For All Time Read online

  For All Time

  Angela Benson

  Copyright © 1995, 2016 by Angela Benson

  First published by Kensington, 1995

  Cover Design by fiverr.com/pro_ebookcovers

  http://www.angelabenson.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for purchasing For All Time. I really enjoyed writing Josh and Gloria’s story. I got the idea from my cousin who had recently lost her job. I began to wonder what would happen to a successful couple when the husband lost his job and the wife began to excel at hers. For All Time is the result of those thoughts. I do hope you enjoy Josh and Gloria’s journey.

  Angela Benson

  Table of Contents

  Other Titles by Angela Benson

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  About the Author

  Other Titles by Angela Benson

  Other Titles by Angela Benson

  Sweet Passion Contemporary Romance Series

  Friend and Lover

  The Nicest Guy in America

  The Way Home

  Bands of Gold

  For All Time

  Between the Lines

  Single Title Inspirational Family Drama

  The Summer of Me

  Delilah’s Daughters

  Sins of the Father

  Up Pops the Devil

  Genesis House Inspirational Romance & Family Drama

  Awakening Mercy, Book 1

  Abiding Hope, Book 2

  The Amen Sisters, Book 3

  Enduring Love, Book 4 (coming soon)

  Nonfiction

  Men Don’t Like Ugly, Women Don’t Like Broke: What Women Need to Know about Love, Money and Relationships

  Telling Your Tale: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook

  One

  Fired. Joshua Martin couldn’t believe it. After nine years of dedicated service to General Electronics, he was being fired. “When will you make the announcement?” he asked Marvin Callahan, his boss and friend. At least, he had thought Marvin was his friend.

  Marvin looked away. “I’m meeting with the management team on Monday morning. We’ll tell the staff Monday afternoon.”

  That’s fast, Josh thought. Too fast. “When’s our last day?”

  “Two weeks, Josh. They’re giving everybody two weeks.”

  Marvin continued talking, but Josh didn’t hear him. I can’t believe this is happening to me, he thought. Not to me. I’ve done everything right. I’ve worked hard for General Electronics, done more than was required of me. And what do I get? Two weeks’ notice.

  Josh shook his head. Nine years to build a career and two weeks to watch it die.

  “The severance package isn’t what it should be,” Marvin was saying, “but I’m sure you won’t have a problem finding another job. I’ll give you an excellent recommendation.”

  Josh could think of nothing more to say. He straightened the tie that was now feeling tight around his neck. He needed to get out of Marvin’s office. He was suffocating.

  As if Marvin had heard Josh’s thoughts, he stood and extended his hand. Josh took it. “It was great working with you, son,” Marvin said. “You deserve better than this.”

  Josh dropped Marvin’s hand and headed for the door. After he opened it, he turned and faced Marvin. “Your right, Marvin. I do deserve better than this.”

  Josh made the long walk back to his office, not quite believing what had happened. He had gone into Marvin’s office expecting to discuss his upcoming promotion. Man, had he been wrong. He couldn’t have been more wrong.

  When he reached his office, Grace, his secretary and the one person who still had a job, was at her desk. “That was a short meeting,” she commented.

  Josh gave her a grim smile. “Why don’t you knock off for today? I’ll see you Monday.”

  Not waiting for Grace’s response, Josh walked into his office and closed the door behind him. He sat at his desk, threw back his head, and stared at the ceiling. You’re no better than your father, he thought.

  ***

  “Wait up a minute, Gloria.”

  Hearing her name, Gloria Martin turned to see her friend Portia rushing down the hallway in a swirl of flowers. Gloria shook her head. Portia and her clothes, she thought. The solid navy jacket lessened the effect, but the rainbow of colors in the drop waist dress was eye-catching. “Hi, Portia. I haven’t seen you all week. You must be very busy.”

  Portia tugged at the button on her jacket as if she were uncomfortable in it. “I am, girl, but no more than you. I’ve been trying to reach you all morning. Dexter and I are planning a dinner party two weeks from today and we want you and Josh to come.”

  Gloria smiled. “No can do. Josh and I will be on our second honeymoon in two weeks.”

  “Second honeymoon, huh? How long have you been planning this?”

  When Portia reached Gloria’s side, they strolled together down the hall toward their offices. “A year.”

  “A year?” Portia rolled her eyes. “You’ve only been married a year.”

  Gloria nodded her head. “That’s right. Before Josh and I got married we decided we would celebrate every anniversary as another honeymoon.”

  Portia wrinkled her nose. “Whose idea was this? Yours or Josh’s?”

  “Josh’s.”

  “I knew it,” Portia said. “Josh is such a romantic. I’ve told Dexter he needs to spend more time with him. I’m hoping Josh will rub off on him. Dexter is about as romantic as a lamp post.”

