Free The Diva Serves High Tea by Krista Davis Page A

are important to you. I’m not talking about going to the theater or an art gallery. I mean the big things. Mars always pooh-poohed my business efforts. He didn’t believe in my line of gardening attire, he made fun of my tools for women, and he worked against my efforts to open a chocolate shop. I can’t think of one thing he ever backed me on.”
    I couldn’t exactly tell her that all those ideas had been doomed to failure and everyone, except for her, could see that. She did have a point, though. I would want my spouse to encourage my dreams, even if they were a little bit far-fetched. After all, if people didn’t dream big, there would be nofabulous inventions, or cures, or spacewalks. Mars hadn’t done that for Natasha. Maybe she and Robert were right about that.
    Natasha grimaced. “He was only interested in me because he wanted someone more sophisticated and worldly—”
    â€œExcuse me? As I recall, we came from the same little town in Virginia. It’s not like you grew up in Paris and attended a Swiss boarding school.”
    Natasha smiled at me sweetly. “Sophie, you’re so naïve. It’s rather endearing.”
    Uh-huh. Naïve Sophie thought she’d better hightail it over to Robert’s place to send Wanda home before Natasha found out and their mother-daughter relationship crashed and burned for good. “Have you tried phoning your mom?”
    â€œHow stupid do you think I am? She probably has the ringer turned off. She does that when she’s mad at me, which is most of the time.”
    â€œMaybe you should go home in case she calls. In the meantime, I’ll check around.”
    We were in the foyer when Mars stumbled in, yawning.
    Natasha gasped and looked from Mars to me. “You certainly didn’t waste any time.”
    I hated to say it but I did. “It’s not how it looks.”
    â€œThat’s the standard line, isn’t it? How dare you betray me like this? And you, Mars! Have you no shame? No loyalty? We were together for years, and you’re already shacking up with your ex-wife?” She turned to me and her lips pulled tight. “You won’t keep him interested for long looking like
that
.” She pulled the door open and left in a huff.
    I locked the door behind her.
    Mars groaned. “You see what I mean? Every day. Every single day there’s a drama.”
    â€œWant some tea?”
    â€œI’d better get going. I have a meeting this morning.”
    Just as well. “Okay. I have a quick errand to run as soon as I dress.”
    â€œWith that guy still out there?”
    â€œIt’s broad daylight, Mars. I’m not going to hide in my house.” I ran upstairs to dress in spandex-softened jeans and a big white button-down shirt. Downstairs, I slid into a quilted vest, and dressed Daisy in her harness. We left through the alley that ran behind my backyard in case Natasha had paused somewhere on our street. Maybe it was silly of me, but I wasn’t taking chances. It would be such a shame if Natasha and Wanda had a big falling out over Robert. Natasha might have a lot of fans, but she had precious few friends and needed her mom on her side.
    Daisy and I walked at a good clip. I was glad I had bothered to wear the vest. The lingering warmth of summer days had made a sudden departure. A chilling breeze whispered through the streets, leaving the scent of fireplaces behind.
    As we walked, I wondered why Wanda would have spent the night out when her purpose in visiting was to stay with Natasha so she wouldn’t be alone. Funny that Natasha hadn’t mentioned being afraid last night. Maybe installation of the alarm system had been enough to soothe her nerves.
    We neared Velma’s house, and I couldn’t help looking at the windows. From the street, I couldn’t tell if anyone was spying from them.
    The black door of Robert’s house bore a wreath made of acorns and