Snowstorm at Cedar Creek by J.L. Jarvis

Author:J.L. Jarvis [Jarvis, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942767435
Publisher: Bookbinder Press

10

Ella sat at the kitchen table while Annie made coffee. “There’s nothing to talk about. Our marriage is just not working out.”

“What happened to ‘you’ve been together for four years and have known each other all your lives’?”

“Yeah, I thought I knew him, but marriage is different, I guess.”

Annie scooped the coffee grounds into the filter, turned on the coffee maker, then leaned on the counter, facing Ella. “How so?”

Ella narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know. He’s changed.”

“In a week?” Annie forced the shocked look off her face. This was clearly a crisis for Ella, and she didn’t want to make her feel judged. She remembered how difficult her own marriage had been, but Connor was different. He couldn’t be anything like Matt. “Have you tried waiting until you’ve both calmed down and then trying to talk?”

“Having a talk about how you just blew up something doesn’t mean you can put it back together.”

“That sounds a little extreme.”

“How hard is it to get an annulment?”

Annie hoped she wasn’t serious, but Ella sure wasn’t smiling. “I don’t know what’s in the wedding vows that you said in Las Vegas, but usually, there’s something in there like till death do you part.”

“Ella muttered, “Don’t give me any ideas.” But she lifted her eyes to her mother’s wide eyes, and a hint of a smile teased her mouth.

Annie poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Ella. “Have you thought about counseling?”

Ella stared at her mother as if she were nuts. “That’s why I’m here!”

Annie inwardly squirmed. “I’m not really trained for this sort of thing, and it sounds like you need a professional.”

“Did you ever see one?”

“No. And see how that worked out?” She smiled gently, and it worked. Ella smiled back, but only briefly.

“Ella, I love you, and I want to help. I will if I can. But there are people who actually know what they’re talking about when it comes to this stuff.”

Ella shook her head, so Annie didn’t pursue it. “Does Connor feel the same way?”

“I’m pretty sure he hates me.”

“It seems to me it should take longer than this to work up a good case of hatred against the person you’ve just married.”

Ella’s eyebrows looked stuck in a creased position. “Connor is a very quick study.”

Annie took a sip of coffee and glanced out the window at Finn’s cabin. Were he and Connor having the same conversation? “So, whose idea was it to come here?”

“Mine. I was going to drive here by myself, but Connor said I was too upset to drive, so he drove me, which obviously means he wasn’t upset. Which means he hates me.”

Annie squinted. “I don’t think so.” She had a strong urge to laugh, but that would have been the worst thing to do. Somehow, she managed to keep a straight face. “You might be missing a few links in that chain of logic.”

“Well, maybe I’m not explaining it well, but the end result is the same.”

Annie gave her a questioning look.

“He hates me,” Ella said.

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