Page 70 of First Date: Divorce
“Had you met other well-to-do men?Dated any?”
“Sure.But he wasn’t old like them.But he doesn’t have real ambition.”
Except to live a good life, help people through legal tangles, and—
“What else attracted you?”
She concentrated on materialism.“He treated me all right.Took me nice places.Gave me orchids.”
Melody flicked a quick look toward the end table beside the couch where K.D.sat.
“We only have another minute or so—”
K.D.did not let herself relax.She’d had an academy instructor who’d drilled into them that easing up at the wrong time could be fatal — and the wrong time was any time.
“—if there’s anything else you’d like to bring up…?”
“Nothing I can think of.”
The counselor reminded her they’d have regular one-on-one sessions, plus the opportunity for additional ones if K.D.wanted them.
No way.
She worked to keep that sentiment off her face.
While swapping places under Melody’s direction, Eric gave K.D.an even look as he walked in.With her back to Melody, she tried to warn him with her look, but doubted it conveyed much.How well could a look say, watch out for the question we didn’t cover — what attracted us to each other at the start?
How would he answer?
She didn’t wonder out of personal curiosity, but in case knowing would help cover holes in their cover story.
After fumbling that part with Melody, filling out the questionnaire was a piece of cake.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
When K.D.returned to the main room, Melody and Eric were standing.
“We’ll take a break now, although you have homework.You’re to go for a walk together.Around the grounds.No interacting with any other couples if you see them.Staff knows to ignore you for this time.I want you to think about what you’ve said in these opening sessions.Whether you share that with each other or not is up to you.But you are not to discuss the merits of what the other has said.
“You simply listen to the other and keep walking.Without responding to it.Then be back here in one hour.”
As they left, Lily passed them with her usual smile and cheery hello, but K.D.saw it give way to a tuck between her brows.
She dawdled long enough to see the woman go into Melody’s office.
*
Possibly a wise ploy by Melody and her colleagues to let couples cool off before their next session, but thishomeworkput a crimp in investigating.
They paused on the back porch a moment before starting their walk.Their gazes met, acknowledging pockets of guests and staff dotted around who could easily overhear anything they said.
A path curved along the right side of the pool and past a heavily treed area, then connected with another path that appeared to run across the back of the property.
“Old railway bed,” Eric told her.“Railroad’s been gone for decades.People use it for running, horses, hiking.Goes close to the center of town if you go right.”
Their next appointment with Melody didn’t leave time to get to Jessa’s store, connect with Cully, and get back.Not to mention they had little to report.
He tipped his head to the left.“In that direction, other paths lead off it, dipping down to a creek, winding around foothills, offering views of the mountains.”
