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Farris couldn’t or wouldn’t give her those things.
She stared at her reflection as if asking for direction, for advice. Was there any chance at all that Farris could be persuaded to revive their marriage?
And what about India? Did she desire that? Did she still love him?
She wanted to say no. He had hurt her so badly. He had damaged her confidence. His behavior had been inexcusable. Yet, last night, she had gone to his bed willingly, gladly.
She had grown and changed in the last five years. She was strong now. In charge of her own destiny. Surely, she wouldn’t let Farris tear apart what she had built for herself.
If it weren’t for Dottie, India would jump on the next plane. But without Dottie, there would be no reason for India to be here at all.
What a tangle...
At five minutes before six, she straightened her skirt, took one last look in the mirror and opened her door.
When she reached the dining room, wonderful smells wafted from the kitchen. Ivory candles burned with a muted glow. The polished oak table was beautifully set with handmade stoneware and heavy crystal goblets. Around the rim of each taupe-and-gray plate, a stylized wolf sprinted.
India didn’t remember these dishes. But Farris had probably bought all sorts of things in the last five years. As she picked up a plate to look at the back, he appeared in the doorway. His cheeks were flushed, and his hair was mussed. “Hey,” he said. His smile took the starch out of her knees.
“Hi,” she said softly, feeling both awkward and happy. “Did you do all this?”
He snorted. “What do you think? The housekeeper prepared everything before I sent her home. My only job was to grill the steaks. They’re almost done.”
“Good. I’m starving.”
He started to leave but lingered for a moment. “You look gorgeous, India. Luminous, actually.”
“Thank you,” she said. Had his eyes lingered on her jewelry and her bare legs? It was hard to tell. But the air between them was charged with something.
Farris was a feast for the eyes. He wore a bespoke suit, charcoal gray with a tiny black pinstripe. His crisp white shirt accented his golden skin. The navy-and-red tie knotted at his throat was no doubt as expensive as his Italian leather shoes. The metamorphosis was remarkable. From rugged cowboy to sophisticated businessman in the blink of an eye.
She started to tell him how amazingly handsome he was, but before she could get the words out, Farris glanced at the high-end watch on his wrist. “Oops,” he said. “Gotta go. Don’t want to ruin the main course.”
He was back in less than five minutes, bearing a platter of beautiful sizzling steaks. India helped him bring out the other dishes. There were twice-baked potatoes, sourdough bread and a broccoli-and-pea salad.
When they finally sat down at the table, India felt the awkwardness between them increase tenfold. Chewing and swallowing could only occupy a limited amount of time. In between, the silences grew.
Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She sipped her wine and cleared her throat. “You look very handsome yourself, Farris. I used to see you like this all the time. But more recently, I’ve come to know the cowboy version of you.”
His lips quirked. “And which do you prefer?”
It was a fair question. “I’m not sure,” she said. “The guy I first met was the suave businessman. But I’ve grown accustomed to the man on the horse.”
“Grown accustomed?”He wrinkled his nose. “Hardly a glowing testimonial.”
She cocked her head, staring at him. “Are you fishing for compliments? You must know that females everywhere have always found you attractive.”
Now he frowned. “I never looked at other women when I was with you. I was faithful to our wedding vows.”
“There was a time I doubted you,” she said. “When our marriage was falling apart. Your behavior was so odd, so cold. I was certain you had found someone else.”
“I didn’t,” he said tersely.
She waited for a further explanation, but she should have known Farris wasn’t going to give up his secrets so easily. “This topic is depressing,” she said. “Let’s move on.”
He shrugged. “Gladly.”
India was frustrated. Trying to pry the truth from Farris was as futile as attempting to move one of the Teton peaks. He and granite had a lot in common.
