’re talking about putting me on bed rest if I can’t get it down and, well, Joel is really worried about my stress levels. It took us so long to actually get pregnant. I just don’t want to mess this up.” She had tears in her eyes as she said the last sentence, making the guilt I was already feeling swell to double its size.

“Of course.” I put a hand out across the desk, patting the wood thoughtfully. “I understand.” Though it was the worst possible timing in the world, I did understand. I cared about Tara. I’d known her for years, and at one time, I’d considered her a close friend.

“I’m going to miss this place.” She glanced around the room sadly, sniffling.

“Well, would you rather use FMLA leave for a few weeks to see how you feel? I can help you put in that request.”

“No. If I use up that time, I wouldn’t have it around for after the baby’s born. It’s only twelve weeks, and I still have a long time to go. Plus, if something were to happen and I had to get put in the hospital, I’d run out of time and lose my job anyway. It’s not worth the risk. I’d rather just put in my notice now, so I don’t have to stress about coming back before I’m ready.”

“I understand.” I paused, tapping my finger against the desktop. “I’m really happy for you.”

A deep smile spread across her lips. “Thank you.”

“Okay, well, are you putting in a full two weeks?”

“Yeah. Two weeks from today is fine. I’ve already been training Brendan on my reports and LeAnn has been helping with shipments, so the two of them can train whoever comes in next.”

I nodded, a wave of heat washing over me like air from a dryer. Life never stopped, did it? Not even when your world was ending. “Okay. Perfect. Thanks, Tara. Just…um…” I couldn’t think straight. “Just be sure to send me an email and CC Jenn from HR on it, so we officially have it in writing.” I paused. “You’re on Joel’s insurance, aren’t you?”

“I will be, once I leave. His company will only let him add me if I’m uninsured.”

“Good.” I tried to slow my breathing as my head throbbed. “Great. Okay, then.”

“Okay.” She stood, patting her legs. “I’ll, uh, I’ll see you next week, right? We can talk more.”

“Mhm.” I couldn’t say any more, couldn’t correct her. The stress coursing through me was making it difficult to catch my breath. Training a new teller was going to be hard enough, but training someone to do all of the head teller responsibilities would take weeks, if not months. I had no time at all if I was going to miss all of the next two weeks, but what choice did I have?

At one point, I’d summoned the strength to work through a literal murder investigation, but I couldn’t do that this time. My children needed me too badly.

I closed out my email and stood from my desk, picking up my purse and double-checking that the envelope of cash was still there.

I needed to take care of my children.

For now, the rest would have to wait.





CHAPTER EIGHT





PETER





I checked off a list of possibilities for where my wife might be. She was home now, that much was obvious, so the list of places I’d need to check was growing smaller.

I drove to Glennon and Seth’s first, though I didn’t truly believe she’d be naive enough to go there. But maybe… No doubt she still thought I was seeking her out in Florida, or on my way back up the same path she’d traveled.

Seth and Glennon’s was as empty as it had been for months. Ainsley’s car wasn’t in the bank parking lot, and the school secretary said the kids weren’t there.

The list was dwindling.

She had nowhere to go. Nowhere to run to.

No family she could count on.

Thanks to me, her only friends were now halfway across the country.

I was it.

She needed me.

And soon enough, I’d get her to admit that.

I’d checked the bank account that morning—the credit cards, too—but there were no new transactions. No hotel or restaurant charges. Wherever she was, she was lying low. I had to respect that.

But soon enough, I’d find her.

I was a bloodhound on her scent, and I’d run myself ragged until she was home with me. And she would be home with me. Once she’d calmed down. Once her fit had been thrown and her anger had subsided.