Page 25 (1/2)

Backing away from the bed (she had to, had to make herself move, leave, now before she completely broke), she picked up the phone to call Danny but hung up before she’d even heard a tone What would she say to him? How could words ease a pain like this? Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blur ofacross white

She moved to the

Moreenhouse

Nina hurried downstairs and slipped back into her borrowed coat and wet boots, then walked across the porch, passing the kitchenInside, she saw Meredith talking on the phone, her face chalky, her lips tre Nina didn’t even know if her sister saw her pass by

She went down the side steps and into the thick snow at the corner of the house Aftera few feet, she picked up Mom’s trail and stepped in her footsteps

At the greenhouse, she stopped just long enough to gather courage and then opened the door

Herin the dirt, pulling up tiny potatoes and throwing them in a pile

“Mom?”

Nina said it twice ot no answer; finally, sharply, she said, “Anya,” and moved closer

Mo white hair was unbound and fell in tangles around her pale face “There are potatoes Food will help him”

Nina knelt beside her mother in the dirt It scared her to see her e way, it soothed her, too For once, they were feeling the sa her shoulder

Mo Confusion clouded those brilliant blue eyes She shook her head and lazed her eyes and the confusion lifted “Potatoes won’t help ”

“No,” Nina said quietly

“He’s gone Evan is gone ”

“Co her to her feet They walked out of the greenhouse and into the snowy yard