Chapter 1 : Part 2

Your Bed or Mine?
by Candy Halliday

(Page 2 of 6)

"Wrong again," Zada said. "Simon could have learned to function like a normal dog without all that high-tech equipment Rick had installed in the house. Any owner of a blind dog will confirm that. Rick never gave Simon a chance to learn to manage on his own. Rick's a techno-geek. Plain and simple."

Angie stopped walking and turned around to face her.

"And you were supposed to be a plain and simple housewife," Angie reminded her. "But now that you've blown that strategy to hell and back, you tell me, Zada. Who do you think the judge is going to say deserves Simon and house?"

"Me," Zada insisted.

Angie groaned and walked off again.

"Angie!" Zada called after her. "I'm the one who's practically made Simon a household name with my Simon Sees children's series." When she caught back up, Zada said, "Be sure and point that out. Publishers Weekly and the New York Times have both hailed Simon Sees as an inspiration for children with disabilities everywhere. Simon and I already have a national tour of children's hospitals scheduled around Christmas this year."

"How convenient," Angie quipped, "since red is your signature color." Her eyes cut sideways for a second. "Take my advice this time, Zada. Wear a different dress for the children's tour."

Angie turned down a corridor.

Zada clipped along behind her in four-inch heels.

At least Angie hadn't said anything about the shoes. Her sling-back red pumps were as sexy as the dress. Or maybe Angie just never got past the dress.

When they finally reached the designated courtroom, Angie pulled Zada aside and pointed a finger under her nose.

"Keep your militant mouth shut," Angie said. "I mean it, Zada. I don't want even so much as a peep out of you in that courtroom."

Zada made the zipped-lip motion with her fingers.

Angie said, "You walk in there and sit down as quickly as possible before the judge notices the lower half of your dress is missing. And it wouldn't hurt to slump a little. Judge Parkins is in his seventies. The way that dress clings to every inch of your body, the old fart could have a heart attack and croak right there on the bench."

"Sit and slump," Zada said. "Got it."

She tried smiling brightly at Angie.

Angie didn't smile back.

She tossed her auburn hair back from her forehead.

She adjusted the jacket of her gray business suit.

And she marched into the courtroom.

Fine. Be that way, Zada decided.

Maybe short and clingy wasn't the best choice.

And maybe red wasn't the best color.

But Zada quickly changed her mind when she saw the look on Rick's face when she walked into the courtroom.

He was already seated at one of the tables at the front of the room with his attorney. And now with an eyes-popped-out expression on his dropped-jaw face.

Zada smiled inwardly.

Screw slumping!

She threw her shoulders back.

She thrust her breasts forward.

She held her head high.

And walked right past her soon-to-be ex-husband.

Rick was already nervous, but there was no doubt in his mind about why his mouth suddenly went dry. Zada always had that effect on him. Long, shimmering dark brown hair. Sultry, dark brown eyes. Voluptuous curves that had the power to bring any man to his knees.

Except Rick was done.

No more on his knees, begging Zada to reconsider.

A man's pride could only take so much.

Yes, they'd had one hell of a fight. Yes, they'd both said horrible things to each other. And no, he shouldn't have walked out. Especially when he knew exactly how Zada felt about the "walking out" issue.

Copyright © 2006 by Candy Viers

About the Author

Candy Halliday is a renegade Baby Boomer who is also a part-time dental hygienist. She's been married to her Mr. Right for 17 years, has one daughter and two fabulous grandchildren.