sunshine. Before she knew it, she was speeding down the street, driving automatically,

watching the familiar sights of their small city zip by as she headed out of town.

And toward the lake.

She didn't know how she knew it but something was guiding her, as if she was a puppet in a

play. She had no reason to think that Carrie would be at the cottage on a Saturday. Yet,

that's where she was headed, not for a moment questioning her reasoning.

That was why, a short time later, she was not surprised to find the gate open as she

bounced along the tiny road. She felt an instant wave of relief when she saw Carrie's blue

van parked in the driveway.

As she stood outside, she debated whether to use the front door or to go around the back

to the sunroom like they normally did.

"Well, what a pleasant surprise."

Jill turned at the sound of Carrie's voice, her smile matching that of the other woman.

"You know, if you leave your gate open like that, you never know who will drop by."

Carrie walked closer, her eyes turning serious. "Would you believe me if I told you I had

this ... this feeling that you'd come today?"

Jill let herself be pulled into Carrie's eyes. She nodded. "Yes, I would believe you." She

laughed lightly, pulling her eyes away from Carrie's, breaking the spell the woman seemed

to have on her. "We've really got to exchange phone numbers."

"Yes, we do." She pulled off her gardening gloves and wiped her hands on her jeans.

"Because this day is too beautiful not to share." She motioned for Jill to follow as she

walked through the picket fence and around to the back. "Let me wash up, then we can go

sit down at the pier."

"You're sure I'm not intruding?"

"Oh, absolutely not. It was just so pretty out, I thought it'd be a good day to start on the

flowerbeds." She went to the sink in the kitchen to wash and Jill pulled out a bar stool,

watching. "How did you sneak away?"

"Didn't have to sneak. There wasn't anyone at home."

"Oh yeah?"

Jill sighed. "Craig went to a basketball tournament in Richland." She waved her hand

dismissively. "He wanted me to go with him so we could spend some time together."

"And?"

"I declined. For one thing, I hate basketball. And two, as long as his cell phone is with him,

there's not a moment of down time."

"You hate basketball and he's a coach? How did that happen?"

"Football, basketball and baseball. He coaches all three. Football is the only one I have any

interest in. But he lives for them all."

"How in the world can he possibly coach all three?"

"Assistant coach in football, head coach in basketball. He's the hitting coach for the

baseball team. And yes, it takes up most of his time. Sports, period, take up most of his

time." She shook her head. "I don't mean to complain. He was like this when I married him.

I just thought he'd have outgrown it by now."

Carrie leaned on the bar with her elbows, watching Jill. When their eyes met, Jill tilted her

head.

"What?"

"I just think it's kind of odd that we both have husbands so busy with their own lives that

we've become almost an afterthought." She shrugged. "At least, that's how I feel

sometimes."

Jill nodded. "Exactly. Yesterday, when he took us out for lunch, his cell rang barely ten

minutes into it. I think he actually forgot I was even there. I had to ask him to end the call

just so he could take me back to work."

"I know what you mean. I think James would shrivel up and die if he lost his cell phone. But

I try not to complain. It wasn't all that many years ago where mine was the one constantly

ringing." She moved to the fridge and held it open, peering inside. "Have you had lunch?"

"No. You?"

"No. But I don't have much to offer." She smiled over the top of the door. "Cheese and

crackers that we had last week."

"That's fine."

"And I've got a bottle of wine. How about we spend the afternoon down at the pier?"

v o t e c i n e b l l ' t I . l u f r e d n o W " . d e s u a p n e h t , d o o t s l l i J " . e m i t e h t h c t a w o t g n i v a h t u o h t i w t i si"Or do you have to get back?"

Carrie shook her head. "I'm all yours."

"I can't believe she said that to you. My mother-in-law would never interfere like that,"

Carrie said. "Even though I'm sure she's wanted to on occasion."

"Most of my shortcomings usually involve Angie but today she was focusing on Craig too. I

really think the woman hates me."

