Linnea felt a chill and made a mental note to call her mother. “You’ll keep an eye out for him?”

“I will,” Gordon said with a reassuring emphasis. “He knows he just has to call.”

“If the university is shutting down, can’t you come here with him? You’ll be early, but at least you’ll be here.”

“Truth is, Linnea…” He paused. “I’m not sure what this means about my trip to Charleston. At all.”

“Why?” She stopped moving. “Are they canceling the research project?”

“No. At least, I hope not.” He sighed, again with exasperation. “I don’t think so, but one never knows these days, does one? Actually, it’s more a matter of my being able to enter your country. They’re shutting everyone out. Slamming the door tight.”

“Starting when?”

“Effective immediately.”

“Oh, Gordon,” she said, suddenly filled with dismay. She’d been pinning her hopes on his arrival. Counting the days. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you.”

“I know. I feel the same. I’m doing everything I can to get there, pulling every string, tapping every connection. Don’t give up hope. But I doubt it will be early April as planned. The sodding virus has pushed everything back.”

Linnea turned and reached for her glass of wine. She took a bracing sip. “Please tell me you’ll find a way.”

His voice lowered and she heard a faint tremor. “Linnea, you know I’ll do everything in my power to get to you. I miss you.”

“Gordon…” She felt a sudden urge to tell him that John had returned. That he was sending her thoughts hurtling back in time to when they were a couple. To confess she felt on shaky ground—her mind screamed no, but her body’s memory lit up at the sight of him.

But no, she couldn’t tell Gordon that John was back next door. Not when Gordon couldn’t come back to Charleston himself. It would be unfair to create a sense of competition when there was none.

“Yes?”

She held the phone close to her cheek. “I miss you too.”

chapter five

We’re in this together.

April

CARA PUT HER hand against the smooth wood of the bedroom door.

“You have a fever?” she asked, forcing her voice out. It felt like her chest was constricting. She leaned closer, setting her lips close to the door. This wall of wood separated her from the man she loved.

“Yeah,” he replied despondently, then coughed. “It could be a cold,” he offered. “I have a headache, and I usually get those when a cold is coming. I was out in all that rain.…”

“David…”

“Don’t worry.”

“Of course I’m worried.”

“I only told you because… well… you should know about the fever. Just in case.” He didn’t need to say the word. “I’ll call and let the doctor know.”

“There’s nothing she can do. There are no Covid-19 tests available.” She clenched her hand into a fist of frustration. “The last time I talked to the doctor she said the best thing to do was to keep you quarantined. Get lots of sleep. Drink fluids. Do you have enough water?”