Chapter 62：Her husband

―Why are you avoiding me? he asked as he offered to carry the packages for her. She refused his assistance and walked toward her home. She would have to see Mary later. Next time, she would let Franklin take her in the stagecoach so that this unfortunate occurrence wouldn't happen again. ―Well? Brad pressed.

―I don't feel like talking to you and you know exactly why she finally groaned. ―No, I don't.―You've been on my case ever since I got engaged to Mr. Monroe.

You can be very annoying.―You're still calling Leo by his last name? She shrugged. It wasn't his business what she called her husband. Her husband. Funny how she hadn't thought of Leo that way until that moment. ―I'm sorry I've been such a pill, Brad said.

―I was doing what I thought was best for you. ―It's strange how other people know what's better for me than I do. It is my life, but apparently, I'm incapable of making my own decisions because I'm a woman.―That's not true. I don't think that. She shook her head.

―If I were a man, I wouldn't be in this situation. Not that it was a bad situation to be in. She rather enjoyed it, but there was no way she'd let him know that...not yet anyway. Let him squirm. It would serve him right. ―Your reputation is well deserved, he muttered.

―I'm sorry I put Leo through this. I should have let you run away on your wedding day. She refused to acknowledge his statement. ―Anyway, he continued, ―I thought you might like to know that Father found an apartment in Oregon. That got her full attention. ―He did? She stopped walking and turned to him.

―What is it like out there?―Well, there are a lot of trees.―So it's like Virginia.―I suppose it is. I hadn't thought about it.―How did he contact you? It would be too soon for a letter to arrive that far from them. ―He sent a message through a telegraph. He doesn't have a telephone yet. He is looking for work.

―And?―That's all. Oh, and he misses us.―I miss him too. She sighed and started walking again. ―When I send him a message, what should I say about you? Should I tell him about the annulment?―I'll send him my message. Just give me his address and I'll fill him in on the details.―I suppose that's the best I can expect.

―Are you being this difficult with Leo?―That's none of your business. She breathed a sigh of relief when she reached her home. Maybe she could get Geoffrey to make him go away.

As soon as she reached the door, Geoffrey opened the door and welcomed her in. Jim must have heard her come in, for he ran to her and started explaining his new idea for a pizza. ―That sounds delicious! Can I try it? she eagerly asked. ―I was hoping you'd ask.

Come on to the kitchen. I saved you a couple of slices. He ran back to the kitchen. ―May I take those packages to your room? Constance came up to her, ready to do her bidding. ―No. I got it, Jessica quickly answered.

She didn't want anyone to know that she got the indecent nightgown. ―Very well, Mrs. Monroe. Jessica ignored her brother as she walked up to the steps and put her things in her bedroom. She realized that she wouldn't be in here much longer but still took the time to put her things neatly away.

She hid her nightgown so Constance wouldn't find it when she cleaned the room. By the time she went down the stairs, she nearly shouted at Brad to leave. Why did he have to insist on being such a pest? ―Brad, you are getting on my nerves! she snapped.

―I'm getting on your nerves? You're the one who's running off to the kitchen to spend time with the cook every time I come over here.―Jim happens to be a gourmet chef when it comes to making pizzas. Even the head chef here agrees to his talents.