The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (speld decodable readers txt) 📕

John, it’s all about appearances. And, on the surface at least, Kate and Ashlyn’s comfort and needs come first. Always have. I was such a fool.

When we first married, I thought it would be different. I thought I would be more important to John than Kate. But I never was. And Ashlyn? I thought she’d have her place, meeting us for dinner out once a week. He made a lot of promises to me back then. He’s broken them all. I just can’t trust him.

As for Kate and Ashlyn, I’ll deal with them later.

Focus, Tish.

And I do. First on John eating and then, behind him, the hideous curtains hanging in the living room. Kate has terrible taste in decor. Probably another reason he picked me. I was what he wanted. He said he wanted to escape from the failure of his marriage, the constant demands of a never-content Kate. I was his soul mate, his solution. Now, I’m not sure what I am to him. I need to get his attention.

John cracks the egg, hitting it too hard with his spoon. Shell fragments skitter across the table.

“I’m so excited for our day, aren’t you?” I ask.

John’s mouth is moving, as if he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. I reach across the table and hold his hand. He allows the touch for a moment, before his phone buzzes.

“There’s no need to jump every time your phone pings. Not anymore. The IPO happened. Isn’t that great?” I hope, for his sake, he keeps the phone in his pocket. I stare at him, daring him to disobey me.

He ignores my warning and pulls the phone out, glances at the screen quickly before sliding it away.

He hears my exhale, and we lock eyes.

“It’s not like it’s over, Tish. I have friends calling, employees who need advice. The IPO happened, but there is still a lot to do. People have questions. That’s why I can’t believe I’m here with you instead of back home with them.”

Really? “Oh, John, you used to love being alone with me, don’t you remember? I saved your life. Rescued you from the hell of your first marriage, or something like that. Remember? You wanted me, you wanted a fresh start,” I say.

He tilts his head, considering his next words. “Yes, I took the first step in our relationship. At work. It was wrong. I did fall hard for you. I did,” John says. He picks up a shiny red cherry and pops it into his mouth.

“It has a seed,” I say, and watch as he puts the pit on his plate. Good boy. “I’ve missed you lately. You’ve been so preoccupied.” I bite my lip, a move that used to turn him on. “We really need this weekend to reconnect.”

He pats my hand, placating me like I’m a child, before he slides his chair out from the table and carries his plate into what can only be described as a country mountain kitchen: loads of wood, carved moldings, and heavy tile. Ick. You can almost smell the old fashioned.

“I want you to enjoy this, our little weekend getaway, to celebrate and relax. I haven’t had any attention lately. It’s already Saturday. We’ll leave tomorrow evening. You can get right back to whatever it is you’re up to, OK?” Appeasement makes the heart grow fonder, I’m telling you. “Whoever’s texting you on a Saturday morning can wait until Monday, can’t they?”

John glances at me before gazing outside. It is beautiful out the window, sun shining on green mountains, a rainbow of wildflowers in bloom. Cue the Sound of Music soundtrack. “Right. It’s not important.”

He’s lying.

It’s her.

Too bad I’m one step ahead of you both.

But we’ll just leave that alone for now. I have a whole day for him to come clean. He can tell me what’s not right about our relationship, and I’ll fix it. He needs me in his life, I just have to remind him of that fact. It shouldn’t take much, nothing a little romance can’t smooth over. I mean, men are simple creatures. We all know what they think about most of the day. So first we’ll enjoy a hike in the sunshine, followed by lunch and an open, honest conversation. Assuming everything is sorted out, we’ll come back here for a little afternoon delight, as John calls it.

It’s a day of new beginnings. The company is public. We’re rich, and we’re so in love. And no one is going to ruin this relationship. No one will come between us. I’m going to get to the bottom of everything. I’m a problem solver.

“Ready to hike?” My voice is light and airy, warm and friendly. I’m the perfect wife.

“I’ll give it a try. Just can’t promise much, stamina wise. I’m exhausted from the deal and the altitude.” John drops onto the rustic bench by the front door, rummaging around for his hiking shoes. He sounds like an old man. Our twenty-five-year age difference usually doesn’t bother me, but just now he’s whiny.

I pat him on the head like a child, returning the favor. “Fresh air will do you good. You’ve never had a problem with your stamina, not that I’ve noticed.” Yes, I’m overtly flirting now, but this is what the male ego needs.

I wonder what she sees in him. Sometimes I wonder if I should just bow out and let her have him. But then I realize: I’m not a quitter. And I like the crinkles next to his eyes and the way he looks at me when he remembers our love. He’s stuck with me, whether he likes it or not. Or he’ll be left with nothing. No one. It’s his choice. I’m sure he’ll come around today.

He’d better.

CHAPTER 6

JOHN

As I trudge along the well-worn path through the meadow of wildflowers, I remind myself I used to love it here. The clean air, the soaring mountains, the sense of being so far away from the flat, corporate, contained world. This