Sam plucked at a corner of her bedspread, her eyes lowered. “It’s this whole thing, I guess. I wasn’t prepared to like my predecessors, but I do. Finding out there were three more Rainford wives kind of blew me out of the water. I must have really crappy judgment, Slick. I fell for that schmuck. I really did love him in the beginning, and it isn’t easy to turn off feelings like that. If I used that kind of judgment in my personal life, maybe the FBI was right to wash me out.”

“You’re talking apples and oranges, Sam. With Douglas you were dealing with your emotions. That’s allowed, Sam. That’s normal. The Academy, that’s a different thing entirely. You washed out because of your lack of upper-body strength. You didn’t make poor judgment calls during those sixteen weeks at Quantico.

“In addition, Sam, everything you’ve done and said since Donovan approached us has been perfect. That leads me to think that what’s bothering you is Douglas. Douglas you can deal with at any time. In fact, the more time that goes by, the clearer your head will be. You don’t want to do anything rash while you’re still feeling bruised and battered. Married eight times! That’s really over the top.”

“What do you suppose he saw in the…the others?” Sam asked carefully.

Slick eyed her best friend. “Well, Kayla is an exotic dancer, a belly dancer to be precise. I’d say he got off on the sexual movements. Olivia as a cartoonist probably tickled his funny bone. She’s also easy on the eye. Zoe, I’m not sure. I’m thinking maybe he thought it was cool that she was a plumber. Hell, maybe she fixed his pipes. Or cleaned out his drains.” Slick laughed.

“And me?” Sam asked hesitantly.

Slick untangled her legs, her arms flapping. “This is just my opinion, but I think he saw the home and hearth in you. The warmth and the caring. You aren’t like the other three. Let’s face it, Sam, you were always a homebody. You’re also levelheaded. The other three are kind of flighty. You, my good friend, are grounded.

“Please tell me you don’t still love him because if you do, I’m pulling out. This caper is never going to work if you’re hung up on him and his first three wives.”

Sam looked over at the bedside clock with its bright red numerals. They had half an hour until the others returned. “Rest easy, Slick. I knew I made a mistake when I married him. No, I don’t love him. Call it lust or infatuation. I can separate my job from my personal life. Trust me on that.”