Sex and the Widow Miles (The Women of Willow Bay) (18 page)

Will
was unusually quiet on the ride home, and although we shared the big bed at the Dragonfly, we didn’t make love. I left him at the hotel for a couple of hours so I could run by the kids’ place for one last snuggle with little Eddie. When I got back, he was sound asleep. In the morning, his manner was casual and friendly—almost, but not quite, distant. There wasn’t much time to talk since we both had to be at SFO early, and this new cooler Will only added more confusion to the morass of emotions already swirling in my head. But I pinned on a smile as we drove to the airport and chatted pointlessly about the traffic and fog.

There was no
passionate farewell as there had been when I’d left for San Francisco and that puzzled me, too. He was headed to the International terminal to catch a flight for Europe, and still hadn’t said a word about what might happen in the future. He didn’t even mention calling me while he was away checking out venues for Liam. When he dropped me at the Departures door, we stood on the sidewalk by my roll-on bag, silence yawning between us.

“
Um, thanks, Will, for everything.” I toyed with the handle of my purse and stared at the travelers scurrying by us.

“
Travel safe, Jules.” His voice was rough. “I hope you find what you’re looking for in Willow Bay.”

I
couldn’t leave it there. I had to say more, even though he was parked in a loading zone and the airport police would be along soon to shoo him on his way. “I’ll be back in Chicago in a few days, maybe a week.”

“
I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

“
Will…”

When his eyes met mine, his discomfort was obvious.
“We both have a lot of thinking to do. I’ll see ya, Jules.” With that he drew me into a quick hug and left. I had no idea when I’d see him again.

Bewildered and heart-sore, I
boarded my flight, determined not to worry about Will Brody. First things first. I had to work my way through Charlie’s deception and betrayal before I could even begin to consider anyone else.

The plane circled wide over the lake before making an easy landing on the runway at Cherry Capital. Fidgeting in my seat, I reached in my pocket for my cell phone right as the flight attendant gave the all-clear to turn them on. I wanted off that plane and into the safe haven of Carrie
’s friendship.

“
Jules!” Carrie’s voice carried over the heads of the few travelers in front of me. I walked on tiptoe, anxious to catch a glimpse of her, and in only a few seconds, there she was, waving and smiling. Tears choked in my throat as I slowed down and swallowed hard, determined not to start blubbering all over her immediately.

“
Hey.” I released the handle of my carryon to pull her into a big hug. “God almighty, I’ve missed you!”

“
I’ve missed you too.” Carrie returned the embrace with fervor. “I can’t believe you didn’t give me any warning, you big dope.” She continued as we separated and headed for baggage claim. “How many bags do you have?”

“
This is it.” I gazed at my old friend, who looked fantastic in snug jeans, a plum-colored turtleneck, and a leather jacket.

“
But… where’s all your stuff?”

“
In Chicago. I only laid over there. I’m actually coming from San Francisco. Will dropped me at SFO this morning.”

“
Will?” Carrie eyed me quizzically, then grinned when I nodded. “I think we’re going to need chocolate and alcohol for this. Car’s in the garage. Come on.” With a little head jerk, she led the way, not saying any more until we’d stowed my bag in the back of her SUV and were both belted in and on the road.

“
Can I stay with you?” I knew the question would surprise her since I hadn’t had a chance to tell her anything at all since Eddie’s birth except to phone that I was on my way.

“
Absolutely,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “That’s probably better. Liam’s been stripping wallpaper in your bedroom, getting ready for the painter. He’s over there right now, vacuuming and trying to get things cleared away enough for you to settle in, but you staying with us is a much better idea. The painters can get started right away.”

Laying my head back against the headrest, I closed my eyes.

“Hey, we’re here.” Carrie’s soft voice pulled me out of the stupor I’d fallen into as we drove from the airport to George Street.

Liam appeared on the big wraparound porch, looking tall and handsome in plaid flannel and denim. I didn
’t even let my eyes go next door to my house…
Charlie’s
house. At the moment, I couldn’t bear the sight of it.

“
Hey, Granny, congratulations. You look like a million bucks.” Liam greeted me with a hug and took my carryon, hauling it easily into the house as he followed us in.

I knew without glancing behind me that they were exchanging one of those married-people looks that said more than words, because he headed upstairs to the guest room with my suitcase while Carrie took my coat.

The scent of coffee filled the air, and when we got to the kitchen, two mugs, cream, sugar and a bottle of Jameson sat on the counter. A fire crackled on the hearth of the two-way fireplace and a new chintz overstuffed sofa crouched in front of the flames, looking cozy and inviting.

With a grin, I held my arms out as if to embrace the whole room.
“You made your keeping room.” I toured quickly through the kitchen, past the tall stools at the breakfast bar and then around the sofa. Carrie had created a charming scene, with a couple of small side tables, an armchair, soft lighting, and Liam’s collection of antique toy tractors on the mantle. “I love it. It’s perfect.”

“
It came out nice, although Evelyn’s grousing because I turned the breakfast nook into a sitting area and now we eat at the bar.” Carrie poured coffee into the mugs. “Every time she comes to clean, she just shakes her head and mutters under her breath.” She held the bottle of Jameson over a mug, a question in her eyes.

Just then, Liam sauntered in, hands in his pockets.
“Aha, you found my treat. Pour some in for her, honey. The sun’s over the yardarm somewhere.”

My heart swelled and my eyes stung. Could there be two dearer friends in the whole world?
“You guys are the best,” I managed, swallowing hard to keep the tears at bay.

By God,
I’m not going to weep through the telling of this
.
Only the facts and without histrionics.

