AS MY WIFE

by Groovy Lee

  “Hey, half the fun is in the trying,” she winked and nudged her.

  As they watched the steaks sizzle, they talked of the nursery, and how Shara planned to decorate it, and the surprise shower her friends didn’t think she knew about. Nikki called out and she excused herself to go see about her. Gracie gave the steaks one last poke before joining Ella. They were engrossed in an article in Ella’s magazine when a familiar laugh echoed through the patio doors from inside. Gracie and Ella’s eyes met suddenly.

  “Hello, everyone,” Felicia came out onto the deck dressed in the latest hot-pants and tunic top. “Indigo took pity on me and invited me to dinner.”

  She strolled over and plopped herself in the lounge chair beside Ella, throwing a condescending smile toward Gracie who just excused herself to tend to the grill. How laughable that Indigo took pity on her. She then began to massage her temple for the headache she knew was coming. She heard the patio door open again, which caused her to turn around just in time to see Indigo walk out to the edge of the deck and look around.

  “Hey, Shara,” he called when he spotted her. “I brought a guest to dinner.”

  Shara was trying to get Nikki’s shoe from Starbuck’s possessive clench and didn’t bother to turn around. “I see her, Indigo. Hello, Felicia.”

  He then motioned for someone inside the house to come out. A figure stepped quietly out and walked up beside him. Gracie studied the attractive man with the dark, wavy hair and light-brown eyes.

  “Shara,” Indigo called to her again.

  She blew an impatient breath and turned around. “What is it…” the rest of her words died when she noticed her husband standing there.

  “Hello, cupcake,” he said.

  She relinquished the shoe, her mouth wide in surprise. “When did you get here?”

  John laughed and went to her. Nikki pulled at her daddy’s pants screaming his name while her parents kissed and hugged. He then picked her up. Gracie smiled at them, happy he finally made it for Shara’s sake.

  While everyone gathered around astonished at how Indigo managed to hatch that sneaky plan for John to arrive a day early without a snooping Shara catching on, Gracie went inside to prepare the salad to give them their family space—she would introduce herself later. She gathered the ingredients from the refrigerator and laid them on the countertop to wash. When the patio doors opened and closed, she looked up to see whose footsteps were coming near. Cold, hazel eyes narrowed at her. Gracie took a deep breath and sat the salad bowl on the counter before speaking.

  “What can I do for you, Felicia? The bathrooms are down the hall.”

  Felicia stood her ground, her arms folded neatly in front of her, eyeing Gracie with contempt. Not wanting to invite a confrontation, Gracie went to the sink to wash the tomatoes.

  “Surprised to see me, Gracie?”

  “Not really,” she replied matter-of-factly. “I figured you’d invite yourself back over eventually. It’s so you.”

  Felicia came closer to the countertop that separated them. “I was invited by Indigo. He wanted me here.”

  Gracie just began drying the tomatoes off, ignoring the pain of that statement.

  “I must say, when I heard he had married his—secretary,” she threw the word out as if it were a bad taste. “I was shocked, to say the least. When I recovered, I realized he did this in an effort to get back at me for ending our engagement. He hasn’t gotten over me, you know. And, I admit I should have put more effort into keeping us together. But, that’s all about to change.”

  Gracie knew she was waiting for some sort of retort, but wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

  Felicia sighed hatefully. “Don’t get so comfy, Gracie. It’s all about to come to an end. I’m back in his life. He still loves me.”

  Gracie tossed the knife onto the cutting board as she turned to address Felicia. “You’re pathetic, you know that? You wouldn’t know love if it jumped up and bit you on your silicone…I feel sorry for you, Felicia. You’re incapable of loving anyone but yourself.”

  “How dare you. You’re the pathetic one in love with a man who will never return it. And you feel sorry for me? Mark my words, honey, soon I’ll be Mrs. Indigo Farrell, and you’ll be long forgotten. I believe the bathrooms are this way?” With that she turned on her heels and marched away.

  Gracie swallowed at the jabbing pain of those words. She blinked back the angry tears as she mixed the vegetables in the salad bowl. Is that what they’ve been talking about? Their true feelings for one another, and the secretary slash wife he can’t wait to pay off so they could rekindle their relationship? That would explain Felicia’s confidence in knowing she’ll be the next Mrs. Farrell.

  She went to retrieve the salad dressing from the refrigerator. As far as she was concerned, they could have each other. She paused for a moment and put her hand to her head, refusing to let this get to her; She knew what she was getting into when she accepted his offer. He gave her no hopes of an everlasting future, just a goal to look forward to in the end—her own business. A secure future. No frills, no thrills. Just put up a front for his family’s sake and help him with his book until his inheritance is finalized. She would have to lean on that fortifying speech if she was going to make it for the remaining time left.

  She halted her line of thinking as Felicia walked back past and out the door. She decided to exhale it all from her mind, thinking how this was supposed to be a happy occasion for Shara and John, and the importance of not ruining it with her problems. She took a deep, calming breath, then picked up the salad bowl to take it outside. Before she could get to the door, Indigo came through it. It was obvious he wanted to talk to her even though she rather he not engage her at this moment. But she patiently stood to hear what he had to say.

