“But what?”

Mutely, she shook her head.

He sighed. “Oh, great, we’re fighting. I suppose you’re going to ask for a divorce and make this the shortest marriage in Washington state history.”

Janine paled. Divorce was such an ugly word, and it struck her as viciously as a slap. Despite her efforts, scalding tears spilled down her cheeks. With as much dignity as she could muster, which admittedly wasn’t a lot, Janine went back inside the house, leaving a wet trail in her wake.

“Janine!” Zach shouted, following her into the kitchen. “Listen, Janine, I didn’t intend to argue with you.”

She turned abruptly. “This marriage doesn’t mean anything to you, does it? You won’t even interrupt your work long enough to…to act like a man who just got married.”

With her head held high, she stared past him to a painting of yellow flowers on the dining room wall. When her tears blurred the flowers beyond recognition, she defiantly rubbed her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, reaching for her as if he needed to hold her. But then his arms fell to his sides. “I should’ve realized wedding traditions would be important to you. Like that carrying-you-over-the-threshold business. I’m sorry,” he said again. “I completely forgot.”

“It’s not just that, it’s everything. How many men bring a briefcase with them on their honeymoon? I feel like…like excess baggage in your life—and we haven’t even been married for twenty-four hours.”

Zach looked perplexed. “What does catching up on my reading have to do with any of this?”

His question only irritated her more. “You don’t have the foggiest notion of how impossible you are, do you?”

He didn’t answer right away, but seemed to be studying her, weighing his answer before he spoke. “I just thought I might have a chance to read over some papers,” he said slowly. “Apparently that bothers you.”

Janine placed her hands on her hips. “Yes, it bothers me.”

Zach frowned. “Since we’ve agreed to delay the honeymoon part, what would you suggest we do for the next three days?”

“Couldn’t we spend the time having fun? Becoming better acquainted?”

“I guess I do seem like a stranger to you,” he said. “No wonder you’re so nervous.”

“I am not nervous. Just tired and trying hard not to say or do anything that’ll make you think of me as a…a nag.”

“A nag?” Zach repeated incredulously. “I don’t think of you as anything but lovely. The truth is, I’m having one heck of a time keeping my eyes off you.”

“You are?” The towel she was holding slipped unnoticed to the floor. “I thought you said you didn’t know how to say anything romantic.”

“That was romantic?”

“And very sweet. I was beginning to think you didn’t find me…attractive.”

Astonished, Zach stared at her. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

“I’m not.”

“I can see that the next few days are going to be difficult,” he said. “You’ll just need to be patient with me, all right?”