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If you only knew, Je
The maître d’ was heading toward them with menus, a professional smile plastered on his face. “And now, my sweet,” Erich said, “let’s consider that we’ve cleared the air a bit. Let’s have a wonderful di
When they arrived home she deliberately put on the aqua gown. She had not told Erich at di
But he did not stay with her. “I need to be completely alone. I’ll be back by Thursday but not before then.”
She did not dare to protest. “Now don’t get into a creative haze and forget that Mark and Emily are coming to di
He looked down at her as she lay in bed. “I won’t forget.” Without kissing her, he left. Once again she was alone in the cavernous bedroom to fall into the uneasy, dream-filled sleep that was becoming a way of life.
19
In spite of everything, pla
Kevin had not called again. Maybe he had met a girl in the cast and had become involved. If so, they wouldn’t hear from him for a while. If necessary, as soon as the adoption became final they could take legal steps to make him stay away. Or if he did try to block the adoption, Erich might as a last resort buy him off. Silently, she prayed: Please let the children have a home, a real family. Let it be good again between Erich and me.
The night of the di
She said as much to Erich. “I doubt it,” he told her. “There was a time when the Hanovers looked very fondly at the prospect of having me as a son-in-law. Roger Hanover is the president of the bank in Granite Place and has a good idea of my net worth.”
“Did you ever go out with Emily?”
“A little. But I wasn’t interested and didn’t want to get into a situation that would prove uncomfortable. I was waiting for the perfect woman, you see.”
She tried to make her voice teasing. “Well, you found her, dear.”
He kissed her. “I certainly hope so.”
She flinched. He’s joking, she told herself fiercely.
After she got Beth and Tina into bed, Je
Erich had set up the tea table in the parlor as a bar. When she came into the room he studied her carefully. “I like that costume, Jen.”
“That’s good,” she smiled. “You certainly paid enough for it.”
“I thought you didn’t like it. You’ve never worn it before.”
“It seemed kind of dressed up for just sitting around.”
He came over to her. “Is that a spot on your sleeve?”
“That? Oh, it’s just a speck of dust. It must have happened in the store.”
“Then you haven’t worn this outfit before?”
Why did he ask that? Was he simply too sensitive not to know she was hiding something from him?
“First time, girl scout’s honor.”
The door chimes were a welcome interruption. Her mouth had begun to go dry. It’s getting so that no matter what Erich says, I’m afraid of giving myself away, she thought.
Mark was wearing a pepper-and-salt jacket that suited him well. It brought out the gray in his hair, accentuated his broad shoulders, the lean strength of his tall frame. The woman with him was about thirty, small-boned, with wide inquisitive eyes and dark blond hair that skimmed the collar of her well-cut brown velvet suit. Je
Before Je
I never said that! Je
Over cocktails, Mark waited until Erich and Emily were deep in conversation before he commented, “You look pale, Je
“Fine!” She tried to sound as though she meant it.
“Joe told me about his dog. I understand you were pretty upset.”
“I guess I have to learn to understand that things are different here. In New York we cliff dwellers weep collectively over the picture of a stray about to be destroyed. Then somebody shows up to adopt him and we all cheer.”
Emily was looking around the room. “You haven’t changed anything, have you?” she asked. “I don’t know whether Erich has mentioned it but I am an interior designer and if I were you, I’d get rid of those curtains. Sure they’re beautiful but the windows are so overdressed and you lose that glorious view.”
Je
Erich, that’s unfair, Je
“… and I happen to be never at peace if I’m not switching things around but maybe that isn’t your interest. I understand you’re an artist too.”
The moment had passed. It was too late to correct the impression Erich had left. “I’m not an artist,” Je
“So I’ve heard. Your whirlwind romance has created quite a stir in these parts. How does our rustic life compare with the Big Apple?”
Je
“Report that to your mother, Emily,” Mark suggested.
Je
Emily laughed, a brittle, mirthless sound. “From what I hear you’ve got at least one friend to keep you amused.”
She had to be referring to the meeting with Kevin. The woman from church had been gossiping. She felt Erich’s questioning look and did not meet his eyes.
Je