Wife for a Week(25)

Yes, well, she did now. So much for thinking Kai’s objection to the lunch venue was a simple power play. ‘How long has Kai been with you?’ she asked.

‘Almost ten years. Ever since my mother was killed during an attempted robbery at a fuel station. I don’t think my father ever forgave himself for not taking better care of her.’ Jasmine sighed. ‘He’s determined to take better care of me.’

‘I know the feeling,’ said Hallie. ‘My mother died of cancer when I was six. My father grieved and retreated into his work so my older brothers took on the task of raising me. I have four of them.’

‘Four older brothers,’ said Jasmine in fascinated horror. ‘Were they protective of you?’

Hallie nodded. ‘They still are. It drives me insane.’

‘But surely now you’re married they would expect Nick to assume the role of protector,’ said Jasmine.

Oh, yeah. She’d forgotten about Nick, her husband.

‘Well, yes,’ she said awkwardly. Lord only knew if her brothers would change their ways if she really were married. No potential suitor, upon meeting all four of them, had ever been brave enough to stick around.

‘He looks to be a wonderful husband,’ said Jasmine with a wistful sigh.

Who? Nick? Hallie suppressed a nervous giggle. Who knew? ‘Nick’s deceptive,’ she said finally. ‘He gives me the freedom to make my own mistakes.’ Like making love to him that morning. ‘But when you get down to it, he’s a lot like my brothers. He likes his own way.’ The ‘shopping’ money in her handbag was a perfect example.

Jasmine frowned.

‘Of course, he’s still a big improvement on my brothers,’ Hallie added hastily. Mustn’t forget she was supposed to be his wife. ‘I don’t feel nearly as trapped.’ This was true. Probably because she knew she’d only agreed to the dutiful wife charade for a week.

‘I feel trapped,’ said Jasmine pensively. ‘Sometimes all I can think about is finding a way out. When Nick first came to visit I saw him as an opportunity for escape. Of course, he’s handsome and kind as well; a woman could do worse than be married to such a man…And you must understand, I didn’t know he was already married.’ Jasmine looked away, her face reddening. ‘I tried to seduce him,’ she said in a small voice. ‘You should have seen his face. He was horrified.’

‘Oh, Jasmine…’ Hallie didn’t know whether to applaud the younger girl’s initiative or berate her for trying to sell her future so cheaply. ‘There has to be another way.’

‘There is,’ said the younger girl. ‘At least I think there is. Kai wishes to visit his family on the Mainland after the New Year. He’s thinking of returning there permanently. If he goes I will try to persuade my father not to replace him.’

‘That could work.’

Jasmine nodded. ‘Hopefully it will make everyone happier, including Kai. He’s been so irritable lately. And moody. And critical! He’s driving me crazy.’

‘Sounds like he’s got woman trouble,’ said Hallie. She had four big brothers; she knew the symptoms well.

‘No,’ said Jasmine with a firm shake of her head. ‘I would know if there was a woman. He hasn’t had a woman in his life for years.’

‘No women at all? He’s not…?’

‘No!’ said Jasmine indignantly. ‘Definitely not! He’s just…discerning.’

‘I guess he can afford to be,’ said Hallie, watching the younger girl closely. ‘He’s very handsome, don’t you think? Almost as handsome as Nick.’

Jasmine’s lips tightened. ‘I guess,’ she said, offhand.

‘And he does the strong, silent thing very well.’

‘If you like that kind of thing.’

‘Many women do,’ she assured the younger girl and smiled outright when Jasmine’s eyes narrowed. Jasmine seemed to be harbouring a few protective instincts of her own when it came to Kai. ‘How long did you say he’s been moody for?’

‘More than a year now,’ said Jasmine glumly.

‘And how old are you?’

‘I was nineteen three weeks ago.’

Ah. ‘Now I’m really inclined to think he’s having woman problems. Maybe he’s pining for an unavailable woman.’

‘There is no woman!’ said Jasmine hotly.

‘There’s you,’ said Hallie quietly. ‘Maybe Kai has feelings for you and doesn’t know what to do with them. Maybe that’s why he’s so moody and irritable and wants to return to the Mainland.’