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“You should talk to her about this, not me.”

“Yes, but she refuses to discuss money with me—or anything else.”

She murmured a few noncommittal words.

“I do know she’s working,” he went on, “but not where. I called every salon in the Kitsap area looking for her.”

Teri gave him high grades for trying. She still hadn’t taken the money, although he continued to extend it to her.

“I want to be sure she has vitamins, good food—stuff like that. She might not want to talk to me, but I’d feel better if I knew she had the things she needs.”

“Well…”

“I understand why she’s upset, but I feel responsible for her and the baby.”

“You should,” Teri said without censure.

“So, would you give this to Rachel for me? Please?”

Reluctantly Teri accepted the cash. She was about to suggest he buy something for the baby, which would go a long way toward convincing his wife that he was serious. Again, she managed to suppress any comment. She had to carefully weigh every word she spoke. No offers of help. No advice. No information.

“When you talk to her,” Bruce said, “would you mention how much I love her? Tell her I’m still going to the counselor and that Jolene has agreed to meet him.”

Now this was promising news. “I’ll tell her.”

“Thanks, Teri.” That was all he said, but the gratitude in his eyes, the hope and longing, almost made her cry.

After Bruce left, Teri stood by the window and watched him pull away. As soon as his car was out of sight, she rushed to the phone and called Rachel’s cell, which went straight to voice mail.

“Rach, it’s Teri. Call me ASAP. Bruce just stopped by the house.”

Five minutes later, the return call came. Her friend didn’t even say hello. “Did you let him in?”

“Of course I did,” Teri said. “It would’ve been rude to slam the door in his face.”

“What did he want? You didn’t tell him anything?”

The worry in her voice made Teri regret that she hadn’t immediately set Rachel at ease. “No, nothing. I swear he doesn’t know a thing.”

“Thank you,” she said in relief.

“Can you come by this afternoon? Bobby’s away and I could use the company.”

Rachel hesitated.

“Besides, Bruce gave me something for you.”

“He did?” Rachel’s curiosity was piqued.

“Yup, but I’m not saying what it is. You’ll have to come over here.”

A half hour later, Rachel did.

Teri hugged her and practically dragged her into the foyer. “Gabrielle’s out and we only have about thirty minutes before the boys wake up.” The triplets had started to teethe and Teri’s life wasn’t her own anymore.

Rachel followed her into the kitchen and Teri began preparing a cheese and cracker plate with apple slices and grapes. She could use a snack herself, and this was a good excuse to feed her friend. She’d forced herself not to tell Bruce that she was worried Rachel wasn’t getting enough fruit and vegetables or high-quality protein. From the tidbits Rachel had dropped, Teri surmised that she dined out alone two or three nights a week, which probably meant fast food. That couldn’t be the best thing for Rachel or the pregnancy.

“You said Bruce left something for me,” Rachel began.

She sat on the bar stool and propped her elbows on the counter. Teri had washed the grapes and sliced two apples; now she was cubing the cheese and arranging it on the platter. Only about half the cheddar found its way to the plate. The other half seemed to automatically end up in her mouth.

“Here,” she said, offering the plate to Rachel, who reached for a piece of apple and speared some cheese.

“Bruce?” she prompted before taking a bite.

“Oh, yeah, Bruce.” Teri dug in the hip pocket of her jeans and brought out the wad of cash.

“Money?”

“He wants to contribute to your care and the baby’s. He loves you. He’s feeling guilty and miserable and lost.”

“You didn’t…”

Teri pantomimed locking her lips. “I swear I didn’t say a word. I told you I wouldn’t and I didn’t.” She paused. “You should take the money,” Teri urged. She set it on the counter, then crossed her arms. “He looked