For the eight days Annie was gone, Clay spent twelve hours a day in the office, dinner out, and evenings busying himself with getting rid of things that he thought he wouldn't need in his condo as he figured he'd be moving soon. Anything to try to fill the time he would have spent with Annie if she were home.

The weekend was spent at Porter's home, and she pumped him for all kinds of information about Annie, their relationship and possible grandkids.

When his phone rang at 11PM and he looked at the caller ID, the grin that appeared on his face was involuntary, "Welcome home."