"I'm telling you, it's because he's an only child. In her mind, no woman will ever be good

enough for her baby."

"I know. I keep telling myself that," Jill said, holding out her glass for Carrie to refill.

"Thanks. But I sometimes wonder if there's not some truth to what she says. We hardly

spend any time together as it is. And I mean, even though I hate basketball, shouldn't I be

more supportive and go to his games? I know other wives do."

"Did you in the beginning?"

Jill nodded. "Yeah. I used to make all the home games, at least. But it just became a chore.

Something I hated to do. I was resenting the fact that on my time, I felt obligated to

follow him around like some groupie." She laughed nervously. "God, that sounds so awful."

"It doesn't matter how it sounds. You should be able to voice your feelings, Jill."

"Yeah, but it sounds so selfish. I mean, what's wrong with me? Why don't I want to spend

time with him?"

"Is that what you think it is?"

"I don't know anymore."

Carrie looked out over the lake then stretched her legs out as she got more comfortable on

the bench. Jill turned sideways, watching her.

"I often wonder how my own marriage survived," Carrie said. "But in the beginning, I was

the one never at home. Every weekend, I was out showing houses, meeting buyers and

sellers alike, never home for James, never home for the boys. It's just a miracle my kids

have turned out to be such sweethearts." She turned slowly, meeting Jill's eyes. "Then, of

course, the stores took off and James was gone all the time." She turned back to the lake.

"And our kids still love us."

"What school do they go to? It's not Kline, is it?"

Carrie shook her head. "Private school. Brookhaven." She held her hands out as if to catch

the sunshine. "Such a gorgeous day. I'm so glad you're here to share it with me." She

smiled. "And it's good to see you like this, in everyday clothes. You look comfortable. You

look nice."

Jill blushed then rubbed her hands on her jeans. "I hate business suits but Mr. Tutt

insisted on them. Now that his son runs the business, he's not as particular but I've

already got a closet full of them."

"That's the first thing I did when I got out of the real estate business. I tossed all my

suits. I swore I'd never put on another pair of high-heeled shoes." She picked up the wine

bottle and held it up. "We've about killed it." She laughed. "God, I love lazy days like this."

"Yes. It's so nice out here." Jill reached over and touched her hand. "Where are your boys

today? How is it that you're alone?"

Carrie stared at their hands for a long moment then raised her eyes. Jill went to pull her

hand away, embarrassed, but Carrie stopped her.

"You only wear a wedding band," Carrie said quietly.

Jill raised her eyebrows.

"No diamond, just the band," Carrie explained, touching her ring finger. She held up her

own left hand. "Me too."

Jill nodded. "Craig and I couldn't afford much when we got engaged. I didn't see the point

in spending an obscene amount of money on a diamond when we didn't even have a house to

live in."

"You got married in college?"

"No. A month later. We both graduated in May. Got married in June. Started teaching—

both at Kline—in August." She shook her head with a smile. "A whirlwind summer."

"Why here?"

Jill shrugged. "Craig's from here."

Carrie gave her a sympathetic smile. "I can't believe your in-laws live three doors down."

Jill laughed. "Most days, neither can I."

Jill turned her attention to the lake and stretched out, much like Carrie was doing. The

garden bench was small and she was aware that their hands still brushed, aware each time

Carrie's fingers moved across her skin. She finally turned, not surprised to find Carrie's

eyes on her. Their eyes held for a long moment. Again, that feeling of familiarity—of

connecting—settled around her. She liked it. It felt peaceful.

"I'm really glad you came today," Carrie said quietly.

"Me too."

"I wish we could do this more often."

Jill nodded and smiled. "Perhaps we should exchange phone numbers," she suggested.

"And I'll give you the code to the gate. Because even if we can't be together, there's no

reason you can't come out here and enjoy the peace and quiet."

"Oh, I wouldn't come out if you weren't here."

"Why not? I'm offering. Besides, you are the only other soul who even knows this place

exists."