I wanted to return to the familiar comfort of his embrace.
But I couldn’t.
“Welcome home,” I said.
He studied my face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can we talk privately?”
His smile faded.
“Of course.”
We went into my office and closed the door.
I placed the envelope on the desk.
“Jake showed me something today.”
Tom looked at it.
For the first time since I had known him, I saw genuine fear cross his face.
It lasted only a moment.
Then he reached for the envelope.
“Where did he get this?”
“His mother sent it.”
Tom opened the envelope, removed the papers, and stared at them.
The silence stretched.
Finally, I asked, “Is it true?”
He placed the letter on the desk.
“Sarah, it’s complicated.”
“Then explain it.”
He walked to the window.
“Years ago, I was in trouble. One of my first developments was collapsing, and the bank was threatening to take everything.”
