The Good Provider by Debra Salonen

I’d go back to work. But Bruce wouldn’t hear of it. He said that between him and his family, they had enough clout to get me fired from any job.”
    William rubbed his hands on the tops of his thighs, as if itching to put them around someone’s neck—probably Bruce’s. “After Bianca died, I did some research about spousal abuse. What I realize now that I didn’t even think about then is that anytime anyone limits your choices, they have wronged you.”
    “Wow. That’s very profound. And true. Have you thought about writing a book or making a movie about her life? It might help someone in her situation. Or maybe even someone like me.”
    He smiled for the first time. “I started out as a book editor in New York. I learned early on that as much as I love books, I’m not a writer. I don’t have the patience. But I did float the idea past a couple of writer friends. Do you know Shane Reynard and Jenna Murphy?”
    She shook her head. She recognized the names but hadn’t met any of the people associated with transforming her grandfather’s rustic little town into a household name.
    “Shane’s coproducer of Sentinel Passtime and Jenna is head writer. They’re considering introducing a storyline that involves spousal abuse into the show next season.”
    “Really? Congratulations—you made something positive come out of something really awful. I hope I’m that successful where my daughters are concerned. Whenever things get tough and there are more bills than money, I wonder if what I’m doing is worth it. But then I think of Miranda and Hailey. There’s no way I want them to grow up believing that repression and bullying is normal or okay.”
    He started to say something but a sudden, worried, “Mommy?” sounded from the other room.
    Daria jumped up. “Right here, sweetheart,” she called, mouthing a silent “Bye” as she dashed back to her own room.
    She closed and locked the door as if to keep all their dark, weighty confessions from dogging her heels. She needed a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow was going to be intense. Tomorrow, Bruce would hear from Daria’s attorney and be faced with a once-and-for-all line in the sand.
    She needed this divorce to be a done deal. Now. So she could start living again.



CHAPTER FIVE
    “L UCAS IS SICK ,” William told Daria the moment she and her girls arrived in the lobby of the motel. He’d already settled their bill and arranged for a ride back to the airport. “Laryngitis and a low-grade fever. His aunt is taking him to the doctor. I told him I’d pay his way back home as soon as he’s able to travel.”
    “Poor guy,” Daria said. “Thank goodness he’s with family. Is there anything we can do to help?
    He liked the way she put Lucas’s welfare ahead of her own worries. “I don’t believe so. His chief concern was not being able to get you to your grandfather’s, but I assured him we’d take off as planned. The weather report is clear, and we’ll have a good tailwind so we should make great time.”
    “Good,” she said, glancing at her daughters. “Grandpa Cal called this morning. He was worried about us.”
    A slight quiver in her voice told William there was more to that comment, but he didn’t press her. He had a faint headache, probably brought on by a poor night’s sleep. He’d shared things with her he had no business sharing. Bianca Del Torres, for heaven’s sake. He never talked about that painful time in his life. Too much heartache, not to mention a trip down guilt alley.
    “If you don’t mind breakfast on the run, we’ll grab something on the way to the airport,” he said as their taxi pulled into sight. “Here we go. Ladies first. And, ah, yes, the birdhouse,” he said taking the gift bag from Daria’s outstretched hand. “We can’t forget that.”
    The lengthy line at the town’s closest drive-through breakfast lane added at least five bucks to the meter, but the choice of meals seemed to please Hailey.
    “Look,