“Are you satisfied?” Zach asked in a low voice.

“No, I’m not.” She crossed her arms again and stared straight ahead.

The cabdriver’s eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, and Janine tried to smile, but when she caught a glimpse of herself, she realized her effort looked more like a grimace.

“Me and the missus been married for near twenty years now,” the driver said suddenly, stopping at a red light just off the James Street exit. “Me and the missus managed to stay married through the good times and the bad ones. Can’t say that about a lot of folks.”

“I don’t suppose your wife is the type who nags, though, is she?” Zach made the question sound more like a statement, sending Janine a look that rankled.

“Betsy does her fair share. If you ask me, nagging’s just part of a woman’s nature.”

“That’s absurd,” Janine countered stiffly. She should’ve known better than to draw a complete stranger into the discussion, especially another male who was sure to take Zach’s side.

“I’ll tell you the real reason me and the missus stayed together all these years,” the cabbie continued in a confiding tone. “We never go to bed mad. I know I look like an easygoing guy, but I’ve got a temper on me. Over the years, me and Betsy have had our share of fights, but we always kiss and make up.”

Janine smiled and nodded, sorry she’d ever gotten involved in this conversation.

“Go on,” the cabbie urged.

Janine’s puzzled gaze briefly met Zach’s.

“Go on and do what?” Zach wanted to know.

“Kiss and make up.” The cabbie turned for a moment to smile at them and wink at Janine. “If my wife was as pretty as yours, mister, I wouldn’t be hesitating.”

Janine nearly swallowed her tongue. “We are not married.”

“And have no intention whatsoever of marrying,” Zach added quickly.

The driver chuckled. “That’s what they all say. The harder they deny it, the more in love they are.”

He turned off Broadway and a few minutes later pulled into the circular driveway that led to Janine’s house. As the talkative cabbie leapt from the car and dashed for the trunk, Janine opened her door and climbed out.

Apparently, Zach had no intention of taking her advice, because he, too, got out of the cab. It was while they were tussling with the luggage that the front door opened and Mrs. McCormick hurried outside.

“Janine,” she cried, her blue eyes lighting up with surprise. “What are you doing back so soon? We weren’t expecting you for another two days.”

“I missed your cooking so much, I couldn’t bear to stay away any longer,” Janine said, throwing her arms around the older woman in a warm hug. “Has Gramps been giving you any trouble?”

“Not a bit.”

Zach paid the driver, who got back in his cab, but not before he’d winked at Janine again. “Remember what I told you,” he yelled, speeding off.