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In December, he was there even less. He had gone back to Hong Kong to meet with bankers there, and they were giving him a tough time. And she knew he still had to stop in California on the way home. There were problems at the plant, and the engine for one of his latest designs had failed. There had been yet another death, and he took the blame. He was sure that this time, it was an error of design. But he had sworn to her that, no matter what happened, he would be home on Christmas Eve. And she was counting on him.

He had promised that, come hell or high water, he would be home that day. He had even told her that he would skip the trip to California, if he had to, and go back after the holidays. The last thing she'd heard was that he'd be home on Christmas Eve.

The phone rang in the morning while she was decorating the tree with Reed. He was squealing with excitement, and she was humming to herself when the phone rang. She had talked to Hazel, Joe's secretary, after breakfast, and she hadn't had confirmation, but she was sure Joe was on the flight back.

He had told her it was what he planned to do, when she spoke to him the day before. And he had said as much to Kate.

She answered the phone, and it was Joe. She could hear immediately that it was long distance. The operator put through the call, and she could hardly hear him. He was shouting into the phone.

“What? Where are you?” She shouted back.

“I'm still in Japan.” She could hardly hear his voice, but her heart sank at the words.

“Why?”

“I missed my flight.

” There was static and interference on the line, but she could hear him a little more clearly as she tried not to cry. “Meetings… had to go to more meetings… very difficult situation here….” There were tears in her eyes and she knew she had to say something, but there was a long pause. “I'm sorry, baby… be home in a few days…. Kate?… Kate?… Are you there? Can you hear me?”

“I can hear you,” she said, as she wiped her eyes. “I miss you…. When are you coming back?”

“Maybe two days.

” Which probably meant three or four or five. It was always longer than he said, through no fault of his. He was trying to do too much.

“I'll see you when you get back,” she said, trying not to sound upset. She knew how much he hated that. And at this distance, there was no point arguing about it. It wouldn't change anything. She didn't want to badger him, or drive him even further away. She wanted so much to be a good wife to Joe, whatever that entailed.