“I know, but she did pull strings to get me hired. If she and I hadn’t been high school classmates, I doubt I would have gotten the job. There were better-qualified candidates.”

“I wish one of them had been hired. You don’t have to work. My salary can support both of us.”

“It was never about the money.”

His nostrils flared. “I don’t know why you can’t be satisfied running the house and being my wife.”

“I am.” She bent again and touched her mouth to his stiff lips. “But being here alone all day while you were at work was hard. The job was a godsend after I lost the baby.”

“I can think of other ways to describe it.” Anger scored his words—and twisted the knot in her stomach.

“Oh, come on, Steve.” She forced a lightness she didn’t feel into her tone. “I’m here tonight—and I’m all yours for the whole weekend.”

“I thought you had a church thing tomorrow.”

Yes, she did.

But if giving up the annual ladies’ luncheon would placate him, it was a small price to pay for a peaceful weekend.

“I’ll cancel that. We’ll have the whole day together.”

The tight lines in his face relaxed a hair. “I like that idea. We can sleep in and go to Bob Evans for a late breakfast.”

She did her best to mask her dismay.

He knew she didn’t like heavy, calorie-laden breakfasts. Knew she was working hard to lose weight after her late-term miscarriage.

And Bob Evans wasn’t the place to follow a diet.

Worse yet, he’d insist she join him in the high-carb, high-fat splurge he could afford, given the physical nature of his construction job.

“What’s wrong?” His frown was back.

She realigned her features. Balking at his idea would only create more tension. “Nothing. I’ll get dinner going.”

“What are we having?”

“Pork chops and mashed potatoes.”

“One of my favorites.” He smiled at her.

Finally.

“I know. It won’t take long.” She stood.

Once more he caught her hand, the tender expression she loved softening his features. “You’re a good wife, Meg.”

Her throat tightened. “Thanks.”

“You’re not sorry we got married after such a quick courtship, are you?”

“No.” Her response was immediate. It had to be, or Steve would mope for days.

And it was true. Really, it was.

After battling weight and self-esteem issues her whole life, how could she not have fallen in love with a smooth-talking, charming, attractive man like Steve who’d made her feel like a femme fatale for once in her life?