A Marriage Between Friends Read Online Free PDF Page B

person, are you.”
    “Never had one.” The ceramic mug was too hot to hold. Vince set it on a coaster on the antique end table.
    Still growling, Moonbeam tilted sideways along with his arm. All it would take is one swift boot…
    Edda Mae took a swig from her cup and studied Vince through faded brown eyes that seemed too knowing. “Everybody should have a dog. They’re man’s best friend.”
    Vince shook his head. Moonbeam’s nose twitched. The dog was annoying but cute. He could never really hurt her.
    “Ever own a cat?”
    “No.”
    “Canary?”
    “No.”
    The rain came down with hail-like ferocity. Moonbeam licked her chops as if anticipating an Italian snack.
    “That’s just not right.” Edda Mae imbibed a bit more and then pinned him with squinty eyes. “You ain’t been around for Teddy.”
    Vince opened his mouth to explain that he wasn’t the boy’s father, but thought better of it. Moonbeam’s snarl filled the air, instead.
    A framed picture of Jill holding a baby with ruddy cheeks and a gummy grin caught his eye. “You watch out for Jill,” Vince observed, feeling unexpectedly empty. “I should go.”
    If Vince slept on the antique love seat, he’d have to hang his legs over the side, and he was certain to wake up with kinks in several places.
    “No need. I’ll get you set for the night. Jill’s an early riser.”
    Edda Mae stood with the exacting precision of one who doesn’t always feel stable on her feet when she first gets up. “Come along.”
    Ignoring Moonbeam’s noisy protests, Vince steadied Edda Mae, moving her toward what he took to be a closet where he guessed she kept the extra bedding.
    Edda Mae dug in her heels. “I’m not going to let you into my bedroom, young man. We’ve only just met.”
    He released the old woman. “I’m sorry. If you give me a blanket, I’ll make the bed.” Vince tried not to look at the love seat.
    Now it was Edda Mae’s turn to take his arm, steering him toward the door. “You’re not sleeping with me. You’re sleeping with Jill.”
    Much as the idea appealed to Vince, he was sure Jill would think differently. “Why don’t you put me in one of those guest cottages?”
    Edda Mae pulled on a neon-pink hooded slicker over her curlers and robe. “We had the exterminator in this afternoon. Ain’t nobody staying in those rooms until they’ve been aired out and wiped clean. And we can’t start that until tomorrow.”
    Frowning, Edda Mae looked Vince up and down, then handed him a small purple umbrella with pink polka dots. “Which is why you’ll be sleeping with your wife tonight.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    “I THOUGHT married people lived together.”
    “Most of them do.” Jill had finished reading Teddy a chapter of his book, raising her voice to be heard above the rain beating on their roof. Now her throat felt scratchy.
    Eyes averted, Teddy plucked at his comforter. It was lime green and matched one of the walls she and Teddy had painted. “Are you going to live together?”
    “No.” She’d been surprised to see that Vince still wore his wedding ring. Because of Craig, Jill used hers like a shield. Vince had no reason to wear his. “We don’t have a marriage like other people. In fact, I don’t know how long we’re going to stay married. I doubt Vince will come back.”
    More plucking by Teddy.
    “What’s bothering you?”
    “Can’t we keep him? As my dad?”
    “No! He’s a person, not a pet.”
    “Everybody else has a dad but me.” Teddy gave Jill his best puppy-dog eyes.
    “You know that’s not true.”
    Teddy tugged at the comforter some more. “I think I’ll go to sleep now.”
    “Teddy?”
    “I’m really tired.” He rolled over to face the wall, leaving Jill no choice but to turn off the light and wish him good-night.
    As soon as she closed Teddy’s door someone knocked on the front one, followed by a muffled, “It’s me. Edda Mae.”
    “What’s wrong? Did the power go out in your cottage?” It was really