Consequences

believing that a little wine might help increase bids. Courtney seemed genuinely pleased and appreciative of Claire’s help.
    The summer heat created the climate Claire enjoyed the most. She contentedly spent many of her days at home by the pool or at her lake. When summer began Tony hesitated to approve her journeys to the lake. He’d been there. He knew how far it was from the house. What if a real accident occurred? At first, she relented to his decision but then she decided it was worth the struggle. Her lake had been her refuge. Determinedly, one Sunday in early June, she pursued the liberty to hike. Tony finally acquiesced, saying he wanted to be mad but it was the memory of her excitement during their February visit that made him relent.
    She asked him to join her. He had other plans for their day, but agreed. They brought a blanket, a picnic packed by Catherine, and water. When they reached the shore Tony seemed to understand why she loved the site. It was nothing like it had been in February. The colors of the summer starkly contrasted the whiteness of their last visit. Though not big, the lake sparkled and glittered with hues of blue created by the reflection of the sapphire sky. The trees surrounding the lake were lush, full, and green.
    The ones in the woods had been also, creating a maze that Tony hoped Claire could truly navigate. He listened to the sounds of the lake shore. In forty-six years he’d never stopped to listen to waves lap the earth. The consistent beat, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, combined with the gentle breeze of the trees soothed him in a way he couldn’t describe. He laid out the blanket on the shore under the shade of a tree and invited Claire to join him. She unpacked their lunch and they sat in silence.
    At first, Claire worried, believing he might be upset by her impudence. Then she stopped worrying and looked at him, really looked at his face, he was peaceful . She thought about who she saw: Anthony Rawlings, multibillionaire tycoon and entrepreneur, a man in complete control of everyone and everything. Claire hoped that perhaps she was witnessing this lofty man seeing himself as part of a grand picture. Maybe for the first time he wasn’t seeing himself as the center. Not wanting to break the spell, she let him sit undisturbed.
    Sometime later, Claire had lost track of time, Tony finally spoke. “This is beautiful. This is here on our property and I have never seen it, not like this.” The sun sparkled and shone as prisms of light and color danced off the water. Having taken the sandwiches out of the basket, Claire broke off a piece of bread and threw it into the water. Tony laughed as minnows swam to devour their newfound feast. She smiled at her husband. Her smile radiated into her eyes, she could feel it. His chocolate eyes looked from the water to her. He leaned toward her. “Thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “For showing me what I have been missing. I have been so goal oriented, so driven, I have missed so much.” She scooted closer and offered him his sandwich. “I’m really not hungry yet, are you?” His hands were exploring her collar bone, causing goose bumps to rise on her arms.
    “I think I can wait.”
    The hours of daylight had almost reached their peak. The summer solstice was near. Between exploring the lake, shore, wildlife, and one another, they found themselves still on the shore as the sun began to set. It was all right. Claire knew that this time there would be no punishment or accident when she arrived home. This time she was safe. They sat and watched the crimson ball as it bled a cherry glow across the sky, slowly fading behind the line of shadowed trees at the far end of the lake.

 
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.
—Epictetus
     Chapter 39
    Claire’s education regarding the responsibilities of Mrs. Anthony Rawlings continued during the summer months. She now had the responsibility of entertaining Tony’s business associates. As a bachelor, these gatherings weren’t expected. However, now with a wife by his side, Shelly felt this personal touch benefited Mr. Rawlings. “They” hosted multiple dinner engagements. On the Fourth of July, they held a large barbeque/pool party for many of Tony’s associates at the estate in Iowa. Guests included those she’d met briefly at her wedding and those that she’d never met. Tony introduced her to everyone, and she