Frankly, I was bored with my own tears at that point. I
’d cried so much over Charlie Miles, I was sick to death of my own pathetic affect.

Liam fetched a can of whipped cream from the fridge and topped our coffees off before giving me a wink.
“I’ll leave you two to your catching up.”

“
No, wait, please.” Suddenly I wanted a man’s perspective… well, the perspective of man who wasn’t in love with me. “Stay. You may as well hear this firsthand.”

“
You sure?”

“
Absolutely.”

With a quirked brow at Carrie, who shrugged and nodded, he poured another coffee, doctored it up and settled on the sofa with one arm around his wife. I curled up in the armchair next to them, warming my hands with the mug.

“Where’s Izzy?” I realized I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of their four-year-old adopted daughter. Usually Isabella was bouncing around my knees, lisping and giggling.

“
She’s down at Noah and Margie’s for an overnight.” Liam sipped his drink. “I dropped her off after Carrie headed to the airport. Thought maybe you and Carrie might want some time alone.”

“
This guy’s a gem, Caro. Hang on to him.”

“
Do you see anything to indicate that I’m
not
hanging on?” Carrie gave me a smile as she leaned her dark head against Liam’s shoulder.

“
Not really.” I tasted the whipped cream with the tip of my tongue. The scent of coffee and good Irish whiskey filled my nostrils. For the first time in longer than I could remember, I relaxed, letting the warmth from the fireplace seep into my tired body.

“
How’s it feel to be a grandma?” Carrie snuggled closer to Liam. “Are you freaked or delighted?”

“
Or both?” Liam added. “We saw the pictures on Kevin’s Facebook page—damn good-looking kid, Julie.”

“
Being a grandma rocks. He’s a sweetie.” I sipped my coffee, letting the whiskey give me the courage to share my story. “I–I need to talk.”

“
Julie, what is it?” Carrie reached out a hand to me. “What’s going on?”

Taking a deep breath, I dove in, telling them the whole story from the moment I discovered the emails between Charlie and Emily to the encounter with her at Tuckaway. I left out the intimate parts between Will and me—those were still too new to share. I wasn
’t about to say anything in front of Liam about going across the hall in my rage over Charlie’s infidelity and practically attacking his best friend. He’d never get it and would probably worry about Will getting hurt. No, that was for later, when Carrie and I were alone.

They sat silently as I spoke, shock and concern evident on both their faces. Finally, when I stopped to take a breath, Carrie rose from the sofa to kneel on the soft rug in front of me.

“Oh, Jules, I’m so sorry,” she said, cupping my face with one hand. “What an awful discovery.” Sympathy tears shimmered in her eyes. Pure Carrie Reilly—aching for me as I knew I’d be aching for her if our roles were reversed.

I nearly lost it at her touch, but I bit the inside of my lip and set my jaw, firm in my resolve not to cry. I wanted to talk, to get some input from a more objective source than Will, to try to make sense of the bizarre twist my life had taken. I put my hand over hers and linked our fingers as I gazed into her face.

“Well… so what do you think?”

NINETEEN

“
Sixteen
years?” Liam repeated for the third time.

“
Yup.”

We were on our second cup of Irish coffee, and I lapped at the froth floating in my mug, feeling rather proud that I
’d managed to contain my tears. Fact was the urge to cry simply dissolved as I hashed out the story with Carrie and Liam. It was almost as if I was talking about a stranger rather than my husband of over thirty years. Yes, I was still hurting, but I was gaining perspective.

“
God, I couldn’t be more shocked if you’d told me
Liam
was having an affair.” Carrie had settled back on the sofa. “This feels completely out of character for the Charlie Miles I knew.”

“
Something was obviously missing—something he needed that I couldn’t provide.”

“
Don’t!” Carrie said sharply. “Don’t take this out on yourself, Julianne Miles. This was all about
Charlie
. He was weak. You were a brilliant wife. You made him the perfect home.”

“
Apparently,
that
was the problem. Life was
too
perfect.” I couldn’t help the snort of laughter at the ridiculousness of those words. “I made him feel like he had to be perfect, and he couldn’t handle it.”

“
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Carrie swatted the idea away with the back of her hand. “Too perfect? For God’s sake, honestly—”

“
Hang on a minute, honey,” Liam interrupted with one hand on Carrie’s thigh.

“
You better
not
be thinking about defending him, Liam Michael Reilly!” Carrie swung around to glare at her husband. “What he did was unspeakable!”

“
Chill, babe. You’re right. That’s not where I’m headed.” Liam gave me a long look. “Jules, Charlie led a charmed life—dynamic, successful career, gorgeous wife, beautiful, smart kids, great friends—and he always had to live up to the image he created. I know how it feels to try to be something you’re not.”

“
Are you seriously going to try to compare
your
playboy life before me with Charlie’s screwing around on his wife?” Carrie’s eyes were huge and her voice squeaked. “Did
you
know already? Did he confess this to you on the golf course or during one of those ‘boys’ nights’ on your boat?”

He tossed her a quick scowl.
“Of course not. I’m as shocked as you are.”

I considered jumping in to head off a marital spat, but I was curious as to where he was going. I
’d asked him to stay, believing I wanted an objective man’s viewpoint. Liam and Charlie had become good friends in the last few years. Perhaps the Maestro had insight.

I gave Carrie a head shake.
“Go on, Liam.”

She threw herself back against the sofa cushions with a frustrated little sound, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her toe. My dear friend was clearly in full-on outrage, undoubtedly furious with Charlie because he
’d hurt me. But Charlie was dead. She had nowhere to put the anger, so she turned it on Liam.