“So you love them? Instantly?”
He sounded catty, jealous. “I’m growing to respect them as I come to know them. Is that a problem? Are you disappointed that it’s working out for me despite your dire predictions?”
She was never snippy with him. If anything, she was usually the one trying to cajole him out of a bad mood. But she couldn’t seem to help herself today. The anger and hurt kept welling up and as hard as she tried to hold them back, they came oozing out in everything she said.
“No,” he finally replied. “I’m just afraid I’m going to lose you.”
Tears welled up, causing her to blink quickly. “Maybe you deserve that.”
“Wow. If this is how you act around your new sisters, I can’t believe they’re good influences.”
“Well, they aren’t very big fans of yours, either.”
“Damn it, Lorelei! Is that what’s going on?” he asked, getting angry himself. “You’re clear across the country, telling two total strangers what a terrible husband I am?”
She spotted Lucy through the window, laughing and talking as she stood on a chair to reach the counter. “I haven’t said anything that isn’t true,” she told Mark.
He seemed at a loss. “I don’t even know how to react. I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I’ve never been like this.” She rubbed her left temple.
“I’m sorry. How many more times do I need to say it?”
“I don’t know. I can’t seem to stop myself from...from wanting to strike out at you. Maybe it’d be better if we talked later.”
“I’d rather not have the conversation end on such a sour note, especially because, with the way you’re acting, I have no idea if you’ll call me back.”
“Neither do I.”
She heard him haul in a heavy breath. “Since you’re in such a dark place anyway, we might as well talk about Francine. This isn’t all my fault, you know. She had a hand in it.”
“I’m sure she did.”
“Have you heard from her yet?”
“I haven’t talked to her. I don’t know if she tried to call because I haven’t looked through my call record since I got here.”
“You’re just going to write her off? Never speak to her again?”
Lorelei wished she could—possibly with both of them. “I’m considering it.”
“Lorelei, please. Come home. This trip is obviously making things worse instead of better.”
She peeled off a piece of tree bark. “Do you honestly think it’s the trip?”
“Look.” His voice dropped lower. “I’ve admitted that I’m to blame. And I’ve said I’m sorry at least a dozen times. What more can I do? Tell me, and I’ll do it. If I could go back and change the past, I would. I’m not happy about the baby. I wish Francine would... I wish she’d get an abortion. There, I’ve said it.”
“Have you told her that?”
“You want me to be that cruel?”
“To her? Yes. I hate knowing that she’s happy about what she’s done to me.”
“She’s not happy. Francine is just as upset as you are. She loves you, hopes to salvage your relationship.”
“That will never happen,” she said vehemently. “At this point, I’m not even sure we can salvage our relationship.”
“Don’t say that, babe. We can get through this.”
She gripped the phone tighter, remembering Reagan sending in her resignation despite how badly it hurt. “Maybe, maybe not. I’ll decide in September.”
“Why September?”
She could hear the fresh alarm in his reaction. “Because I’m staying here for the rest of the summer.”
“What? The summer hasn’t even started yet!”
“I know, but June is close, and I like it here. I need some time to think, to find myself. And this place...you should see it. Being here is almost like a religious experience.”
“Lorelei, please. You can find yourself here at home, where you belong.”
“No, I can’t,” she stated firmly. “Not when I’m around you. I’ve tried to be everything you could want for so long it’s a habit now. And