Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"I didn't make that much," he said.

"Neither of us eats that much. Linden." "It's all right," Miguel said "I have to be going. I'm meeting my parents for dinner. Perhaps you will permit me to take you both to Havana Molena one night this week."

"That would be nice. Wouldn't it. Linden?" "Yes," he said. "but it depends on the night."

"Well, you will let me know what night is convenient, okay?" Miguel said.

Linden nodded and stepped back inside, closing the French door.

"I know you think he's doing better. Willow, but you have no idea how deep some of his mental troubles go." Miguel said, looking after him.

"You're right, of course. Now that the smoke has settled a bit. I'll contact his therapist and get him back into treatment."

"That's wise." Miguel said. He stood. "I'll call you tomorrow, if that is all right."

"Certainly it's all right. I'll be looking forward to it," I said, and he beamed.

Then he leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. I held on to his shoulders tightly, keeping him from pulling completely away. He looked into my eyes, and then he kissed me softly on the lips.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly.

For what? Making a pregnant woman feel attractive?" He laughed.

"I hope that wasn't meant to be charity," I added. His smile froze, and he took on a look of deep seriousness as he came at me again, this time his lips lingering longer on mine.

"Believe me," he whispered. "It isn't charity."

I could feel my eyes brighten. He turned, walked to the door, turned back, smiled, and then left me trembling with happiness I had almost come to believe was forbidden.

A few hours later, we had our reason to go out to celebrate. My attorney phoned to tell me. Thatcher had agreed to her proposals for a divorce settlement.

"Because of the reference to adultery. he realizes he will lose. It will all be far easier than I first feared," she said.

"Oh, how wonderful. I wasn't looking forward to a prolonged battle with him."

"It's over." she said. "We've only got to have it stamped, sealed, and delivered. I don't usually congratulate my clients on their successful divorces. It's like complimenting someone for a good funeral, but in your case... congratulations, Willow."

I thanked her, and ran to tell Linden. He listened with that stone-faced expression of his, then said, "Good. Let's think of him as dead."

"We don't have to go that far, Linden. After all, he is still Hannah's father."

"In name only," he declared. "After she's born. I'll help her to forget him."

He said it with such intensity, he actually frightened me.

"It's better we let all of our anger and negative energy go, Linden. I don't want to bring up my daughter in a house full of rage."

He softened.

"Of course not," he said. "I'll always think of Hannah's interests first. Always."

"Good." I smiled. "Why don't we take Miguel lip on his offer now and celebrate?"

"We could do that ourselves. here. I'll make something special." "No, we should go out and have a good time. Linden. We can have another dinner to celebrate by ourselves afterward. okay?"

With reluctance, he nodded, and turned back to his work in the kitchen.

I hurried to call Miguel,