Jake continued eating his lunch and didn’t seem to notice she wasn’t eating, which was fine. She didn’t want to make a point of the starvation diet she was on. Nichole was determined to lose the baby weight she’d gained with Owen. It was as if Jake read her thoughts, because he looked over at her empty place mat and frowned.

“Where’s your lunch?”

“I’m not eating.”

“Why not?”

Nichole leaned slightly forward. “You haven’t said anything about my weight, and honey, I want you to know I’m grateful. I’ve gained a few pounds since the baby.”

Once more her husband’s eyebrows shot up. “You have? Where?”

“Mostly my hips. When Laurie and I went shopping, I had to buy my new jeans in a larger size. Laurie tried to comfort me. She says it’s what happens after we have children, but I got on the scale and while those few pounds might not be much, I feel them.”

“Honey, stop.” His look was intent and full of love. “I haven’t noticed a single pound, and it wouldn’t matter to me what you weigh. I love you, and in my eyes you’re beautiful just the way you are.”

He was saying exactly what she needed to hear, what she had hoped to hear.

“Now eat. I don’t like the idea of you starving yourself. It isn’t necessary. You’re perfect.”

“Jake.” She felt like crying. How was it she was so fortunate to have married such a wonderful man? “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’d feel better about myself if I was able to shed this weight.”

Jake set his lunch aside and grew thoughtful. “Do you want to join one of those diet centers?”

“I don’t know …” Nichole wasn’t sure what to do. She’d considered joining a weight-loss program, but it would be difficult with Owen in tow.

“What about one of those weight-loss spas,” Jake suggested, his eyes brightening with the idea. “You could go away for three or four days, lose the few pounds that are bothering you, and be done with it. Like I said, you’re perfect just the way you are, but if the excess weight is causing you concern, then do something about it.”

Nichole couldn’t believe her husband would suggest anything this … drastic. She couldn’t go off on spa vacations—it wasn’t like they were rich. Yes, there was her inheritance, but that was to be invested for the future, not squandered on unnecessary expenses. “I’ve read about those spas,” she said, sighing. “Jake, they’re ungodly expensive.”

“Are they?” He seemed surprised. “Let’s check it out.” He left the table long enough to retrieve his briefcase. He set it on the table and brought out his impossibly small laptop, lifting it open and turning it on.

While the idea of a spa was extravagant, she couldn’t help being curious. Scooting her chair next to her husband, she watched as he typed in a few pertinent words for an Internet search. Within seconds they had a list of weight-loss health spas from one end of the country to the other.

Jack scrolled down the list. “What about this one in Arizona?”

Nichole looked at the price. “Jake, this is too much.”

Her husband shook his head. “Is there a price tag on what brings my wife happiness?”

“I couldn’t spend that kind of money!” While it was more than generous and loving of her husband, Nichole, in good conscience, couldn’t do this.

“Yes, we can,” Jake insisted. “I’ll call the spa and get all the details, then we can decide.”

Still, Nichole wasn’t sure. “I wouldn’t want to go alone, and Jake, just look at those golf courses.” The greens were lush and verdant. Jake would be in golfer’s heaven.

Her husband released a regretful sigh. “Oh honey, I wish I could, but there’s no way I could take that amount of time off work. The spring release has been announced and this is our busy season.”

“You’re always busy, Jake.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, I truly am, but all these extra hours go with the territory. I’m in sales and I have to be available to my accounts. You understand, don’t you?”

Nichole did understand. It didn’t make her life easy for him to be away so many hours of the day, but that was the price she had to pay to be a stay-at-home mom for Owen.

Their son was nearly asleep in his high chair. It was already past his nap time, so Nichole collected him in her arms. He fussed a little, then nestled in and closed his eyes.

“Why don’t you take Laurie with you?” Jake suggested.

It was a great idea, but Laurie would never be able to afford this. Nichole wasn’t sure they could, either, at least not without digging into her inheritance.

“Let me see if I can work a deal with the manager,” Jake said, smiling broadly. “It’s what I do all day, sweetheart.”

Still she hesitated. “What about Owen?” It wasn’t like she could take their son with her.

For the first time Jake hesitated and then said, “I can manage Owen. I mean, really, how much trouble could one toddler be?”

Nichole squelched a laugh.

“My mother and I will work something out,” he added. His eyes grew soft as he looked toward Nichole, holding their son in her arms.

Nichole’s head was spinning. While Jake insisted those few pounds didn’t matter to him, she had a sneaky feeling they mattered a lot, otherwise he wouldn’t have suggested a fancy spa. Still, she wasn’t sure this was what she should be doing.

Nichole bit into her lip again as she weighed out the pros and cons. A part of her was leaping up and down, excited. Her more practical half couldn’t stop calculating the price tag.

After a few moments, she said, “Let me talk to Laurie.”

“Of course.” Jake brightened with enthusiasm. “I’ll call now and find out what kind of deal I can get for you.”

Again she paused. “Okay. I’ll put Owen down for his nap.”

She wasn’t away more than ten minutes. When she returned she heard Jake on the phone.

“Three days would probably be better,” Jake glanced up, saw her, and then gave her a thumbs-up sign.

This was happening so fast, but Jake was like that. When he had an idea, he didn’t hesitate. As soon as he was off the phone with the spa people, he announced, “I called my mother and she said she’d be happy to take care of Owen during the day. At night I would have quality time with my son.”

“You could manage?”

“Of course I could.”

“This is the deal,” Jake said excitedly. “Five days. One day to fly in. Three days at the spa and then one day to fly home. Five days in total.”

Nichole didn’t know what to say. “Five days. What can I say? You’re the most wonderful husband in the entire universe. Thank you for this, Jake. Thank you so much.” Now all she had to do was find a friend to accompany her. Preferably Laurie.

“I think this spa trip will do us both a world of good,” he said, smiling.

Nichole wrapped her arms around her husband and they shared a long, deep kiss.

Chapter 18

By the time Steve parked the truck in front of Cassie’s sister’s house, she was shaking. Her fingers had lost all feeling from the tight grip, her hands were clenched so hard. Her breathing was shallow and her heart beat at the speed of a racehorse. For just an instant she was afraid she was about to pass out.

“Cassie?”

Steve’s voice came at her as if he was shouting from the bottom of a well. “You okay?”

She shook her head.

“You can do this.”

Easy for him to say. Emotions swirled around her.

“Cassie?”

“Let’s leave right now. I can’t … I can’t.”

Steve hesitated and seemed ready to do as she asked, when the front door to the house opened and her sister stepped outside. Karen stood at the top of the porch steps, watching, waiting.

“Is that your sister?” Steve asked.

Cassie’s eyes connected with Karen’s. She hadn’t been sure what to expect. Unresolved anger? Judgment? Disgust? What she hadn’t anticipated was the same hesitation and doubt she was experiencing herself.