  “We wondered where you went. Shara’s waiting for you to meet John.”

  “I was on my way.” she answered as patiently as she could. “I just wanted to give them some time to themselves. I do have to get dinner ready.” Her attempt at displaying patience failed to convince him.

  “I see you’re upset about something—again.”

  “I’m not upset,” she bypassed him for the door. “I’ve only had to cook dinner for your ex-fiancee for the last two days, which, might I remind you, was not part of the arrangement. But, I’m doing my job, right?” With that, she swung out the door, leaving him behind. And she put great effort in staying out of his and Felicia’s way for the rest of the evening.

  “Well, Gracie,” John sat next to her at the picnic table, his plate filled with steak, salad and hot buttered rolls. “I’m glad to finally meet you. Shara couldn’t sing enough of your praises over the phone.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “I feel as if I’ve known you all my life. You’re quite a guy.”

  He let out a deep, throaty laugh and looked across at his wife who was helping Nikki with her hotdog. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I try. You know, it came as quite a surprise when I heard Indigo had married and, low and behold, not to Felicia.”

  “Surprise is such a mild word. I hear most people almost choked on their sodas before it went spewing out of their mouths across the room.”

  He let out a big chuckle. “That’s a good one. Can you keep a secret?” he leaned his face closer to hers. “After meeting you tonight, he couldn’t have made a better choice.”

  She couldn’t help blushing at that.

  “For a while there, I thought he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life by marrying her,” he indicated to Felicia sitting at the other end of the table engrossed in what seemed to be a rather intimate conversation with Indigo. They watched as he leaned over and said something in her ear causing her to laugh and pulled coyly at his sleeve. “Though by the looks of it, she’s not ready to admit defeat. Listen, how long do you think that smile of hers would last if I let Nikki loose with those mustard stained hands?”

  The thought of Nikki going after Felicia again caused them to break out in laughter
. John related the joke to Shara, and laughter broke out again. But the eyes that held Gracie’s just then wasn’t amused. Suddenly Nikki screamed at the top of her voice and began crying. Everyone turned to see Patches running off with her hot dog.

  “Patches,” Indigo yelled after him.

  Patches lit out of the yard like a speeding bullet. Indigo went after him, leaving a sullen Felicia all alone. John picked up his daughter to comfort her then took her inside to get her something to drink.

  It was late into the night when everyone decided to call it a night. Indigo had left to take Felicia to her hotel.

  “I’m sorry we have to leave so soon, Gracie,” John said with a sleeping Nikki draped against his shoulder. “I would have loved for us to get to know one another a little better.”

  “Me, too.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time to spend together when Indigo brings you to visit us in Washington,” Shara reminded her as she held onto her husband’s arm.

  “Well, we’d better turn in, sweetheart,” he smiled at his wife. “We have an early plane to catch in the morning.”

  They said their good nights and parted for their room; But Gracie was too wound up as she stored all the leftovers away and tidied the kitchen. The subject of Indigo and Felicia was still heavy on her mind, so afterwards she returned outside to stand and view her surroundings. The night sky was clear and black, but the enchantment was lost to her. Felicia’s words refused to give her any peace. The least Indigo could have done was wait until the two months were over before bringing her back into his life. Aren’t they supposed to portray the happily married couple? She felt more like the jilted wife whose husband was carrying on behind her back.

  Her eyes grew moist from the thought that it all seemed to be disintegrating right before her eyes. It would have been so easy to get through this if she hadn’t allowed her feelings for him to take over. How does he expect her to play her part when he’s not keeping his end of the deal? Ever since Felicia arrived, he’s been falling over himself to be with her. No doubt, Ella and Shara has picked up on that. And here she is, looking like the devoted, weak-minded wife who’s just standing back and allowing it. Where’s her dignity? How could she continue to let those two humiliate her like that?

  “Yeah,” she answered herself out loud. “How could I? I have feelings. Okay, so my dignity is cowering under my bed right now, but I don’t need this. I should grab my dignity and get out of here while I can still hold my head up.”

  It was then she knew what she had to do: Get on the next plane and leave Indigo to deal with his family’s reaction, and possibly losing his inheritance—everything, by himself. Felicia wasn’t supposed to be a component in any part of this arrangement. And as a matter of fact, the day she walked in, was the day everything became null and void. So it’s final, with the ice queen here, he doesn’t need her anymore.

  Her mind began formulating plans for her abrupt departure. Tomorrow night would be the best time. The sooner she left, the better. There would be a note explaining to him that she couldn’t go on deceiving his family any longer; That his car would be parked at the Inn, and she was sure Felicia could fill her role quite adequately. And of course, he could keep his money. The thought of what his reaction might be when he found the note sent chills through her; No doubt, he would come after her. But she couldn’t be bothered with that now; She would deal with that when the time came.

  All of those thoughts and planning had taken her to the middle of the yard. She turned to head back inside to put it all into motion. Just as she was about to step onto the deck, the patio door opened.

  “Gracie?” Indigo called. “Are you out here?”

  She held her breath and tried to back away into the shadows, but it was too late.

