Desert Gift Read Online Free Page A

into spiel mode. She talked about her book, about what made it distinct from every other marital relationship how-to.
    She talked about what she wanted to talk about and she made it through to the final blah, blah, blah of Kelly’s wrap-up.
    She even made it out of the studio, smiling good-byes, chitchatting with Gretchen all the way to the car, mascara intact.
    They got into the car and fell silent.
    At last Gretchen spoke. “That went . . . okay. Pretty well, actually. Kelly looked a little dazed by the end, but hey. You were there to promote your book, not your marriage, which, like everyone’s, owns time-share in a doghouse.”
    “And visits on occasion.”
    “Right. You want to get your money’s worth.”
    “Gretchen, when was the last time you and Douglas had a Date Night?”
    Her friend blinked slowly. “I don’t know. Whenever it was we both happened to be in Chicago at the same time.”
    “December 22.”
    “Why on earth would you remember that?”
    “Because I study marriages.” Even the atypical ones like the MacKelvies’, who married after age thirty-five, did not have kids, and traveled to separate destinations most of each month because of their careers. “You were home and he flew in from London, just before Christmas.”
    Gretchen shrugged. “If you say so.”
    “And I remember when Nan, Kristy, Cathy, and Phyllis had Date Nights with their husbands because they’re all regularly scheduled.”
    “Have I mentioned that you are really weird?” She started the car. “Let’s get some breakfast.”
    Jill rubbed her breastbone. Breathing hurt again. “The thing is, I can’t remember the last time Jack and I had one.”
    “You might want to keep that bit of information to yourself. How about a Belgian waffle with whipped cream? Carb up and take a nap before the lunch shindig. You could use some rest.”
    She tuned Gretchen out and wondered when exactly Jack had lost the reason to stay married to her.
    * * *
    The few bites of waffle Jill ate for breakfast only made her stomach hurt. She spent the downtime before the luncheon alone in her room, on the chair in a fetal position, staring out the dirty window at jets approaching the nearby runway.
    If Jack were there, they would have been laughing at Gretchen’s great hotel deal with its “skyline views” and “classic decor.” Wasn’t it just the night before last that they had discussed how proud the publicity agent was of her low costs? how in all likelihood they would end up in such a place as this?
    Yes, it was just the night before last, Wednesday. She and Jack were packing side by side in their bedroom and she had been looking at the cut on his head. He’d gotten it the evening before when he’d crashed the car. He walked away with only a cut that required a few stitches.
    She said, “You probably want a cap to protect that from the sun.”
    “Got one. Do I need another sweater?”
    “Yes. And don’t forget flip-flops.”
    “You think the hotel has scummy showers?”
    She chuckled. “It can’t be that bad. I’m thinking about eleven days from now when we have our getaway at the beach.”
    “You’re absolutely sure Aunt Gretch won’t be joining us?”
    “I’m sure.”
    Jack and Gretchen enjoyed an odd relationship. Maybe enjoyed wasn’t the right word. Gretchen’s driven nature bordered on a pushiness that made him want to shove back. Gretchen loved the sparring. They were like iron sharpening iron, she said. He disagreed. She was a busybody aunt who didn’t know when to go home. No, enjoyed was not the right word. At least they were open with each other about it.
    He gave her his mock-serious pose—tilted head, squinty eyes.
    “Jack, she’ll be in Phoenix when our vacation starts.”
    Was that what this was all about? Gretchen?
    No. He said the D word. That wouldn’t have anything to do with her friend no matter how much of a nuisance she could be at times.
    That day had been a full one at the office for him.