Negotiation Tactics Read Online Free PDF Page B

grab another burger for my baby.” To Jennie she said, “We’re having burgers and fresh corn on the cob. You picked a perfect night to come home.”
    Kyle’s dad, Brian, rubbed his round stomach. “And Anna made her peach cobbler.”
    “Mmmm.” Jennie wanted to rub her own tummy at that news. She sat on one of the Adirondack chairs and tucked her feet up under her. It felt good to be home as the two older couples went back to their neighborhood gossip. Who was going to what schools in the fall, and who bought a new ride-on lawnmower. Jennie sat back and let the chatter about hometown suburbia wash over her like a salve.
    She sipped the iced tea her mom gave her and watched her dad cook the corn and the burgers on the grill. She didn’t have to ask if her mom had made potato salad. Her mother’s delicious potato salad was a staple that accompanied anything cooked on the grill in their home. Jennie’s mouth watered at the thought of the perfectly cooked red potatoes with bits of diced hardboiled egg and just the right seasonings. She’d tried to make it herself but it never compared to her mom’s.
    Anna’s question brought Jennie out of her quiet thoughts.
    “Are you seeing anyone, Jennie?” Anna asked gently.
    Jennie’s eyes went round. Her parents had given up asking her that long ago but she’d never had the conversation with Kyle’s parents. She definitely wasn’t prepared for it.
    “No! I mean... I don’t... No, I’m not.” Oh God. Jennie swallowed and looked to her mom, hoping for help. Her mom threw her under the bus instead.
    “It’s probably time, Jennie.” Her mom’s voice was soft but the words cut deeply.
    Her father and Kyle’s dad stood still, watching but not adding to the conversation as Jennie shook her head at the two women – one her natural mother, one her mother by marriage.
    Jennie lowered her head and stared at the patio stones beneath her chair.
    How do I explain that it won’t ever be time? Kyle is dead. There won’t be a time when that changes and there won’t be a time when I’m ready to replace him. Ever.
    Jennie could practically feel the looks they were all exchanging but she couldn’t bring herself to look at them. She didn’t want to see the expectation there. Didn’t want to see the shock. Naturally, after four years, anyone would expect her to move on. Even her husband’s own parents.
    They didn’t understand. They couldn’t. She couldn’t do that to anyone else. Couldn’t take that chance. No one but Jennie knew the real reason why Kyle had died. And no one ever would.
    Jennie kept her head down and waited. Eventually, the chatter began again and the topic was dropped. For now. But, Jennie had a feeling her biggest source of respite, her source of comfort and understanding, was about to be lost. How could she hide here, when the pain followed her home?
     
     

Chapter Six
    Jack stood in the doorway to the living room watching Kelly sleep. Watching the movement of her chest as it rose and fell with each breath. Whether awake or asleep, the sight of his wife stole Jack’s breath and made him want to sink to his knees. How close he’d come to losing her…and now, not only did he have her, but they had their daughter on the way… Jack didn’t know how the hell he’d gotten so damn lucky, but he’d never be complacent. He thanked whatever powers were watching over them every day, for Kelly and their baby.
    She wasn’t sleeping well at night anymore. The doctor said that was normal this late in a pregnancy but it killed Jack to see her so worn out. He turned from the doorway, planning to let her rest but she called to him.
    Jack turned to find Kelly’s eyes on him and a sleepy smile on her face.
    He crossed to her and sat on the edge of the couch with her. “I didn’t mean to wake you, Sweetheart. You should sleep.” Jack ran the back of his hand down the soft skin on Kelly’s face.
    “It’s okay. I’ve been asleep for a few hours. If I sleep