My God. Pregnant. Why now, when my marriage is failing?
She laughed out loud. Fate was a funny thing. Jack would be thrilled with the news.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the sun poured down on her, heating her from inside out.
God, she loved her children. She rubbed her stomach, even though it was too soon for her to show. Already, she loved this little one, too. What a blessing. But she couldn’t help but think the timing was way off.
She couldn’t tell Jack. He’d married her in the first place because she was pregnant. She knew that if she told him, he’d come back, and she didn’t want a baby bringing him back this time. She wanted him only if he loved her and wanted to be with her.
Tears welled and ran down her cheeks. If hers and Jack’s love wasn’t strong enough to sustain the marriage, then she’d raise this child alone. She swiped the tears away. She loved Jack, but she could survive without him.
She stood, started to her car.
“Kim?”
Turning so fast that she almost tripped, she came face-to-face with Jonas, her producer.
“Are you okay?”
Kimberly forced herself to smile. “I’m great.”
Her cell rang.
“Excuse me, Jonas,” she said before she answered.
“Sorry, kiddo, but I have a delivery,” Vicky said. “One of my patients has gone into labor. Are you going to be okay? There’s no telling when I’ll get there.”
“I’m fine. Go deliver your baby.”
Jonas seemed to study her. She knew she hadn’t been in top form lately, and it was something he would have noticed.
She smiled brighter. “I’m fine, really.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost five. Why don’t we have dinner together? Or do you have other plans?”
She didn’t have any plans. It was Jack’s evening with the kids, so she’d only wander around the house alone. Maybe it would help if she got out. Jonas was safe.
What a shame. Men were scarce, and Jonas was a very nice guy and quite handsome, too. Women were always coming on to him. She’d told him more than once that he should “come out,” but he wouldn’t. He’d said some things weren’t anybody’s business. But he also said he never dated women. He wasn’t into false pretenses.
“Let me go home and change first,” Kimberly said.
“Shall I pick you up in an hour?”
“Sure,” she said, looking forward to getting out for a change. The kids both had busy schedules this weekend. She’d told Byron to make sure April had rides to wherever she needed to go, just in case Jack had to work. One of the few advantages of a teen with a driver’s license, she thought, as she headed home.
She showered and changed, spritzed on perfume and carefully applied her makeup. She hadn’t dressed up since the night she and Jack went to the play together.
When Jonas picked her up he named a popular restaurant and drove directly there. It was crowded. But when she saw her husband there with Lauren and a couple of men, her stomach turned. They were probably discussing the new pub. Nausea threatened, but she swallowed. Jack wore a suit, not the brewpub shirt. He looked great. She gritted her teeth against the desire and anger vying for payback.
She just knew there was something going on between him and Lauren. That woman was after her husband, and now she undoubtedly felt he was free for the taking.
Fleetingly, Kimberly realized she was being irrational, but she was glad she’d dressed carefully for dinner. At least she wouldn’t look like some pitiful thing waiting on the sidelines for Jack to make up his mind. And at least he’d think other men found her attractive. Jonas hadn’t been at the station long, and Jack hadn’t met him yet. He also didn’t know Jonas was gay, and she wasn’t about to tell him.
She made a point of not looking his way when they passed his table. Jonas said something to her and she laughed a little as she answered, hoping it didn’t sound strained.
Jack couldn’t believe it. What the heck was his wife doing, out with another man?
“Jack?” His name sounded as if it were coming from a long tunnel. He focused on Lauren for a second before he followed his wife’s progress to a table. He had a perfect view of her. And, damn, she looked good. Frowning, he wondered if she wore his favorite perfume.
“Jack?”
“Oh, yeah,” he said, focusing for a few seconds on the group. He’d ordered a nice steak and it was congealing in his stomach.
Lauren sighed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head. If you don’t count the fact that my wife is stepping out with another man. Tearing his attention from his wife, Jack returned to the conversation.
Halfway through dinner, Kimberly went to the ladies’ room. Jack excused himself and waited by the door for her to come out. He felt like a stalker.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked, tugging her to the side.
She looked surprised to see him. “Oh, hi, Jack. How are you?”
“What the heck is going on, Kim?”
“I’m having dinner. Just like you.”
“You’re a married woman.” She had worn his favorite perfume, and it set his temper ablaze. She was his, damn it. She had no business going out with another man.
“The fact that you’re a married man hasn’t stopped you from having dinner with other women.” She lifted her chin, meeting his icy gaze straight on.
He wouldn’t state the obvious, that there was a group of people at his table, not just Lauren. “What about the kids, Kim? They need parents now more than ever. Isn’t that what you’re always preaching to me? They search for all kinds of trouble at this age. April is having a hard time with the separation, and you’re painting the town with another man,” he all but spat.
“They’re staying with you this weekend, remember? This should give you an opportunity to spend some quality time with them. To reassure April that you’re still there for her.”
Oh, crap. He’d forgotten about the weekend schedule. “You just remember you’re still a married woman.”
