I thought you said I couldn’t have my car for…”“Something’s come up, my old boss called this morning and I’m needed in Washington for a few weeks. I think you’ve learned your lesson. I’ll drop you at work and then someone will deliver your car before you get off for the day,” he explained.“What about… well, I mean… I…” She sniffled as her eyes began to fill without her permission.“Don’t, Maxine,” Rafe said softly, pulling her gently into his chest as he stroked a hand down her back. “I’ll be back, I promise.”Then he kissed her gently and dropped her off at work. * * * She was able to convince herself he was coming back for the first month. By the end of the second month she began to doubt everything they’d shared. Sure, he’d managed to call a few times, but the calls were short and the conversation stilted. There was the distance between them, and there was the worry about his safety, and then there was the strangeness of his calls, and soon Max began to have doubts.
