The Marriage Counselor volume 2

1. Where We Left Off.

Samantha

"Mrs. Good? Mrs. Good?"

Samantha doesn't realize she's dissociated until she hears the male voice. Reality is there to greet her with a cold shoulder as she stands on the bottom step of the backyard patio. A pathetic sight really; still in her silk pajamas, they're all wrinkly after another night of tossing and turning. Her hair is a bee's nest around her head. There's sleep circles under her eyes and drool dried to the side of her mouth.

She's currently waiting for Red to finish doing her business. It's not necessary, the dog was potty trained long before Sam ever entered the picture. But having the movers in and out of the house, keeping all the doors and gates wide open, puts her on edge. She's not sure how long she's been standing here but there's no longer steam rising from the coffee cup in her hand.

When she turns in the direction of the voice, she's slightly disappointed to see that it's only Lenny, the owner of the moving company. He's standing at the back door, clipboard in hand. In the short amount of time since he was hired, he's taken a very hands on approach. She might appreciate it more if she didn't already feel like half the world was up her ass.

"Hi, Lenny." She waves half heartedly. She doesn't bother correcting him for the 1000th about the last name since they're not technically married yet. Instead, it's something that provides her a bit of assurance in these dark times. A nice reminder of what's to come, hopefully sooner rather than later. Yes, when all the dust settles, she will get to be Henry Good's wife.

"Do you want any coffee?" She asks.

"No thank you, ma'am," He answers, keeping up with her as they enter back into the house. Red's claws tap on the dining room floor while she trails behind them. "I wanted to report that we've got the first truck loaded. Abe's set to drive. Now before I send him off, you want anything up front with him? Or anything you need delivered directly to Mr. Good?"

She wonders if he can hear how her heart pitter-patters at the mention of her fiancé. It's been a whole week since she last saw Henry but it feels longer. Preparing the Connecticut house for them, he insisted they replace the furniture with all new pieces. This meant Lenny and his group of employees were mostly left to move clothing, kitchenware, the wine cellar, paintings, personal items, and the boxes she'd managed to finally collect from her old house.

Shaking her head, she pours the remnants of her cold coffee down the kitchen sink. "That's alright. Thank you."

"We should have the second truck loaded by the end of the hour," Lenny smiles satisfactorily. "Which means we'll be out of your hair after that."

She wishes his over-communication was simply a symptom of being a good business owner. And maybe it is, but it's what everyone in her life is required to do now.

Ever since it was revealed that the couple may be in danger, Hansen and his team upped the security surrounding his star witnesses. There's always one of his men on the property at all times, two if Henry is away. If she wants to leave or go somewhere, it has to be approved first. It's like she's a teenage girl living under the roof of strict parents. Everything is scheduled, announced, dissected and discussed. What was once her private sanctuary now serves as a place for her to be guarded and watched.

Freedom has a cost. Though she understands why all of this is happening, why it has to be this way. It doesn't mean she has to like any of it.

"That's wonderful. We really appreciate you and your team's work, especially with how quick you've been able to do it on short notice."

"Of course, any time. Mr. Good mentioned his sister will be relocating as well, so I imagine we'll be helping her in the near future." He glances down at his clipboard.