pressed, unsure why. She had no desire to make love to her husband.
The truth was that he no longer turned her on. Apparently she no longerturned him on, either.
But to the outside world peeping in, they were the ideal couple. If herfriends and his congregation only knew, they would have a gossipingfield day.
"I know what's wrong with you," James said.
He remained standing in front of the chest of drawers in their massivebedroom, which was filled with some of the most priceless antiques moneycould buy. A lot of good that did her, she thought.
She rarely got to show her treasures off. As a preacher's wife, herstandards were expected to be on a higher plane, which didn't includeboasting about money or things.
Wilma frowned at James's back when he turned and opened a drawer. Hedidn't have anything on but an undershirt and boxer shorts. Her gazedropped to his legs, which were as white as snow and as thin astoothpicks.
She almost laughed out loud, wondering how they could hold him up, eventhough he certainly wasn't overweight. He was much too vain to eatanything that might make him gain a pound. Why had she ever married apreacher?
She hadn't enjoyed one day of that life-style. What she wished more thananything right now was for a fried pie and a cigarette.
Would James have a conniption fit if he knew that? For a second, she wastempted to tell him. But what good would it do? None. She couldn't puther money where her mouth was, so to speak. If she did, she would besigning her death warrant for sure. While she might be gravely ill, shewasn't ready to be put underground just yet.
There was still fire in her belly, and as long she was breathing, shehad hope.
"Wilma, did you hear what I said?"
"No." "I said, I know what's wrong with you. Having Cas- she appear onour doorstep was a shock."
This time Wilma didn't have a comeback. Perhaps that was what was behindher sudden agitation, making her want to strike out at something orsomeone. In so many ways, Cassie had been a disappointment.
But disappointment or not, Cassie had returned, a fact they both had todeal with. Wilma masked a sigh, wishing she and her daughter had beencloser.
That had been her fault, not Cassie's.
Her own mother, Elizabeth, had been cold and had kept her at arm'slength, fearful of showing any emotion. More than that, her mother hadbeen conscious of family money and, the responsibility she felt itcarried. The Hillcrests were to set an example, and if that meantkeeping their emotions buried, then so be it.
Early on, Wilma had rebelled, had become her parents' wild child. Behind their back she had drunk, danced and smoked--all forbidden intheir household. Once she had married and become a woman, she'd been trapped by the image of what she was expected to be, not what sheactually was. Somewhere over the years, the former had won, and she had become as stuffy and standoffish as her husband, who had also come from a strict religious background. Because of those flaws, it had been difficult for her to show realaffection to Cassie, something she regretted. And she feared it was toolate to rectify that now, considering how Cassie's life had taken such adramatic and traumatic turn.
"Wilma, I'm talking to you!"
He had turned back around and was looking at her through irritated eyes.
"Okay, you're right," she said at last.
"I was shocked."
"Then finding out our son-in-law is behind bars was a double shock."
"Ex-son-in-law," Wilma pointed out.
James didn't respond verbally, but he didn't have to for her to know
what he was thinking. His shoulders tensed again, and his face reflected
more frustration.
"You might as well accept the fact that their marriage is over," she said.
"I won't ever accept that. I don't believe in divorce."
"No matter. That one's a done deal."
"Well, done deals have been known to undo."
"Don't start trying to play God with Cassie."
"And don't you tell me how to treat my daughter." James's tone was
hostile.
Wilma ignored that hostility. He hadn't ever been able to intimidate her and, sick or not, she wasn't about to let him start now.
"Someone needs to tell you."
"If only she had tried harder, seen a counselor like I begged her to,
she and Lester and Tyler would still be a family."
Wilma blew out a breath.
"Give it a rest, James. We've hashed this over too many times as it is."
She paused.
"Besides, it's really your own pride you're worried about. Now thatshe's back, questions you can't answer will start all over again.""That's right," he said tersely.
"And for a minister, that's an unacceptable position to be in."
"If you press her, she'll leave, and we might never see her again."
He ground his lips together.
"Is that what you want?" she demanded into the silence.
"Remember, if she goes, Tyler goes with her." "I know," he said, a
slight quaver in his voice now.
"So I'd advise you to bite your tongue when it comes to Lester."
James balled his hands into fists.
"I just wish I knew exactly what sent her over the edge, what made her
take their child and stay gone for five years. Perhaps, if I knew that, I could let it go."
"Maybe in time she'll give us all the details."
"And maybe she won't."
They were both silent for a long moment, lost in their own tormented thoughts.
James was the first to break that silence.
"Do you think she'll stay and take your place at the hotel?"
"Only if you listen to me and don't harp on her and Lester getting back
together."
James's shoulders bowed.
"I don't need you to tell me how to conduct myself."
"See, there you are, back on that high horse. Well, get your ass down."
"Wilma, I won't tolerate your talking" -- "Oh, shut up, James."
He didn't say another word, but Wilma knew he'd had to bite his tongue
to keep from lashing back at her. Another bout of color flooded his face before he stomped into the closet.
She didn't see him again until he was fully dressed in a suit and tie.
Instantly, Wilma felt his eyes tour her body, though his thoughts were once again hidden behind a calm demeanor.
"I'm going to the church."
"Are you taking Tyler with you again today?" Wilma asked, suddenly feeling too tired to move. She'd already had far too much upheaval for one day.
"If he wants to go." James's features were back to normal.
"I want so much to get to know my grandson again."
"Me too. And my daughter."
James tilted his head to one side, then stared at her for a long moment,
a muscle ticking in his cleanly shaven jaw.
"Do you think she can work with Austin?"
"Of course. Why not?"
"They're both headstrong."
"I'm headstrong," Wilma said, "and he works with me just fine."
James paused.
"If Cassie refuses to take you up on your offer, are you prepared to