Read Online Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online

“Guys don’t talk about that stuff. Not unless you’re sharing a cockpit, and even then . . .”
    “I guess he met someone overseas. Europe somewhere.”
    “Oh, man.”
    For the slightest instant, Michele thought she saw something in Connor’s eyes. An odd flicker that was there, then gone. She didn’t dwell on it. Both of them knew the score. Affairs weren’t uncommon for pilots.
    “I don’t get it.” Michele drew her legs closer to her chest.
    “Renee’s one of the most beautiful women I know. Two little boys, and a house in the Heights.” Her voice dropped some, and she searched her husband’s eyes. “How could he, Connor?” A tired sound came from him. “Simple.” Connor held her eyes.
    “Too much time on the road.”
    “You’re on the road and you’re faithful.”
    “That’s different.” A smile filled out Connor’s face once more.
    He caught her face in his hands and drew her close for a lingering kiss. “I’ve got the best marriage in the world, and the best wife, too.” Michele rubbed her nose against his—but the mood wasn’t quite what it had been. “You have, right?”
    Connor drew back and studied her eyes. “Have what?” 56

    – Karen Kingsbury –
    “Been faithful?” She’d never asked before, never needed to. She had no reason to ask it now, but after what happened to Renee, her heart wanted reassurance.
    “Ah, Michele.” He brought his hand up alongside her face and brushed her cheekbone with his thumb. “Do you have to ask?”
    “No, it’s just . . .”
    “Baby, listen.” His expression changed and suddenly she felt he was looking straight to the deepest part of her soul. “I’ve never loved anyone but you. Not ever.”
    Something in her heart relaxed, a part that for some reason had been holding its breath. “I just thought . . .” She gave him a sad smile. “After talking to Renee, I don’t know. She thought everything was okay, too. I guess every now and then it’s good to hear it from you.”
    “Michele.” He let his forehead fall against hers. “You have nothing to worry about. Not now . . . not ever.”
    “Good.” She framed his jaw with her fingertips. “Sorry for asking.” Connor glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. “Almost noon. I better shower.” He leaned in and planted one last kiss on her cheek. Then in a single fluid movement he pushed himself off the bed and headed for the bathroom.
    “Wait . . .” Michele slid to the edge of the mattress.
    Connor stopped and looked back at her. “What?”
    “What about the Bible? Every Tuesday, remember?”
    “Right.” Connor frowned. “I completely forgot.”
    “Me, too.”
    He glanced at the clock on their bedside table. “Can we start next week?”
    “Sure.” Michele hid her disappointment. For months they’d been meaning to get back to reading Scripture, praying together.
    But always time seemed to get away from them.
    57

    – Oceans Apart –
    Connor stretched and flashed her a crooked grin. “We’ll do it next week for sure . . . I promise, okay?”
    “Okay.” The disappointment faded. Michele studied Connor, dressed only in a pair of shorts, and was struck again by the strength of his body, the way he cared for himself. Connor Evans was a man who had once single-handedly pulled his plane out of a death spin. He liked to say he appreciated his wingmen as much as his copilots, but he never allowed himself to rely on either. And when it came to his workouts, they were an hour a day, three days a week, whatever city or hotel he happened to be in.
    “My body’s a tool,” he’d said a hundred times. “I’m only as good as my level of physical fitness.”
    Michele smiled. Every aspect of her husband’s life involved some type of perfection. Perfection in the cockpit, perfection at the gym, perfection in the way he doted on their girls. Even perfection in their marriage.
    Michele watched him walk away until he closed the bathroom door. Only then did she realize