Olivia didn’t like talking about her perso
nal life, but she knew she had to say something to keep this man from leaving. In her calmest voice, the one she often used with strangers, she said, “You see, I’m a newlywed.” She waited for his astonishment. Young people seemed to think older women were born married. He did look surprised, but he recovered quickly. “At our wedding, my husband gave me the deed to a house on the Camden estate. He and I were together years ago when we first saw the old River House on the property so he knew I liked the place.” She paused to remember that blistering hot day when the two of them were naked. Young, strong bodies glistening in the sun.
She looked back at Ray. “My husband bought the house for me, but I didn’t see it. We left from the wedding to go on a six-month-long honeymoon to see the places where he’d worked during his life as a diplomat.” Places I should have seen with him, she thought, but didn’t say. Kit had also recently introduced her to people she should have known for the last forty-plus years.
“As soon as we got back to the US, Kit got a call from someone in DC and had to leave, so I returned to Summer Hill. I spent last night at the house of a friend. After I get you and young Elise settled at Dr. Hightower’s house, I’m to go to the home my husband bought for us. It’s at the other end of the estate.”
He looked at her for a moment, seeming to consider this information. “Isn’t a groom supposed to carry his bride over the threshold of the new house?”
If Olivia hadn’t asked herself that very thing, she would have laughed. But her disappointment showed on her face. The first time she saw the inside of the house she wanted to be with Kit. Part of the reason for their long honeymoon had been so the old house could be repaired, painted, and furnished. Every day they’d delighted in seeing the photos the decorator and the work crew sent them. They’d begun with cobwebs and mice, a raccoon in the attic, and 1940s electrical. But underneath the filth had been beautiful old beams and stone fireplaces, and giant windows that looked out onto a pretty pond with an island in the middle. It was all going to be perfect!
But as much as she’d enjoyed the traveling and buying things for their house, there were times when such deep waves of regret flooded Olivia that she’d been unable to move. Kit and she had known each other for so very long and they should have been together all that time. She should know the best places to shop in Istanbul. She should be able to speak Arabic because she should have lived with Kit when he was stationed in Egypt. She should—
When she looked at Ray, sitting quietly and watching her, his eyes were almost glittering with interest in her every word. It took her a moment to recognize that look. “You’re a salesman, aren’t you?”
Ray let out a laugh that almost sent coffee spewing, but he grabbed a napkin and covered his mouth. “What gave me away?”
“‘A lean and hungry look,’” she said, quoting Shakespeare. “So what is it that you’re using all this concern to try to sell me?”
“Stay with us.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jeanne sent me here to give me time to think. When I’m at work in the city or at home with my wife, Kathy, I can’t stand back and look at what’s going on. Jeanne said she wants to give me time away so I can make what will be the biggest decision of my life.”
He paused for a moment. “But things have changed. I thought two women were going to be there and they could...”
Olivia watched him take a cookie and slowly eat it. “They could do the cooking and entertain each other so you’d be free to do whatever you want.”
Ray laughed. “Sure you’re not Jeanne’s sister? So yeah, I’m spoiled. Kathy and I have no kids so I’m sort of...” He shrugged.
“You’re everything to her?”
“Pretty much. Kathy doesn’t really have a life of her own. It’s just me.”
“So what’s wrong? Something at work?”
Ray took a deep breath. “I want a divorce but I don’t know how to tell my wife.”
“Oh,” Olivia said. “That is a problem. And I can see your need to think long and hard about that.”
“Yeah, but if I’m alone in this house with her, that girl might get the wrong idea about me.”
It was the opposite of what Olivia had thought, but he did have a point. He seemed to attract women to him.
“Stay with us,” Ray repeated. “It’s just for a few days, then when your husband gets back, he can carry you over the threshold. As he should do.”
“Hmmm.” For a moment, Olivia acted as though she were contemplating the idea. She leaned toward him. “Are you dying to ask me if I can cook?”
Ray was serious. “If you can’t, I’ll be condemned to live on pizza.”
“And mess up that perfect waistline of yours? That would be a true tragedy.” Olivia was making jokes to cover what was going on in her mind. When she first saw the fabrics and colors that she and Kit had chosen, she wanted him to be with her. She wanted laughter and...
Memories, she thought. The two of them were in their sixties now. How many years did they have left to make the memories that should have been theirs for the last forty-plus years? She well knew that was time enough for children to grow, for grandchildren to have reached their teen years. But she and Kit had missed out on all of that. Those memories didn’t exist.
“Are you all right?” Ray asked.
“Sure,” Olivia said. “I think we should wait for Elise to get here before we make any decisions.”