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 she was crying. Leaning across the bed to the night-stand, she plucked a tissue from the decorative box.
It was because everything was happening at once, she decided. This untimely pregnancy, and then Paul and their angry exchange the day before, followed by Reese's unexpected arrival tonight. Her life was a shambles. She'd be the laughingstock of her friends, she thought bitterly. Mrs. Donovan with her white-trash daughter-in-law. Her pregnant daughter-in-law, her love-struck fool of a son and her straying husband.
Still, she was determined to prove to Reese and Paul that she'd be a good grandmother if it killed her.
CHAPTER 7
CAROL GIRARD
C arol was in a hopeful mood as she prepared dinner on Thursday evening. Doug was due home any minute and she was full of news. Cutting a chicken breast into bite-size pieces, she poured soy sauce over the uncooked meat to marinate for his favorite stir-fry.
She smiled when the door opened and her husband entered the condo. "Hi, honey," he said as he hung up his suit jacket, then joined her in the kitchen. Carol immediately turned into his arms and enthusiastically brought her lips to his. The kiss was long and involved, revealing her eagerness for lovemaking.
"To what do I owe this greeting?" Doug asked, leaning back far enough to take a slow, lingering look at her.
"I had a marvelous day."
"Tell me what you did," he said. He loosened his grip on her waist and began to examine the mail, which she'd placed on the kitchen table.
"After you left for work I went for another walk to that yarn store I found on Tuesday. Lydia said it wasn't necessary until our class tomorrow, but I picked out the needles and yarn for the baby blanket. Just wait till I show you the picture! It's so cute!" Carol rushed into the other room and produced a pattern and a ball of off-white yarn. "Isn't this just perfect?"
Doug stared at the yarn as if he wondered how she could possibly get this excited over something so mundane.
"Don't you see?" she said. "Doug, we're going to have a baby! I feel so confident. This time everything will be different. Earlier in the week I was thinking I can't endure this agony anymore. Everything's been so hard. But all at once I have hope, real hope. Oh, Doug, Doug, we're going to have a baby."
She could see that some of her fervor was finally touching him. "A baby," she repeated, her voice quavering with emotion. She reached for his free hand and pressed his palm against her flat stomach.
Doug's gaze held hers, desire warming his eyes. He dropped the mail on the floor and wrapped her in his arms. Their kisses were passionate, luxurious. After several minutes of escalating excitement, he drew back slightly and caught her lower lip between his teeth. Familiar with her husband's wants and needs, Carol slowly undulated her hips, stroking his arousal. She murmured words of encouragement, whispered lewd promises for him alone.