Chapter 12

"I love you, sweet," Colin said into the phone to end his discussion with Becky. She could hear him suck in a sharp intake of breath. And it sent shivers down her spine. She smiled at his picture on her nightstand. "I love you too, baby," she purred delightedly. 

"I will pick you up tomorrow morning at nine. Is that time okay for you?" Colin asked. It was the following week Friday, his parents had returned two days ago, on Wednesday. 

"Nine is okay," she said in a cheery voice. Companionable silence stretched between them; none of the two wanted to end the call as usual. 

"Sweetheart, I will call you later when I'm about to sleep." He chuckled and took the plunge by disconnecting his line. 

Becky smiled and returned her phone to the nightstand. She went to the bathroom to splash some water on her face and dried it off with a face towel. She then left for the kitchen to join her mom. 

"Well done, Mom," she said as she walked into