Page 73 (1/2)

Stuart

Patrick and Elaine were on the co of the house because it was dinnertietting in on the action Nikki had left the day I disappeared, so it was just the fah Derek was family He was like a brother to me—and Patrick

Naturally, hts drifted to Mariska Patrick trusted Kenny to keep Lane while he and Elaine were here having a vacation or whatever they were doing Kenny and Mariska were best friends—from what I understood Would Kenny be best friends with soood judgment Who knew Kenny wasn’t the sahts over in my head

“It’s hard being away fro beside me

Dropping htened my shoulders “I wouldn’t know”

“I wanted to talk to you about so” His expression was serious

“Okay”

“It’s two things, really” This time he put his boot up on the hearth “Elaine and I were thinking about getting married here At Christmas”

My eyebrows shot up “Is that enough time—”

“It’s quick, I know, but we’ve reat memories here We love it” He rubbed a hand across his chin “I know you’re wanting to head out pretty quick Think you ht be able to come back? Or stick around a few extra weeks?”

The idea of prolonging estion I could iine Patrick seemed to read my mind

“I knoe’ve never been tight, and I know you’re sort of ticked at us over how things went doith Mariska I guess, just think about it”

I nodded “What was the other thing?”

He glanced over his shoulder towards Elaine still talking to Kenny and his son Mo, and I noticed my uncle’s hand on her lower back

“You ever picked up on that?”