“I went to one of the town fairs where Landry was showing his work, and who should stop by but his wife!” Kaylee said.
“She was auditioning for a play in San Francisco,” he explained. “She came by because it was close. I hadn’t seen her in almost a year. We’ve managed to maintain a friendly relationship. We’ll see how that goes now that I’ve actually filed for divorce. I’m told that sometimes the most agreeable couples find a lot to fight about during a divorce.”
“That would seem logical,” Korby said.
That opened up the table conversation to divorces. Only two of the women were still married and two had never been married. Landry was much happier talking about someone else’s divorce.
There was more conversation around the table but they left Landry alone, except for the occasional question about his work or his dog training. When they started to clean up, they refused to let him help, but he hung out in the kitchen anyway.
This was not what he expected, this band of women who all knew each other so intimately, drawing him in and making him feel almost like family. He liked each one of them and also liked them as a group. It was a great idea, doing this Thanksgiving almost like a tribute to Meredith.
When people started staking out their places in the great room after a big meal, he pulled Kaylee aside and said, “Time for me to go. Walk me out?”
She grabbed their coats. Landry thanked everyone for the meal and conversation and said good-night, and he and Kaylee stepped outside. Once they stood on the porch, he opened his jacket so she could step inside, pressed against him. He closed his jacket around her.
“That was the best surprise I’ve ever had. Did you plan it?”
He shook his head. “You should get the details from Janette. She called me, but it didn’t originate with her.”
“Really? This should be interesting.”
“Kiss me like you’re going to miss me tonight,” he said. “We hardly ever spend a night apart anymore.”
She accommodated him, stretching up onto her toes, arms around his neck. He didn’t wonder if she’d miss him for long. It was so good to see her happy.
When she was back on her heels, she looked up at him. “I didn’t know about the divorce.”
“I didn’t want to bother you with it,” he said. “It’s not really about you, not because of you or even my feelings for you, which are pretty hot, by the way. It is true that when I found myself with a woman like you in my house and in my bed, it begged the question, why the hell am I legally married?” He ran a knuckle along her cheek. “But no matter what happens with us, I’m ready to cut ties with Laura.”
“She still loves you, Landry.”
“No, she doesn’t,” he said. “She loves me when it’s convenient. That’s a pretty poor excuse to stay married.”
“But do you love her?”
“Sure,” he said immediately. “At least, I hold the memory of a love I had for her. But it’s way different from what I feel for you.” He kissed her softly. “Have fun tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
* * *
By the time Kaylee went back inside, the women had all changed into their pajamas or lounging night wear. A couple of logs had been added to the fire and a few of them had fresh drinks or mugs of tea. They were scattered about the room on couches and chairs.
“Well,” she said. “Did you like him?”
“He’s adorable,” Janette said.
“He seems very sweet,” Maggie said. “If you aren’t keeping him, I could get to know him better.”
“I haven’t made up my mind about that yet,” Kaylee said, plopping down on the couch. “He told me this reunion wasn’t his idea.”
“No, it wasn’t, but he was very cooperative,” Janette said. “Actually, it was Howard who set it up. He called me and asked if I could round up some of the girls. He talked to the Templetons and arranged to borrow the house for us. He offered to pay for everyone’s transportation and for the food for the holiday. In the end, no one wanted or needed his offer of money, but I think it’s worth acknowledging—he did this for you.”
“He came to visit me a couple of weeks ago,” Kaylee said. “He really wants us to work on having a father/daughter relationship. He’s pestering me to death. I just don’t know what to do with him.”
“He’s trying, Kaylee,” Michelle said. “Do you really want to be so angry with him?”