Prologue

“Dillian, I just know you are not about to go sleep on the couch again! What is wrong with you?” Leaning against the threshold of the master bathroom’s entrance, Gracie stood with her hands in her hair as her fiancé gathered a pillow, and a blanket and headed for the bedroom door.

“Oh no. I’m going to surf the net for a bit and watch some television. I don’t want to disturb you, Gracie. Go ahead and get some rest, babe,” Dillian answered.

“Dillian!” Gracie looked down at her practically new ivory satin nightgown; she let him know she didn’t want rest. “Does it look as if I’m trying to be alone in bed tonight, again? What is really going on?” Gracie gave her head a slight tilt.

“Honey, I’ve told you that I can’t be doing all of that.” Realizing that the look on her face wouldn’t be replaced with solace so easily, Dillian walked toward Gracie. “Look, my knee is still acting up and I don’t want to take any chances at making matters worse. I still have to go to the doctor’s office.” Placing a kiss on her right temple, Dillian waited to see if his effort would pay off.

“But that’s just it. You’ve already gone. You told me you’re okay.”

Dillian switched the body-sized pillow to the opposite armpit, scratched the top of his head, and started in.

“Yeah, I said I was okay, but not fine. I’m going to get a second opinion. Look Gracie, I really am getting tired now. I’ll be to bed later . . . go on and get some sleep.”

With that excuse lingering in the air, Gracie left the room but questioned herself.

Just how many opinions are you trying to get for one knee?

Without hesitation, Gracie watched Dillian returned to her cozy restroom and slowly changed into her favorite pair of five-year-old cotton pajamas; figuring if she had to sleep in her king-sized bed alone, she might as well get comfortable. Gracie knelt to say a quick prayer before climbing into her bed, staring off into the night before finding her sleep.