CHAPTER 4

Keesha could not believe three weeks had gone by and not only had she and A.J. not been able to spend a weekend alone, but she also had not been able to spend any time with him at home. He was keeping longer and longer hours at the office, and on the nights when she would hear him finally climb into their bed, she was tired and did not feel like talking. When she would awake in the mornings, he was gone. She tried calling him on his private line a few times the past week, but he'd been so busy, he had asked his secretary to answer it or he'd just let it ring.

She was about to try him again that morning when Ned walked into the living room.

''Good morning,'' he said cheerfully.

''Why aren't you at ELQ?'' she asked, clearly surprised to see him still at home.

''I have a meeting in New York this morning. I'm leaving in a little bit.''

He poured himself a glass of orange juice and reached for a bagel as Keesha crossed the room to stand next to him.

''I thought everyone was working on the docks project?''

''Not everyone. There are other priorities at ELQ. Your husband's oh-so-generous offer to continue on the project after my return has left me free to conduct other business. I couldn't be happier to be out of that mess.''

Ned's sarcasm was not lost on Keesha, but she was more than a little confused by what he had said.

''I think it's a tribute as to how well A.J. did in your absence that Edward wanted to keep him on the project.''

''Grandfather kept him on because Junior insisted. He hasn't made any grand contributions that couldn't have been made by anyone who's competent at ELQ. Which does not include your better half, by the way.''

''Wait a minute. Are you telling me that A.J. could have been out of this insanity called the docks crisis if he'd wanted to?''

''I came back fully prepared to take my rightful place along with Grandfather to work something out with Jason, but no, Junior had to insist that he be kept on. Of course, Grandfather was going to take the easiest path: if Junior wanted to be kept on, so be it.''

Keesha could feel her anger rising, but she knew she had to remain calm for her baby's sake and also because she didn't want to give Ned any kind of an edge, even if it would have served A.J. right. How dare he?! she thought. How dare he lead her to believe he hadn't had a choice once Ned returned. She patted her stomach as a reminder to stay calm and took a seat on the couch.

''Are you all right?'' Ned asked, concerned. ''I didn't mean to upset you.''

''No, it's okay, Ned. Thanks for the insight.''

''I hope I haven't spoken out of turn,'' he said, but he knew that he had. And while he had nothing against Keesha, except that she had married his no-good cousin, and liked her well enough, he was secretly pleased that his cousin’s wife knew her husband wasn't as up front as she always said he was.

''I'll be fine,'' she said. As soon as I have a few words with A.J., she added silently.


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