“No, there’s nothing. The doctors said she was young and healthy and we could try again in a little while. We pretended we would. Tried to keep it together. But we started fighting, sniping at each other. I’d slam out, leave her alone. She’d slam out, leave me alone. One night I came home and she was waiting for me. She’d figured it out before I had. She was a smart woman. We’d stopped being friends. All we’d had to keep us married was the baby, and the baby was gone. Now we were stuck, and we didn’t have to be stuck. She was right. So we decided to start being friends again and stop being married. End of story.”

She touched him now, took his face in her hands, felt the tension. “There’s nothing I can say to ease that kind of grief, the kind you carry with you forever, no matter what.”

He shut his eyes, let his brow rest on hers. “I wanted the baby.”

“I know.” She eased her arms around him. “You loved it already. I understand. I’m sorry, Michael.” Gently, she stroked his back. “I’m sorry I made you tell me.”

“It was almost ten years ago. It’s done.” He drew back, then swore at the tears on her cheek. “Don’t do that. Hell, you should have asked me something else.” Uneasy, he brushed the tears away. “Like about how I used to stunt double for Mel Gibson.”

She sniffled, struggled to give him the smile he wanted. “Did you? Really?”

“You women always go for Mel. Maybe you should come down to Hollywood with me. I could introduce you.” He twined a blond curl around his finger. “Me and Max, we have to go down tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” She shook her head. “You’re going to L.A.? You didn’t mention it.”

“Just got a call Saturday.” With a shrug, he sat down to tug on his boots. “Action western with your pal Mel. He wants me and Max. So we got to do some meetings, some test shots. See if we can give them what they’re looking for.”

“That’s wonderful. I’d think you’d be more excited.”

“It’s a job. I don’t suppose you’re interested in tagging along.”

“I’d love to, but I can’t leave the girls, and work. How—” How long will you be gone? She bit the question back. “They’ll be so impressed when I tell them.”

“I’ve got a guy coming in for a few days to see to the stock while I’m gone. I should be back by Friday.”

“Oh.” Only a few days. She smiled again. “If you are, I have this opening I have to go to on Friday night. Would you like to go?”

“An opening of what?”

“It’s an exhibit at the art gallery. Expressionists.”