page3 (1/2)

Once the soup war I find in the cupboard and sip on it as I wander through the cabin There’s nice-sized living rooreen plaid I pause at two framed photos on a bookcase that is fully stocked with books

One of the i in front of this cabin The other is of a little boy with chocolate brown eyes and his parents, with a lake behind theo and I presswhat became of him

Before randma passed away, I was probably as sweet and innocent as this little boy looks Then everything changed for ed for him too

Down the se bed, and across from it there is a bathroom My shoulders ache with built up tension and I decide to take a shower after I enjoy this soup

There is a narrow staircase leading to a loft that has three twin-size beds, and there is large storage closet to one side of the stairs I open it, curious, and find a stack of boxes labeled ‘Christmas’

I know I have no business being here, playing make-believe But as I open a box and see dozens of shiny ornaments, I realize that for the first time in a decade, those people who say this is theMaybe I canwonderful out of this mess after allChapter ThreeWhitakerThey say at Christmas all roads lead home and I’ve never felt that sentiment so damn hard

“You’re seriously just leaving?” Bran asks, standing in the doorway of my office

“I need a feeeks away from the city,” I tell him We’ve been business partners for the last five years, and the decision to go has nothing to do with hily clear ant different things “Look, I need to figure out what I really want is all”

“The Christht”

I run a hand over ned all the Christ to miss me”

Bran frowns “Melinda’s bringing you a date”

I shrug “That is nice of your wife, but I don’t want to date any woman from this city I’m not interested”