204 Rosewood Lane Read Online Free

after-school clubs, dance lessons… It soon became obvious that the demands on Rosie’s time wouldn’t be alleviated as the kids grew older. Because they both believed their children’s needs should come first, they’d decided Rosie shouldn’t re-enter the workforce.
    â€œI’m tired,” Zach told his wife, “and I’m hungry. Is it unreasonable to expect dinner with my family?”
    Rosie took a deep breath, as though she was struggling tohold on to her patience. “Eddie’s got an open house at school tonight, Allison’s coming with me to practice with the junior choir and I’ve got to finish this Halloween costume before Friday. Eddie needs it for his soccer team’s party. I can only do so much.”
    He could hear the annoyance in his wife’s voice and resisted asking her what she’d been doing all day while he was at work.
    Rosie glared at him. “If you want me to stop everything right now and fix you dinner I will, but I have to tell you, I think you are being unreasonable.”
    He considered her words, and then feeling defeated and a bit guilty said, “Fine. I’ll order pizza.”
    â€œBe sure and tell them no green peppers,” she said, refocusing her attention on the costume.
    â€œI like green peppers,” he muttered, not realizing Rosie could hear him.
    â€œEddie and Allison hate them—they prefer black olives. You know that. Now stop being difficult.”
    â€œAll right, I’ll order sausage with olives on one half and green peppers on the other.”
    His wife rolled her eyes expressively. “I’m not all that fond of green peppers myself, you know.”
    So, in addition to being unreasonable, he was selfish. Well, at least he was batting a thousand. “Sausage and black olives, then,” he said.
    â€œGreat.” He walked over to the kitchen phone, having memorized the number for Pizza Pete’s. He placed the order and made his way to the master bedroom.
    â€œWhere are you going now?” Rosie asked as he passed the sewing room.
    â€œTo shower and change.”
    â€œDo you have to?” she muttered.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with that?” he demanded.
    She pushed away from the sewing machine and stood up. “I thought you might wear your suit to the open house.”
    â€œWhy?” He’d been waiting all afternoon to remove his tie.
    â€œIt’ll make a better impression if you meet Eddie’s teacher wearing a suit. Mrs. Vetter will know you’re a professional.” She coaxed him with a smile, then brushed a piece of lint off his shoulder and smoothed away a wrinkle. “You look so handsome in your suit,” she said, smiling. “Maybe you should shave, though.”
    Zach ran his hand down his face, feeling the bristle scratch against his palm. She was right. “If I shower and shave, then I’m changing out of this suit.”
    Rosie’s frown deepened. “I don’t know why you have to be so difficult.”
    â€œIf I had a decent dinner every once in a while, maybe I’d be more inclined to do as you ask,” he snapped. He couldn’t help remembering how pleasant lunch with Janice had been. She’d joined the staff the first of the month and had already proved herself as far as Zach was concerned. She was a quick learner, competent, cooperative. Twice she’d gone out of her way to make sure he had what he wanted for lunch. Only that afternoon she’d insisted on driving over to Mr. Wok’s for the shrimp dish.
    Sitting on the end of the king-size bed, Zach yanked off his jacket and laid it beside him. Unfastening the buttons at his wrist, he rolled up his shirtsleeves and headed into the bathroom.
    He was running hot water for a shave when Rosie came into the room. “Do you have enough cash for the pizza guy?”
    â€œI think so,” he said. “Check my wallet.”
    His wife met his gaze