"I know why Riley married you," Cheryl said, not unkindly.
Hannah dropped her gaze as color crept up her neck. Naturally Steve would have told his wife about the pregnancy; that only made sense. Cheryl was probably also aware Hannah and Riley weren't sharing a bedroom, too.
"You're perfect for someone like Riley."
"I…am?" It came out in the form of a question rather than the positive statement she'd intended.
"Absolutely perfect. He's this rough-and-tough macho guy. The strong, silent type who's too stubborn for his own good. I'm sure you know what I mean."
Hannah was quick to agree with a nod.
"For a long time after I first met Riley, he made me uncomfortable," Cheryl admitted, glancing anxiously toward Hannah. "He isn't an easy man to know. It's impossible to figure out what he's thinking. He keeps everything to himself. Even though Steve's probably his best friend, he didn't know about you."
No one knew about her, but Hannah understood what Cheryl was saying. Riley kept most of his thoughts to himself. It was what had made these past few weeks so difficult. They'd sit down across the dinner table from each other and he'd ask her a few questions about her day and share nothing of his own. Her few attempts at drawing him into conversation had been met with silence. Yet he was genuinely concerned about her. Solicitous. Hannah knew he was trying as hard as he knew how to make everything right for her.
Sunday morning had been a turning point. They'd both seemed to regret the events of the day before and worked hard at overcoming the hurt they'd inflicted on each other. Riley had driven her to church and then returned later to pick her up. They'd talked more that day than the entire previous week. When she'd set dinner on the table, he had raved about her efforts and then insisted upon doing the dishes himself.
"It took me a year or more to feel at ease with Riley," Cheryl continued.
A year! Hannah groaned inwardly. They maintained a fragile peace even now. He was concerned about her health and that of their baby. He was the one who insisted she make a doctor's appointment and that she schedule it at a time when he could go in with her. He hadn't argued with her about finding a job, but she knew from his lack of enthusiasm that he'd prefer it if she remained home. But he hadn't insisted she not look for employment.
Thus far, her efforts had been restricted to part-time office positions at the base. Several were available, and she'd gone in to fill out the paperwork and was told she'd be contacted for an interview sometime soon. For now, all she could do was be patient.
"As I said earlier, you're a perfect complement to Riley," Cheryl remarked, munching on her second cookie. "You're gentle and sweet. What I want to know is how that crusty hardheaded sailor ever met someone like you."