Family Interrupted Read Online Free PDF Page B

come back to work. At this point, she had no choice.
    “Something smells good,” I said, walking through the back door into the kitchen. My wife was bending over the oven. “But I like the view better.”
    Claire straightened, a tinge of pink in her cheeks. “Just in time. Turkey breast with sweet potatoes on the side.”
    “In the middle of the week? That’s quite a meal.” I hoped she’d eat a lot of it.
    Shrugging, she said, “It’s easy, and the turkey will last a couple of days, ready to pop into the microwave.”
    I put my attaché case down and washed my hands. “Where’s Ian?”
    “At Danny’s. He called to check in with me. But I knew he’d rather be at the Goldbergs’ than here. So I said okay.” She bit her lip, shook her head. “I yell at him too much. I’m too impatient. Why am I picking on him?”
    “Claire...?”
    “What?”
    “You’re really not blaming him, are you?”
    “No,” she replied quickly, turning away from me. “If only I’d gotten home on time...”
    Her back was to me. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her. “Don’t talk that way. You couldn’t know.” I kissed her temple and nuzzled her neck. “It’s just as well Ian’s not home this evening. We need to talk privately.”
    “We do? About what?” She jerked away, then grabbed my arm. “Don’t tell me! Has someone else died? At work, maybe? Oh, my God.” Her complexion paled to an alabaster white, and before more horrible thoughts tripped from her tongue, I cupped her face and kissed her. “Rein it in, babe. No one’s died. Stop it. Stop thinking the worst.”
    “Then don’t scare me.”
    “For crying out loud, Claire, you’re going to have to toughen up. What did you do today? I sure hope you left the house.”
    She began setting the table while I brought the turkey platter over. “Anne and I ran around the lake a few times this afternoon,” she said. “We did two miles. So how’s that for keeping busy, bigshot?”
    I examined her closely, up and down. Too slender, almost skinny. Her clothes hung, shapeless. “Did you manage a two-mile run? I’m really impressed.”
    “Well...I kinda walked toward the end. I won’t lie about that, but at least I completed the circle.” She spoke over her shoulder as she brought a salad and the sweet potatoes to the table.
    “Good for you. And if you eat your dinner every night, soon you’ll be able to run the entire distance.”
    She glared at me, eyes smoldering, chin high. “I’m doing the best I can.”
    “But now you’re going to have to do better,” I said quietly. “Barnes Construction is hurting.”
    I’d gotten her attention, so I began my spiel. “You know that with any business, if you don’t grow, you die. And home building is tough right now with the down economy. I need you back with me, Claire. The temp I hired while you took this ‘leave of absence’ has got to go. She’s an expense we don’t need.”
    With her posture alert, she seemed to be listening hard, but I couldn’t detect whether she was onboard or not. I plunged ahead.
    “What we need to do is bring in as many dollars as possible. We need to maximize every sale. One area where we can accomplish this is in the design center. If we expand it and offer more customized services and selections, we can increase profit margins. Customized color schemes, upgrading backsplashes, tile, fixtures, and window treatments.... Are you listening?”
    “I hear you, Jack. But I don’t think I like where you’re going.”
    Damn! “Well, like it or not, I need you in that new design center. Instead of just taking on the model homes and helping buyers with basic selections, I’d like you to run the expansion. This is your bailiwick, Claire, a natural fit. I have full confidence in you.”
    But she was already shaking her head. “It’s too much. I can’t concentrate on all those people. It’s not what I want to do. I’m working in the studio every day now, a-and I’m happy