  “What are you doing out here?” he came to the end of the deck and stood. “It’s almost one in the morning.”

  “I could ask you the same thing,” she answered rather curtly. “But of course, I already know the answer to that.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,” he chose to ignore that slight. “Why are you out here all alone?”

  She turned and walked further out into the yard. “None of your business.” She heard his footsteps as he came off the deck onto the soft grass to follow her.

  “I’m not going to pretend I don’t know what’s bothering you. I know it’s Felicia. Frankly, I don’t know what you’re so upset about. She came to dinner a couple of times, and you act like a wounded animal.”

  She swung around and looked him up and down. “Let me tell you one thing—Mr. Farrell. You’re the one acting like an animal, in heat. I don’t have a problem. At least nothing I can’t fix. I’m keeping my part of the bargain as the loving wife. You’re the one messing everything up with your darling Felicia over here constantly. The two of you are sickening. You’d think you would hold your passions in reign until the few remaining weeks are up.” She lowered her tone to emphasize the seriousness of her next words. “I’ve got news for you. I’m not going to stay here and be humiliated in front of your family any longer. Felicia is yours. I’m done.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I’m leaving. This deal is over.”

  His eyes widened for a brief second from the shock of that word. “Leaving.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I said. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be long gone.”

  He turned and paced a few steps away looking out at nothing, deep in thought. After a short minute, he turned back around to face her. “I don’t care to go into your delusions concerning Felicia and me, but you made a deal. And, I expect you to honor it.”

  She straightened her shoulders and eyed him bravely. “Honor it. Why should I? It’s as if I’m doing this all by myself. I’m playing the loving wife in front of your family, while you flaunt Felicia around every chance you get. Do you know how humiliating that is? No, I don’t have to honor anything.” She stepped past him to go inside, confident she had made her point.

  “This isn’t over, Gracie.”

  She stopped in her tracks, debating whether to reply to that or just do the smart thing and keep going. But she couldn’t let it go. She swung back around. “It is as far as I’m concerned.”

  Time seemed to stand still as they stood silently challenging one another. His impatience moved him to close the space between them. The moon’s rays overhead allowed her to see the intense way he was studying her, as if he had to remember every shape and contour of her face for some reason before his eyes lowered to her mouth. She tried to ignore the strong urge growing in her. And when she remembered the ex-fiancee back at the hotel waiting for him, her daring temperament returned.

  “Stop and think about what you’re doing,” he finally said, but much calmer now.

  “I am. That’s all I’ve been doing. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

  “I can sure damn well try. Do you want to test me?”

  “Now, you’re the one who’s deluding himself if you think that. I’ve a good mind to go in and tell your family the whole sordid lie you’re living. How do you think they’d react when they learn you married me just to get your inheritance, and that Felicia is waiting a few miles down the highway for you?”

  “You don’t want to do that,” his reply was more of a threat.

  She began backing away from him. “Try me.”

  “We’re not finished,” he said to her retreating figure.

  “Oh, I think we are,” she continued to back away.

  “Gracie, come back here.”

  She turned and walked quickly toward the house.

  “Gracie.”

  She looked back to make sure he wasn’t following her; that’s when he took off. She gasped and tried to outrun him, but her plan of getting away backfired when he grabbed her and pulled her back against him. Their feet intertwined, causing them to tumble to the ground where they continued to struggle and roll on the plush grass a couple of times. Gracie tried with all her might, but Indigo proved
the victor as he ended up on top with her arms secured against her.

  “Get off me,” she squirmed.

  “Not until you listen to what I have to say,” he countered.

  “I don’t care to hear it.”

  “I’m not moving until you do.”

  “Get off,” she tried once again to get her hands free and push him off.

  “I can do this all night, Gracie. I’ve got nowhere to go.”

  Cool reasoning had her mellowing down. It was obvious she wasn’t going anywhere; Better to cooperate and listen. She stopped resisting and waited for him to make his next move.

  “So, does this mean you’re going to listen to what I have to say?”

  “Yes,” she exhaled in defeat.

  He hesitated a few seconds to make sure before edging himself off of her. He stood and helped her to her feet. She jerked her arm away from his hold as they continued to test one another with unwavering gazes until he took a deep breath and spoke.

  “I don’t know how I can make this any clearer. But, I’m telling you, backing out of this is the worst thing you could do. I’m not saying Farrell Enterprises is going to crumble if I don’t receive my inheritance, but I know the upgrades I plan for it are necessary for the company’s future. Jobs depend on it. Do you want that on your conscience? If you don’t care about your own job security, at least think about the others who are counting on it.”

  His statement brought up the new jobs his expansion would bring; and the new analyst on the third floor whose husband left her with three children to support. Then there’s Heather and Bitsy who are eagerly waiting to start Sugar and Spice.

  “And what about Ella and Shara? Do you know what this would do to them if you walked out now? I need time to prepare them. I can’t let you upset them in their conditions.”

  In all of her anger, Gracie had completely forgotten about them. She certainly didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize their health. “Fine,” she held her hand up to keep him from continuing. “You made your point. I’ll stay—for now.”