The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

to do so. I suppose leaving your position at the university and going away like this was necessary. To rebuild.”
    “I didn’t think you understood.”
    “Of course we did, Jude. He hurt you.”
    As simple as that, Jude realized and felt her eyes sting. Why hadn’t she trusted her family to stand behind her? “I thought you blamed me.”
    “Why in the world would we blame you? Honestly, your father actually threatened to strike William. It’s so rare for that Irish blood to surface, and it took quite some doing to calm him down again.”
    Jude tried to imagine her dignified father plowing into the dignified William. But it would not compute. “I can’t tell you how much better that makes me feel.”
    “I never said anything because you seemed so determined to keep it all civilized. And I hope this doesn’t upset you, but I don’t want you to hear it from some other source.”
    Jude’s belly seized up again. “What is it?”
    “William and his new wife are taking advantage of semester’s end as well. They’re going to the West Indies for a couple of weeks. Of all places. William is cheerfully telling anyone who’ll listen that they want this exotic holiday before they have to settle in. Jude, they’re expecting a baby in October.”
    Whatever had clutched in her belly sank, dropped through clean to her toes. “I see.”
    “The man’s acting like a fool about it. He actually has a copy of the sonogram and is showing it off like a family photo. He bought her this gaudy emerald ring to celebrate. He’s behaving as if she’s the first woman to conceive.”
    “I’m sure he’s just very happy.”
    “I’m glad you can take it well. For myself, I’minfuriated. We have several mutual friends and this, well, glee of his, is very awkward in social situations. You’d think he would show more tact.”
    Linda paused, obviously to get her temper under control. When she spoke again, it was gently. “He wasn’t worth a moment of your time, Jude. I’m sorry I didn’t realize that before you married him.”
    “So am I,” she murmured. “Please don’t worry about it, Mother. It’s history. I’m just sorry it’s embarrassing for you.”
    “Oh, I can manage. As I said, I didn’t want you to hear it from someone else. I can see now I needn’t have been concerned that you’d be upset or hurt again. Honestly, I wasn’t sure you were completely over him. I’m relieved you’re so sensible. As always.”
    “Yes, sensible Jude,” she said, even as something hot lodged in her throat. “Absolutely. In fact, be sure to give him my best wishes the next time you see him.”
    “I’ll do that. I really am glad you’re happy, Jude. Your father or I will be in touch once we’re back from New York.”
    “Good. Have a wonderful time. Give Father my love.”
    “I will.”
    When she hung up, Jude felt paralyzed. Frozen. Her skin was chilled, her blood frigid. All the warmth and pleasure, the simple delight that had carried over from the morning iced up in what she assumed was despair.
    William flying off to some charming island in the West Indies with his pretty new wife. Sliding into sparkling blue water, strolling along sugar-white sand under a full moon with hands clasped and eyes dreamy.
    William giddy over the prospect of fatherhood, bragging about his pretty pregnant wife, poring through baby books with Allyson, compiling lists of names. Pampering themother-to-be with emerald rings and flowers and lazy Sunday mornings in bed with freshly squeezed orange juice and croissants.
    She could visualize it perfectly, a curse of her well-honed imagination. The characteristically buttoned-down William, gleefully nuzzling the lovely Madonna as they lounged on the beach. The usually reserved William telling perfect strangers about the upcoming blessed event.
    The notoriously frugal William shelling out the price of an emerald ring. A gaudy one.
    The bastard.
    She snapped the pencil she held in two, heaved both parts at the wall. It wasn’t until she’d leaped out of her chair, knocking it to the floor with a resounding crash, that she realized it wasn’t despair she felt. It was fury. Blazing, blistering fury.
    Her breath came in pants, her fists were clenched. There was nothing to pound on, nothing to beat senseless. The rage building inside her was so black, so fierce, she looked around wildly for somewhere to put it before it exploded out of her chest.
    She had to get out, to move, to breathe, before