“I got a promotion.” She didn’t mention that her Sundays would be free from now on; she couldn’t see the point.

“Congratulations.”

She attempted a smile. “Thank you.” In the ensuing silence, she nodded at him, indicating it was his turn. “You look like you’ve been busy.”

He nodded. “I delivered another set of twins last week.”

“Girls?”

“No, both boys. Identical.”

“Oh.” For the life of her, Marjorie couldn’t think of another thing to say. Small talk had always been her forte, and there were a thousand things she wanted to tell him but couldn’t.

Seeing him like this made her feel so unsure, so uncertain. Her mind stumbled over her thoughts. Kitten wasn’t such a terrible name, she realized. So she’d reminded him of a pathetic cat; no doubt that was the way she’d looked when she visited his office that first time. She loved the way his pet name for her sounded on his lips, almost as though the word were a gentle caress. So she needed him. That wasn’t such a terrible thing. It was time—more than time—that she faced the fact that needing someone was normal and right. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him so when Bud strolled past.

“There’s a customer here to see you.”

Feeling guilty, although she didn’t know why, she nodded and glanced over her shoulder. “I guess I’d better get back to work,” she said to Sam.

He didn’t respond. “I suppose you should.”

“Good-bye, Sam.”

“Good-bye, Kitten.” The instant the word slipped out of his mouth, he wanted to take it back. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not such a bad name.”

“Only it’s not right for you,” he said, his gaze unwavering.

Marjorie wasn’t in any position to argue with him; holding back tears required all the energy she could muster. “Right,” she answered weakly, giving up the fight.

Without looking behind her, she headed outside, where the insurance salesperson she’d talked to earlier in the week was waiting for her. As she walked out the door, she heard Sam ask what time he could expect his car to be finished. By the time she returned, he was gone.

Lydia seemed to be waiting for her when she returned inside, though. Her friend came over to meet her. “Well, what did he have to say?”

“The insurance salesperson?” Marjorie asked, playing stupid.

“Of course not. Sam!”

“Nothing.”

“But he must have said something! You two talked for three minutes. I timed you. You must have gotten something settled in that amount of time.”

“Unfortunately, we didn’t.”