“I met a friend of yours.” I poured a second glass of wine, glad I’d brought the bottle with me. “Karen. Your girlfriend. WORK, as she was listed in your phone. Gotta say, I was surprised when I saw her. Then again, I don’t really know your type, except that I’m not it. She didn’t seem like the brightest bulb in the box, but I suppose IQ isn’t high up there on the list of things an old man looks for in a mistress.”

He was still scowling.

“Caro and I met her for coffee. I told her about your stroke and whatnot.”

His face changed, the scowl sliding down into old-man sadness.

I reached over and patted his hand. “I’d like to tell you she sent a card or stopped by or texted you, but she hasn’t. I’m sorry about that.”

Listen to me, apologizing that Karen didn’t give a good gosh darn about him. Must’ve been the wine.

“Hello? Anyone home?”

“We’re on the patio, Caro!” I said, letting go of John’s hand. “Grab a wineglass. The bottle’s out here.” I heard the cupboard open, and a second later, there she was, looking so stylish and pretty.

“You two look cozy,” she said, pouring herself some wine and taking a seat across from us.

“I’ve just been telling John about our meeting with Karen.”

“Oh, that slut.” She looked at John. “You do not deserve Barb, John. You hear me? You don’t deserve to clean her toilet.”

“Hush now,” I said. “He’s my husband. Not a great one, mind you, John, but my husband just the same.”

“You’re too good, Barb.”

“You betcha,” I said, and we laughed, Caro and I, and maybe, just maybe, John smiled a little bit, too. I closed my eyes, listening to the birds.

If this was my life now, I guess I’d have to take it. Aside from a cheating husband, I’d been real blessed. My girls, my friend, my home, this town . . .

“Go to bed, Barb,” Caro said. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m pretty tired, I’ll give you that.”

“I’ll get this old bastard settled, and I’ll hardly kick him at all. How’s that, John?”

“Oh, Caro. You’re all talk. Don’t listen to her, John. She’ll take real good care of you.”

And I did go to bed, not even brushing my teeth first. My clothes felt as heavy as lead.

Would John live a long time? Would I be able to keep this up?

Thank God for Caro. I lay down, comforted by the sound of my best friend’s voice as she talked to my husband. I was asleep almost before my head hit the pillow.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Sadie

For the first time in years and years, Noah and I were in a car together.