LITMIR.BIZ

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finally made contact and Carina had accepted his invitation to go out with him.

      The following Thursday morning Carina met her sister-in-law Marisa for coffee at one of their favorite bakeries.

      “Thanks for calling me to meet you this morning,” Marisa said. “I need someone I trust that I can talk to.”

      “Trouble with Al?” Carina asked, sipping her coffee.

      “It seems that’s all we have anymore. I’m thinking about divorcing him.”

      Carina reached out and placed her hand over Marisa’s hand. “It’s gotten that bad, has it?”

      “He’s been ignoring me for the last several months, which is upsetting enough, but now he’s ignoring the children, as well. It breaks my heart to see them wanting his attention while he brushes them off.”

      Six-year-old Chris was the first grandchild and had been named for his grandfather. His sister, Tina Maria, was a precocious four-year-old. Carina loved them, as she loved Ben and Sara’s daughter, Beth. She knew they were each a handful and needed both parents.

      “I think there’s another woman,” Marisa said in a low voice.

      “Oh, surely not,” Carina replied. “What makes you think such a thing?”

      “He’s been going on what he insists are ‘buying trips,’ which is something he’s always left to Benito before. Sara says that as far as she knows, Bennie does most of the buying for the company. I’ve been thinking about hiring an investigator.”

      “Be careful,” Carina said. “Alfredo has a temper. I wouldn’t want him to hurt you in any way.”

      “I told him last night that I wanted a divorce and he just laughed and asked if I was trying to get a higher allowance for household expenses. He refuses to take me seriously.”

      “But what would you do if you found out there was someone else?”

      Marisa sighed. “Accept that I really don’t have much of a marriage and that the kids and I need to go somewhere else. My mother keeps wanting me to go visit her in Dallas for a while and I’m thinking seriously of doing just that.”

      “I want to see you and the kids happy, Marisa. I feel bad that I’m the one who introduced you to him.”

      Marisa smiled, her first smile since they’d met that morning. “Hey, you didn’t force me to marry him, you know. I made that decision all on my own.” She took a bite out of her pastry. “I’m sorry to dump all this on you just because you’re my friend. You’re also Alfredo’s sister. I don’t want you caught in the middle here.”

      “Don’t be silly. You and I have been friends since high school. Nothing’s going to change that, not even a divorce.”

      “Don’t say anything to the folks until I make a decision. I think getting away is just what I need to give myself some time to think about things. I’m glad school’s out for the summer. It may be that I’ll start Chris in school in Dallas for next year.”

      “You do what you need to do, Marisa. Just remember, I’m here for you.” Carina looked away for a moment before she said, “Neither of us did too well in the men department, did we?”

      “At least you knew Dan loved you.”

      “Of course he did. That’s why he had a woman with him the night he was killed. I was such a fool to think he was in love with me and not the Patterson name. Al wouldn’t have hired him if I hadn’t been engaged to Dan and you know it.”

      “I guess you’re right. All men are slimeballs and we’re both better off without them,” Marisa said politely with no expression on her face.

      Carina laughed and Marisa joined in. After they polished off their pastries and got more coffee, Carina said, “This probably isn’t a great time to mention it, but I have a date with Jude Crenshaw Saturday evening.”

      Marisa stared at her, her cup of coffee halfway to her mouth. She set the mug back on the table.

      “You’re kidding me! He asked you out?”

      “Don’t sound so shocked. He asked me while we were dancing at the benefit last week.”

      “I guess I’m more shocked that you accepted him. You’ve known for days and you’re just now telling me about it? Boy, when you decide to start dating again, you don’t mess around! Jude Crenshaw. He’s one of the most talked-about bachelors in town! I can’t begin to imagine how many hearts he’s broken since he moved here.”

      Carina shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. He certainly won’t break mine. I’ve been thinking that I need to get back into some sort of social life. Since Dan died, I’ve hibernated in my apartment feeling sorry for myself. It’s time to move on and accept the fact that I have lousy taste in men. I figure Jude will be a good first step in letting people know I’m ready to start dating again.”

      “I know a couple of women who’ve dated him. They both had the same experience with him. He saw them a few times, they hit it off, he was a fun date, rarely if ever serious about anything and they were both really taken with him. And then, for no reason that either of them could fathom, he stopped calling them. Just like that.” Marisa snapped her fingers. “He gave no explanation to either one. The next thing either of them knew he was seeing someone else. He definitely believes in playing the field.”

      “Good. Then he’s perfect for me because that’s what I want to do. I admit I’m a little flattered that he even noticed me since I’m not his type. He seems to go for tall blondes. I haven’t gone out with that many men and I’ve never been serious about anyone but Dan. I’m sadly lacking in my dating skills.”

      “Not to mention lack of a sex life.”

      Carina grinned mischievously. “That, too. I may not put up much of a defense if Mr. Crenshaw insists on seducing me.”

      “Come to think of it,” Marisa said, sounding disgruntled, “Maybe I need to get a boyfriend on the side, then, since my sex life has all but disappeared.”

      They looked at each other for a moment and then burst into laughter.

      Carina changed the subject and they spent the rest of their time together discussing what had gone on at the board meeting of the symphony the night before. Carina had been on the board since she’d returned from New York after her father became ill.

      After a while, Marisa glanced at her watch. “Oops. Time to pick up the kiddos. Be sure to let me know how your date goes, okay?” They stood and walked toward the door of the small bakery.

      “I’ll do that, and say hi to the kids.”

      Marisa sighed. “Of course.” They paused once they were on the sidewalk. “You know, Carina, there are times when I don’t feel I even know Al any more. He’s certainly not the man I married.”

      Carina gently squeezed her hand. “Hang in there. I know you’ll make the best decision for all concerned.”

      Carina dressed for her dinner with Jude on Saturday wondering how the evening would go. Would he find her too boring for words?

      Carina sank down onto her bed and smoothed the hand-stitched coverlet her grandmother in Mexico had made for her several years ago. She closed her eyes and visualized Jude with his blond, expensively styled hair and those gorgeous blue eyes.

      He was much taller than she. Danny had only been a couple of inches taller when she wore high heels. Even in her highest heels, she had barely reached Jude’s shoulder.

      He’d been so gentle with her, almost as if he’d thought she might break. If he got to know her better, he’d quickly discover that she was far from fragile. She kept her body strong and supple with tai chi and yoga.

      Of course he was handsome. And rich. And something of a playboy. But did she care about his playing the field? She’d

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