Read Online The Space Between by Nikki Mathis Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

where there was spinach dip and baked goods.

    Georgia turned her key in the ignition and turned her head. “Lucy, I swear if you try to drag me to your quilting circle next, I’m gonna find a new best friend.”
    “They serve wine…”
      Georgia twisted her lips in consideration.  
    Wine….But there’d be quilting involved.  
    “Nah. I can drink wine at home, without accidentally sewing a cloth square to my crotch.”
    “Good point.”
    “I wish we liked to binge drink, then we could just hang out at the Rusty Nail with the rest of our age demographic.”
    “We don’t have to drink…ha, I could barely get that out with a straight face.”
    Georgia laughed. “I know, right? I’d have to be hammered to use those bathrooms. Can you get hepatitis from a toilet seat?”
    “No, but I bet you could get something that would make your snatch itch something fierce.”
    “You are foul.”
    “But you love me,” Lucy sang.
    “What’s not to love?”
    “Thanks.”

    The hall was dark and the house quiet when she got home. The girls were fast asleep and everything was locked down for the night. There was a dim light coming from the master bedroom and she was glad to see it. That meant Nate was awake. The tile beneath her feet was cold and the the relief from the soft pale carpet of her bedroom was immediate.  
    “Whatcha reading?” She leaned against the door frame and smiled.  
    Nate lowered his iPad, nudging the dark rimmed glasses that were perched on the bridge of his nose. Index finger, he always used his left index finger.  
    She wasn’t sure why she noticed things like that. He used glasses for reading at night, normally he wore contacts. She preferred the glasses, they made him look like a sexy professor.
    “Hey, baby. Have fun?” Georgia cocked one eyebrow. He laughed. “That much, huh…I was just looking for places to get some new paint. I’m out of white. Normally I can mix to get the right shades, but with white you’re screwed.”
    “How’s your new masterpiece coming along?” she asked, tucking one leg under her as she sat on the edge of the bed.
    “Good, good. Should be finished in time. If   I can get the paint at the depot tomorrow.” He’d been working tirelessly on a surprise painting for Amelia’s birthday. Nate’s parents had a stunning new white mare Amelia had fallen in love with pretty much the second she laid eyes on her. That, along with long work hours, was the reason she hadn’t seen her husband all week.
    “So, I guess I have the lack of white paint to thank for your company tonight.” She rolled close to him, propping her head on one hand. “I feel like I haven’t seen you all week.”
    He kissed her forehead. “I know, I know. I’m sorry about that. We’ve been swamped at the shop and I’m trying my damnedest to get this painting finished.”
    Georgia wanted to ask why he was going on a hunting trip if he was so pressed for time. It was on the tip of her tongue, but not tonight. She didn’t want to spend what little time they had nagging at him. It did hurt, though, that he’d go to his shed and paint as soon as the girls went to sleep and well into the night. Sacrificing time with her rather than skip his guy trip.
    Let it go. It’s for Amelia. He’s here tonight, so enjoy it.
    “Well, I can’t wait to see it.” She sighed and ran her hands up his stomach. How he stayed so fit eating biscuits smothered in cream gravy at the diner four times a week was anyone’s guess. He did work with his hands all day. She pictured his tight shirt clinging to his body as he lifted a tire above his head. The muscles in his arms bulging and sweaty. She’d never seen him do this in real life, but in her mind he did.  
    On the downward stroke she continued until her hand grazed the gathered string at the waist of his pajama pants. Nate made a sound as he shifted towards her. That’s was all the signal he needed. They’d been together long enough to know when the