“The same way a good husband protects his wife from her own arrogance about money.”

“And where do you intend to sleep if the bank forecloses on this house?” I asked.

“This house isn’t going into default,” Eleanor said, leaning over the granite until her face was inches from mine.

“You’ll authorize that bonus transfer before sundown today, and we’ll go on as a proper family.”

I glanced at the kitchen clock, which said twenty past two, knowing Brenda had already arranged the corporate guest suite downtown where I would be sleeping before dark.

“I understand,” I said.