The Man She Married. Ann DeFee

in.

      “Over here,” Clay said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. The rumor mill in Magnolia Bluffs was remarkably efficient, and Maizie would have a fit if she heard they were meeting behind her back.

      “What can I get you ladies?”

      “A small latté for me,” Kenni said.

      “Make that two,” Liza agreed.

      To an uninvolved observer this would be nothing more than a coffee date with friends, but appearances could sometimes be deceiving. It didn’t escape Clay’s notice that as soon as he walked off, Liza and Kenni put their heads together for a private conversation.

      “Here you go,” Clay said when he returned with the drinks. The ladies were obviously not discussing the church social or even the price of tea in Timbuktu.

      “So, what do you think?” he asked.

      Liza took a deep breath. “We really can’t tell you anything. I would if I could, honestly. But I can’t.”

      “Can’t or won’t?”

      “A little of both.” She glanced at Kenni who nodded in agreement.

      Clay rested his head on his fist. “Look, I’m not asking you to betray a confidence. I simply need some help. She seems angry with me all the time and I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know what’s wrong.” He held his hands up in supplication. “I’m desperate.”

      Liza rubbed the back of her neck. “Why don’t you tell us what you think the problem is. Maybe we can help you without really helping you, if you see what I mean.” Wink, wink.

      Clay nodded. “Fair enough. I suspect there are a couple of things going on. First off, I think when Hannah moved out she started feeling unfulfilled. But she doesn’t want to admit it. You know Maizie, she’s always pooh-poohed the empty-nest idea.”

      Kenni spoke up. “That’s a start, and for what it’s worth I agree with you. So we have an empty nest, what else?”

      Clay couldn’t meet their eyes. “She wants me to spend more time with her.”

      “What’s so hard about that?” Liza asked.

      He sighed. “Maizie doesn’t know this, so you can’t tell a soul. Do I have your word?”

      Although Kenni grimaced, she nodded. Liza followed suit.

      “Our firm is in financial trouble. We won a contract that’s now in the middle of a huge crisis. We’re working on that new overpass on the interstate and the moron we’re dealing with at the Department of Transportation has required more change orders than we can deliver. Alter this, move that, do that—nope, that’s not right, try again. It’s been one thing after another. Frankly, I think he’s trying to tube the project. Consequently, the construction company has gone into a penalty phase and is about to go belly-up. If that happens, we don’t get paid. And we’ve spent well over six months on the project.” Clay massaged his temples. “After I’ve spent all day putting out fires, I’m too beat to do anything but fall into bed.”

      “There goes my advice.” Liza huffed out a breath. “How about you?” she asked Kenni.

      “Uh, me, too.”

      Liza took Clay’s hand. “You need to tell Maizie what’s happening. She really, really needs to know.”

      “I’ve waited too long. She’s going to be so pissed that I didn’t come to her right away. And to be completely honest, I’m humiliated that I let things get this out of hand.”