Page 54 of The Marriage Game

Max is still looking down at me, a bemused expression on his face.

“You’re being weird,” he says, raising his eyebrows.

“I like your hat,” I reply before I can stop myself. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I’m aware that I’m still mad at him about something or other, but I’m too busy enjoying this alternate western reality to remember exactly what.

“Oh really?” For a second he looks taken aback, but then he grins. “This ‘ol thing?” Then he goes and tips it. That’s right, the mantipshis hat at me.

I am a goner. Someone get us a horse so we can ride off into the sunset together.

We’re married—so it’s a good plan.

“Oh my,” I whisper, a full-on swoon making my knees tremble.

Max lifts a hand, letting his knuckles drag ever so gently across my cheek. I’m not sure what exactly has come over me, but dang it, the mood so long dead inside of me has awakened and that double bed of ours is calling.

I’m about to say as much when he leans closer and whispers, “Is Dorothy watching? Should I kiss you?”

The flame burning inside me quells in an instant, and I step back, putting my head down to hide my shame.

“Ah, yeah, she was,” I confirm. “But she’s gone now, so, uh, let’s go ride some horses, shall we?” I infuse cheer into my voice and stride forward, desperately hoping he won’t see how upset I am. What a stupid, stupid idea this ruse was.

***

Max

IwatchJillstrideaway from me toward the stables feeling as if I’ve made a colossal mistake. There was a moment there when I could swear I saw real desire in her eyes, but then I got in my own way as an intrusive thought arrived on the scene insisting that it must all be an act for Dorothy’s sake.

And like an idiot, I voiced this. Now, instead of seizing what could have been an opportunity to reconnect physically with her, I’m following her to go ride a horse. One guess which of those two things I’d rather be doing.

I miss Jill and the intimacy we used to share—both physically and emotionally.

Maybe I should wear a cowboy hat more often. Although wearing one in Arizona might just make me look like the idiot I am. Here my hat fits the ambience, in Arizona. at my law offices, not so much.

Still—I’m keeping the cowboy hat thing in my back pocket.

“Where is everyone?” Jill turns back to look at me as we arrive back at the stables.

“Can I help you two?” A man’s voice interrupts and we turn to see a guy in a flannel shirt, worn jeans, and a cowboy hat that looks far more natural on him than I’m sure mine does on me.

I can only hope Jill doesn’t notice the discrepancy.

“We’re part of the couples’ retreat,” Jill informs him quickly. “We were supposed to go on a ride this afternoon.”

“That’s right,” the man drawls. “Too bad ya just missed ‘em. They left not five minutes ago.”

“What?” Jill says in a panic. “They left. But-but,” she stammers, flapping her hands in front of her. “We were supposed to go with them!”

“Aw, now don’t go getting all upset,” the man says in alarm. “If it’s that important to you, I’m sure we can catch them. I’ve got a couple of horses already saddled up. We’ll hop on and catch up to them in no time. You two know how to gallop?” he adds as he leads the way toward the horses.

“Yes.” Jill nods.

“What?” I hiss at her as we hurry along behind him. “Since when do you know how to gallop on a horse?”

Jill flushes. “Hey, I speed walk all the time,” she says haughtily.

“I’m not sure how that applies to our current situation.”

“If I can speed walk, I’m sure I can stay on top of a quickly moving horse,” she explains.

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