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W hen Gabby returned, Caroline and Alabama met her at the door. Gabby tried to hold back the tears, but one glance at her friends sent her sobs bubbling to the surface.

“Oh, honey.” Caroline embraced her and led Gabby inside the kitchen.

Alabama pulled out a chair for her to sit. “Can we do anything for you?”

Gabby shook her head. “No. I’m not begging him to give me a second chance. Marcus made up his mind and he doesn’t change it often.”

“What if we asked one of our men to speak with him on your behalf? You haven’t told us what happened. We know you’ve felt disconnected from Knight, but what transpired to cause such a drastic decision?”

Gabby folded her hands in her lap. “He hurt me.” At the murderous expressions on her friend’s faces, she hastily explained, “Not physically. He broke my heart. After everything, he believed what he wanted. Marcus turned into someone I don’t think I ever knew.”

Alabama rubbed her back. “What do you plan on doing next?”

“I accepted a position with the Seattle office of Griggs and Sterling Accounting office. They’ll cover the cost to move my things. Once Marcus gives Wolf my savings account portion, I’ll fly to Seattle and hunt for temporary lodging. It seems I didn’t count on him becoming greedy. Listen, I don’t want you to pick sides between us. It’s not fair. Your men became his friends before I came along and I don’t want this to slant their view of him.”

“We’re here for you, too. Every married couple goes through rough patches. Did you at least try talking to him?” Alabama asked.

“We’re way past the mending stage. It’s time to throw in the wrecking ball, tear the walls down and start from scratch. Marcus ‘Knight’ Hutchins can lead his life here while I start a new one in Seattle.”

Caroline frowned. “I respect your need for privacy and we won’t discuss anything you tell us. I’m concerned you’re rushing in the wrong direction. Only a few months ago, you seemed excited about telling him about your degree and new job.”

Gabby gazed at her friends. Sighing, she confessed, “It’s not one thing. I went to school and worked night shifts to surprise him with the news. He was rarely home. Trust me, I’m not complaining. I knew what I signed up for when I married someone in the military. I worked extremely hard and the only time I asked him to show up, he didn’t. Then, he appeared in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, he was gone. It felt like I dreamed the entire thing. In the end, this boiled down to one thing. Marcus didn’t trust enough in our marriage to stop even for a moment and ask the right questions. He made assumptions and drew his own conclusions.”

“You’re welcome to use the basement for as long as you need,” Caroline reassured her.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll be out of your hair soon.” She smiled sadly.

“If you’re moving to Seattle, why don’t you contact his sister, Bryanna? Maybe she’ll allow you to stay with her until you find a permanent place?” Alabama suggested.

Gabby shook her head. “I’ve tried calling her and she doesn’t return my messages. Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

Caroline’s brow wrinkled. “Tex flew to Seattle not too long ago. He stayed in a cabin in Serenity. Maybe one of his friends will put you up? He mentioned he and Melody visited and she raved about the place.”

“No. I want to do this on my own. Right now, it’ll keep me focused on something else besides dwelling on what happened,” Gabby explained.

Alabama gave Gabby’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know. Abe’s meeting me at home. Cheyenne and Dude offered to watch the kids, giving us a date night.”

“Thank you, Alabama. You’re a great friend. You, too, Caroline. I really appreciate you giving me support and not judging me.”

Caroline exchanged glances with Alabama as she left. They felt for their friend. Military people struggle through divorces all the time. Somehow, they didn’t see this one coming and it bothered them. Knight and Gabby seemed happy. Whatever occurred must’ve hurt both of them and they hoped the men might step in to help a friend.

Abe kissed his wife and greeted the kids, who clung to his waist upon his entering the door. Cheyenne sat on the couch and laughed at their antics while Alabama brushed her hair and appliedlip gloss. Then they left for dinner.

Abe waited until he and Alabama ordered their food before questioning his wife. “What’s on your mind?”

Alabama fiddled with her silverware. “I feel terrible about Knight and Gabby. They seemed close and I hate seeing them at odds. Did he say anything to you? Gabby remains tight-lipped about what happened to bring them to divorce. I can’t imagine what occurred to bring them to a breaking point.”

Abe frowned. “Wolf asked us to meet for a drink at the bar later. Do you feel up to meeting him and Caroline? Knight said nothing to us until he mentioned attending a mediation.”

“Sure. We hoped he might have spoken with one of you. I don’t want you to betray a confidence, but I guess I hoped it turned out as one huge misunderstanding.”