  Gloria laughed at Portia’s exaggeration. She knew Portia and Dexter had a good marriage and they were deeply in love with each other. “You’d better stop putting Dexter down. One of these days you’re going to hurt his feelings.”

  A soft expression came across Portia’s face. “The big lug knows I love him, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t bone up a little in the romance department. All the romantic ideas are mine and that gets to be tiring.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “No, you can’t,” Portia said, “but thanks for saying it.”

  When they reached the point where they would have to part company to go to their respective offices, Gloria looked at her watch. “I have to call Josh about our dinner date tonight. Why don’t you come by my office? We can catch up on the office gossip.”

  Gloria led the way to her office. She motioned Portia to a seat at the conference table next to her desk, then she picked up the phone.

  “Hiya, handsome,” she said when Josh answered.

  “Hi, yourself.”

  Gloria noticed that Josh’s voice didn’t hold the contained excitement that usually marked their conversations. “Is everything all right?” she asked. “You sound funny.”

  “Odd y
ou should ask that question,” Josh said in a resigned voice so unlike himself. “Things could be better.”

  “What’s wrong?” Gloria was concerned. It wasn’t like Josh to be down.

  “Nothing that can’t wait until I see you. How about Mick’s at six?”

  His words didn’t reassure her. “Mick’s is fine, Josh. Are you sure everything is all right?”

  He paused and she heard him release a deep sigh. “It’s nothing that can’t wait,” he said. “Now get back to work. I’ll see you at six.”

  Gloria held the phone after Josh hung up.

  “Something wrong?” Portia asked.

  Gloria frowned. She had forgotten Portia was in the room. “Josh is upset about something.”

  Portia stood and moved toward the office door. “Call him back. We can do lunch next week and catch up on the news.”

  Gloria waved Portia back to the table. “There’s no need for that. I’m not meeting him until six. He wouldn’t tell me what’s wrong over the phone anyway.”

  Portia remained standing. “Are you sure?”

  Taking a seat at the conference table, Gloria smiled. “I’m sure. Josh will tell me over dinner. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out.”

  Portia sat next to her. “In that case, I have some news for you.”

  “What did you hear?” Gloria leaned forward, eager to hear the latest gossip.

  “I’m up for a promotion,” Portia said, a satisfied grin on her face.

  “A promotion? Portia, that’s wonderful. Which department?”

  Portia hesitated, then whispered, “That’s where the news is. I’m not sure yet, but it’ll be either Trusts or Commercial Lending.”

  Gloria sat back in her chair and straightened her back. “Commercial Lending? That’s my department. How can you get promoted into my department? That would mean you’d get my job.”

  Portia’s grin grew wider. “That’s right. I’d get your job.”

  Gloria didn’t say anything. She didn’t know what to say.

  Portia laughed then. “Don’t look so confused, you goose. The word is that you or Bob in Trusts will be promoted to Commercial Investments Second Vice President.”

  Gloria breathed a relieved sigh. “Where did you hear this?”

  “I have my sources.”

  Gloria studied her friend. Portia was well connected in the office grapevine, so she was usually right on the money with her news, but this news was too good to believe.

  “Nothing’s final,” Portia cautioned her. “So don’t decorate your new office yet.”

  Gloria laughed because Portia knew her so well. “If this news of yours is true, when will we know?”

  “Two months, tops.”

  “Two months, huh? Well, I hope you’re right. This really would be good news for us. Josh is up for a promotion, too. Wouldn’t it be great if we both got promotions? We sure could use the money.”

  Portia rolled her eyes. “You and Josh have more money now than you can spend. What do you mean, you need the money?”

  “Josh and I want to start a family soon,” Gloria confided. “And when we do, I want to stay home with the kids for at least a few years. We need the money so I can do that without changing our lifestyle.”

  “You—a stay-at-home mom? That I can’t picture.”

  “And why not?” Gloria knew Portia too well to be peeved by her comment, though it did rankle just a bit.

  “You’re too much of a career woman. I thought you’d have the baby Wednesday and be back to work Friday.”

  Gloria laughed at that. “At one time, maybe, but Josh and I have talked a lot about it. We both grew up in households with working mothers. Mothers who worked a lot. We don’t want that for our children. Besides, I can always return to work if I change my mind or if I get bored. What about you? Have you and Dexter been talking about babies?”

  Portia slid her chair closer to Gloria’s. “We’ve been trying to get pregnant for the last six months.”

  “And you haven’t told me?” Gloria asked with a smile. “I’m insulted.”

  “Don’t be. We haven’t told anybody. We don’t want to talk about it until I’m pregnant.”

  Gloria saw uncertainty in Portia’s face. “There aren’t any problems are there?”

  Portia shook her head. “I’m getting anxious, but the doctor says there’s nothing to worry about yet. I’ve stopped taking the pill and my body has to adjust.”

  “You guys will get lucky soon,” Gloria said, touching Portia’s hand. “So, will you continue working or will you stay home?”

