Page 89 of Rescuing Mary

It sucked, because it gave her a hell of a good reason to get their marriage annulled, but on the other hand, he was glad they hadn’t. That he hadn’t had her and forgotten. One part of him wanted to believe that he’d never forget sinking into her for the first time, but another part wasn’t so sure. He couldn’t imagine how she’d feel if he’d forgotten them having sex.

Truck understood Mary’s reaction tonight a little better after reading her journal. She was insecure about the way her body looked. She was afraid he was going to reject her as a result. But she had nothing to be worried about. Nothing.

Mary was his. Eventually, he had no doubt he’d regain all his memories, but in the meantime, he needed to make sure she knew that he wasn’t giving up on them. That he truly loved her. She never needed to say it out loud. He knew she loved him back, and not just because of the words she’d written on the paper.

Truck stood and straightened the living area. Then he went into his bedroom and picked up as much as he could and vacuumed up the broken glass. He placed her journal on the table next to the bed. He wasn’t going to lie about reading it. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Ever.

As he was in the bathroom getting ready for bed, he fingered the velvet bag holding their wedding rings. He didn’t see a diamond in there, but he’d be remedying that as soon as he could. He wanted to get her something huge, so there was no mistaking that she was taken, but he knew she’d hate that. He’d have to be creative in designing her ring, make it something low-key yet beautiful at the same time.

Hating that he had to put the bag with their rings back into the drawer, away from view, Truck consoled himself with the thought that Mary would soon be back here. Living with him. That their rings would be back on their fingers for the world to see.

But this time there would be no misunderstandings between them. No sickness. Just the two of them and their love.

He grinned.

Chapter Fourteen

Mary didn’t want to go to work. She wanted to call in sick…or just quit. But she knew she’d need the unemployment payments to survive once she was laid off, and she wouldn’t get them if she quit. So she reluctantly got dressed and ready to leave.

She thought about what she wanted to do with her life. She’d thought about it a lot already, and finally decided that she wanted to help women like her. Women who had, or had survived, breast cancer. She didn’t know how, but that was what she wanted.

When she’d been sick, there had been a lot of offers from complete strangers to bring her food, sit with her while she was getting chemo, and even offers to pick her up to do errands. She hadn’t really needed any help once Truck had insinuated himself into her life, but without him, she would’ve been in big trouble, and those offers of help would’ve been extremely important.

She wanted to do that. Wanted to help others. Tell them that she knew what they were going through because she’d been there, done that. Wanted to be a shoulder for people to cry on, to be the one they could let down the façade of strength with.

Mary still had no idea what her decision was going to be about the reconstruction of her breasts, but she didn’t need to decide right that minute. Even though she’d been mean, again, to Truck the night before, she’d taken his words to heart.

He loved her exactly how she was. She wasn’t looking forward to letting him see her naked, but she knew without a second’s doubt that he wouldn’t like her any less because she had no boobs.

If she decided to get the reconstruction, she’d do it for her. Not because she wanted to be prettier for Truck. Not because she wanted others to look at her and like what they saw.

Feeling better about that part of her breast cancer journey, Mary headed out of her apartment to her car. Still feeling guilty about the way she’d treated Truck the night before, she pulled out her phone. Before she chickened out, she sent him a text.

* * *

Mary: I’m sorry about last night. I was a bitch. Again. Want to have lunch today? Talk?

* * *

She got in the car and turned it on. She was about to pull out of her parking spot when her phone vibrated. Surprised that Truck had returned her text so quickly, she smiled as she read what he wrote.

* * *

Truck: Good morning, beautiful. Yes, I’d love to talk. There’s a lot we have to discuss.

* * *

Mary didn’t know what Truck meant, but at least he wasn’t ignoring her.

* * *

Mary: I’ve only got thirty minutes for lunch today.

Truck: I’ll bring you something, if that’s all right.

Mary: Perfect.

Truck: What time?