When she woke she had to put cold washcloths on her eyes for them to open. Richie was gone…she prayed just to the office. He’d spent the night in the den…nothing she’d said…cried…pleaded had gotten through the thick wooden door of his haven, he’d locked the door.

She took a cold shower dried her hair and dressed. She had to do something talk to somebody. Several times she’d picked up the phone and put it back down. She didn’t want anybody to know what a fool she’d been. She didn’t want anybody they knew to look at him and think she’d been thinking about another man while in his arms. She ached for those arms. Toni felt like her whole world had turned upside down and dumped her out.

She put on her sunglasses and went outside and got in her car. She drove to the town. Richie’s car was not at Millies or in front of his office. Toni was beginning to think the worse…what if he’d just …left.

Twice she’d had to pull off the road and get herself together before she parked. Walking into the quiet peaceful church she sat down on a pew in the back in a moment her head was in her hands and she was sobbing. The only one she could talk to was God.

Miss Peeg could not stand it a moment longer she went to Richie’s door. She knew for a fact that nothing in the office could cause him such distress. He’d not been himself for several days.

"Mr. Roberts…I know it’s absolutely none of my business and you can send me packing immediately; there is nothing here in this office to cause such distress. Therefore I think is personal…I don’t want to know what it is…but Sir do you not think you might go home. There is nothing so important that you must be in the office this morning." The man obviously had not slept nor had he shaved…she’d never seen him in such disarray.

Richie looked down at his desk, "you’re exactly right Miss Peeg…I should go home."

"Please sir," She stood in his doorway until he moved from behind his desk. Richie stopped as he passed her and kissed her on the cheek.

Toni saw Richie’s car when she pulled into their driveway and jumped out of her car and ran inside. He was in the living room looking at their wedding pictures on the mantle.

"Richie…you aren’t at work?" Toni said stopping in the arched doorway and holding her breath.

"Miss Peeg sent me home…you weren’t here."

"I…went to find you and then I went to church…to pray."

Richie’s hands felt heavy hanging by his sides his arms empty, "Toni…" She was in his arms in a heartbeat.

"I’m so sorry Richie…I’ve hurt you…I would never have hurt you…I’ve been silly and a fool."

"I’m okay Toni…I guess I got my ego bruised…I’m stronger than that…we’re stronger than anything when we’re together."

"I thought you’d gone…"

"I’d never leave you…never." He lifted her chin and kissed her

"We need to talk Richie and straighten out this mess I made."

"Later…come to bed?" he said softly.

"Yes…with you," she said looking into his blue eyes.

Richie took her to bed and erased any thoughts she ever had about her fantasy man.