Her Reluctant Husband by Erica Marselas (summer beach reads txt) 📗

“Ms. Gandy, I don’t think I can wait.”

“Unfortunately, right now, she isn’t in any shape to talk to you.”

“Isn’t space the problem? I pushed her away for five years.

“And you know what? A few days or maybe just a night isn’t going to hurt. You also need it to get your thoughts together. Think of what you need to say.”

“Is she safe? From Deacon at least. I read that note he sent her, and he told me he was coming…”

“Oh, she’s safe. She’s with Maggie and a couple of the other girls she works with at my house right now. And also, Earl.”

“Who is Earl?”

“My shotgun.”

14ALEX

“June?” I call out into a dark hallway, I hear her screams. They’re loud, but at the same time feel so far away. “June, where are you?”

I find a door with numbers on it and twist the knob. A bright light momentarily blinds me, and the screaming ceases. “Ju?”

“Alex, so nice of you to join the party.” Deacon cackles. “I have something for you.”

June is tied to a bed, naked and bleeding. There’s so much blood.

“No!” I rush to her. She’s limp “June, open your eyes,” I beg her.

“She shouldn’t have opened her mouth.” Deacon laughs as I hold her lifeless body in my arms. “Now she’s just like your sister.”

I wake up with a start, the sound of my heart pumping through my ears. I toss the sheet off my legs which are drenched in my sweat. That motherfucking dream felt too real. Everything I’ve read and learned, lumped together in a short scene. The thought of losing her feels like I woke up without my soul. No wonder June doesn’t fucking sleep.

And I know this isn’t even close to the hell she sees.

I need to go see her.

Fuck time. I don’t have it. Who knows what tomorrow brings.

I roll out of June’s bed, put back on the same clothes I was wearing yesterday, and head out the door. I’m halfway to Ms. Gandy’s when my phone rings and Mr. Hayes’ name appears on the screen. Shit. I debate answering it. I have enough on my plate, but fuck it, let’s kick me again while I’m already down. “Mr. Hayes, good morning. How are you?”

“Alexander, you left the picnic,” he says simply, giving nothing away.

“Mr. Hayes, sir, I’m sorry. Something came up with June and I had to go.”

“It’s okay, son. Whitney told me your wife got really sick suddenly and you needed to take her home.”

She did? I expected Whitney to throw me under the bus.

“Yeah. She did and I didn’t feel right leaving her alone.”

“I agree. Family always comes first. And speaking of, is there a chance you might be announcing another surprise?” he chuckles heartily.

“Oh, no. No," I say quickly. “It was just a nasty bug, sir.”

He laughs, I’m sure at my fright. “Well, I hope it wasn’t from anything she ate at the picnic. I was calling to check in and let you know I went ahead and announced your promotion anyway. I wanted to call last night, but I figured you were busy. The news was already buzzing. Everyone is excited.”

“You did?” I ask, as I pull up to Ms. Gandy’s house and kill my engine.

“Of course. It would have been nice for you to be there, but again, I understand. Monday we can do something.”

“Yeah, Monday,” I say, but right now, looking at the little blue house where my wife is, I can’t focus on my job or the days ahead till I fix what really matters.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, sir. Just at the store getting her some meds,” I lie.

“Alright. Well, take care of her and we will chat later.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hayes.”

I end the call and throw my phone in the center console before getting out of my truck. I run up to Ms. Gandy’s door and knock rapidly. Through the side window, I see the curtain pull back and a wisp of gray hair peek through before it shuts again. Thankfully, seconds later the door swings open and Ms. Gandy stands before me in her blue robe.

“Alex, good morning.” She tightens the belt around her robe.

“I need to talk to her. Please.”

“She went to work.”

Work? I glance at my watch and it’s only nine. I don’t remember her ever going in this early.

“Work? Is she out of her mind? With Deacon around?”

“She’s not alone and she’s safe there. The girls needed to go over a recital that’s happening next weekend.”

“Does she have your shotgun on her?”

Ms. Gandy laughs. “No, but she has Annabelle and Sasha around her. She swears Deacon won’t do anything with other people around.”

I spin around when Ms. Gandy calls me back. “Yeah?”

“Weren’t you wearing that yesterday?”

I shrug.

She shakes her head. “Well, you need to brush your hair and maybe wash up your face. You still look like crap. Did you sleep?”

I have no idea what time I passed out before I was awoken from that shit nightmare, but I’m sure the sun was peeking back through the clouds again before sleep found me.

“Did June?” I tilt my head.

“Well, it's just bad enough your clothes are wrinkled. She at least knows how to put herself together.” She winks. “Just behave.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I arrive at Kat’s dance studio and see the three girls from the window in the middle of a dance routine. Fuck, she looks good. I shake off where my mind was headed and walk in; the bell on the door announces me. All three heads turn to me, and I hear June cuss under her breath. Annabelle moves to cut the music, as June grabs her towel.

“I’m not