  “That’s another reason we aren’t talking about it. I knew a promotion of some sort was in the works for me and I didn’t want my manager to know how immediate our plans for a family were. It might make him think I’m not serious about my career.”

  Gloria nodded. It was the new millennium, but corporate America still functioned as though it was the Dark Ages when it came to women and pregnancies. “I know what you mean. You still haven’t answered my question, though. What will you do after the baby is born?”

  Portia’s slight shoulders drooped and her usually bright eyes dimmed. “We haven’t decided. Dexter wants me to stay home. I want to stay home for a while, but I’m not sure I could do it for more than a year. I’d miss work too much. We’re considering the part-time option.”

  “Good for you,” Gloria said. “You’ll find a solution that works for both you and Dexter. All the books say the best environment for a baby is a happy home, whether that’s with a working mom or a stay-at-home mom.”

  “I’m glad you said that. Sometimes I feel guilty about not wanting to stay home, as though I’m putting my baby second.”

  “Don’t think that way, Portia,” Gloria said. “If you stay home, stay because it makes you happy, not because you think it’s expected. If you’re happy, your baby will be happy.”

  Portia reached over and hugged Gloria. “You’re a good friend. Even with all the work we have, we should make time to talk more often.”

  Gloria pulled back and smiled at her friend. “You’re right. Let’s do that.”

  “I’m leaving now,” Portia said, getting up from her chair. “You’d better go too, if you want to make your date with your husband.”

  Gloria looked at her watch. “You’re right. I have a couple of things to do first and then I’m out of here. I hope you and Dexter have a good weekend.”

  When Portia left the office, Gloria returned to her desk and began reviewing contracts. After about an hour, she stopped and pushed her chair back from the desk. “There’s nothing here that can’t wait until Monday,” she said to herself. “I’m going to meet my husband.”

  ***

  When Gloria walked through Mick’s bright orange doors, she scanned the after-work dinner crowd for her husband. Her eyes found him seated at a table near the windows. He was staring into his glass, apparently deep in thought.

  As she walked toward him, her heart swelled with pride. Joshua Martin was everything a woman could want. He was a handsome man, her husband. And he was hers. All of him. His close-cut wavy, black hair. His smooth, clean-shaven, brown, almost black, skin. His beautiful brown eyes. He lifted those eyes to her when she reached him and she saw that they were troubled.

  “Hiya, handsome,” she said as she leaned down to give him a kiss on the jaw. “Have you been waiting long?”

  “Not long,” Josh said. He stood, pulled out a chair for her, and gave her a long, wet kiss before he took his seat again. “Do you want a drink?”

  Still reeling from that kiss, she pointed to the glass in front of him. “Whatever you’re having.”

  Josh beckoned the waiter and ordered Evian for Gloria. Since she knew what she wanted, they also placed their dinner orders. When the waiter left, Gloria asked, “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

  When Josh looked at her, Gloria saw the debate in his expression. “Not yet. Why don’t yo
u tell me about your day first?”

  Something is terribly wrong, she thought. It’s unlike Josh to hedge my questions. Maybe good news will help. “I talked to Portia today.”

  That brought a smile to his face. “How is she? It’s been awhile since we’ve seen her and Dexter.”

  Gloria smiled because Josh was smiling. “Portia’s Portia. She and Dexter invited us to a dinner party, but I told her about our anniversary trip. Have you decided where we’re going?”

  Josh’s smile widened into a grin as he pulled airline tickets from his pocket. He waved them toward her, but when she reached for them, he pulled them away and put them back in his pocket.

  “So, we’re flying?”

  Josh put a finger to his lips. “I’m not saying any more.”

  Gloria pouted. “If you don’t tell me where we’re going, I won’t know how to pack.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You won’t need clothes. We’ll spend most of this vacation inside anyway.”

  Josh’s grin was now a leer. Gloria began to relax. Maybe nothing was wrong after all, she thought. “Maybe so, but I have to know what to wear to the airport.”

  “I’ll do your packing for you.”

  Gloria laughed and shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll risk that. If I leave it to you, I’ll have nothing but lingerie and probably very little of that.”

  Josh clutched at his heart. “You wound me!”

  “Wound me, nothing. I know you, Josh Martin.”

  Josh’s look turned serious and he reached for Gloria’s hand. “I love you, Gloria. More each day.”

  Gloria saw the troubled look in his eyes return. “What is it, Josh? You can tell me.”

  “I know, Gloria, but I don’t know how to tell you.”

  “Start at the beginning,” she said in what she hoped was a calm voice. Josh was making her nervous, afraid even. Please, God, don’t let it be something terrible.

  Josh applied pressure to her hand. “Marvin gave me some news today,” Josh began, but before he could continue the waiter returned with their salads and Gloria’s drink. Josh released her hand and picked up his fork.