She tilted her chin. “Take your own advice, Jack. I have to get back to my table. Excuse me.”
And just like that she took off, her hips swishing. Her skirt hem hit against her gorgeous legs. Her feet were encased in strappy, high-heeled sandals. He felt his body harden. Crimping his mouth, he took out his cell phone to call the kids.
His daughter started screeching in the phone. “Dad, where are you? You were supposed to pick me up from Tracy’s hours ago,” she said accusingly.
“Where are you?”
“At home. My friend’s mother dropped me off. What happened?”
“I got tied up. Baby, I’m sorry. I’m on my way.”
At the table, he signaled for the waiter and paid the bill before hastening Lauren on her way. She was a bit put off, but what could he do? He couldn’t help but notice Kimberly laughing and having a grand old time with her friend. He’d only had enough time to eat half of his dinner.
“Why are we rushing away?” Lauren asked.
“I forgot I was supposed to pick up my daughter. We have plans for the weekend.”
“What a good dad you are,” Lauren said.
“Not so good. I forgot to pick her up.”
“You’re a hardworking man. I’d think your wife could do that for you.”
“She does more than her share,” he said with a finality that let her know the subject was closed. What went on with his family was none of her business. But what he’d said was true.
Vicky arrived a half hour after Jonas dropped Kimberly off.
She plopped on the sofa. “Girl, I am beat. First-time mother, and the labor was long.”
“What did she have?” Kimberly asked, a catch in her throat.
“A beautiful little girl,” Vicky said with a sigh.
“You think they’re all beautiful,” Kimberly said. “And they’re certainly precious.”
“Especiall
y that little one you’re carrying. You need to tell Jack.”
Kimberly sighed, the joy leaving. “I can’t.”
“Honey, in three more months you won’t have to.”
“Hopefully, we’ll resolve our differences by then,” Kimberly said.
“Or when you turn green and flash to the bathroom.”
“He wouldn’t know. He isn’t home.”
“I bet he notices more than you think.”
“Let’s talk about you. How was the date you had a week ago?”
Vicky shook her head. “I don’t know why I waste my time. All these years, and I haven’t found one—not one man—who clicked. I’m off them for a while.”
“You can’t close your eyes.”
“Opening them does no good.” She wagged a finger. “You better keep that man. It’s not easy finding good ones.”
“I’ve got the perfect one to introduce you to. He’s really nice. Just your—”
Vicky held up a hand. “Stop it right there. I don’t want to be fixed up. If we make plans for an evening out, I want to be able to relax—not hurt your feelings when it doesn’t work out.”
“But…”
“I mean it, Kim. No matchmaking. They never work out anyway.”
“You are so stubborn.”
“My advice to you is to hold on to Jack with any excuse you can. It’d be different if you didn’t love each other.”
Kimberly’s sigh was long and painful. “I don’t know that he does love me.”
“You’ve been married for seventeen years. Something’s there. You just have to find it.”
“I don’t know that we can. I’m tired of being the one to give in, to sacrifice, without him making an effort to do the same.”
“Oh, Kim. Can’t you find a way to talk through this problem?”
“Jack tells me one thing and does another. I’m not putting up with it anymore.”
“Kim—”
“I don’t want to weaken. I don’t want to hold on to a man who really doesn’t want me—who isn’t sure I’m the one he wants to be with.” Kimberly drew out a long breath. Then she sighed. “You know, even though he’s rarely here, even though I rarely see him, I miss him.”
“And I know he misses you, too.”
Jack’s sister Janice caught him in the parking lot. Before he could greet her, she bared down on him.
“How could you leave your wife?” she asked. Every inch of her five-four frame vibrated with rage and disappointment. At twenty-six, Janice was the youngest of his family.
He hadn’t started this mess. “Who told you that?”
“Never mind. You’re the one always haranguing us about doing what’s right. But here you are leaving a good wife.”
“Stay out of it, Janice. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I can handle my business.”
“Oh, really? We always suffered your advice, whether we wanted it or not. Big brother and all, sticking his nose in everybody’s business. You think you’re the only one who can give advice?”
“You can’t advise on something you know nothing about,” Jack snapped, quickly nearing the end of his patience.
“You are such an autocrat.”
“You’re a nosey busybody.”
“Mama is upset. Tell her she’s nosey. We all love Kimberly.”
He knew that.
“I don’t want to find out you left her for some hoochie mama.”
“You won’t.” Had she been talking to Byron?
With hands on hips, she glared at him—but then she hugged him and got in her car and peeled away.
His wife had started a firestorm that was just beginning. That evening, Jack got a visit from his mother that didn’t go any better than the visit with his sister. They all blamed him—and he couldn’t tell them Kimberly put him out. Then they’d want to know what he’d done. Because of course it had to be his fault.
Women.
Chapter 7
“April, what time did Byron say he was bringing his date?” Byron had invited his very first serious girlfriend to dinner to introduce her to Kimberly. Kimberly touched a hand to her chest. She couldn’t believe it. Her baby. Of course he was sixteen, so it was expected for him to experience his first bout of puppy love. But still, time passed just too quickly. Kimberly only hoped the girl was a nice young lady.
