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Douglas Thompson opened his eyes and tried to see what time it was. But without his glasses, he was blind. It made no difference as to the time since his bladder was full. He couldn’t take any chances at his age by holding it in. Being careful not to wake Amber, he sauntered off to the bathroom.
As he walked into the bathroom, he looked at his watch and saw that it was almost six o’clock in the morning. He would let Amber sleep in while he surprised her with breakfast in bed. The little bakery should be open, and he would go get some beignets and coffee to eat in bed. He hated that this was their last day here. This afternoon it would be back to the real world, where he had to sneak around and see Amber occasionally. Although his heart may not be able to take him seeing her more than he already did. She had an insatiable appetite.
After using the bathroom, he slipped his clothes on, being extra quiet not to wake his sleeping beauty, and headed to the bakery. Once he made it back to the cabin he rummaged through the small kitchen and found a tray to arrange the beignets and coffee on. He had sweet talked the cashier into selling him a few of the flowers they used for decorating the tables. She was more than happy to oblige. You don’t find that kind of service up north.
Walking into the bedroom, he whispered, “Honey, I brought you a treat.”
Douglas waited for her to reply and when he got no response he moved closer to the bed, “Amber, come on sleepy head I brought you breakfast in bed.”
There was still no response. Douglas placed the tray on the corner of the bed and turned on the lamp, surprised to find Amber gone. He walked over to the bathroom to see if she was in there and found it empty as well. He started to panic and called out for her, “Amber! Come on, honey, where are you? I have breakfast.”
After he still received no response, he searched the cabin top to bottom. He feared that she had walked out on him. He knew his wallet was still here because he’d used his credit card to buy breakfast. When he called her cell phone, it went straight to voice mail. The rental car was still here, so he knew that she didn’t drive off anywhere.
Why wasn’t she answering her phone? He wondered where she could be. His gut tightened as panic set in and beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead. He inhaled a quivering breath as he became paralyzed with fear.
He wasn’t sure how he should handle this. If he called in and reported her missing, then there was a chance his wife may find out what he had been up to these last few days. Plus his partners wouldn’t look too kindly on him having a mistress.
He decided the best thing for him to do was to pack up and leave. Trying to feel less guilty about leaving without her, he convinced himself that she more than likely ran off with a younger man she met somewhere along the way.