Once Upon a Marriage

“Correct.”

She nodded. “Believe it or not, divorcing you is the last thing I want to do, Elliott.”

Her gaze begged him to kiss her.

Fool that he was, he tried.

And got pushed away for his effort.

* * *

BARBARA CALLED WHEN she and Bruce were off the ship and back in Florida. Marie had spent three full days working, and then alone—other than a quick dinner on Tuesday night with Liam and Gabi while Elliott was out somewhere. She’d hired a new woman for weekend help. A divorcée with enough money to be comfortable, no children, a love of coffee and people and a need for something to do. Her name was Betty. Marie liked her.

She was no closer to understanding herself than before. But she liked Betty.

And had turned more profit that week than ever before.

There’d been no more word from or about Liam’s stalker.

Elliott had warned them it was probably the calm before the storm. An attempt to lure him into safety.

There was no more word on a plea deal for George Costas. Walter was still in Florida, and the next installment in Liam’s piece about his father was due to go to press with simultaneous internet publication.

Marie was no closer to finding any answers about herself. But she was calm.

And missing Elliott. He’d been around. She’d seen him coming and going. Seen him in his car across the street from the shop a time or two. And in the shop.

Doing his job for Liam.

r /> And watching over her, too.

That wasn’t all bad.

When Barbara’s call came on Friday morning, Marie had just finished helping Grace bag and label cookies and was in the office getting Grace’s check before heading out to open the shop.

“It’s early” was the first thing she said to her mother when she recognized the number and picked up.

“So people can make plane connections,” Barbara said back. And then, “I feel like I’ve been gone for months. How are you?”

“Fine. More important, how are you? How’s Bruce? How was the cruise?” Are you still as happy as you were three weeks ago? Is your life still intact?

“Happy, happy and wonderful.” There was almost a giggle in Barbara’s voice. “We’re in the rental car, on our way to a hotel on the beach...”

“Wait. I thought you were due home tonight.”

“We were. But Bruce hasn’t had a vacation in years. And we’re having such a good time. He was able to rearrange his schedule. The doctor who’s covering for him has agreed to do so for another week in exchange for Bruce’s reciprocation in June. So we’re spending the next week on the beach.”

Marie smiled. And felt a stiffness in her face.

She had a tight rein on her self-control. Maybe a little too tight?

“So, tell me about you.” Barbara’s statement opened the door for Marie to have the conversation she’d been waiting to have.

But her mother was happy. On her honeymoon. Everything else could wait.

Except that she couldn’t lie. Couldn’t be upset with her mother for deceiving her and then practice deception herself.

“I know you hired him, Mom.”