memory of it. It was such a shame that they had decided for the sake of propriety to keep moving on, she and Santura. But after all it had been so embarrassing. It was really almost unbearable. She looked back in woeful regret. Would she ever see him again?
Reality came crashing back in upon her with even greater force as her uncle burst into the room. He wasn’t ever one to come crashing or bursting into anything; he was so soft spoken. She knew her reaction of shock was owing solely to her state. Love. Fantasies. Self-absorption. “Oh, hello, uncle,” she said in greeting.
“Greetings, my beloved niece, and her favored friend Santura.” He bowed to them. “Uriel, are you ready for your shadowing lessons today?”
Her heart sank. All she truly wanted to do was to sit in daydreaming speculation about the mysterious Subedei, ponder over their wedding day feast, wonder at the power of his love, dream about the home they might build together. “Oh. Why, yes, uncle. Yes, I am.”
“Good!” he said. “Meet me in the training hut two hours before the evening meal. I have a special wrinkle I wish to throw at you today.” He winked and smiled at her. “I must go. Do not be late, beautiful girl.” He left as suddenly as he had come, pausing only to grab an orange from the wooden bowl that lay perpetually on the table of the house, the wooden bowl that she had gone to the market a fortnight ago to restock with fresh oranges, figs and breadfruit.
She was heartsick. She had to admit it. Ever since that day…she had not felt well. This thing called lovesickness is quite real.
Yet all she wanted was to see him again—and she would. Perhaps I can turn these shadowing lessons to good use…. Perhaps she could sneak out of the city under cover of the trade of the shadower, and search for her man.
Subedei.
CHAPTER VII
Boise, Idaho, present day
“HONEY, I HATE TO do this to you, and especially now, but…” he searched for a way to say what he needed to say. “…But I’ve gotta take another sales trip.”
She didn’t react at all. That was not a good sign. If at least he could get a rise out of her he would feel better, feel like she wasn’t completely overwhelmed with the situation. After more than twenty years of marriage, he knew her well enough to know that.
“Honey? Did you hear what I said?” He knelt down in front of her easy chair. This was her spot in the house. Nobody else sat here. She read her gardening magazines in this chair in the summer, crocheted in this chair when the weather was bad. “It’s out of town…” He placed a hand on her knee.
She snapped out of her trance and looked away from the window, finally meeting his eyes. “What’s that?”
“I said I have to take another sales trip. Out of town.”
Realization dawned upon her features, and her countenance both brightened and fell.
It struck him that she was just as beautiful now, if not more so, than she had been on their wedding day. If beauty was in the eye of the beholder it was mostly up around the eyes, held within the light that dwelt there. It was love, it was intellect, it was…well, it’s kind of saucy. Sometimes.
“I love you. I’m sorry to do this now. But I don’t have much choice when the company comes calling. At least if we want to, ah—” he gestured to the house they had built “—live here. Still.” He felt lame. He found it amazing that she could fluster him with a glance even after all these years.
“Oh,” she responded finally. “Well, it’s okay, hon. I’ll manage.” She didn’t sound very convincing. “How long?”
“Well,” he stood and rubbed his neck with one hand, looking contemplative, hoping she would buy it if he didn’t overact. “It depends on what happens. The executive team will be there, the whole enchilada. The board, some important shareholders…so there’s going to be a meeting of the minds, a strategy session; you know, and then a seminar when some of the more junior sales personnel get there. So it could take a week. Maybe two.... But you might consider calling your sister, honey. Maybe see if you can crash there while I’m gone. I just don’t want you to be all alone right now. With all that’s…that’s going on, you know?”
“Do you think she’s still alive?” she asked