Abe nodded. “Knight always keeps to himself. It seems like the last year has taken a toll on him. We’re as surprised as you.”

Alabama frowned. “I hate seeing a friend hurting.”

The waiter set their dinner before them. Abe waited until he left before speaking. “We both do. If we can help him, we’ll try. Let’s not let it ruin our night.”

Alabama smiled. “I agree. Hopefully, someone can get through to one of them.” She sighed.

Abe squeezed her hand before he let it go to cut his steak and add dressing to his salad. He knew Knight worked on a special assignment, but didn’t know what. They ran into his team a few times and Knight never seemed present, nor did his team bring him up. Yet he’d seen him on the base a couple of times.

When they finished dinner, Abe drove them to the bar, where they sat in a booth with Wolf and Caroline.

“I tried convincing Gabby to come, but she refused. She needs to get out of the house,” Caroline informed them.

“She barely eats anything and I heard her crying when you left for the grocery store. I’m at a loss on how to help her, I feel horrible for her circumstances,” Alabama shared.

Abe caught Wolf’s attention and nodded to the bar. Knight sat alone, drinking a beer. Wolf gave a silent nod, and they watched him until the ladies finished their drinks. Seeing Knight still sitting in the bar, Wolf turned to Caroline. “Do you mind driving Alabama home? I’ll drop Abe off in a bit.”

Caroline turned a questioning gaze at her husband when he glanced toward the bar. Upon noticing their friend, she kissed her husband and agreed.

“Come on, Alabama. We can visit with Cheyenne until the guys return.”

She motioned toward Knight.

Alabama’s eyes widened as she understood. Both women grabbed their purses and Wolf walked them to the car while Abe approached their friend.

“Haven’t seen you in here for a while,” Abe greeted him as he ordered a beer.

Knight glanced up and gave a slight nod. “Yeah. It seems like forever.”

Wolf sat beside Abe. “How are things going?”

Knight took a long draw of his beer. “Could be better. How about you and the wives?”

Abe sipped his beer and set it on the bar. “They’re worried about yours. I’m sorry. You surprised us with the announcement about you two.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m a bit shocked. You and Gabby seemed tight.” Wolf ordered a beer. “Marriage is hard work even when the military doesn’t complicate it.”

Knight stared into his glass. “The military didn’t mess this up. She did.”

Abe leaned back on the bar stool. “Every one of us has made mistakes. Take Alabama and I, for instance. I accused her of something and destroyed her trust. I nearly lost her. What about counseling?”

He waved the bartender down and held up his glass. “You can’t fix infidelity. It’s the one thing I refuse to accept. Gabby decided our fate.”

Abe leaned forward. “Did she tell you she cheated?” he asked confused. “Gabby doesn’t seem the type to take her vows lightly.”

“She’s staying in our basement. For someone who cheated, she appears pretty broken up about it,” Wolf added.

Knight chuckled. “I imagine she’s more upset about the money.” He pulled an envelope from his back pocket. I’m spinning up any day. I went to the bank and closed the account. If you can give this to her, I’d appreciate it.”

Wolf took the envelope and put it in his pocket. “Maybe you should speak with her before you go? Don’t leave on a mission with your head out of the game,” Wolf advised as Marcus withdrew his wallet and laid down a few bills.

“My head’s in the game, now more than ever. Gabby seemed anxious to start her new life. I planned to drop off the chest she requested. Do you mind loading it in your truck? It’ll save me a trip.”

Abe stared at Knight. “Don’t you want to say good-bye?”

He waited until they slid off their stools before abandoning his. “No. As far as I’m concerned, Gabrielle Hutchins ceases to exist after today. I don’t plan on laying eyes on her ever again.”

Knight led them outside, where they helped him load the chest in Wolf’s truck. “I left the sofa in the garage. I’ve changed the locks on the house, and she can use the code to help herself to the couch. I’ll change the code when I return.”

Abe and Wolf watched Knight walk away.

Abe rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “According to our women, Gabby seems wrecked. Then why do I feel like he’s acting like a fool?”

Wolf shook his head. “You can’t make a stubborn horse drink water. Maybe time and space will help them see more clearly and miss each other. In the meantime, we won’t take sides. Knight’s a smart man and one day, he’ll wake up and realize he made a mistake.”

“What if he’s too late?” Abe asked as he hopped in the passenger side.

Wolf frowned as he glanced at his teammate. “In the end, Knight and Gabby must decide what’s best for themselves and forgive each other.”