No Safe Secret by Fern Michaels Page B

if Sally knew she was miffed.
    â€œOf course. In the pantry. Bottom shelf, far right.”
    â€œThank you,” Molly said, and meant it. She’d stuff an extra hundred-dollar bill in an envelope for her on payday. Bourbon was Tanner’s drink. She should’ve checked to make sure there was an extra bottle stocked in the bar in the dining room. In her defense, she figured her blackberry concoction would be enough alcohol. They were doctors, and it was a weeknight. Didn’t they have patients to care for early tomorrow morning? They weren’t all dentists, who worked nine to five. Well, who really cared, she thought, as she grabbed two bottles of the golden liquid. If they wanted booze, they could drink until dawn for all she cared. Molly placed the bourbon on top of the bar, hoping this would be the end of Tanner’s stupid tirade, but experience told her that what had come before was just a warm-up for the main event.
    He took the bottle, removed the cap, and liberally filled a rocks glass. “Here. This is for you.”
    She took the drink from him, her stomach knotting up. Tanner knew that she rarely drank, and when she did, bourbon was not her choice of drink. He glared at her, and she pretended to take a sip, just to appease him. She stared at him, then placed the glass down. “You finish it for me.”
    Molly turned away, felt his icy stare as she walked away. In the kitchen, Sally had cleaned all the pots and pans, the dishwasher was humming, and all traces of their combined dinner prep had been removed.
    â€œGo on home, Sally. I’ll take care of the dessert plates,” Molly offered.
    â€œI can stay if you want me to,” Sally said. “It’s not like I have anyone waiting on me at home.”
    Molly wondered if this was her way of telling her that for tonight she wouldn’t be suffering any kind of punishment from her husband. She wanted to ask, but she couldn’t deal with someone else’s can of worms. Not tonight. She’d opened her own, and she knew it wasn’t going to be pretty when their guests left.
    â€œYou’ve been on your feet all day. I’ll take care of the rest of the dishes.”
    Sally dried her hands on a paper towel, then tossed it in the garbage can beneath the sink. “If you’re sure you’ll be okay without me,” Sally said, though it sounded more like a question to Molly. Almost as though she were asking her if she would be all right if she was left alone with Tanner.
    Molly placed a comforting hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “Thanks for caring, but really, I’m fine. The kids are here,” she added. “I have to make sure Kristen is properly packed. You know how she is. She’s likely to forget her undies.” Molly smiled, wanting to reassure Sally that she really would be just fine.
    â€œIf you’re sure, then I’ll go on, but if you need me in the morning, just call. I won’t be doing anything around my house. Roger is visiting his brother in Maine. He didn’t say when he was returning, so I’m gonna enjoy having some time away from the old man.”
    Molly sighed, wishing she could trade places with Sally. “Then go on and enjoy your time alone. Take the next few days off. Once I get Kristen on that plane, there won’t be anything for either of us to do here. I plan to catch up on some reading, maybe watch a few movies.”
    Molly hoped she sounded surer of her plans than she felt. Something was nagging at her and had been all evening. And it wasn’t just Tanner’s usual hatefulness. No, it was something more. She needed to think. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. “Now, go on before I change my mind.” Molly gave her a hug and walked outside with her to the old clunker parked in front of the house.
    â€œThanks, Miss Molly. You need me, I’m here,” Sally reminded her.
    Molly nodded, smiled, and closed the