Free Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) by Ruthie Henrick

with no remorse at all. “But you sound like a travel brochure.”
    Yanking away, she jammed her fists into the pockets of her warm wool jacket. Kicked those leaves and continued alongside the fast-moving creek. “Well, don’t call Fodor’s just yet.”
    With a quick step he caught up to her, stole a kiss and she melted. He filled her—her mind, her heart, her soul. He restored her when she needed that. And right now she needed to spend the balance of their weekend quietly, together in their peaceful corner of the house.
    They said goodbye to the proprietors on Sunday afternoon. Allie turned to Ben in the lee of the open car door, hesitating. He put his arms around her waist in a gentle embrace and dipped his head when she turned up for a kiss.
    “We’ll come back soon. You look like you’re feeling better.”
    She was, she agreed. Until the next morning when she awoke and made an abrupt dash to the bathroom. Ben had kissed her goodbye only an hour ago and she was glad he wasn’t there to witness her misery. Nothing took the blush off a new marriage like the wife yakking over a toilet.
    Six weeks had sped by since their getaway and she was still run down, but she attributed it to her hectic schedule. She lugged the laundry basket through the apartment, parked it beside the front door. Both she and Ben were busy with work, busy at home—running early in the mornings several days a week, watching the children squeal as they strolled through the neighborhood park after dinner. Ben charmed her, holding her hand and kissing her in public. She was always anxious to make love with him. But then, they were still newlyweds, still learning what pleased each other most. She grabbed a handful of quarters, scowled at the pile of dirty clothes. What would please her right now was a washer of her own.
     

     
    Ben listened in from the living room. Her voice was a murmur mingling with the splash of water as Allie dealt with dinner dishes. “No, Mom. We decided we’d spend Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve with you guys, then Christmas Day with Ben’s dad and brothers.”
    This married thing was easier than he’d thought. There were adjustments to be made, of course, but he was a team player. Over the speculative comments of the football announcer the refrigerator opened, glass clinked.
    “Ryan’s flying in tomorrow.” She rounded the corner carrying two longnecks. “And I promised my mom we’d be at her house by eleven on Thanksgiving morning. She’ll serve around four so there’s time for football before dark.
    She set the beers on a nearby table and settled beside him. He pulled her onto his lap as he stroked all his favorite places, extolling her virtues.
    “You make it pretty easy to love you, you know.” He grinned, picked up a bottle and raised it to her in a silent toast. “You bring me beer and I don’t even ask.” He took a long swallow from the bottle and set it back on the table. Then nibbled kisses along her jaw. “You don’t make me wash dishes. And really—thank you.” She flashed him her dimple and wiggled until he hardened beneath her. Allie ran her hands up the sides of his arms, to the back of his neck and laced her fingers in his hair. She leaned forward, her lips beginning a teasing assault. Ben’s arms tugged her closer, murmured as his lips brushed hers. “No PMS.”
    She froze. Like the human statues he and Jake saw in Vegas on spring break, she was immobile. He looked straight into her eyes. Something was very wrong.
    “Allie? Honey, what’s the matter?”
    Even as she moaned softly under her breath he crooked a grin, rubbed her arms to get her attention. “Hey, what’s up? I was only teasing, you know. You can be cranky if you want.”
    She sucked in a ragged breath, blurted what he assumed was a clue. “Ben, you know how I’ve been tired for forever?”
    What did that have to do with anything? He tipped up her chin with a finger to see her face. “Sure, the semester’s been a