A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

―Yes.

―Then there's no problem at all. Surprised by his uncle's analysis, he furrowed his eyebrows. ―You'll be fine, Jonathan assured him. ―Just keep a sense of humor about things. You can't get bogged down by the possibility of losing her. You tend to get too serious. You have to pursue this as a challenge, and tell yourself that you're going to win.

It's like I always tell myself before a business meeting: I'm going to make this work. Leo nodded, feeling better. ―Thanks, Uncle Jonathan. The older man smiled. ―Anytime. He sat up straight in the chair, which Leo recognized as an indication that he was about to discuss business.

―Tomorrow evening is Mr. Walker's dinner party. Ever since you told me about his conversation with Harrison Jr., I've had time to consider what to do about that. Mr. Walker might be willing to explain his misgivings about the Grants tomorrow evening. We should arrange for a moment of his time. He paused.

―Is Jessica aware that these dinner parties do involve you doing a lot of business? ―Yes. I explained it to her. I told her she could invite a couple of friends to keep her company, and she agreed to go. ―That's another good sign. For the sake of business, you two must show up to these events together.

Some clients are particular about husbands bringing their wives wherever they go. It shows them that the husband values his wife, and if he values his wife, he will most likely value his clients as well. Appearances are very important in the business we're in. ―I think she understands that.

―Good. She's a sensible woman. I do believe she'll be a big help to you. He stood up. ―I have a meeting with Mr. Maxwell. You have a meeting with Mr. Tanner. We better get prepared. Leo felt much better as his uncle left his office.

***

Wednesday evening arrived and it seemed to Leo that Jessica was being friendlier to him. She seemed happy to see him when he came home from work and disclosed more information about herself while asking questions about him.

He noticed that she had already put up paintings of the beach and snowy mountains on the walls of her parlor. She said she had ordered a cabinet to display some crystal figurines she wanted to collect.

He hadn't realized she liked crystal, so he decided he would buy her something that weekend so she could think of him when she looked at it. He wanted her to connect him with things she liked, but he also enjoyed the thought of buying her something she would like. On their way to the Walker residence in the stagecoach, he asked, ―Will your friends be there as well?

―Mary will be attending, she replied. She had chosen a pretty dark purple gown for the occasion and didn't roll her eyes this time when he told her that she was beautiful. He turned his attention from how much he wanted to kiss her so he could focus on the conversation. ―So you're determined to forget Julie?

―It's not that. The thing is that since she's engaged to Harrison, she would want to bring him along, and considering what he might have done to my father and Mr. Rivers and might do to Mr. Walker, it doesn't seem right to have him there.

―He most likely would not attend after the way Mr. Walker talked to him on Monday, so it's just as well you didn't invite her. She sadly nodded and glanced at the houses they passed.

―I'm sorry, Jessica. I know a lot of things haven't turned out the way you hoped. He wasn't sure if he should include him to that list or not. He hoped not. To his surprise, she got up from the seat across from him and sat next to him.