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| Meg sat across from her friend. "How are you doing, Loren?" "I've been better," the former Navy lieutenant responded. "Did you see the love of your life?" "Yeah," Meg said, glaring at her. "Why didn't you tell me he was married with children?" Loren shrugged. "I wanted you to see for yourself." "Why was I such an idiot?" Meg cried. "Tell me, Loren! Why!?" "I don't know. Harmon Rabb has everyone wrapped around his little finger," Loren said. "He's good looking, but what he sees in that Marine is beyond me." Meg shook her head. "She seemed all right to me." "Ha! You just don't know her that well." Loren's eyes lit up like a child on Christmas. "I have an idea!" "What?" Meg asked, eyeing her warily. "You're good with a computer, right?" Meg nodded, still not certain where her friend was going with this. "So send an anonymous e-mail to Mac telling her that you know Harm is cheating on her." Meg was not happy with the idea. "No way, Loren!" she exclaimed. Loren grinned evilly, taking a sip of her water. Meg regarded her friend. "I just don't know if I could do it to him." "Sure you can, Meg! Who knows, Harm just might come running into your arms!" ************** Evelyn was quiet as Mac drove home. She glanced over at her daughter when they came to a red light. "Evie...?" "I'm having the nightmares when I'm awake now. I was walking to my locker when I saw someone trying to shoot me. Dad jumped in the way and he died... to protect me!" Mac smiled sadly. "Your father would do that for anyone, you know that, honey." "I know." The two were silent as Mac drove through the green light. "Mom, when did you know Dad was in love with you?" "Oh God, Evie, that story could take hours!" The two shared a laugh, oblivious that, in the next two hours, their family was going to be torn apart. ************* "Daddy, will you play a game with me?" "I can't right now, Nicholas, I have to get this paperwork finished." Nicholas pouted, looking up at him. His brown eyes were just like Mac's, and he could never refuse her. "All right, Sport. What do you want to play?" "I wanna be like Chris and Trisha!" he exclaimed. Harm smiled. "I see, you're ready to take karate, are you?" Nicholas nodded. "I have to pick them up in an hour, do you want me to sign you up for lessons?" "Really?" "Yeah," Harm replied. Nicholas hugged his dad then rushed upstairs. "So much for that game." "We're home!" Mac called. Evelyn followed her inside and went straight to Harm, hugging him tightly. Harm hugged her back, looking at Mac. Her eyes communicated everything he needed to know. "I love you, Evie." "I love you too, Daddy." ************* Mac realized that she hadn't checked her e-mail in a few days and did so. She found a note from Harriet regarding the Admiral's retirement party. 'We're going to have to hold it at a huge hall. I think there's going to be an overflow of people. Have you and Harm decided who's going to give the big speech? Oh, and how many bottles of champagne? Do we want a sit down or buffet dinner? Buffet dinners are cheaper, but sit down dinners are more formal. Although, Admiral Chegwidden hates to have to wear a dress uniform. Are you free to get together this weekend? I have many more things we'll need to discuss. I'll see you soon! ~Harriet' Mac replied saying that this weekend was going to be the perfect time to get together. Harm was off work and he'd be able to watch the children. Hitting send, Mac glanced at her inbox. There was one e-mail left and it was from an unknown sender. Curiosity got the better of her and she opened it: 'Sarah Mackenzie, you don't know who I am, but I know you. I hate to have to say this to you, but your husband is not who he seems. It's hard to believe that after so many years a man can change. Your husband is sleeping with my best friend. They've been together for a about a year and half now. I'm not giving you names, but I think you have a right to know that your husband is unfaithful. Sincerely, a friend.' |
