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She gave a little shiver The sa that washed over her from time to time at the house was here, too The unstable structure was isolated way up here on top of the mountain Private No one nearby to hear a sound No one would come to anyone’s rescue

That was crazy, though She was in no danger Abby shook off her thoughts and with a self-deprecating sht She was listening for footsteps in the dark and looking for things that simply didn’t exist

She grabbed her foot, stretching out her quadriceps as she inhaled deeply, intent on enjoying the incredible view from the top of her e and arden that was in dire need of love and attention after being let to groild for the last several years Past the house she could see clear down to the town and the harbor, the buildings sparkling like ainst the clear blue sky The water narrowed around the tip of the bay but then expanded into the shining blue-green greatness of the bigger Penobscot Froo on for miles andof the sea air It tasted like freedom

She knew from the deed and the material from the lawyer that this land was all hers noell It had once been the hoht a substantial section of the land from the family and built the mansion upon it And when Edith and Elijah had married, Edith’s family had sold the remainder of the property to Elijah and moved Abby wondered if they’d seen Iris as a way to hold on to their daughter, and if that had any bearing on why Iris and Marian had been separated their whole lives Maybe it had been too hard to let go, knowing their daughter had died so young

Still, she couldn’t i up this place so easily It was a pretty piece of land with an incredible panora of rock and then sat, pulling up her knees, soaking in theIn the summer it would be thick with flowers and loaded with the wild blackberries that Art Ellis had told her about

She wished she could stay longer, but Toet hoan the jog back down the e for her knees and thighs than the uphill, and she was puffing and her T-shirt et through the back when she reached the lane again She slowed to a walk, needing to cool down before hitting the shower It didn’t take long until she could see the whole length of the driveway, and the fact that Tom’s truck was already parked next to her car

Damn

He was sitting on the top step of the s on a cell phone When he saw her approaching he hung up and got to his feet, tucking the phone away in his back pocket

He looked good Faded jeans and work boots and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows And here she was, likely the color of a freshly cooked lobster with sweat creeping down the small of her back

“You’re up bright and early,” she greeted

“Too early?”

Yes, she wanted to answer, but didn’t “I ran the mountain Sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived”

He caie I made a few calls Maybe I can have a look around and starta list while you, ah…”

His gaze traveled down her body “Clean up?” she suggested, feeling aard but knowing there was nothing else to be done