“Oh, Brooke just offered to help me photograph my portfolio for design. You remember I told you I want to get into the fashion industry.”

Jared smirks. “I do believe I have some pictures proving that you already are.”

Sonia flushes. “That’s just a temporary thing.”

Rebecca’s gentle voice fills the air. “Brooke, I had no idea you were into photography.”

Now I am the one blushing. “It’s just a hobby, really.”

Mrs. Fanny comes in with the main course. “A hobby! Really now, Mrs. Campbell, you’re much too modest. I have seen some of her work its very beautiful. Actually, I have one of her pieces hanging in my kitchen.” Mrs. Fanny gives a proud nod before turning to Landon.

“Can I get you guys anything else?”

Landon shakes his head in dismissal, but his gaze never leaves me. I fidget with my hands uncomfortable with his scrutiny. My father uses to give me calculated looks too. Right before he decided where to press to inflict the most pain.

CHAPTER 4

Learning

Landon

I sift through another book filled with drawings. This one dedicated to flowers. The one before was on fruits, and before that water. There are so many pictures, sketches, paintings. A whole room of things I did not know about my wife. Something stirs in my gut. Probably more anger. Anger that she kept this from me or maybe anger at myself for never wanting to know before. It is foolish, really—idiocy on my part. She is Connor Robinson’s daughter! I should have found out everything there is to know about her a long time ago. What other secrets is she hiding? I have been busy keeping my business life away from her ears I have not thought of what damage could be done by what she does.

What harm can she do with pencil and paper? I ignore the nagging voice as I continue flipping through the book. I took the day off to find out what I need to know to put this nagging feeling to bed.

A shocked gasp interrupts me, and I glance at the staircase my wife is paused on.

“It’s amazing how you can see someone daily, even share a bed with them and still not know a single thing about them,” I casually say.

Brooke continues her descent down their stairs. She seems nervous. She looks adorable in the oversized gray sweater and leggings. I notice she is wearing her glasses again today. Odd; that is, I have never thought of her in glasses. Sure, I knew she had them as she keeps her contacts in the cupboard next to my toothpaste. But I have never noticed how cute she looks in them before. Brooke stops a couple feet in front of me, but I continue flipping through the book. I am casually leaning against the worktable she has in the center of this room.

“What are you doing?” she finally asks.

“Learning.”

“Learning?”

“Yes, I’m learning all the secrets my wife keeps from me.”