Within Reach Read Free Page B

suitcases, and couldn’t resist teasing him. “Are you sure that’s enough?”
    “I’d rather have extras, just in case,” he answered in dead earnest, which Danica found to be all the more amusing, since Blake Lindsay never spilled, rarely sweated, barely wrinkled.
    “Anyway—” she was smiling “—Reggie and I are having lunch on Saturday, unless you want to do something, in which case I’ll cancel.”
    He had finished packing the shirts and was reaching for his suit bag. “No, no. Don’t do that. I’ll be at the club.”
    It was either that or at work, so Danica had known she would be safe making the lunch date with Reggie. Until recently she had spent her own Saturdays waiting for him to come home. Perhaps in her old age she was wising up. Then again, perhaps not. More than once it had occurred to her that though she had convinced Blake to buy the house in Kennebunkport as a hideaway for the two of them, it was going to be something else getting him there. Last week was a perfect example. He had promised he would take the day off to drive up with her, then had been besieged by a handful of last-minute emergencies, that demanded his attention. She didn’t quite understand why a man who headed his own company couldn’t get subordinates to do the work.
    “Is something wrong, Pook?” he asked gently.
    Her head came up. “Hmmm?”
    He sent her that same ephemeral flash of a smile as he threaded hangers through the slot at the top of the suit bag. “You look angry.”
    She realized that she felt it, but the last thing she wanted was to sound like a shrewish wife, so she forced herself to relax and spoke with measured calm. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking of Maine.”
    “Any more word from the decorator?”
    “She called yesterday afternoon to say that the cabinets are set to go in.” They had been special-ordered in a white oak that Danica had fallen in love with, but she had debated the decision for days, since using the white oak had sent a number of other dominoes toppling—namely countertops, ceiling fixtures and flooring, all of which were now in the process of being changed. But Blake had said to go ahead, so she had. “When I was there last week, the kitchen was barren.”
    Blake laid the suit bag on the bed, straightened the lapel of the tuxedo he had put in last and drew up the zipper to close the bag.
    Taking a breath, she forged cautiously on. “Once the cabinets are in, the refrigerator and stove will be hooked up. At least then we’ll be able to have something to eat or drink. I mean, the place won’t really be livable until May or June, but it’s getting there. I was hoping to go back up next month to check on things. You’ll come with me, won’t you?”
    “If I can.”
    “You haven’t been there since we first looked at it. I’d really like you to see what’s been done. If there’s anything you don’t like—”
    He was doubling up the suit bag and fastening the straps. “You have wonderful taste.” His smile was on. “I’ll like it.”
    “But I want you to see it, Blake. This was supposed to be a joint venture, a place where we could be alone together.”
    Blake made a final scan of the room. “All in good time. When it’s finished, we’ll spend the time you want there. Things must be pretty primitive now. Did the decorator say anything about those kitchen cabinets you wanted?”
    Danica opened her mouth in reproach, then shut it tight. He hadn’t been listening. That was all. His mind was on other things.
    “Next week. They’ll be in next week,” she murmured, rising from the bed and heading for the door. “I’ll send Marcus up for the bags,” she called over her shoulder as she started down the stairs. But Blake was soon beside her, putting his hand lightly on her waist. It bobbed as they descended; their steps never quite matched.
    “You won’t forget to RSVP to the Hagendorfs, will you?” he asked. Danica could almost see his mind’s eye