Johnston - Heartbeat Read Free Page A

said.
    “You know how busy I’ve been the past few months, and now I’ve started traveling. Roman’s schedule at the hospital is so crowded he doesn’t have much free time, and lately, when he’s been free, I haven’t. My plane was late leaving Dallas, and instead of getting home at seven P.M., I got home at ten-thirty. Roman was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for me, and I’ve never seen him so upset. Apparently Amy cried for me for almost an hour before she finally fell asleep.”
    Maggie felt her insides clutch as she imagined the wounded look in Amy’s dark eyes as she cried for a mother who didn’t come. One look at Lisa’s face revealed the agonizing guilt she felt. It wasn’t easy for women who chose to work to balance children and a profession. Maggie had thought Lisa was doing a pretty good job. But maybe not.
    “I’m so sorry, Lisa. It’s not your fault the plane was late.”
    “I chose to go, so the blame’s mine! At least that’s what Roman said.”
    “Neanderthal thinking,” Maggie muttered under her breath. To Lisa she said, “I wasn’t aware Roman had problems with you having a career.”
    “He’s never complained before,” Lisa said. “But I never had so much responsibility before. And things are even more hectic right now because the nanny’s gone for a couple of weeks. Roman says he can support us on what he makes, and that I’m foolish to work instead of staying home with Amy.”
    “He might have a point,” Maggie said quietly.
    Lisa rose abruptly and paced the kitchen. “I can’t quit. I won’t quit. I refuse to quit!”
    Maggie eyes narrowed as she observed Lisa’s obvious agitation. Lisa had always seemed to enjoy her work, but Maggie had never noticed that she was obsessed with it. Lisa seemed just as happy being home with her husband and daughter. Why was she so insistent on working? Why not quit her job and make Roman happy and enjoy these years with Amy? “I’d hate to lose you,” Maggie began, “but—”
    Lisa stopped and stared at Maggie with tormented eyes. “I think Roman might be having an affair with his nurse.”
    Maggie’s jaw gaped. “What?”
    Lisa dropped into the chair beside Maggie. “Things haven’t been the same between us since I started working on the MEDCO case in Dallas three months ago. I was so busy at first, I guess I didn’t notice what was happening. But lately I’ve watched him avoid my eyes, and at night in bed . . .” Lisa swallowed hard and said, “He doesn’t reach for me anymore.”
    Maggie was way out of her depth. She hadn’t the foggiest notion what to advise Lisa under the circumstances. “Are you sure something’s going on? Could you be imagining it?”
    Lisa’s fingers knotted in her lap. “I couldn’t find Roman anywhere on Monday. I called the hospital, I called the house, I even called the day care center thinking he might have gone to pick up Amy. When I called the hospital a second time, one of the nurses said if I could find Isabel Rojas, I’d find the doctor because they’d left the hospital together.”
    “That doesn’t mean they’re having a sexual affair,” Maggie protested. “You know how things often aren’t what they seem.”
    “Isabel Rojas is Roman’s surgical nurse. He knew her long before he even met me. He told me before we married that he’d had an affair with her once but that it was over. What if it wasn’t over? What if these past four years we’ve been married he’s been carrying on with her behind my back?”
    Maggie snorted. “That’s ridiculous! I’ve seen how Roman looks at you. He loves you.”
    It was clear Lisa wanted to believe her. But she said, “He doesn’t say he loves me. Not in words. And he hasn’t been near me . . .” Lisa clenched her teeth, but it did little to still her quivering chin.
    Maggie put her arms around Lisa and pulled the other woman close. “What you need now is a good night’s sleep.”
    “I can’t go home, Maggie.”
    “I