Another Man's Wife

Laurel answered her unspoken question. “It appears that Hawk thinks that I’m the one who’s done something unpardonable, not Scott. We’re meeting on Tuesday at Fordham’s where he’ll deliver a few home truths. Ten in the morning, no less.”

“He didn’t give you a clue what’s wrong?”

“No. It reminds me of the story Nana Hayes used to tell us all the time.”

“You mean about Dr. Childers, the university professor who failed her because she thought Nana told the board of regents Dr. Childers smoked?”

“That’s the one. Nana had to go to college another semester and take the same English literature class over with a different professor. She couldn’t graduate with her class and was denied the right to graduate magna cum laude.”

“It’s hard to believe she wasn’t even allowed to meet with Dr. Childers so she could deny the charge to her face. There should have been a board of inquiry.”

“I agree, but sixty-five years ago professional women weren’t supposed to smoke, and the students didn’t have the same rights they enjoy today. Nana never got over being accused and punished for something she didn’t do.”

“I guess Dr. Childers never lived it down, either,” Julie surmised.

“For some reason Hawk’s made me feel the same way. Like I’ve done a terrible thing and there’s no chance of forgiveness.”

“That’s absurd, Laurel.”

“Well, I guess I’ll find out on Tuesday.” She finished the other half of her sandwich, then drank the glass of milk she’d poured. “Let’s hope our meeting has a positive result. I wouldn’t want to go through the rest of my life with this haunting me.”

“He’s really gotten to you, hasn’t he.”

“Yes. Even I’m surprised.” She put the milk carton back in the refrigerator. “I suppose it’s because he and Scott were so close. It makes me wonder how many things my husband shared with Hawk that I don’t know about—things Scott didn’t like about me.”

Julie shook her head. “Scott adored you, Laurel.”

“I know he loved me, but we both had our flaws. Some of mine were glaring. Maybe he complained to Hawk once too often.”

“Name one.”

“After the way I cried because we still hadn’t conceived after our first three years of marriage, he couldn’t understand why I refused to start the adoption process. Maybe deep inside he felt cheated of a family and confided his frustration to Hawk.”

“But Scott knew the fertility specialist hadn’t given up on the idea of the two of you having your own baby. As it turns out, you are going to have Scott’s child!”

“Even so, it might’ve created too much pressure to bear over the years. If Hawk picked up on that, he could resent me for it.”

“What goes on between a husband and wife is no one else’s business!” Julie said staunchly.

“Try telling that to two buddies in combat who depend on each other for their very lives, knowing they might not make it back.” She washed her empty glass. “I would imagine Hawk considers me a very selfish woman.”

“He has no right to judge.”

She flashed her sister a frank glance. “I’m afraid Scott gave him the right. They had their own private brotherhood. Every Air Force wife knows that.”

Julie’s features softened with compassion. “Did Scott exclude you sometimes?”

“Not purposely. But there were occasions when he had to talk something over with Hawk. It wasn’t enough to tell me.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“It’s okay. It goes with the territory when you’re married to a hotshot. If my not wanting to adopt until we were a 100 percent sure we couldn’t have our own children hurt him more deeply than he let on, then I suppose he made it Hawk’s business.”

Julie moved closer. “If he’s holding a grudge against you for something your husband told him in confidence, then he isn’t the terrific guy Scott thought he was.”

“Thanks for saying that. I happen to agree with you. Fortunately for me, I’ll be able to face my accuser as early as Tuesday morning, unlike our poor Nana…” She pasted on a smile. “We’ve come a long way, baby.”

Julie gave her an encouraging hug before they left the kitchen together.

THE FORDHAM PANCAKE HOUSE chain covered Colorado to Oklahoma. Before going overseas, Nate had eaten at several of them. No matter the day or hour, they were always crowded.

He’d arrived at nine-thirty under an overcast sky to give the head waitress his name and get in line so he’d be assured a table.

Earlier he and Rick had grabbed a breakfast of toast and coffee at the house. After dropping his brother off at the ski shop with the promise that he’d be back by noon, Nate left for Denver.