Chapter 34
Simeon finished his email to Pastor Mateo, confirming details for his and Abigail’s arrival in Ba?os de Agua Santa. He couldn’t wait to reintroduce Abigail to everything they had fallen in love with in Ecuador. Including each other. Only a few more days . . .
But first he had to get through the next appointment. He’d been dreading it all week. But he had to tell Wendy that she’d crossed a line, mentioning the divorce to Abigail. Guilt gnawed at him yet again for not telling Abigail the full truth about that. But it would only hurt her, make her have questions and doubts where she was starting to have trust and certainty. Not only in him but in their life together.
The chime over the exterior door clanged. It had never sounded so ominous.
Simeon shook his head at himself. He was overreacting. He’d had harder talks than this with plenty of clients.
He pushed to his feet and strode to the door. Might as well get this over with.
“That was speedy. I didn’t even have time to sit down.” Wendy sounded bright and cheerful, and she hit him with her wide smile.
When Simeon didn’t return it, her expression faltered. “What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?”
“Come have a seat.” Simeon stepped back as she entered the room so she couldn’t “inadvertently” brush into him.
“Okay.” Her voice wobbled a little, and Simeon made himself soften his expression. He wasn’t trying to upset her.
“I understand that you spoke to my wife at the concert last week,” he said as he sat.
“Oh, yeah. I ran into her at the— Is that not allowed?” Wendy crossed one leg over the other, causing her slim skirt to ride up her leg.
Simeon averted his eyes. “You upset her,” he said evenly.
“I did? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“You told her we were getting divorced.”
Wendy shook her head. “I said I was glad you weren’t getting divorced.” Her eyes widened. “Is that why she seemed so surprised? She didn’t remember?”
“I’d prefer if you stayed out of my private life,” Simeon replied. “That includes not talking to my wife.”
“Of course.” Wendy leaned forward. “Why didn’t you tell her? Are you afraid she would go through with it?”
Simeon’s hands tightened, and his neck knotted. “Did you do those journal exercises we talked about?”
Wendy shook her head. “How can you be so blind? She was going to divorce you. And now she doesn’t even remember you.”
Simeon stood. “I think you should go.”
Wendy blinked up at him. “I still have forty minutes.”
“I won’t charge you. I think it’d be best if you found a new counselor.”
“Wait. What?” Wendy jumped to her feet. “You’re firing me?”
Simeon made himself nod. He hated to give up on a client, but it was clear that he wasn’t helping her. “I can get you the names of some other counselors.”
“No. Please. You can’t. You’re the only one who can help me. I just know it.”
Please, Simeon, pick up the phone. You’re the only one who understands.That had been Steve’s message the night he’d taken his own life.
It’s not the same, he told himself.
But it sure felt the same.
A tear trickled down Wendy’s cheek. “I’m such a horrible person. Why do I always do this?”
Simeon sighed. Based on what she’d told him about her childhood, this kind of behavior wasn’t surprising.
“You’re not a horrible person,” he said. “You’re confused and you’re hurting and you think I’m the one who can help you. But I’m not.”
“Yes. You are, Simeon. I know you are.”
He couldn’t tell if she lunged or fell forward, but suddenly she was much too close, and he had to catch her arms to keep her from running into him.
The next thing he knew, a pair of lips—hot and wet—pressed to his, and hands clutched at his shoulders.
Simeon reared back, shoving her arms away and jerking out of her grasp.
“I— What—” He was breathing too heavily to get more than a word out at a time. It didn’t matter. His brain wasn’t working anyway.
“Oh, I shouldn’t have done that.” Wendy took a step backwards. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to— I think maybe—”
“You. Need. To. Leave.” Simeon kept his voice calm, his words measured.
“Okay. Yes. I’ll leave.” Wendy took a step backwards, running her fingers over her lips. “I’ll see you when you get back from your trip?”
“I’ll send you the names of a couple of counselors I’d recommend.” He marched to the door.
“No one else will be able to help me,” she wailed, not following.
“They will.” Simeon opened his office door and waited for her to cross the room—much too slowly—and step into the reception area.
He followed her out, jumping as his eyes fell on Zeb, sitting against the back wall. How much of that had his brother heard?
Wendy stopped at the exterior door, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Simeon darted a glance at Zeb. “Goodbye, Wendy.”
She nodded mutely and slid through the door.
When she was gone, Simeon let out a long, slow breath, counting to ten before he turned to face his brother.
“Rough one?” Zeb asked.
Simeon snorted. “You could say that. What’s up?”
Zeb stared at his hands, which were running up and down a crease in his pants. “I was wondering if you had a minute to talk?”
“For you, bro? Yeah, I’ve got a minute.”