Read The Family They Chose for Free Online

pick out something nice for Olivia, something tasteful, yet lavish. Why hadn’t Helen opted for a bracelet or a necklace? No. Not a necklace because that would’ve paled in comparison to the diamond necklace Grant had had designed for Payton—one obscenely large diamond representing each child they’d had together. Payton, of course, had been very quick to notice and point out that the design provided plenty of room for endless additions. A sudden rush of guilt washed over Jamison as he remembered Olivia opening her gift that was noticeably too large and, really, more his mother’s style than her own.
    So maybe his wife was partially right. Maybe they needed to reevaluate, reprioritize. In fact, that’s exactly what they would do right after this diplomatic visit was over. Then after they’d worked on themselves, they could revisit babies and parenthood.
    “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” he askedas he walked over to the fireplace. He set his glass on the mantel and picked up the poker to stir the fire he’d lit when they arrived.
    “No, thank you,” she said. “I’m fine.”
    But she wasn’t fine. She was looked anything but fine, and he almost couldn’t stand it. He plugged in the Christmas tree lights and dimmed the rheostat, hoping to gain a more romantic atmosphere that would lift her mood and turn the tide in their favor for once.
    “I’m sorry the ring is too big. The jeweler can resize it.”
    “I guess your mother didn’t know my size?” The corners of her mouth turned up, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
    “You know I didn’t plan on having to go back to Washington so soon,” Jamison said. “No more than I planned on spending Christmas Eve at the mercy of the weather.”
    Inhaling a weary breath, she said, “I thought that story was strictly reserved for the family’s benefit.” The words weren’t sharp or nasty. More disappointed…or, worse yet, defeated.
    For a moment, neither of them said a word.
    “I’m just tired of begging for your time, Jamison,” she said as if answering his thoughts.
    “Honey, you knew when you married me that sometimes my job would preempt pleasure.”
    Even the pleasure of making love to his wife. What a pity that they were arguing rather than doing exactly that in the small amount of time they had together.
    She simply shook her head.
    “I don’t want to fight, Jamison. Not tonight. It’s just too exhausting.” She stood.
    “Where are you going?”
    “I’m going to take a bath, and then I’m going to bed. What time is your flight tomorrow?”
    “Nine o’clock. The ambassador arrives at one.”
    She nodded. “I’m sure the weather will cooperate for you.”
    As she brushed past him, he was enveloped in a light floral breeze—the scent of her. He longed to reach out and pull her back, pull her into his arms. Because it felt as if every time she walked away from him, she was that much closer to walking out the door.
     
    Olivia turned the bathtub faucet on as hot as it could go, and went to lie down while the tub filled.
    The bedroom was spacious enough to comfortably house a king-size bed, antique armoire and dresser. There was also a sitting area with a couch, two chintz-covered wingback chairs and a coffee table arranged around a good-size fireplace.
    They’d moved into the massive three-story brick house about five years ago. At the time, even though they’d been married two years, they still acted as if they were on their honeymoon—so much in love, dreaming and planning for the future.
    Olivia rolled over on her side and hugged a silk throw pillow to her middle.
    She couldn’t remember when their relationship had taken such a bad turn. Or maybe it wasn’t a turn so much as they’d simply lost themselves somewhere along the way.
    Funny how they were still fooling even those closest to them. Everyone looked at them in their fancy dream house and thought they had it all—the perfect American dream.
    Yet, here she was