Marriage is Murder

"Are we out for speed or endurance?" Brian asked Robert.

"Both," Robert said. "See how long you can go at your top speed."

"Alright. And I"m bettin you a cup of kate's cocoa that I"ll win."

"How is that a bet? You dont have to do anything."

"Well, then? Steaks?"

"No. Pay up with enough to pay for a romantic candlelight dinner for the winner with their wife and you've got a deal."

"Deal," Brian said. "I'm going to enjoy taking Khaat out."

"You wish," Robert said, deciding to leave Brian in the dust by turning on a better pace to increase his speed but not so much that he couldn't apply some decent endurance.

"Hey!" Brian shouted. "Not fair!" He sped up to catch him.

"Should we spot them a few paces?" Brian laughed, looking at Robert.

"Absolutely not," Robert said. "My age is all the spotting I'm giving them. They need to keep up or Lee will kick their asses." He called back to Steven and Jack. "Hey, Lee is a top notch runner. You need to practice keeping up tonight or he'll make you look ridiculous in the morning."

"Not a chance," Brian said. "I've seen him run. I've got his style figured out. We can take him."

"Are you going to share your secrets?"

"And how exactly will I win if I do that?" Brian frowned.

"By doing it honestly?"

"I'm not cheating," Brian insisted. "I just have him figured out, thats all."

Brian was amazed at how long and hard Robert could run for his age. But Brian had a feeling that part of it was that he was driven. Robert needed this. He didn't easily even show he was stressed. But Brian could feel his stress tonight. And Robert was just going to work at burning it off. It passed through his mind that at the rate he was running, Robert might well run all night before he felt better.

Brain was surprised that he actually, after quite awhile, felt himself starting to tire a bit, and before Robert showed any signs of slowing down or wearing down. He was sensing that Robert was being driven by anger and frustration that Brian himself did not have tonight. Robert took notice of the fatigue that was mounting on the younger men, and he finally started to slow his stride and eventually brought it to a walk not far from the house.

"Alright," Robert said. "You boys have had enough. If I wear you out tonight, then none of you will run with me in the morning. Personally, I intend to go grab a couple of shortbread cookies and a glass of brandy and sit with a good book in front of the fire." Brian understood what he was staying. Robert didn't feel like sleeping. And there was a chance he might not sleep all night tonight. But that was just Robert's way. And Brian had learned to accept it.

"Tomorrow," Brian said. "We could hope that either Angus or Lee lose. We know Angus makes a good steak. And I hear that Lee has some sort of a cajun dry rub for steaks that he won't share but is absolutely awesome. If we work this right, we can get some cajun blackened steaks. I like blackened fish, but I don't knwo if Ive had cajun blackened steak. And, Angus would get the night off, along with the breakfast. Come to think about it, it would be nice if we gave him lunch off too."

"Order from Lizzie" Robert told him. "Its a good idea. Have her send you a chef's sampling from her winter menu. Tell Angus we need to check on the quality of the food in Sparks. He wont know you're working to give him the day off from the kitchen, and I"m sure he'd appreciate it."

"I think that sounds like a good idea." They got back to the house, An Robert found that Angus had dipped most of the shortbread cookies in either dark or milk chocolate and then added nuts or sprinkles or crushed up toffee bars, or any number of decorations, taking ordinary shortbread to gourmet levels.

"You always know how to spoil us, don't you?" Brian laughed, getting out the bottle of brandy and a number of glasses.

"If you think this is good, wait until you try my new shortbread recipes--whenever I get around to making them."

"What's wrong with now?" Brian asked, watching Angus fashion together a cookie platter.

"When you get done with these I'll make you more. When have I ever left you shy of cookies? Don't be taking that brandy without pouring me some, Brian,"

"You've got it," Brian said, pouring Angus a brandy. "Who else?"

"Well," Brian said, taking a sip of brandy, "you know, we could run a cooking contest. We could let Angus and Khaat judge--since he's the chef and she's the restaurant owner. And the rest of us could each come up with something and then just take our chances.. If you're brave enough."

"You do that and we'll get a dozen ways to fix toast," Kate said, coming into the room and pouring herself a brandy.

"Now, wait a minute," Brian frowned. "Who do you think did most of the cooking when Khaat was working 3 jobs?"

"Lizzie?" Kate asked, giving him a phony innocent look.

"Very funny, Kate," Brian said. "Most of us cook rather well. Except Robert."

"What?" Robert looked up. "How'd I get into this? I'll have you know I make better fish and chips than Kate does."

"Well," Kate admited, "That is true. I can't make them like he can."