Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(98)

Relief flooded through her and she sank into the nearest chair. “Thank God.” On the heels of her relief came another realization. If he wasn’t hurt, then something else was wrong.

“I made coffee,” Teri said.

Standing, Christie followed her into the kitchen. “Just tell me.”

Teri exhaled noisily. “He resigned.”

“What do you mean, he resigned? Resigned from what?”

Teri met her gaze. “His job, Christie. James is no longer employed by Bobby.”

It took her a moment to grasp Teri’s words. As she stared at her sister, Teri poured a mug of coffee and handed it to her.

Christie accepted it automatically. “So he doesn’t want to drive Bobby around anymore. That’s not the end of the world, is it?” Okay, fine, the word was out that James had once been a chess prodigy, the same as Bobby. Big deal. It would be news for a couple of days, and then interest would fade and life would go back to normal. And if James decided he was finished with working for Bobby, it shouldn’t be held against him.

Teri continued to watch her. “You haven’t heard from him, have you?”

“No…” Christie hadn’t worried about it, though—until now.

“What did he say the last time you spoke?”

Christie reviewed his brief voice mail. “Basically he told me he was going away for a little while.” He hadn’t said exactly when he planned to return. The assumption that he’d be back by Christmas was hers, and hers alone. She took the first sip of coffee and realized her sister had made it extra-strong. The bitter taste jolted her.

“Bobby’s devastated,” Teri told her. “What James did is a stab in the back.”

“Isn’t that a bit extreme?” Christie’s hackles went up.

“No, it’s not,” Teri said in a sharp voice. “Bobby’s been his friend all these years and then James turns tail and runs, and Bobby’s stuck dealing with all the reporters. He doesn’t deserve this.”

Christie hadn’t thought of it that way.

“To quit like that, too,” Teri muttered angrily.

“Like what?”

“He didn’t even speak to Bobby. He wrote a letter, in which he said his resignation was effective immediately. Then he walked away without a word to either of us. We don’t even know where he is. Bobby’s been worried sick. He’s afraid James might’ve had another breakdown, but I doubt it. His actions are too calculated, too planned.”

Christie straightened. Her inclination was to defend James—but her sister had a point. It occurred to her that James had purposely phoned when he knew she’d be at work. He hadn’t wanted to talk to her—and now…

“James will be back,” she said. The alternative was impossible. Unbearable.

“I don’t think so,” Teri murmured.

“Why would you say that?” Christie asked, finding it hard to hold on to her temper. James was hiding somewhere, until everything was quiet again. She refused to believe he’d simply walk out, just disappear from their lives. He wasn’t like that. Other men were. Not James. He loved her. He loved Bobby and Teri, too. They were his family. He’d said as much.

Not only that, she’d bared her soul to him. She’d told him things she’d never told another human being. He’d shared a little of his own life, too. He’d told her about the trauma in his childhood, the pressure he’d endured from his parents and chess coach. The breakdown that had ended his career. Again and again he’d told her of his deep gratitude to Bobby.

“James would never leave Bobby,” Christie declared.

Even if he could walk away from her, he wouldn’t forsake his dearest friend. James was intensely loyal to both Bobby and Teri.

“I used to think that, too,” Teri admitted hoarsely.

“He’ll be back,” Christie said again. “He might need a few days or weeks to sort everything out, but in the end he’ll realize this is his home and we’re his family.” She included herself, unable to accept that he’d turn away from her like so many other men had. He wouldn’t. He just wouldn’t. Not after everything she’d told him. Because James wouldn’t intentionally hurt her that way.

Teri didn’t respond.

“You don’t believe he’ll be back?” Christie challenged.

“I wish I could.”

“Listen, this might come as a shock, but I think I should tell you. James and I are in love.”

“I know,” Teri said without any enthusiasm.

“You know?”

“Good grief, Christie, I’ve known it for weeks, even before the kidnapping.”

That was interesting, because Christie hadn’t been aware of her own feelings until recently.

“It was so obvious,” Teri went on.

Christie put her coffee on the counter. She wasn’t really in the mood for it, anyway. When she turned back, she saw that Bobby had come into the kitchen.

“Hi, Bobby,” she said, greeting him in a cheerful voice.

He blinked at her as if he couldn’t quite place who she was.

“It’s Christie,” she said, bringing her hand to her throat. “Teri’s sister.”

“Yes, I know.” He seemed puzzled that she’d felt the need to identify herself.