Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,41

frustrated sigh, he directed his attention to his lobster. “Let’s eat. I’m starved.”

This isn’t good, Pam thought to herself. Tom wasn’t the type of man who would abandon his kids. Something very bad must have happened. She wondered if she should push, then decided against it for now. When the direct approach wasn’t working, sometimes the roundabout route led to better results.

“Why don’t we go to Middleton tomorrow?”

Tom ceased chewing.

Before he could speak, she added, “I’ve got at least a month’s worth of vacation time coming to me. Though I can’t take it all at once, I can manage a few days at a time. And one of the doctors owes me some time. He can cover for me over the weekend. We could leave by five and be there sometime after midnight. That would give us two full days.” And plenty of time for me to talk to Rebecca Cartwright, Pam told herself. I’m sure she must know what’s going on.

Pam could see Tom’s inner wheels turning.

“You can leave tomorrow night?”

“Uh-huh.” Somehow. Hello, Lord, I need a favor. Again.

Thoughtfully, Tom set down his fork and settled back in the chair. He took a drink from the water goblet, then replaced it on the table, folded his hands and rested them on his belt. “Let’s get back to the previous conversation. I don’t think you believe my offer is genuine. But it is. I am totally serious about moving up here to be with you. My folks even anticipated it might happen when I mentioned I’d be seeing you again. They know they can hire people to do the work. And I’m sure one of the ambulance companies either here or in Chicago will take me.” He let out a short laugh. “From what I’ve seen these past few days, they’re certainly busy enough.”

Suddenly, Pam didn’t feel like she was being compelled to give up anything in order to have a relationship with him. Nor did she feel frightened about the culprit who was trying to scare her.

“So what do you think?”

She smiled, hoping he could see the sincerity she felt. “Though I must say I’m surprised, I think I believe you. And I know you could get a job here in a second. I’m just not sure it’s the best solution.”

Tom leaned forward and took both her hands in his. “I can’t lose you again, Pam. And I understand now how hard it is for you to be in Middleton.”

Pam gulped. He was right, of course. “I think it could get better, now that I can remember most of what happened.” She removed an envelope from her purse. “But I need a job. I got my rejection letter today.”

“What?” Tom lunged for it.

“Just kidding.” She unfolded the document, allowing him to see the return address: Middleton Medical Center. “It’s a confirmation of their offer.”

“What does it say?”

“Oh, just the typical stuff. But I have a question about the salary.”

“What! It’s almost twice what you’d make at…” Then he looked at her mouth and saw it twitch as she tried to repress a smile. “Oh, yeah. That’s just to entice you to accept the job. I’m sure the letter fails to mention the salary goes down each year after that. That’s just an insider tip. Don’t tell anyone I told you.”

“Why you!” Pam held up a lemon from her water glass and threatened to squirt him.

His responding grin warmed her all over and washed away the years of their separation. At moments like this, she found herself easily admitting that she never stopped loving this man. Before, with no hope of reconciliation, she’d buried the pain of that realization. Now, she reveled in it. Thank you, God, she prayed silently. Thank you for bringing us back together. And please, help us not to lose each other ever again.

“So what do you think the solution should be?” he asked, intently.

“Your life is there.” And your children, she added silently. “And I’ve got a great job there.”

“And this nut case? What about him? If he took the trouble to get inside your hotel room, and now called your home telephone number, I don’t think we should underestimate him. I want to expose this guy before he can do anything else. And I don’t want you in danger in the meantime.”

Pam agreed. “Thank you, but I think that’s the point. If he found my number, which I thought was unlisted, then he can easily find out where I live.” She shrugged. “So you