The Heaven Trilogy by Ted Dekker Read Free Book Online

upset.”
    â€œMaybe you have a touch of the flu,” Kent offered. He rested a hand on her knee. “Why don’t you take it easy. I can get to the airport alone.”
    â€œI wanted to take you.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it. You rest up. We have a big trip tomorrow.” He stood. “The twelve-hour flu has been making the rounds at the office. Who knows? Maybe I brought it home. Do you know where my navy silk socks are?”
    Gloria motioned to the door. “In the dryer. Honestly, Honey, I’m fine. You sure you don’t want me to take you?”
    He turned and gave her a wink. “Yes, I’m sure. What’s a trip to some lousy airport? We have Paris to think about. Get some rest—I’ll be fine.” Kent bounded down the steps to the laundry room and rummaged around until he found the socks. He heard the clinking in the kitchen and knew then that Gloria had followed him down.
    When he rounded the refrigerator, Gloria was scooping grounds into the coffee machine, her pink housecoat swishing at her ankles. He slid up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “Really, Honey. I have this handled.”
    She dismissed the comment with a flip of her wrist. “No. I’m feeling better already. It was probably that asparagus I ate last night. You want some coffee? The least I can do is send you away with a decent breakfast.”
    He kissed her on the neck. “I’d love some coffee and toast. Thank you, Sweetheart.”
    They ate together on the dinette set, Kent neatly dressed, Spencer rubbing sleep from his eyes, Gloria looking like she had risen from her coffin for the occasion. Coffee gurgled, porcelain clinked, forks clattered. Kent eyed Gloria, ignoring the concern that whispered through his skull.
    â€œSo, you have tennis today?”
    She nodded. “One o’clock. I play Betsy Maher in the quarterfinals.” She lifted a white cup to her lips and sipped. “Assuming I’m feeling better.”
    Kent smiled gently. “You’ll be fine, Honey. I can’t remember the last time you missed a match. In fact, I can’t remember the last time you missed anything due to illness.” Kent chuckled and bit into his toast. “Man, I remember the first time we played tennis. You remember that?”
    His wife smiled. “How could I forget with your reminding me every few months.”
    Kent turned to Spencer. “You should’ve seen her, Spencer. Miss Hotshot with her tennis scholarship trying to take on a runner. She might have been able to place the ball where she wanted, but I ran her into the ground. She wouldn’t stop. And I knew she was getting tired after the fourth set, because I could barely stand up and she was over there wobbling on her feet. I’d never seen anybody so competitive.” He glanced at Gloria. Some color had come back into her face.
    â€œUntil she puked.”
    â€œGross, Dad!”
    â€œDon’t look at me. Look at your mother.”
    Gloria just smiled. “Don’t forget to tell him who won, dear.”
    â€œYes, your mother did whip me good that day—before she puked, that is. I think I fell in love with her then, while she was bent over by the far net post.”
    â€œGross!” Spencer giggled.
    â€œFell in love, ha! As I remember it, you were head over heels for some other thing in a skirt at the time.”
    â€œPerhaps. But it all began between us then.”
    â€œWell, it took you long enough to come around. We didn’t even date until you were out of school.”
    â€œYes, and look at where we are today, dear.” He stood, slid his dish into the sink, and returned to kiss her on the cheek. Her skin was warm. “I think it was worth the wait, don’t you?”
    She smiled. “If you insist.”
    Twenty minutes later, Kent stood by the front door and saluted them, packed bags in hand. “Okay, you guys have the