LITMIR.BIZ

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shouted from the hallway leading to their respective bedrooms.

      “I’m taking a bath,” she called back, setting the book aside. It was barely after seven; perhaps his interest in the other woman had waned. The scented water and bubbles sloshed as she stood up. On second thought, maybe something was wrong, but she couldn’t imagine what. She reached for a thick oversized towel from the heated rack. “Is everything all right?”

      Reese knocked briefly on the bathroom door and, without waiting for her to respond, walked inside. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of her, breathless and rosy from the hot water, with a towel wrapped around her.

      “What are you doing here?” she demanded, flustered that he’d walked in on her practically nude. At one time, her body had been sleek and lovely, but the years had taken their toll. Her stomach sagged and her breasts were those of a woman in her fifties. She pulled the towel more securely about her.

      “Are you kicking me out of the bathroom, too?”

      “I’d appreciate my privacy.”

      His eyes seemed to go cold for a moment before a blank look slid into place. “I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes when you’re available.”

      “Of course,” she murmured.

      Reese backed out of the room and closed the door.

      As Jacqueline stepped out of the tub, she realized she was trembling. She rested one hand on the counter to steady herself, and drew in a deep, calming breath while she gathered her wits. She dried off, then slipped into her satin nightgown and matching robe. She cinched it tightly about her waist and paused in an effort to still her pounding heart before seeking out her husband.

      Jacqueline found Reese in the kitchen, standing in front of the open refrigerator. He removed a take-out container she’d brought home from lunch two days earlier. She rarely cooked anymore, especially since Martha, their housekeeper, was more than willing to assume the task. Jacqueline had her own commitments and no longer bothered with meal preparation. Reese usually ate alone because he tended to stay late at the office. Or so he said.

      “What’s wrong?”

      He didn’t answer. Instead he lifted the lid and examined what remained of her Caesar salad with shrimp. Apparently it didn’t suit him because he closed it again and stuck the container back in the refrigerator. “Do we have any eggs?”

      “I think so,” she said, stepping between him and the refrigerator door. “Would you like me to make you an omelet?”

      “Would you?” He acted surprised that she’d offered.

      Irritated, Jacqueline took the egg carton from the door and grabbed a cube of Monterey Jack cheese.

      “What are you doing home?” she asked. If she was going to cook for him, the least Reese could do was answer her questions.

      He perched on the bar stool and watched as she chose a small frying pan and set it on the burner. “Do we have any mushrooms?”

      “No. Now answer my question.”

      Reese sighed laboriously.

      “Fine. Don’t tell me,” she muttered and turned away. Rummaging in the vegetable bin, she located a useable green pepper, half an onion and a questionable-looking zucchini, which she deftly tossed in the garbage.

      “You sent Paul and Tammie Lee a floral bouquet, didn’t you?”

      “I told you I would,” she said irritably. She wasn’t accustomed to explaining her actions to her husband. Since when was she accountable to Reese? And she hated the way he’d been nagging her about their daughter-in-law.

      “Did you hear from Paul?”

      Jacqueline pinched her lips to hide her displeasure. “No, but Tammie Lee phoned to thank us for the roses,” she answered with bad grace. Actually Tammie Lee had gushed with appreciation and chattered on as if she’d never seen a dozen roses before.

      “Is that all she said?”

      “Should she have said more?” she snapped. Jacqueline resented this inquisition, and she wanted him to know it.

      Reese glanced away. “I have no idea. You were the one who spoke to her.”

      “She informed me that she’s thrilled about being pregnant. According to her, the pregnancy was a surprise.” Jacqueline could hardly wait to hear what her country-club friends said when they learned Tammie Lee was expecting. Everyone knew her feelings toward her daughter-in-law and her hope that Paul would recognize his mistake.

      “I think she did it on purpose.” Jacqueline bristled just saying it. Tammie Lee knew exactly what she was doing. This baby was no more an accident than Pearl Harbor had been.

      “It’s Paul’s life.”

      “Do we need to keep having the same conversation?” The pan was hot and she cut off a small slice of butter and let it melt before tossing in the chopped vegetables. Taking her frustration out on the eggs, she cracked their shells against the side of the bowl and beat three eggs into a frothy foam.

      “Did you sign up for the knitting class?”

      Reese was certainly full of questions, and she concentrated on her task rather than respond. It didn’t escape her notice that he was close-mouthed about the details of his own life. She wondered how he’d feel if she started asking him questions. Like why he happened to be home at this time of night when he was supposed to be with his mistress. Or why he was suddenly so curious about what Jacqueline was doing. She decided not to answer.

      Jacqueline half expected Reese to be angry at her lack of response. Instead he laughed.

      “What’s so funny?”

      “You. I can’t imagine you with a pair of knitting needles.”

      She decided to let that remark pass. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know he’d annoyed her.

      “You don’t look like any grandma I’ve ever seen—especially in the bathtub just now, all pink and pretty.”

      Again Jacqueline let his comment slide. She poured the beaten eggs on the semi-cooked vegetables and added a heaping handful of grated cheese. With practiced ease she loosened the edges of omelet and flipped it over. When the eggs had cooked the way she knew Reese liked them, she slipped the omelet onto a plate and handed it to her husband.

      Reese’s eyes lit up appreciatively.

      “You never did say why you’re home this early.” He’d already refused to answer her once and she wondered if he would again.

      “I was hungry,” he said simply and dug into the eggs and cheese.

      Whatever had really happened, Reese obviously didn’t plan to tell her. She watched him a moment and then said, “I’m going to bed to read.”

      Setting the dirty pan into the kitchen sink for Martha to wash in the morning, she left the kitchen.

      Reese didn’t say anything until she was halfway out of the room. “Jacquie.”

      “What is it?” she asked in a resigned tone.

      “Thanks for making me dinner.”

      She sighed audibly and slowly shook her head. “You’re welcome.” With that she walked into her bedroom. She took off the robe and sat on the edge of the queen-size bed piled high with decorative pillows, running her hand over the lacy cover. Turning aside the down comforter, she slid beneath the cool sheets and arranged her pillows so she could sit up and read.

      In the distance she heard Reese rinse off his plate and put it in the dishwasher. Soon afterward the television in the den went on; just when she was about to complain, he lowered the volume.

      Jacqueline read for about ten minutes—until tears unaccountably blurred her vision. She didn’t understand why

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