Her Secret, His Child

"Or telling me what he really wants in a woman. He…he never even compliments me on my cooking anymore. But those women who—''

' 'Do you honestly think that if he wanted one of those women he'd be telling you about them?"

"I don't know." Karen shuddered, "But I'd promised myself that once Kayla started school in the fall I'd go to college, get a degree, be someone in my own right. Someone Dennis could respect and have an intelligent conversation with and—"

"You are someone," Jamie cried. "Don't you know your life is what gives me hope every single day? My gosh, Karen, you have everything I've ever

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

wanted right here in this house. I love coming over here. You, your home and family give me hope that the world I want to believe in really does exist."

Karen didn't look as if she believed her. "Until this moment," Jamie continued, her voice almost angry, "you've always been one of the most intelligent people I know. Education isn't intelligence."

"That's easy for you to say. You've got it."

"It's not easy to say," Jamie said. "Life's full of tough choices, Karen, and it takes intelligence to make the right ones. You always do."

"I wish I had half your confidence in me."

Jamie resumed her massage of Karen's feet and calves. "Has Dennis given you any indication that he isn't happy?" she asked hesitantly. She didn't want to probe where she shouldn't, but neither could she leave her friend feeling as she did.

"No."

"What about that weekend at the resort a month or two ago? Was it as great as you said it was?"

"Better." Karen blushed.

"I think you've just been letting your imagination run away with you," Jamie told her. "Worrying over nothing."

"I don't know." Karen sat up, wiped the remaining tears from her face. "Can you honestly tell me you'd admire a woman who did nothing but change diapers, cook, clean house and watch Sesame Street as much as you'd admire that female lawyer on television or the doctor we saw today?''

"Yes." Jamie's answer was emphatic. "Do you

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

know how much I'd give to be able to do what you're doing?"

Shaking her head, Karen grinned. "I can't believe you're saying this!"

"It's true."

Karen sobered. "Do you have any idea how envious I am of you?'' she asked, looking straight into Jamie's eyes. "You're so strong and confident. So perfect with Ashley. And you have a career. I'd have been a total loss at that convention you went to last week. But you go, wow everyone with your speech, take part in important conversations. And you look fantastic, to boot. I'll bet every man in the place wished he had a wife like you."

Karen's words destroyed what little composure she had left. Trying to hang on, Jamie studied the threads in her friend's jumper, the pattern in the crocheted afghan covering Karen's legs. An afghan Karen had made herself.

She opened her mouth and before she'd even made the decision to allow it, words started tumbling out. "You're wrong, Karen. So far wrong. You have no idea…"

Tears filled Jamie's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Closing her eyes, she tightened her lips to stop their trembling. She could do this. Had to do this. She just couldn't run anymore.

"There is no decent man alive who'd ever want me for his wife." Her voice was devoid of emotion.

"You're nuts!" Karen said, sliding her feet to the floor. "You're every man's dream!"

Leaning her elbows on her knees, Jamie asked,

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"You ever wonder why I never talk about my parents? About my life before I came here?"