Page 13

Matthew Sr. chuckled again. “Did you give that agent the grief your old man told you to?”

“Yep, and you were right. She was on the phone before I pulled away. Playing a little hardball seemed to have worked.”

“Sounds like it,” his father agreed, congratulating Matthew on the new job and new house. “How about we take you all out to dinner to celebrate?”

Remembering when Julia told him the night before that she couldn’t be away from work for the day and he’d have to go deal with ‘the house thing’ by himself made Matthew frown.

“That’d be great, Dad. But it’ll probably be just the four of us. Julia has something going on at work tonight.”

Matthew didn’t know why—because it hadn’t bothered him since their disastrous night out—but the thought of thatsomethingJulia had going on at work made his stomach turn. Maybe because he knew it was a lie. And now he was spreading that lie to his parents. He didn’t like liars, and he didn’t like being forced to lie for someone else.

“Well, that’s too bad,” his dad responded with a touch of disappointment. “I guess we’ll just have to celebrate on her behalf.”

Matthew tried to smile. His parents had been so supportive. Yet they had no clue they were encouraging their son through the most challenging time in his life.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said, feeling a catch in his throat. “Growing up, you and Mom were always there for me. And now you’re there for me and Libby. I don’t know how we’ll make it without you.”

“There’s no reason for thanks. It’s always been our pleasure to help out whenever we can,” his dad said as his mother added her agreement from the background. “Besides, your mom and I will probably make the drive to Windsong so much you’ll get sick of seeing us.”

“Not a chance.” Matthew blinked back tears. “Give Mom and my Libby Doll a kiss, and I’ll see you around six, okay?”

“Okay, son… see you then.”

When his dad hung up, Matthew noticed his hands were shaking as he wiped tears from his eyes. He couldn’t understand where all these emotions were coming from. For a year, he’d been preparing himself for Julia to leave. He’d made some difficult decisions and swallowed his pride time and time again for the sake of his daughter and moving forward.

But today, when he thought this was what he wanted, and he was doing all the right things, little moments of doubt seemed to keep creeping back in.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

It was something his mother had said for years about her husband and son. Both were over six feet tall and more than two hundred pounds of bulk and muscle. She, on the other hand, was a curvy five-feet-four inches tall and not nearly as soft in the heart as the men in her life.

Still, Sarah Brandon was loving in her own way, and Matthew knew his mom wouldn’t take the news of him and Julia splitting up any easier than his dad would.

Chapter 4

As weeks passed, life settled back into a rhythm for Katherine. No more talk from Beth Ann about Frank and Bella Vaughn moving or Bella’s new replacement. No more probing questions from her mother. And thank God, no more talk about manicures or makeovers from Maddie.

Along with her busy days came more peaceful nights, and Katherine continued to sleep better than she had in years. She even silenced her alarm one Sunday and slept in for the first time in a very long time.

Glancing at the clock, she was surprised to see how late it was. And despite a slight twinge of guilt that threatened to creep in, she had to smile. It felt good to get the extra rest she so desperately needed.

Rolling out of bed, she breathed in the fresh morning air from the open window, then went to the closet, reached beyond the side of black clothes, and pulled out the T-shirt and denim overalls she wore while working in the garden.

Dressed and downstairs, Katherine hurried through breakfast, devouring a muffin she’d brought home from thediner. She had her little Eden to get to, and with the clear blue sky and crisp morning air still awaiting her, she didn’t want to delay any longer.

But when she stepped outside, something caught her attention, and she turned to look at the house next door.

The blackberry canes that once crept along the top of the brick wall weren’t there anymore. And the clumps of moss that covered the expanse of the roof were also gone. Then, from where she stood, Katherine spotted the top of a newly assembled swing set.

Despite hoping the for sale sign out front, and the three bedrooms inside wouldn’t attract a family, it appeared by the pitched roof of the tiny wooden clubhouse, chains for swings, and a tall slide, that was exactly what it had done.

“Please, God no,” Katherine said, rushing back inside, headed for the phone. Her hands trembling as she dialed Kimberly Kendall’s number.

“Come on, Kimmie!” she pleaded after the second ring. “Pick up the damn phone!”

“Good morning, Kimberly Kendall speaking!” chimed the real estate agent when she answered the call. “How may I assist you?”

“Kimmie, it’s Katherine. What the hell is going on next door?”