L G Davis [Davis - The Midnight Wife

She has a new life and a loving husband, but will her secrets ruin everything?

Kelsey Bloom has been living a perfect lie for almost two years, hiding in plain sight from the past that broke her.

Everything is going according to plan. She has made herself at home in the small town of Sanlow, Montana, and her life seems perfect from the outside

until shes attacked by someone who claims to know her secrets.

The wounds are deep and the consequences will last a lifetime, but she cant tell anyone what happened to her, not even her husband.

One word and her cover will be blown.

While she struggles to recover from the trauma, her attacker is found dead in the lake close to where the attack happened.

She was the last person to see him alive.

As Kelsey tries to understand exactly what happened that fateful night, she makes a shocking discovery. Shes a pawn in a deadly game that could end with her death or the loss of her freedom.

Is she strong enough to fight back, or is it game over?

I open the oven door and a cloud of heat is released into the air around me.

Jared walks into the kitchen just as Im removing the chicken and potatoes gratin dish from the oven.

Perfect. He rubs his hands together. Just like you. My perfect little wife. He crosses the space between us and gives me a kiss on the side of my neck. Fresh out of the shower, he smells of aftershave and soap.

No ones perfect, I say, pretending Im not flattered.

He gives me time to lower the hot dish onto the granite countertop and turns me to face him. Then I guess Im the luckiest man in the world.

My chest aches as I place a hand on his cheek, enjoying the feel of his stubble against my palm. His moss green eyes gaze deep into my soul and my heart moves from its usual place.

At first sight, Jared might not seem particularly handsome, but his good looks emerge the longer one looks at him. His eyes, full lips, and aquiline nose are his best features. At thirty-seven, theres not a wrinkle in sight. Im five years younger and fine lines have already started to appear around my eyes.

If he only knew how wrong he is about me being perfect. He has no idea how far from perfect I am.

Weve only been married for fifteen months, Mr. Bloom. Were still in the honeymoon phase. Will you still feel the same way about me five or ten years from today?

He presses a kiss to my lips, leaving behind the cool aftertaste of peppermint sugar-free chewing gum. Dont complicate things by thinking too far into the future. His warm hand covers mine. Lets live for the moment.

I dont say anything more, content to stand with my husband in the middle of our kitchen, surrounded by the mouthwatering aromas of chicken, spices, and cheese.

I cant believe how lucky I am to be married to Jared. Hes the first person to ever think Im perfect. Im determined to spend the rest of my life trying to prove that hes right.

The illusion of perfection is what keeps me safe, an invisible cloak that hides the scars and secrets. Being perfect keeps me organized, and being organized prevents me from making mistakes.

I follow Jared to the dining room. Together we lay out everything on the table, which is far too big for two people.

The only time we use it is when we have guests, which is every two weeks. Jared likes to have his friends over, and they love my cooking.

Im not an outgoing person by nature. The company of too many people makes me anxious. But I do it because it makes him happy.

Its a small price to pay for what he has done for me, for giving me a life I never thought I could have. I would do anything to keep this life.

Its risky to invite people into our home, but it would be suspicious if I kept them at a distance. The residents of Sanlow, Montana, treat each other like one big family.

I have no choice but to hide in plain sight.

Before the guests arrive, Jared tells me to go and take a shower, and to wear the dress he put out for me on the bed, a bright red cocktail dress with a strip of black lace trimming the collar and hem.

You look amazing, he says, handing me a pair of shiny, black velvet pumps.

I would have felt more comfortable in a pair of jeans, a plain t-shirt, and no shoes on my feet. But we have an unspoken rule in our marriage. Whenever we go out or meet people, Jared chooses what I wear.

He tells me he has a good sense of style and he likes me to look my best in front of his friends. Thats why when we got married, my wedding present was a whole new wardrobe. For a girl who came to town with only a backpack, I was blown away.

At the start of our marriage, it was fun when he chose what I wore. Now I wish I had more control over my clothing.

I keep telling myself its fine. At least when Im home alone, Im free to wear what I like.

The first time I refused to wear what he chose for me, he locked himself inside his home office and threw stuff at the wall.

He has a temper, but he often lets it run its course behind closed doors. When it passes, he walks out, all smiles as if nothing happened, as if hes not the same person who had stormed off.

Sometimes I crave to know him better. After three months of dating and one year of marriage, I still dont know him well.

All I know is that he was an only child and his parents died soon after he graduated from high school. Every time I want to know more, he changes the subject.

I dont hold it against him. Im a stranger to him too. He just doesnt know it.

I push my feet into new shoes, inwardly wincing because theyre too tight around the toes. When Im done, I pick up a ponytail holder from the dresser.

Wear your hair down, he says, leaning against the doorframe. I like it that way.

Okay. I lower my lashes to hide my disappointment and reach for a boar-bristle brush to run it through my long black hair.

As soon as Im done, he nods with approval. Perfect as always, he says with a smile.

Before I can say anything, the doorbell rings.

Ill get it. He runs downstairs to let the guests in.

We always invite the same people over, three of Jareds friends and their wives.

Before I leave the room, I pull in several breaths, steeling myself for the conversations and the stares, especially from Victor Hanes, Jareds best friend, a surgeon who lives next door. I dont like the way he looks at me. It disgusts me that he always takes every opportunity to flirt with me even though were both married.

My discomfort is safely tucked away when I enter the dining room. Everyone is already settled in, laughing and talking with drinks in their hands.

Wow, Linda Jennings says. You look amazing, Kelsey. As the wife of Don Jennings, a successful lawyer, she always strives to look better than everyone else, but thanks to Jared dressing me up, she has competition. She glances at the other women in the room. Its hard not to look like a frump next to her, right?

You all look great, I say, ignoring the burn at the back of my throat. Theyre all dressed casually in jeans or shorts, and simple blouses. Im sure Jared has told them again that its a casual dinner party. I have a feeling he does that because he likes me to stand out.