Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page A

was hearing. “No one’s bashing you.”
    â€œThen tell me why I come out of these sessions feeling like a big pile of horse manure.” His hands were tight on the steering wheel. “You want me to tell the world I’m a terrible husband? I admitted it once already. Wasn’t that enough for you?”
    â€œI never said you were a bad husband, and besides, that’s in the past. All I want to do is build a better future for us both.” The tension between them grew, and sensing it, the baby started to fuss and then cry. Nothing Joanie did could quiet him.
    â€œNow look what you’ve done,” she snapped, and even as she said it, she realized how unfair she was being.
    â€œWhen the baby cries, it’s my fault now, along with everything else.”
    Joanie ignored him while she struggled to comfort their son. Jason rested in the car seat between them, but everything she tried seemed to irritate him. With the baby’s wailing, plus the horrible tension between her and Brandon, Joanie soon felt like crying herself.
    â€œI want you and the kids back home,” Brandon said, shouting to be heard above the baby. “I’d feel a lot better about everything if you were living on the farm.”
    â€œIt’s too soon,” Joanie muttered.
    â€œAre you planning to walk out on me again?”
    â€œI didn’t walk out on you the first time.”
    â€œThe hell you didn’t.”
    He was speeding now, letting his anger affect his driving.
    â€œSlow down!” she yelled. “You’re driving too fast.”
    â€œSo you intend to tell me how to drive, too! You’re trying to manipulate me and tell me how to live my life. You don’t want a husband, you want a whipping boy.”
    â€œThat’s not true, dammit!” She couldn’t believe he was doing this. Only minutes earlier, she’d been looking forward to this evening out. This was their weekly date, their time away from the kids, their chance to rebuild the foundation of their marriage. Her hope was that through these sessions with the counselor, they would rediscover one another and rekindle the desire that had once been so strong between them.
    Brandon slowed down, and neither of them said a word. The baby eventually fell into a restless sleep, but the air throbbed with tension for the remainder of the drive into Grand Forks.
    As they arrived at the outskirts, Joanie said, “Let’s just skip dinner, okay? I’m not hungry.” She couldn’t possibly relax and enjoy a meal with her husband now.
    â€œFine,” he said, his voice expressionless. “Whatever.”
    Dr. Geist ushered them into her office soon after they entered the clinic. “Hello, Joanie,” she said, then smiled at Brandon. “Welcome, Brandon.”
    She was a tall woman, thin as a sapling, with short white hair. The doctor at the pregnancy clinic in Fargo had given Joanie Dr. Geist’s name, and after a short interview by phone, Joanie had felt optimistic about the three of them working together.
    â€œHow was your week?” Dr. Geist asked, after they’d all had a chance to sit down.
    Brandon looked down at his hands, so Joanie answered. “Good.”
    â€œFine,” Brandon muttered with little interest.
    â€œDid you complete the homework assignment I gave you?”
    â€œI did,” Joanie said, and reached for the diaper bag where she’d stuffed the folded sheet. Dr. Geist had asked them each to compile a list of strengths and an equal number of weaknesses.
    â€œBrandon?”
    He shook his head.
    â€œDid the dog eat it?” Dr. Geist asked, giving him a humorous excuse.
    â€œNo,” he said flatly, “I didn’t do it. As far as I was concerned, it was a complete waste of my time and energy. I want my wife and family back. I’m not here to learn about my flaws and what a rotten husband I am.”
    â€œNo