Read Online Still Mr. And Mrs. by Patricia Olney - Free Book Online Page A

was sitting with Evelyn and Jonathan sharing a breakfast of eggs Benedict and fresh squeezed orange juice.
    After their encounter by the pool, Reb had tried to stay out of his way, avoiding his looks and even his attempts at small talk every time they saw each other.
    After morning greetings were exchanged, Gabe sat down, his gaze focused on Reb. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and waved aside the plate of eggs Hines brought him.
    Every single nerve was on an all-stage alert where Reb was concerned. Every emotion that surfaced, he tried to smother. Every urge, right or wrong, he forced back down until he thought he would go crazy with it all.
    He knew she was right. He had let work interfere with their relationship, but running his family’s company was what his whole life had been about. He’d worked too hard not to give it his all. Unfortunately, he hadn’t had enough left over to give their relationship the time and attention it needed. And ultimately their irresistible attraction for each other hadn’t been enough. They needed so much more to base a lifetime on.
    Especially with two people as different as they were.
    Gabe took a swallow of his coffee, noticing he’d let the drink go cold on him. Shoving the cup aside, he glanced across the table.
    Jonathan was deep in conversation with Reb. She glanced at Gabe and then quickly back to Jonathan when he said something that made her laugh.
    Gabe felt his insides contort with jealousy. Why now, of all times, just a week before their divorce would be final, would he be feeling the pangs of loss?
    Jonathan turned to him. “Gabe, Rebecca’s just been telling me about the day care center she plans on opening.”
    Gabe smiled in acknowledgment and tried to put on a good front.
    “I’m impressed with some of the wonderful ideas she has,” Jonathan continued. “Fund-raisers, special activities for handicapped youngsters involving the community and business people. It’s a wonderful advertisement for the company. You can count on me to donate whatever sum is needed to help this worthy cause get off the ground.”
    “Thank you, Jonathan,” Gabe said.
    Evelyn patted Gabe’s shoulder. “I’m so happy everything is working out so well. Don’t you think?”
    Gabe grunted.
    Rebecca smiled brightly at Jonathan, avoiding Gabe’s eyes. “So what are the plans for today? If you’d like to sight-see, Jonathan, there are Jeep tours, or the aerial tram.”
    “Sounds interesting.”
    “There’s also parachute jumping,” Rebecca continued. “Now that’s a lot of fun.”
    “Rebecca, dear,” Evelyn interrupted. “Let’s keep Jonathan on the ground where we need him.”
    Once Hines removed the plates from the table, Evelyn leaned toward Gabe. “You should take the afternoon off, dear. You look a little tired. Are you getting enough sleep?”
    “Enough to get by,” Gabe murmured before looking over at Reb. Their gazes locked and held for what seemed like an eternity.
    “I’ve planned a round of golf for everyone.” Evelyn nodded to Jonathan. “And Jonathan has agreed to postpone this morning’s meeting until late this afternoon. Isn’t that right, Jonathan?”
    “We need a break,” he said. “And I’d like torefresh my golf game. Though that parachute jumping sounds rather exciting.”
    Evelyn laughed. “Good. It’s settled.”
    “Evelyn,” Rebecca said, “do you need another player to even out the set? I’d love to play.”
    Evelyn shook her head. “We have two groups of four, including myself. Why don’t you and Gabe take the aerial tram and have lunch on top of the mountain?”
    “That’s a wonderful idea,” Rebecca said. “What do you think?”
    Gabe hesitated, knowing that everyone was listening and waiting for his answer.
    He tried to remind himself that being alone with Reb was dangerous, but at that moment he didn’t care.
    “I could use a break.”
    “Wonderful,” Evelyn said, her voice full of victory.
    Rebecca sat on the