Wife by Design

“I took it for granted she’d already decided to leave him.”

Lynn knew she had to get to bed, get in a few hours of sleep before she had to be back to check on Maria and continue with her day. But talking to Grant right then, rather than lying in the dark alone, seemed more peaceful than sleep.

“She ran away from him out of fear. That’s an in-the-moment thing. It might last, it might not.”

“Can’t the police step in?”

“Only if she decides to press charges.”

“They can prosecute if they have enough evidence, right? With or without her? You said you took her to the hospital. Aren’t they under an obligation to report the abuse?”

She could hear the frustration in his voice. And wondered when she’d begun to accept the facts of domestic violence rather than being shocked by them.

“The police were called tonight. But unless Maria is willing to go to court and testify, they won’t have a case against the guy so probably won’t waste the money to file charges on a case they can’t win. You’d be surprised how many women change their stories, say they were just upset or mad or jealous and lied about how they got hurt.”

“They actually return to their abusers.”

She thought everyone had known that. “Yes.”

“And you think tonight’s woman might be one of them?”

“I hope not.” She couldn’t let it get to her one way or the other. If she didn’t keep professional boundaries she wouldn’t be good for anyone.

“I called to ask a favor,” he said now, “but after the night you’ve had I don’t think—”

“It’s fine, Grant. Tonight wasn’t all that unusual, I’m sorry to say. I’ll grab some extra sleep tomorrow, rearrange some well checks if I have to. And there’s always someone to keep an eye on Kara. What do you need?”

“I was hoping Darin and I could have dinner at your place tomorrow night.”

They were both approved to eat at the cafeteria. As paying guests, of course, just like any other staff member or visitor.

“Here at my house?”

“I know, I shouldn’t have asked….”

“No! It’s fine.” Grant wanted to sit at her table and have dinner with her. Like a family…

She shook her head, rubbing her neck. She was tired. What sounded good tonight couldn’t be relied on in the cold light of day.

“Darin has talked about Maddie all day—specifically about when he could have his next date.”

“I had a feeling one wasn’t going to be enough.”

“I think now, more than ever, it’s not a good idea to leave them alone together. They might have the minds of kids, but they’ve got the bodies of adults. And while, ordinarily, with Darin, I wouldn’t give it a second thought, he’s really taken with Maddie.”

“This is the first time it’s ever happened?”

“Hell, yes, it’s the first time! I’m in deep water here.”

He obviously didn’t like the feeling any better than she did.

“So you want me to invite Maddie for dinner, too.”

“I was under the assumption that she usually ate with you and Kara.”

“She stays sometimes, depending on how late I am getting home. I always plan meals to include her just in case.”

“We could go out again, but with Kara and our schedules, I just thought, since Darin and I are going to be there at dinnertime, anyway…”

“It’s fine, Grant.” She had hamburger in the freezer, could thaw that, and switch Wednesday’s spaghetti for Monday’s tuna casserole. And even if she didn’t, she’d make do. The thought of seeing Grant again so soon was too tempting.

Only because she was so tired. And they hadn’t actually had sex yet.

“Darin will be glad to hear that. He insisted that I take him to the store for everything he’ll need to make lasagna. I told him Kara might not like it, so he picked up macaroni and cheese, too.”

“Darin’s making dinner?”

“You didn’t think I was going to invite us over and expect you to cook, too, did you?”

“I wouldn’t have minded,” she told him. “I like to cook.” She had loved making dinner for Brandon and sitting down with him after a long day to discuss everything that had happened since they’d last seen each other.