“In half an hour. But he’s taking me to the store first, and then he’s going to pick her up on the way back. I need some supplies for school.”
“Honey, you have plenty of supplies you haven’t even used up yet. Did you check the den to make sure? Just the other week your father had to take you to get supplies.”
“I checked, Mom. It won’t take but a few minutes.”
“What is her name? That boy forgot to even mention a name.”
“I don’t know. Some strange name, like Akenda, or something like that.”
“What an unusual name. Is she African?”
“How would I know?” April blew out a long breath and gazed up at the ceiling, as if her mother was lacking a few brain cells, then she grabbed candles from the cabinet and dashed into the dining room. Puzzled, Kimberly followed her.
The table was gorgeous, even without the candles. April had placed little bunches of cut roses around the candelabra, and now she placed a candle in each holder. The table was set with Kimberly’s best china.
Kimberly frowned. She’d thought they’d be more relaxed, not scare the girl. “Honey, you don’t think you’re overdoing it a bit? You don’t want to make the girl nervous. It’s not a wedding celebration or Thanksgiving.”
“It’s been forever since we did anything special, Mom,” April complained. “I thought we’d do it up really nice tonight. You used to do this all the time, remember? You’d play old-time, slow music. I found one of your old CDs and put it on. You know the ones Dad had made? Remember when he brought this huge bag of CDs home and you started doing old dances and acting silly?”
Kimberly remembered all right. Jack had just opened a new brewpub. The grand-opening weekend had been so successful that he was in a jovial mood. They’d danced. And the kids had watched a while, and then grew bored. She and Jack had snuggled up, she with a glass of wine, Jack with a tall beer. Kimberly breathed in deeply.
It was an evening to remember.
Kimberly worked to keep tears from spilling.
Bobbing double time to the beat, April danced around the table, inserting candles. “Seems like years ago since you really went way out,” April said.
Kimberly sighed, guilt skirting around her conscience. “It has been a while, hasn’t it? But this isn’t for me,” Kimberly warned. The child talked as if the music was from the thirties or something. “You might want to play music more appropriate for your age group.”
“This is fine, Mom. I’m going to put the music on. Byron will be here soon.”
Kimberly went back into the kitchen. As she checked the lemon chicken in the oven, she heard Luther Vandross’s mellow voice filter into the room. Oh, God. What memories that song brought back.
The aroma of the chicken filled the air. She’d prepared Byron’s favorite dish. Lemon chicken, garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli with asiago cheese. For desert she’d made a pineapple upside-down cake, which also happened to be Jack’s favorite dessert. It held center stage at the table, on the crystal dessert plate.
Kimberly heard a car horn toot.
“That’s Byron,” April called out.
“I told that boy not to toot his horn, but to ring the doorbell,” Kimberly scolded. “Where does he think he is?”
Kimberly heard the door slam on her words. She peeped out the door and Byron’s car shot off as soon as April got in. She was going to have to talk to him about his speed again.
Everything was fine in the kitchen, and Kimberly quickly went upstairs to change into black slacks and a sleeveless pink summer sweater she’d laid out earlier.
When she was passing the foyer she heard a key
in the door. Puzzled, Kimberly moved forward. The kids couldn’t be back this soon. Did April need money for the supplies?
Kimberly was surprised when Jack stepped through the door.
“What’s wrong with the doorbell?” Kimberly asked. “You don’t live here anymore.”
“I’m still paying the mortgage.”
“Which doesn’t give you the right to frighten us half to death, walking in and out any time you please.” Kimberly frowned. The beige linen slacks and brown shirt molding to his body took her breath away.
“I’m not going to fight with you over this, Kim. Where are the kids?”
“They went to the store. Why are you here?”
“April asked me to come. I’m supposed to meet Byron’s new girlfriend.”
“They didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“He’s my son. I’m interested. Besides, April told me you knew.”
“You may as well come in,” Kimberly said ungraciously, then marched off to the kitchen.
“Well, thank you,” Jack responded in a peeved manner. He followed her. “Do you need any help?”
“Everything is under control.”
“Something smells good.”
“Byron’s favorite,” she said.
Jack pulled out a barstool and sat. Damn, if Kimberly didn’t look good with that sweater molding her breasts and the pants hugging her hips. They were a little tight. At least she was gaining weight. Did that mean she was getting over him? Already? Jack didn’t like that.
A half hour came and went a half hour ago, and the kids still hadn’t shown up. Kimberly worried they’d been in an accident. The food was ready to be dished into serving bowls and placed on the table.
She’d already dialed April’s cell phone, and now she dialed Byron’s. No answer from either of them. She dialed April again and left a threatening message. Less than a minute later, April called her.
“Where in the world are you?” Kimberly asked.
“Byron’s girlfriend did something and she’s being punished. She can’t go out tonight.”
“Why didn’t you come home? Dinner is ready.”
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