Batteries Not Required by Linda Lael Miller

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    She’d loved Teague Darby since her first day of college, when he’d knocked on her door in their coed dorm and introduced himself. They’d married early in their senior year at the University of Washington, and Caitlin had been born a week after graduation. Joanna, having majored in business and intending to attend culinary school after college and eventually open her own restaurant, had happily set aside those plans to stay home with Caitlin and help Teague start his company. The early years had been hard financially, but he’d worked out of their converted garage behind their first tiny house, and they’d been happy.
    So happy.
    They’d given Caitlin a secure, sunny childhood. While they’d both wanted more children, it simply didn’t happen. The disappointment surfaced only occasionally; after all, they had a beautiful daughter, a good life together. What more could two people ask for?
    And they’d loved each other passionately.
    There had been no single inciting incident, no affairs, no traumas, nothing like that.
    As the company grew, expanding at a breathtaking rate, so did the demands on Teague’s time. They’d moved into progressively larger houses until they’d finally ended up in a mansion on Mercer Island, hired a housekeeper, and entertained lavishly. But they’d still had time for each other, even then. They’d made time.
    Secretly, Joanna had always thought of the cottage as home, not the mansion. And the idea of going to Firefly Island for a last weekend with Teague broke her heart. They’d both been living in the main house, Teague on the first floor, Joanna on the second, and the place was so large that avoiding each other was easy. It would be more of a challenge at the cottage.
    â€œIf you won’t do this for yourselves,” Ted said evenly, “or for Caitlin, then do it for Sammy. The poor dog is beside himself.”
    Since Teague’s back was still turned, Joanna took the opportunity to dry her eyes with the back of one hand. Sammy looked up at her with limpid brown eyes, imploring.
    â€œI’ll do it,” Joanna said, resigned.
    â€œOkay,” Teague said, at exactly the same moment.
    Ted consulted his watch. “The next ferry leaves in an hour,” he said.
    â€œAn hour?” Joanna marveled. “But I’d need to pack a bag—and Sammy’s food—”
    â€œYou have clothes at the cottage,” Teague reminded her, “and there’s a supermarket on the island. I’m sure they carry Sammy’s brand of kibble.”
    Joanna opened her mouth, then closed it again. The truth was, she’d gained five pounds since her last visit to the cottage, and she wasn’t sure her island clothes would fit. Since she was too proud to admit that, she decided to take her chances. Most likely, the experience would be a total bust anyway, and she and Teague would both be on the next ferry back to Seattle. She probably wouldn’t even be there long enough to need a toothbrush.
    Teague made that pretty much of a sure thing when he added, “Come on, Sammy. Let’s get this over with.”
    Inwardly, Joanna seethed.
    Ted gave her a sympathetic look as she rose. Teague and Sammy were already on their way out, though the dog paused every few steps, looking back, clearly waiting for Joanna to follow.
    For Sammy’s sake rather than Teague’s, she did.
    Leaving the suite housing Ted’s office, they took the elevator down to the underground lot, where Teague’s sports car was parked alongside Joanna’s stylish but practical compact.
    Rather than subject Sammy to another debate, Joanna didn’t insist that the dog ride with her instead of Teague. The ferry terminal was only minutes away, and once they were aboard the large, state-operated boat, the ride to Firefly Island would take less than half an hour.
    Teague had the top down on his high-powered phallic symbol, and