Apple Brown Betty by Phillip Thomas Duck Read Free Book Online Page B

get a way back,” Nora insisted. “I’d just like to spend this special night with you, talk over some of the things we never did get settled. Can’t you give me that much?”
    Could he give her that much?
    No.
    â€œThat’s awful harsh of you” was her response.
    No.
    She didn’t stop. “I never did you any harm.”
    No.
    â€œI treated you like a man deserved to be treated.”
    No.
    â€œI gave you my heart and my soul and now you dare to devalue that, tell me it doesn’t equal a few hours of your time in return?”
    Next thing he knew, they were headed to his home. He drove his Range Rover in silence. She looked out the window at the central New Jersey landscape in awe.
    â€œI must say I didn’t get the full impression of how beautiful New Jersey is from that area around your restaurant. Your place is it on that strip. But, this…this is all absolutely beautiful.”
    They were traveling down Ocean Avenue, the homes of IT wizards, stock-market geeks and other white-collar benefactors whirring by as Desmond drove.
    â€œThese houses are showy,” Desmond offered.
    â€œWhat about your place?” Nora asked.
    Desmond smiled for the first time since he’d been alone in her presence. “Showy.”
    â€œSo your place is all that?” she asked.
    â€œAnd some,” he said. He was disappointed and relieved that his parents didn’t have the time to check it out on this trip.
    â€œI would have loved to help you decorate.”
    He let the comment drift to that place where uncomfortable thoughts went. Let it settle beside all the other things she’d said to him tonight that he had no reply for.
    â€œSo, have you met anyone since you’ve been here?” Nora asked.
    â€œI’ve met a lot of folks.”
    â€œWomen?” Nora asked.
    â€œMen and children, too.”
    â€œYou know what I mean, Des.”
    He looked to her, one of the few times he gave her the benefit of his gaze. “No, I haven’t.”
    She seemed pleased, eased her taut body back in her seat. Turned and looked out the window again at the passing castles. About a mile farther in their travel, she turned to him again. “You’re not going to ask me if I’ve met anyone since our…?” She couldn’t finish it, hoping it wasn’t finished.
    He shook his head. She felt her eyes tearing, breaking the promise she’d made them commit to. No crying. She touched his hand on the steering wheel. “What could I do better, Des? What is it about me that I could improve?”
    Desmond didn’t take long to answer. “Nothing, Nora. You’re as close to perfect as they come.”
    â€œThat means—”
    â€œThat means you need to move on with your life and find someone who can appreciate all that you are,” he said, cutting her off.
    â€œI still think you can be that someone,” she replied, defiant.
    He smiled, not really a smile, though. “Okay, I found your one flaw.”
    â€œAnd it is?” she asked, her shoulders bunched in tight, posture pulling her forward in anticipation.
    â€œYou’re naive.”
    Naive. Wasn’t what she’d expected. She sat back and remained quiet the rest of the ride.
    â€œWhat town is this?” she asked some time later when they pulled into his driveway.
    â€œDeal,” he told her.
    They entered through the front. Nora lingered in Desmond’s living room, amazed by the rustic wood beams and wrought-iron chandeliers about the ceiling. She was ready to get on her hands and knees and run her fingers over the glistening hardwood floors. She couldn’t help imagining a wonderful night of lovemaking by the warmth of his rugged stone fireplace. She couldn’t believe he had the taste and ability to set the room off so wonderfully with the light purple chenille sofa and the gooseneck accent chair.
    â€œThat’s a Sam Moore,” Desmond