Debbie Macomber - 1105 Yakima Street

Linc would think about that, but for now he was saying nothing to Lori. They finished their beers, chatting about the football season and the Seahawks’ chances. Mack tossed his empty can in the recycling bin, then slapped Linc on the back and strolled out the door.

“Thanks for the beer,” Linc said, following him outside.

“My pleasure.” He raised his hand in farewell, climbed into the truck cab and was off.

Linc left work early and by the time he arrived home, Lori was already there. Just seeing her warm, loving smile dissolved the tension that had been with him all day—dissolved it for that night at least. Without a word she hurried across the room, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him with enough enthusiasm to weaken his knees.

“Was that for anything special?” he asked as he spread nibbling kisses down the side of her neck.

“Yup. We’re celebrating.”

“Hmm … celebrating what?”

“The fact that it’s Monday.”

Each and every Monday was special when he was with Lori. She’d changed his world, brought him joy, made him laugh. Before he’d met her, Linc had seen life as a series of obligations. He’d run the family auto repair business in Seattle with his two younger brothers. After their parents were killed in a car accident, Linc had assumed responsibility for holding the family together. He’d taken his role as the oldest seriously and was determined to keep his brothers and his sister safe, to maintain a cohesive unit. That hadn’t allowed time for anything frivolous like falling in love. Until he actually fell in love—with Lori—and his whole life went through a seismic shift.

“I bought you a present today,” she whispered seductively in his ear.

Shivers of awareness raced down his spine. They could barely afford groceries, let alone gifts. “Oh?”

“Do you want to see it?”

He released her and slowly walked away.

“Linc, don’t you want to see what I got you?”

“Lori, we’re in a bit of a … a financial bind at the moment. It would be best if you didn’t buy me anything for a while. I’m sorry, but I’d rather you didn’t make any unnecessary purchases. Okay?”

She blinked, then nodded reluctantly. “Of course. I’ll take it back. I still have the receipt.”

“Thank you.” He felt bad asking her to return the item. Whatever it was would be superfluous. He had everything he needed.

“I’d like to show it to you first, though. Okay?”

Linc agreed and sat in the recliner while Lori disappeared into the bedroom. His heart was heavy. He felt her disappointment but they couldn’t spend money indiscriminately, especially money they didn’t have.

His wife reappeared dressed in a see-through chiffon piece of nothing. Linc’s mouth sagged open. “That’s … the gift you got me?” Her tempting body was all but revealed, and Linc swallowed hard. “I … I think we might find room in our budget for that.” He got the words out, but with some difficulty.

“No, you’re right. I should know better than to buy—”

“Lori,” he said, closing his eyes. “I’m nearly broke. The business is failing. I don’t even know if I’ll last the month. I haven’t wanted to tell you, but I can’t hide it anymore.”

She placed her hand over her mouth and stared at him, wide-eyed with shock.

“I realize I was wrong to keep this from you, but I. have my reasons.”

Lori continued to stare at him as if she didn’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Leaning forward, he rubbed his hand across his face. “I’m so sorry.”

She came to him then, climbing onto his lap and wrapping her arms around him. “I married you because I love you. I don’t need anything but you.”

Linc buried his face in her neck and pulled her close. She lifted his head and he kissed her. Then she abruptly broke off the kiss, sliding off his lap and standing directly in front of him, her eyes flashing. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. Do you understand?”

“Kiss you?” he asked in bewilderment.

“Of course not! I’m talking about keeping the truth from me.” Whirling around, she went into their bedroom, returning a few minutes later, fully dressed. “Okay. What happened?” Her voice was brisk, all seductiveness gone.

“Happened?”

“To cause this financial shortfall. You’re …” She paused as though everything had started to come together in her mind. “My father.” She spoke in a low voice, then repeated the two words more loudly and with more conviction. “My father’s done something, hasn’t he?”

Linc didn’t reply.

“Hasn’t he?” she demanded again.

“I … can’t say for sure, but it seems that way.”

She began to pace, five steps in one direction, five in the other, making quick, precise turns.

Linc found her movements almost hypnotic. “Now, Lori,” he began, “there’s no need to get upset. I have everything under control.”

“That’s low, even for him.” Either she hadn’t heard a word he’d said or she recognized his statement for the lie it was. “This is going to change and it’s going to change right now.” She reached for her purse and yanked out her cell phone, punching a single button.

“Lori,” he asked, “who are you phoning?”

“Who do you think?” she muttered.

Linc stood and circled her waist with his arms. “Lori,” he said again, drawing her close. “Tell me what you’re doing.”

She moved the cell away from her ear. “I’m calling Daddy. And I’m having it out with him.”

Linc had seen that look in her eyes only once before and that, too, had been an instance involving her father.

“Hello, Helen, this is Lori Wyse. Is my father still in?”

He started to tell Lori that maybe they should discuss this first, but one sharp glance from his wife told him to forget it. She was furious—and determined.

A minute later Bellamy got on the phone. “Hi, Daddy,” she said, all sweetness.

“Hi, baby girl. If you’re calling, I figure that means you’ve come to your senses and dumped that useless husband of yours.”

Linc stood close enough to hear Bellamy’s half of the conversation. At his father-in-law’s comment, his back stiffened. He released Lori, automatically clenching his fists.

“No, Daddy, it’s the Bellamys I’m—as you so delicately put it—dumping. For most of my life I’ve cowered in front of you, caving in to your wishes. No more. You’ve gone too far this time. You want to hurt the man I love, the man I married. I won’t stand for that. I won’t! In fact … I never want to hear your name or see you again. You have tried to manipulate me my entire life. Well, I chose to marry Linc. He is my husband and you will stop meddling in our lives. Is that clear?”

Leonard Bellamy seemed amused. “You’re talking mighty big for a girl living in an apartment her father owns.”

“That’s another thing. Linc and I will be out of here just as soon as we can find another place.”

For once Bellamy didn’t seem quite so sure. “Don’t be hasty….”

“No, just the opposite. It’s taken me too long. You’ve done everything you can to ruin my husband, but you don’t know what kind of man he is. He’s going to make it, regardless of what you say or what you do. And as of this minute I am finished with this family.”

“What about your mother?”

“She’ll have to make her own decision. I’ve made mine, and while I hate to exclude her from my life, I won’t give you access to any part of me or my marriage. If that means never seeing Mom again, then so be it.”

Bellamy didn’t appear to believe her. “Like I said, you’re talking big now. But you’ll change your mind at the first sign of trouble.”