Chapter 101— Kade

From my office at Skye Travels, I had a view of the tarmac. Not a corner office, by any means, but a view, nonetheless.

I watched as one of Noah’s planes landed. The bright red Skye Travels logo said so much.

Skye was Noah’s wife’s middle name. Savannah Skye Richards Worthington.

He’d named his legendary company after his wife, Savannah.

I loved Noah and Savannah’s story. It was strangely similar to mine and Madison’s, at least so far.

They’d been college sweethearts, then were separated for fifteen years.

Fifteen years. I’d been apart from Madison for eight years and that seemed like an eternity.

It was some kind of miracle that they’d had five children after they got back together.

Noah’s romance, like his company, was the stuff legends were made of. In my mind, Noah embodied the American dream.

Besides a view of the tarmac, there was a calendar sitting on the desk. One of those little cardboard calendars with the monthly pages that tear off.

I reached over and ripped off the July page. Today was August 1st.

The month I’d been dreading all summer.

I didn’t know what day in August Madison was planning on leaving. We didn’t talk about it. But I knew it was August. I’d known that all along.

My life was draining away with the passing of time.

All things considered, I was doing a fine job of living in the moment.

But August was always there in the back of my mind.

I slammed the calendar face down.

Just because it was August, didn’t mean I had to look at it.

My phone chimed. Thinking it might be a text from Madison, I picked it up. We were supposed to have lunch together today.

Just like we’d been doing every day I’d been in town. Just like in college, we were inseparable. The thought of her not being here made me sick to my stomach.

But the text wasn’t from Madison. It was from Mike.

MIKE: Are you flying today?

ME: No. In the office.

As a matter of fact, I had no flights today. Skye Travels was obviously busy. I’d have to ask Madison why she hadn’t scheduled anyone with me.

MIKE: I’m headed your way. Lunch?

ME: Having lunch with Madison.

MIKE: This is kind of important.

ME: Mind if she comes along?

I tapped my phone as I waited for him to answer. I hadn’t talked to him since that day we’d had lunch in Ruston. He’d been my mentor, not my friend.

Was he trying to strike up a friendship now? That happened sometimes.

MIKE: I really need to talk to just you. Alone.

ME: I’ll see what I can do and let you know.

MIKE: I wouldn’t mind her coming along, but it’s personal. It’s important.

I stared at the phone as though it was going to give me answers.

If it had been anyone other than Mike, I would have pleaded off.

But I was curious what Mike could possibly have to discuss with me. With all that had been going on with my own mother and Noah, my thoughts jumped to the worst. That generation was getting older.

Leaving my office, I went to the lobby to let Madison know I’d be missing lunch with her today.

And I was already thinking about what I could do tonight to make up for it.