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important. His piercing stare stopped her, “For a long time."
    "That's not what I asked."
    A hot flush scorched Emily's cheeks. Maybe she should answer his questions even though she didn't like the way he was asking them. “Twenty-four years, eight months and some days, should I be more specific?"
    "That's near enough and it's a long time. The better part of your life, I'd guess.” Thad rubbed his chin with his hand. “And you, Mrs. Franklin? How do you feel about a divorce?"
    "How do I feel?” Emily hesitated before blurting out the truth. “I still love my husband, but I don't think it would be wise to try to hold onto him."
    "Another woman?” Thad asked, again raising his shaggy eyebrows.
    A band of uneasiness tightened around Emily's chest. “Isn't it always?"
    "Do you want to counter sue, or fight the divorce?"
    "Neither, Robert and I have already agreed on terms for the divorce."
    Thad asked, “Robert being your husband?"
    "My husband's name is Robert Alan Franklin."
    "Then you're still on friendly terms with this man who's leaving you for a younger woman?” He was being unnecessarily offensive.
    Emily bit down on the urge to tell this man to mind his manners. “In a way—yes, I guess you could say that."
    Superciliously Thad asked, “Are you sure you need me?"
    Emily met his calculating gaze. “Robert thinks I should have legal representation."
    "And what do you think, Mrs. Franklin?” Thad moved behind his desk and sat in his chair. “What is your studied opinion?"
    Emily fought to hold onto her self-control. “I just want this over and the sooner, the better."
    Thad Thackery seemed to be deep in thought. “I see.” He tilted his head and stared at the ceiling.
    Emily felt her temper slipping out of control. “Will you represent me?"
    With studied indifference he asked, “Do you want me to?"
    Emily's anger burst like a storm cloud. “Just why the hell do you think I'm here?” Her voice rose. “And you could do with a crash course in good manners."
    A wide smile creased Thad's face. “Ah, that's what I wanted to see, a little fire, a little anger.” Shall we get down to business?"

Chapter 3
    Emily awoke suddenly. Sitting up, she dropped her head into her hands as a sharp pain shot from the base of her skull and traveled down her backbone. With wakefulness came a chilling thought. As of yesterday, she was a divorced woman. She had thought the divorce would be so simple. How wrong she had been.
    She smiled, remembering how shocked Thad had been when she told him she wanted no alimony. “I don't want to be dependent on Robert for anything."
    Thad snorted in disbelief. “Who are you kidding?"
    "I mean it.” Emily was adamant. “Not one red cent!"
    Thad swore in exasperation. “You and your soon-to-be ex are both crazy.” He paced across his office floor. “You won't accept the alimony that he insists he wants you to have.” Stopping, he shook his head from side to side. “Just why the hell are you two divorcing?"
    "You know why. Robert wants his freedom."
    "Then why can't he let go?"
    "Robert feels responsible for me.” Emily shrugged. “It must be guilt."
    "Then take advantage of that guilt and make life easier for both of us,” Thad pleaded.
    Why couldn't she make anyone understand? She didn't want to be dependent on Robert. She wanted to stand on her own two feet. “I don't intend to change my mind.” And in the end, Robert had acquiesced.
    Then there had been the long hassle over Robert's insistence that he pay Emily's health insurance premiums. On that issue, too, Emily was adamant. “I don't want Robert's charity."
    "Don't you think he owes you something?” Thad questioned on the end of a whistling sigh.
    "I won't accept it. That's my final word. Robert wanted this divorce. He will have to live with the consequences."
    "Consequences,” Thad shouted. He threw up both hands in sheer exasperation. “There are no consequences for him. You're making this too easy."
    Emily's