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“It’s about Water’s Edge,” she said, finally looking up She didn’t bother asking him to sit down She’d learned that lesson well: Henry Greyto influence that only made the speaker look foolish

He grunted so She didn’t think it was a word

“I kno tight your finances are right now, but there are a lot of things at Water’s Edge that need fixing The fences are in bad shape, the loafing shed is starting to list, and so area soravel And don’t even get me started on the taxes” She pushed the short platthe road—Bill Deacon is ready to pay you fifty-five thousand dollars for it right noe could short plat it into two-acre parcels and double the price Either e can h money to tide you over for years God knows youseven horses a day, every day” She smiled up at him “It’s perfect, isn’t it? I mean, you can hardly see those acres You’ll never miss them, and—”

Her dad walked out of the roo the door shut behind him

Winona flinched at the sound Why had she allowed herself to hope? Again She stared at the closed door, shaking her head, wondering why a s into the sa it to be dry She was an idiot to still want her father’s approval

“You’re mentally ill,” she muttered to herself “And pathetic”

The intercohts

“Luke Connelly on line one, Winona”

She pushed the red button “Did you say Luke Connelly?”

“Yes Line one”

Winona drew in a deep, steadying breath as she picked up the phone and answered “Winona Grey”

“Hey, Win, it’s Luke Connelly Remember me?”

“Of course I remember you How’s Montana?”

“Cold and white right now, but I’m not there I’m here, in Oyster Shores I want to see you”

She caught her breath “Really?”