“Yes, well, I had some odds and ends to take care of and...and I wanted to make sure you got home all right.”

Addison narrowed her eyes and looked around the foyer. “What’s wrong?”

“Wrong?” Evelyn said, her voice raising an octave. “Why would you think anything’s wrong?”

“Because you’re answering a question with a quest—” Addison’s ability to speak came to a grinding halt when she saw what appeared to be a long-haired rodent scampering up the hall leading from the parlor, and on its heels was Joanna, laughing as she tried to catch up.

“Sorry,” Joanna said, scooping up the puppy. “He’s a quick little guy.”

“What the hell is that?” Addison shouted.

“He’s a Yorkie-Shih Tzu mix I got from the shelter. His name’s Chauncey,” Joanna said, holding up the puppy. “Isn’t he cute?”

Addison’s face turned scarlet. “His name is going to be Haggis unless you get him out of my house!”

“Lower your voice. You’re scaring him,” Joanna said, holding the pup to her chest.

“Ask me if I care? Now, get him out of here, or I will!”

In two quick steps, Joanna was within inches of Addison, and looking her in the eye, she said, “He’s mine, and he’s staying, and if you harm one hair on his head, the deal is off.”

Addison lowered her chin and glared down her nose at Joanna. “What did you say?”

“You heard,” Joanna said, never wavering from her eye lock on Addison. “I only married you because of my father, but now he’s gone. I have no problem walking out that door right now and not looking back. I won’t live like this, and I won’t live like you.”

“So much for your word being worth anything,” Addison said with a snort as she eyed Joanna up and down.

“I don’t break promises easily, Addison, but you’re giving me no choice. My father’s gone, so there’s nothing left for me here except four walls and a roof, and that’s not enough.”

“Well, that’s all you’re going to get. Now get rid of him.”

Joanna moved even closer, and when she spoke, it was in a whisper. “I think you forget who I am. I’m your wife and the woman who stuck her fingers down your throat when you took too many pills while your mistress looked on. Or did you forget that?”

“So I owe you. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Call it whatever you’d like,” Joanna said, giving a half-shrug as she took a step backward. “But I think this win is in my column, or am I wrong?”