ead in disbelief. Was he losing his mind? It

hful wife, yet he was the one who shattered their marriage. He was the one who ch

s frustration bubbled to the surf

h the kids when they got back from school. Sure, she hadn't seen them

en, humming a cheerful tune and swaying her hips to the rhyth

y in her late 40s, busy cleaning. The woman

s so good to fin

f guard. "Um, hi? I don't

ling warmly. "I'm Cassy, the cook. I've

, her heart fluttering.

day that went by without them mentioning you. And I have to say, y

er cheeks flushing slightly

assy replied. "So, what

andle it," Isabel sa

d. "It's my job to cook. Just tell me wha

smile. "Actually, you can tak

. "What? Mr. Ba

ly, Baron and I planned an outing with the kids today. We'll be eating out

d, though she didn't l

er story. "We're trying to work on our m

at's wonderful. I wouldn't want to stand in your

ease let Nancy know she can take the day off too. I

do, Is

tisfied, she headed upstairs to gather the rest of the things

the office. The day had started terribly, and it seemed destined to get worse. He stormed i

there was no salvaging the day. He clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath

, and already, she was wreaking havoc on his peace of mind. God knew how long she p

of his dream from the previous night. The images stirred a storm of emotions he didn't wan

o the floor, spilling its contents everywhere. He stared at the mess for a moment, his anger

ellowed, his

her face pale. She had worked with him lon

y before storming out of the offi

e door handle. A drink was what he needed. It might

ron

he saw Brenda stepping out of her car. Of all people, sh

a bright smile on her

were best friends, but Brenda had a knack fo

od?" she asked, rea

tempt. "I'm just having

es, studying him. "Let

, his silence confi

d. "I told you it was a bad idea to

her," Baron snapped, his

surrender. "Whoa, easy there, ti

r," Baron muttered, h

renda countered, a smi

said firmly, unwilling to

you're in denial," Brenda teas

d, his voice sharpe

eyes remained. "But only because I don't like seeing you in a bad mood. Alright,

path. "I want to be a

tartled. "What di

d, softening his tone slightly

nda asked, her voice t

y," he said again

before he could say more. She turned on her hee

d climbed into