Page 25 of First Date: Divorce
“Hearing our story from others first will make it more believable to the Marriage-Save people.We need to plant those seeds.”
“Well, this is the best place to plant seeds.”
She rolled her eyes.A grin started to follow, but she spotted a thin woman coming toward them and stopped it.The woman couldn’t have missed the eye roll.A grin would have ruined that indication of a strained relationship.
Her frown kept any other reaction off her face.“Stop that,” she growled.
He raised his free hand as if she’d slapped it.“Heaven forbid, I touch the ice princess.”In a cold voice, he added.“Thought we’d send those folks who showed us around yesterday a plant as a small thank you.”
“A nice thought.”That was a goof.She doubted people who thought they were heading for divorce praised each other for nice thoughts.She added with heavy sarcasm, “I’m sure theyneverget plants.Don’t you ever have an original idea?”
Out of sight of the approaching woman, he winked at her.
“Considerate’s more important than original.”He set the plant down hard and turned away.
She felt a pang, but he’d done exactly what needed to be done.
On the other hand, if the woman saw any break in K.D.’s expression, maybe she put it down to the mixed feelings that would fit a couple going to Marriage-Save.After all, if the fictional wife K.D.played didn’t have positive feelings for Eric, they wouldn’t bother with Marriage-Save.
The woman shot K.D.a disapproving look and asked Eric if she could do anything for him, ladling on more solicitude than seemed usual.
Maybe Sharon was responsible for the geraniums.
“I’d like to send something to the folks at Far Hills Ranch — do you know them?”he asked Sharon.“They invited us for a visit.I’d like to thank them.”
While he and the clerk roamed the greenhouse, selecting plants and arranging delivery to the Far Hills couples, K.D.lounged with unpleasantly clear boredom near the cash register, checking her phone.
After he paid, they got in his vehicle to return to his house to change for the dinner at Cully and Jessa’s house.
“Nice touch telling her we’d visited Far Hills.”K.D.kept any hint of approval out of her face, since the woman watched from the doorway as they backed out.“Covers us if anyone happens to hear about us being there.”
“You heard that?Good ears.Yeah, I figured it offered a good explanation in case anyone spotted us there already or does in the future.I left it vague and gave Shar contradictory info.She’ll muddle it more, so if she says anything that contradicts what other people see, they won’t think twice about it.”
“I’ll never be able to show my face around here again,” she said.
“Nope,” he said cheerfully.“You should be proud of what a good job you did.Shar is one of the biggest gossips in the county and she did not take to you.Our marital problems will be all over.We’ve been separated since I moved here.We thought we’d give it another try, but it’s not going well.You’re mostly to blame.”
“Of course.”
“Just so you know, you’re the superficial, only interested in clothes and status type.I’ve been shattered to discover that when I thought you were my soulmate.”
“I don’t think I have the wardrobe for that role.”
“Keep working on that haughty expression and you’ll be fine.”
She quelled a grin as the driver of a truck going the other way raised a hand in greeting to Eric.A couple in a troubled marriage should not be seen grinning at each other.
*
After changing and freshening up, they headed for Cully and Jessa’s house.
They drove in silence, two vehicles passing, with Eric being friendly and K.D.honing her haughty.
“I had a thought,” she said abruptly.“If we’re completely negative all the time, people might wonder why we’re even trying Marriage-Save.”
“Good thought.”
“We can allow glimpses of memories of better times or hopes for better times.Doomed of course.”
