“Which one of the meals are you making him?”
July dropped a package of cream cheese into the cart then moved to the sour cream display. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”
“You only know how to make two things,” A.J. teased. “Which is it? Spaghetti bake? Or Stroganoff pie?”
“Perhaps I’ve expanded my culinary skills while—”
“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to.”
July heaved a resigned sigh. “The beef and mushroom Stroganoff pie.”
“A Merlot would be a good choice.”
“I’m nursing, remember? I don’t drink.”
“The doc isn’t nursing, so pick up a bottle. The wine will get him good and relaxed for what you’ve got to tell him.”#p#分页标题#e#
July kept her tone offhand. “Who says I’m telling him anything tonight?”
“You only cook for one reason,” A.J. reminded her. “And time is running out.”
“Okay, you’re right. I am planning to tell him tonight.” July waved to a woman she recognized from the gala at the country club. She lowered her voice even though the woman was too far away to overhear. “I have to tell him, A.J. I feel terrible keeping this from him.”
“Then do it, July. Don’t think about doing it, just do it.”
July had just slid the Stroganoff pie in the oven and set the timer when she heard the garage door go up. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Though she hadn’t known for sure how long David would be, she certainly hadn’t expected him this early.
He raced home because he couldn’t wait to see me.
July chuckled. More than likely Celeste’s old boss had stood him up.
Thankfully, she was ready for him. She’d just fed and changed Adam. Other than sautéing the green beans, dinner was in good sha—
The door leading into the house from the garage flung open so hard it hit the wall. Adam jerked in the infant seat where he’d been sleeping but didn’t wake up.
David stormed in the room then skidded to a stop, a look of confusion blanketing his face. “What are you doing here?”
“You gave me a key.” July could feel anger rolling off him in waves. She forced a smile though her insides had started quaking. “I made dinner for us.”
“I’m not hungry,” he snapped.
July took a step back, a sick feeling taking over the pit of her stomach.
David must have realized how his response had sounded because he rubbed a hand across his face and forced a half smile. “I’m sorry. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
Something bad had happened. Something really, really bad. The look of pain on his face. The despair in his eyes…
July’s breath caught in her throat. “Is Mary Karen okay? The boys? Granny?”
She’d seen them all this morning but that didn’t mean anything.
His eyes widened. “Has something happened?”
“No. No. You just seem so distraught. I worried—”
“This has nothing to do with them, either.” He slumped into a chair in the great room just off the kitchen and exhaled a harsh breath.
Though his edginess made her want to run for the mountains, she loved David and it was apparent he was hurting. She had to try to help. July scooted an ottoman close to his chair and took a seat. “What happened?”
He met her gaze. Pain warred with anger in his blue depths. “Celeste wasn’t leaving on a business trip the day of her accident. She was on her way to meet her lover.”
July’s mouth dropped open. She forced it shut. “Who told you that?”
“Gary.” David pressed his lips together and massaged the bridge of his nose with his fingers.
July’s head spun as she tried to assimilate the information. “How would he know?”
“He was her lover.” David gave a humorless chuckle. “For over a year. No wonder she didn’t want to move here. She didn’t want to be so far from him.”
“He came all this way after all this time to tell you that?” July felt her own anger surge. “For what purpose?”
“Apparently he’s in some twelve-step program. One of the steps involves making amends.”
“Perhaps he should have just apologized to his wife and left it at that.”#p#分页标题#e#
“He wasn’t married at the time.” David leaned back against the chair and exhaled a ragged breath. “I never thought she’d cheat. Never. I would have trusted her with my life.”
A cold chill traveled up July’s spine. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”