She sat there, wondering what she could say to make him understand. But the plain truth was, experience had taught her that nothing she said right now would make a difference. “I’m going to call Dad. Do you want to talk to him?”
“Why bother? He can never hear me.”
Cody had a point. Why hadn’t she been more proactive about insisting Phillip get a satellite phone?
Because until the day he’d boarded the plane, Anna had been convinced he wouldn’t go.
“I know the phone service isn’t the best, but maybe tonight—”
Cody tossed his sketch pad and pencil on the table beside his bed and grabbed his iPod. Shoving the tiny earphones in, he scooted down in his bed and punched his pillow until it was a white puff beneath his head. “I’m tired,” he said, pulling up his comforter.
He was shutting her out. Again.
She let out a quiet sigh, not knowing how to break through this barrier he’d erected. She looked at him, wishing he would look back. When he continued to ignore her, she reached out, wanting to hold him like she’d done thousands of times before, back when he was still her little boy. But the moment she reached out, he stiffened and shifted as far away from her as he could.
Silently, she drew her arm back. “Good night, Cody,” she said. “I’ll tell Dad you said hi.” At the door, she paused before turning off his light. “I love you.”
She waited, hoping. But just like too many nights before, he didn’t say “I love you” back.
In her bedroom, Anna turned on the bedside lamp and slipped off her heels. Sighing, she flexed her toes before curling up against the headboard. Stacking several pillows behind her, she reached for the phone. All day she’d been looking forward to this call. She had no idea what time it was in Sri Lanka but didn’t bother to check. Phillip had told her his schedule was crazy and unpredictable, and they worked nearly nonstop. She punched in the long number, and while she waited for the connection, she tried to block out the stilted conversation she’d had with Cody. Why did it seem that every time they talked, she came away feeling like the bad guy?
Finally, a scratchy, unsteady ringing began on the other end. The phone rang several more times, and just when she started to worry he wouldn’t pick up, she heard Phillip’s voice. “Hello.”
“Phillip?” Static filled the line. “Phillip, is that you?”
“H-h-hello . . . can’t hear . . . bad . . .”
“It’s Anna.” Her voice grew louder. “Don’t hang up. Please.” The connection was horrible, but she knew it wouldn’t be any better if she hung up and tried again.
“Ann . . . ?” The word was drawn out and barely audible, but she heard it all the same.
“Yes, it’s me. I have the most amazing news.” She waited, but when she heard nothing but static, she plunged on. “I’ve been appointed Dr. Bernard’s replacement.” She paused again, waited. “Did you hear me, Phillip? I am Dr. Bernard’s replacement.”
“I . . . sorry . . . didn’t hear.”
Anna drew in a deep breath. “Dr. Shephard appointed me as Dr. Bernard’s replacement,” she said again. “It’s a temporary appointment,” she all but shouted, willing her husband to hear. “But we both know that’s only a formality.” She closed her eyes, remembering again the moment in Dr. Shephard’s office. “It’s happened, Phillip. It’s really happened.”
The connection hummed with static. “. . . congr . . . talk another . . .” And then the line went dead.
For the longest time, she didn’t move. Phillip’s last words ran over and over in her mind. Had he heard her?
Yes, she silently told herself. He had. He’d told her congratulations, she was positive. Just like she was positive he would call her tomorrow when he had a better connection.
But he didn’t call. Not the next day, or the day after that. Four nights later, when she got home from work and saw the still untouched coconut cake on the counter, she picked it up and tossed it in the garbage.
EIGHT
Something had gone wrong.
Jared stood on the beach, his boots sinking into the sand, as he watched Jenny. She was at the far end of the dock, near the plane. They had a charter today; a husband and wife on their way to Victoria, B.C., for a long weekend. From the moment the older couple had stepped out of their