Love in Jeopardy

Chapter 21

Three Months Later

The weeks without Gideon were torture for Taryn. She'd never been so lonely in her life. She tried to focus on her work, but it was hard to feel inspired when all she thought about was Gideon. He called her sporadically but the time difference made it difficult. The case kept him busy and she tried to support him as best as she could. She hid from him how lonely she was by pretending to be busy with her work.

Gideon was able to come home a few times over the next few months. His visits were over too quickly. She barely got to spend any time with him before he had to get ready to leave again.

To make matters worse, Gideon's case dragged on for another month. Taryn couldn't stand the delays. She was going crazy being by herself.

Kim asked Taryn if she would house sit for an artist friend of hers who lived at the coast. Taryn readily agreed. She thought a change of scenery would brighten her mood. The house she was looking after was right on the beach. It was the perfect place to restore her soul. She went for long walks and tried to sketch some scenes she could paint later.

Gideon finally finished his business in Toronto and came home for good. His case had been successful and he was optimistic about becoming a partner very soon. Taryn was happy for him. He had worked hard and deserved a promotion.

"When are you coming home?" Gideon asked one night when he called her.

"In a few weeks, I think," she replied.

"I miss you so much," he said huskily.

"Me too," she replied tearfully. All their conversations ended the same way.

A few days later, Taryn was surprised when the homeowner returned home early. She was secretly glad she could leave early herself.

As Taryn drove home, she pictured the surprised look on Gideon's face when he saw she was home early.

Taryn saw a strange car in the driveway when she got home. She had to park in the street. Taryn wondered who was visiting Gideon. She got out of her car and took her suitcase out of the trunk. Taryn opened the front door and went inside. The house was strangely quiet. Taryn left her suitcase in the foyer and went toward the kitchen. She saw an empty wine bottle on the counter along with two empty glasses. Taryn started to get a sinking feeling in her gut.

There was no one in the dining room. There were papers scattered across the table. It looked like someone had been working. But where were they now?

The living room was also empty. That left upstairs. Taryn didn't want to go up there. She was afraid of what she would find. As she climbed the stairs, Taryn could hear voices from her bedroom. One of them was female, but she didn't recognize the voice. What was Gideon up to?

Taryn's heart pounded relentlessly as she got closer to her bedroom door. She could hear someone giggling.

Taryn pushed open the bedroom door. Gideon was lying face-down on the bed, fully clothed. His coworker, Kate, was sitting astride his back, wearing nothing but Gideon's robe. It looked like she was giving him a massage.

Taryn couldn't believe her eyes. How could Gideon let another woman into their bedroom like that? Her eyes filled with tears.

"What the hell do you think you are doing with my husband?" Taryn demanded from the doorway.

Gideon turned his head toward Taryn and his eyes were glazed over. He was drunk.

"Taryn? What's going on?" he asked, his voice slurring.