A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

Jessica couldn't get Leo out of her mind. She desperately tried to forget him but he haunted her thoughts. When she looked at the cookies that the orphans were eating, she recalled his comments regarding her figure.

When she saw Mr. and Mrs. Evans talk to Tom and Ian, she recalled how he asked her if any part of her wanted a husband and children. The truth was that she did, but she wanted to be the one who chose her husband.

She didn't want someone else to make that decision for her. What was wrong about wanting to make her own choices?

Then she saw a male brunette who walked by the orphanage in a dark blue suit that looked like Leo from behind. For a moment, she wondered if he came by to see her, but when the man looked over his shoulder, it wasn't Leo after all. And she was shocked by her disappointment.

She shook her head. She would not give that man, who insisted on being her husband, another thought. Unfortunately, others were not willing to let her forget him. When she sat by Mary and Helen, Mary asked her how things were going with Leo. ―They are bearable, she reluctantly admitted.

―Bearable? Helen examined her from across the table. ―Your face got redder than a tomato when she said his name. ―It's hot. I'm burning up. You know how the August air affects me. Helen grinned.

―I agree you're burning up, but it's not from the temperature. Jessica rolled her eyes and ignored the woman. She hopped out of her chair and helped a little girl wash her hands. Things were a lot easier when she had it in her mind that he was boring and she dreaded the very thought of being near him.

She didn't want to recall how much she enjoyed his kisses or the way he touched her. Then he opted to have Jim make one of his pizzas because he heard that she was interested in trying the chef's recipes, and to top it all off, he gave her spending money.

The fact that he was taking note of her wishes and looking for ways to please her greatly annoyed her. How was she supposed to keep her focus on getting out of the marriage if he insisted on treating her so well? When she returned to the table, Mrs. Edwards walked over to them.

―I want to thank you for making the cookies, she told Jessica. ―You had a wonderful idea to add nuts to them. Chocolate chip nut cookies. Who would have thought of it? ―Oh, I can't take credit for that, Jessica replied.

―It was Jim's idea. He recommended it while we were mixing the second batch of cookie dough. ―Who's Jim? Helen asked. ―He's one of Leo's chefs. He just started working there, and he wants to open a pizza restaurant someday. He's very good. I had a breakfast pizza this morning, she answered.

―What is in a breakfast pizza? Mrs. Edwards wondered. ―Eggs, bacon, and ham. It tasted good. ―How intriguing. Will he make any of his pizzas at one of Mr. Monroe's dinner parties? She shrugged. ―I don't know. Louis is the head chef. ―Tell Jim that his idea was a big hit. ―He'll be pleased you said that. Mrs. Edwards nodded and left.

―Wasn't Jim the chef would mess up the pies at your engagement party? Mary wondered. ―Yes, but he was nervous with Louis watching everything he was doing. When Louis isn't around, he doesn't goof up like he did last Thursday, Jessica said.

―He's a fun person to be around. ―Where does Mr. Monroe fit into that? Mary looked concerned. ―I know what you're asking. No, I do not have a romantic interest in Jim. A thought flashed through Jessica's mind. Jim was a good man who would make a good husband. She studied her friend who was analog the lace on her sleeve. Mary would probably get along wonderfully with Jim.

―Mary, Jessica slowly began, ―when are the costumes for the play going to be ready? Mary looked startled by the question. Even Helen raised an eyebrow. ―I want to see what you'll be wearing, Jessica quickly explained. It was a little white lie but she had a plan and didn't want Mary's or Jim's financial status to interfere with it. ―I think they'll be ready on Thursday, her friend said.

―Good! Can you come to my house this Thursday around two in the afternoon with one of those dresses on? I might be able to make the necessary alterations there. She knew that Jim planned to try another new recipe at two on that day, so he would be in the kitchen.