Free Deliver the Moon by Rebecca J. Clark Page A

married for love not necessity.
    “Come on, Louisa. You’re not still pretending everything was hunky-dory between me and your parents, are you?”
    Her chin jutted out. “Maybe things weren’t perfect, but you certainly didn’t go out of your way to better their opinion of you.”
    Still defending them . He scowled. “And neither did you.”
    Her chair scraped against the floor as she stood up. She cleared the table with a loud clatter of ceramic and stainless steel, not bothering to ask if he was finished.
    Gabe leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes. He could hear her furiously tossing the dishes into the sink. He should have kept his mouth shut on this whole conversation. He’d wanted to enjoy her company after being without it for so long, not to fight with her. Fighting had been their sole method of communication that last year of their marriage. He figured it was wishful thinking to suppose things would have changed between them.
    When Louisa finally emerged from the kitchen, she practically threw a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream in front of him before sitting down across the table. Her anger radiated in the set of her shoulders, the jutting of her chin. He should say something to break the tension, but anything he might say would be greeted with about as much enthusiasm as an Amway sales pitch.
    “You’ve got whipped cream on your chin,” Gabe said.
    All animosity disappeared as she crinkled up her nose. “I do?” She dabbed her chin with a napkin.
    “It’s still there.” He reached over the small table to point out where the elusive topping was. When she still didn’t get it, he grinned and swiped it off with the tip of his finger. Without thinking, he sucked the whipped cream off then reached back to get a bit he’d missed.
    As his fingers grazed her chin again, she closed her eyes. Knowing he really shouldn’t, he wiped the remaining cream with his thumb, then, cupping her chin, he brushed his thumb lightly across her mouth.
    “Gabriel. Don’t.” Her whisper slid from quivering lips.
    When he pulled his hand away, she shoved out of her chair and disappeared into the kitchen.
    Gabe started to stand, then decided against it. He left her alone, knowing she didn’t want him in that small room with her, knowing he didn’t trust himself to be in that small room with her.
    As several minutes ticked by and she hadn’t come back and he couldn’t hear any movement from the kitchen, he finally rose. He found her with her hands braced against the counter, leaning into her arms.
    “Lou?”
    When she looked up at him, he expected to see tears. But her eyes were clear, dry, and wary. Very wary. “I want you to leave, Gabriel. Please.”
    He released a long breath. “Lou, I’m sorry.”
    “No need to apologize. Nothing happened.” She turned to rest her hip against the counter, arms hugging her waist.
    Then why do you want me to leave? His world had stopped for a moment as he’d touched her. He shouldn’t have touched her. He couldn’t have her. She was promised to another man now.
    He’d come back one damn day too late.

Chapter Five
    Friday night, Louisa flew into Evan’s arms when she picked him up at SeaTac International Airport.
    “Boy, I should go away more often.” He straightened the lapels of his beige suit.
    For the first half of their ride into downtown Seattle, Louisa kept her head on Evan’s shoulder as he told her about his trip, in which he tried to generate funds and support for his upcoming election as a mayoral candidate. When there was a pause in conversation, she said against his jacket, “I’m afraid you’re going to be mad at me when I tell you something, Evan.”
    He chuckled. “Did you forget to feed my tropical fish?”
    “No, I—”
    “Did you wear high heels on my hardwood floors?”
    “No, Evan.” She sat up and leaned back in her own seat. “I went to Gabriel’s show opening last night.” She glanced at him from the corner of her