Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island #4)(64)

  After her fight with Jaxsen, Kristine slept in the basement. She found the quiet space soothing and the oversize sofa was plenty comfortable. She and Jaxsen managed to avoid each other for the next few days. He worked late one night and hung out with his friends another. The third night he took the boys out to dinner and then to a movie. In a final gesture of defiance, he’d packed a bag and moved in with his parents—something he’d done before when they’d had a big fight. That was Jaxsen. Why have a reasonable, adult discussion when you can cut and run?

She knew he thought he was punishing her, but she was so furious, she was grateful that she didn’t have to deal with him. His total lack of respect for her burned hot and bright. She kept thinking of all the things she’d done for him, all the things she’d given up. There had been jobs she’d wanted to take that he’d talked her out of, telling her she had to be home with the boys. Then he had the balls to complain she didn’t bring in any money?

She wanted to punish him. She wanted him hurt and broken and in serious pain, only she couldn’t think of how to do that and not break the law. She thought about slashing the tires on his ATV, but that would only mean another expense later. Plus, it was childish and she really wanted to take the high ground.

By day four, she was just as pissed but she was also frustrated. Not having Jaxsen around meant they couldn’t talk. While she had no interest in discussing his Neanderthal views on her place in his life, she did want to move forward on the bakery. But to do that, she needed the fifteen thousand dollars from their line of credit and for reasons she simply couldn’t explain, she wasn’t ready to take the money without talking to him first.

She’d tried. She’d logged on to their bank account and had started the transfer. It was just a matter of pushing a few buttons. But in the end, she hadn’t been able to do it. A reality that left her feeling like a fool, but there it was. She couldn’t take “their” money without telling him first. Not that he would agree, which made her situation even more ridiculous. She was willing to defy him, but she wouldn’t go behind his back?

She took out her frustrations on the bathrooms and gave them all a thorough cleaning. She baked cookies and didn’t put away the mixer or the cookie sheets. She got caught up on all her errands and still there was no contact from Jaxsen. She was about to give in and text him when Ruth stopped by.

Her mother-in-law let herself in the back door as she always did, calling out a greeting.

“It’s me.”

Kristine looked up from the onions she was chopping for her Crock-Pot dinner and smiled. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Ruth’s expression turned guilty. “I wasn’t sure if it was okay to come by.”

“Of course it is. Ruth, you and I aren’t fighting. At least I didn’t think we were.”

“We’re not. Of course not. Jaxsen can be stubborn.”

“Tell me about it.”

She supposed she could worry that Ruth had come to tell her to give in to whatever Jaxsen wanted, but she wasn’t all that concerned. Ruth was an incredibly fair-minded woman who had often sided with Kristine in various matters. She loved her son, but she also loved her grandsons and her daughter-in-law. Ruth might have been raised in a different time with different life goals, but she’d always been able to see both sides of a matter. Kristine had no reason to think that was changing.

Ruth poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot and then sat at the island. “He says you’re unreasonable and he’s going to teach you a lesson. He’s coming by later to get some things. He told me he’s not coming back until you apologize. He said he’s going to stay down in our basement for as long as it takes.”

The information surprised her. She carefully put down the knife she was using and washed her hands before taking a seat next to her mother-in-law.

Jaxsen being in a snit wasn’t new—he often pouted when he didn’t get his way. But he’d never been gone more than a couple of days. And what lesson did he want to teach her? What had she done wrong? Had a dream that didn’t involve washing his damn clothes?

“Paul says he can stay with us as long as he wants,” Ruth added, looking at Kristine. “I’m sorry, but he’s taking Jaxsen’s side. He thinks your idea for opening a business is ridiculous and he’s encouraging Jaxsen to stand firm.”

Not unexpected, but still a little hurtful. “What do you think?”

“You first.” Ruth’s voice was soft and encouraging.

Kristine tried to figure out what she was feeling. She was hurt, of course, and angry. Underneath that was a lot of betrayal and maybe a little fear. Was the price of her dream her marriage? Was Jaxsen willing to take things that far?

“I think he’s wrong,” she admitted, fighting to stay strong. “This isn’t some impulsive decision. I’ve thought things through. I have a plan. We’ve been married sixteen years and I’ve always supported him. I’m asking for the same and he won’t do it.”

She drew in a breath. “He said horrible things to me, Ruth. He dismissed what I do and the life I lead. He tried to make me feel small. I know he’s angry about my grandmother’s inheritance, but I don’t know why. It’s not a fortune and yet he acts like I’m stealing food from his mouth or something. I just want something of my own. I just want to have a chance to make my dreams come true. Is that wrong? After sixteen years of marriage and three kids, shouldn’t he want that for me, too?”