Four Weddings and a Fiasco: The Wedding Caper by Patricia McLinn Page A

switch. While you’re in the garden, I want each of you to write two lists. What attracted you to each other initially, then what made you want to get married. We’ll talk about those lists after you have lunch.”

 
    CHAPTER TWENTY
     
    L unch was the first time they saw any other couples at Marriage-Save. Two of them were on the same four-day program as them, according to their friend, Ms. Smiley. The other three were there for two weeks. Still more couples were on a slightly different schedule that would have them lunching later.
    One of the two-week couples, both gray-haired and at ease with their wrinkles, chatted with each other across their table with apparent comfort and pleasure. Maybe they’d decided their marriage was worth saving.
    The other five tables were ponds of misery, with the only conversations coming in stilted, staccato bursts.
    Eric pushed aside his plate and leaned forward to talk softly to her. “Cameras are all over.”
    She gave a short nod. “I had a few words with Albert on my way to the gym. Indicated I might be worried you’d beat me.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “That’s why the cameras are here. Insurance insists. He assured me they’ve never been needed, because the counselors are so good. But he also muttered something about the cameras not stopping everything. Probably referring to the loss of those papers he referred to last night.”
    Eric nodded. “The office door is kept locked. Tried it on my way by. No camera real close to it. Tonight?”
    “Not until I know more about the cameras in the room. Anyway, I’d go alone.”
    “No way.”
    She grimaced, exaggerating the not inconsiderable irritation she felt. “It’s my job.”
    He met her eyes. “No way. Ready for this afternoon’s counseling? Any surprises I should know about?” Before she could answer, he added, “You know, I meant what I said, K.D.”
    “About?”
    “About not wanting kids in my image. Though I wouldn’t mind some in yours.”
    ****
    T heir lists were safe and so boring that even Melody’s good cheer dipped.
    She sent Eric out for an “activity” of his choice, while talking one-on-one with K.D.
    Gradually, K.D. shifted the trend from Melody asking questions, to her answering. She eased into comments about how satisfying it must be to help couples . . . and how disappointing when the counseling didn’t succeed.
    Melody sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard. You think you’ve made a difference, that a couple has a good chance, if they keep working the way they have here. Then they leave, and it seems like nothing they’d achieved sticks. They go back to the old habits — or worse.” She shook her head. “Some can really surprise you. It’s so sad.”
    “Especially if kids are involved,” K.D. said to keep her talking.
    “That’s one bright spot. The couples with kids have done much better statistically.” She perked up. “That’s interesting. I hadn’t made that connection before. I’ll have to look into that. Perhaps the children strengthen the bond that— Oh, not that couples without children can’t make it. I’m not saying that at all.”
    “It’s okay. I have no illusions about our future.”
    “They don’t have to be illusions,” Melody said. “Don’t give up.”
    The timer on their session discreetly sounded, and K.D. felt a rush of relief.
    It
was
all relief, wasn’t it?

 
    CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
     
    A fter Eric’s one-on-one session, they were sent for a walk around the neighborhood.
    “How did you use your free time?” Eric asked. “Did you get a massage? Sit in the hot-tub?”
    “Used it the same way you probably used yours. Nosing around. You first.”
    “I went to the business office. Hoped it would be empty, but it turns out Harvey, the business manager, likes to work Saturdays because it’s quiet in the office.”
    “Bad luck.”
    “Not entirely. Myrna had set it up so I’d have a
questionable
charge on my credit card, so we discussed that. When he pulled