Chapter 15

Laura hurried up the stairs and into their en suite. She changed into something decidedly more comfortable, brushed her teeth and return to the bedroom. Turning down the covers, she debated pulling out lotion to tease Robbie even more.

Laughing to herself she returned to the bathroom grabbing the lotion she knew he liked. Back in the bedroom she settled on the bed and waited. Her body was still tingling in anticipation. She looked at the clock, realizing ten minutes had passed.

Standing she walked to the door, could hear Robbie's voice, speaking animatedly. She listened, suddenly she heard a voice which made her groan, James Hathaway. Angrily she pulled on her dressing gown and headed for a confrontation.

At the top of the stairs she took a deep breath then began her descent. Halfway down the stairs, she could see into the sitting room, James was sitting on the sofa eating. He picked up her glass of wine and drank from it. Anger seethed through her. It was bad enough Robbie had gone back but bringing the job home and interrupting their evening was unacceptable.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

Robbie turned back to her, a guilty look on his face. He mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to her. She flicked her angry gaze to James as he turned to her, "Not at all Laura. I found some new information about our case. Thought I would drop by and walk through it with Robbie."

With an icy glare she asked, "Did it not occur to you, James, that Robbie and I might have plans?"

James took a bite from his takeaway container and smiled at her, "I knew you didn't have plans. Robbie told me he was cooking and you were planning a nice quiet evening in. I even gave him the recipe."

"So you're to blame for the horrible dinner I was subjected to?"

James looked at Robbie, uncertain what was going on, "There was nothing wrong with the recipe I gave him. I don't think I should be blamed for Robbie's lack of culinary skills."

"Well your recipe ruined one of my best baking dishes. I do expect a replacement."

Robbie gave her a look of surprise. She had known he threw the dish away. "We won't be long love."

"No matter, I find I'm suddenly very tired. I only came down for a glass of water. I'll just get it and head to bed."

He watched her walk to the kitchen. He could feel the anger coming in waves off her. Briefly, he wondered how long it would take him to get her to forgive him. If only he'd just ignored the doorbell.

Walking back from the kitchen, Laura had a glass of water in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. Handing the paper to James she smiled, "Here's the model number for the dish along with the name of the store where you can buy it. I even listed the color. Only that color will do, James. They typically have it stock but do call ahead. Good night gentlemen, happy working."

They both watched her walk away. James turned to Robbie, "She's not serious is she?"

Robbie was still watching her walk up the stairs, "Best to assume she is. Come on, let's finish this up so I can salvage the rest of my evening."

Setting his takeaway container on the table he looked back at Robbie, "I did interrupt something, didn't I?"

With a resigned shrug Robbie turned back to the files on the table, "It's a lost cause now, might as well get on with what you have here."

Two hours later James was gone. Robbie straightened the mess, turned on the dishwasher and locked up. At the foot of the stairs he looked up, suddenly the stairs seemed much steeper. He felt like a man walking the plank. With a deep breath, he began his ascent.

There was a light glowing under their bedroom door. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to be awake or asleep. If she was asleep, it only delayed the inevitable. If she was awake, there might be a fight, no, there would be a fight.

He opened the door, peeking his head around the corner. She was reclined on their bed, a book across her chest; glasses still on, sound asleep. He crept quietly into the room and made his way to the bathroom. Undressing quickly, he changed to his pajamas and brushed his teeth.

In the bedroom, he carefully lifted her book and removed her glasses. He placed them on her nightstand and switched off the lamp. Making his way around the bed in the dark, he gently lifted the covers and lowered himself into the bed. He debated pulling her to him but resisted. The fight could wait until the morning.

Light was spilling through the room when Robbie woke the next morning. He didn't need to feel around to know Laura wasn't there. He made his way to the bathroom then headed downstairs. She was in the kitchen putting away the dishes.

"I'm sorry about last night."

She paused for a moment, "What exactly are you sorry about, Robbie?"

"You know, that James came over."

Closing the cupboard she turned to him, "And?"

"Coming to bed so late?"

"And?"

He wracked his brain trying to think of the right thing to say. "The rubbish dinner?"

She walked to him, stepping very close. "Robbie, I don't mind that you went back to work. I've even put aside the fact you didn't bother to talk to me about it. But we have to draw some lines Robbie. Last night, you crossed a line."

"I'm sorry Laura. He was in the door before I could stop him. I thought it would only take a few minutes."

"It doesn't matter if it was 5 minutes or 5 hours. You should have drawn the line. Was there anything you talked about last night that couldn't have waited?"

Dropping his head, he shook his head sheepishly, "No, it puts us a bit ahead this morning. But nothing crucial. If anything it created more lines of inquiry."

"And why didn't he go talk to Maddox? She's his bagman."

"She's married…" He knew the words were a mistake as soon as they left his mouth. "Laura, I didn't mean it that way…"

"No, I think you meant it exactly like that." She brushed past him, shaking off his arm when he tried to grab her. "No, Robbie, it is what it is. You have to figure a way to draw a line. I don't need to spend all of our time together but we have to have some rules."

"I've never been good at drawing that line. It was always Val's biggest complaint."

With her back to him she shook her head, "I'm not Val, Robbie."

"I know, Laura."

"Figure it out, Robbie. I won't draw the lines for you, it's not fair to me."

He watched her walk away. She grabbed her bag and let herself out of their home. He couldn't blame her for her anger. He'd often wondered if they hadn't had the kids, would Val have stayed. Laura didn't have the same tie. She might not choose to stay if he didn't learn to change.