Because of You by Candy Caine Page A

promotional tour with or without Adam’s blessing.
    Even though she’d decided to go, she needed to talk to Lynn. Her sister usually gave her sound advice. But in this case she needed Lynne’s validation.
    ***
    Jill had to wait to call Lynn because of the time difference between New York and Arizona. When she did call, her brother-in-law, Haywood, answered. She liked him. He was so down to earth that honesty and integrity just seemed to ooze from his tall, lanky body. They traded small talk before he put Lynne on the phone.
    Jill and Lynne might have been separated by 2200 miles, but their closeness hadn’t changed. All Jill had to do was say a few words and her sister knew something was not right.
    “What’s wrong? Are things okay with you and Adam? “
    “How can you tell something is wrong, Lynn?”
    “By your tone, of course.”
    “That’s nuts, you know.”
    “Funny you should say that, Jill. It drives my friend, Carla, crazy, too. I can’t explain it. I can just tell when something is wrong.”
    “I need your opinion on something.” Jill blurted out.
    “Shoot.”
    “I have to go on a promotional tour to publicize my book. I will be appearing on several talk shows here in New York and California.”
    “That’s great!”
    “I know it’s great and a wonderful chance to get my name out there, but…” Jill felt her eyes tearing up.
    “What’s wrong, Jill? Scared and nervous?”
    “Yes, but that’s not why I called. Adam forbade me to go.”
    “He what? I thought he was cool with your writing.”
    “So did I. Until this tour came up. According to him, my first priorities should be the house and him—not necessarily in that order.”
    “I’d laugh, if it wasn’t so damn pathetic. From what you’ve told me, he’s the one that flits around the country at the bark of his boss and hardly keeps orthodox dinner hours. You get this chance of a lifetime and he shuts you down? How selfish of him,” Lynne said.
    “Thank you for validating my feelings. I thought that I was the one being selfish.”
    “Jill, if you’re really serious about making writing your career, you’ve got to go on the tour. Adam has to realize that.”
    “If he loves me, I’m hoping he will. I never wanted to have to choose between him and continuing my career.”
    “You shouldn’t have to, Jill. Besides, wasn’t it he who suggested you find a hobby, which we both know was meant to keep you busy while he was elsewhere?”
    “Yup. But with men, there’s always a double standard; certain rules don’t apply to women.”
    “This is your moment, Sis. You’ve got to take it, because it may never come again.”
    “I promise to put one hundred percent into this career. Whatever talent I might possess shouldn’t be squandered. I guess I just needed my actions to be validated. Thanks.”
    “Don’t thank me. Just wow everyone else. I’m already in your pocket.”
    That made Jill chuckle.
    “Besides, I’ll be the sister of the famous author and get off on your notoriety.”
    This time Jill broke into laughter and Lynne joined her.
    After their laughter died down, Lynne reminded Jill that her dearest friend, Carla, was a children’s book writer. “With Carla writing for children and you writing erotic romance, maybe I should write, too. I could combine the two genres and write erotic romances for kids.”
    “Are you out of your freaking mind?” Jill asked, but Lynne was too busy laughing to reply. Realizing her sister was only kidding, she added, “Very funny.”
    The sisters talked about getting together before the year was out, perhaps for Christmas and said their goodbyes.
    Jill knew going on the tour was the right thing to do if she wanted to help her career blossom. Calling her sister made her feel better, but it didn’t alleviate the fear that by going she would cause irrevocable damage to her marriage.
    ***
    Adam came home from work after nine. He’d called earlier and told Jill he’d be working late. For the