Mackenzie’s throat thickened. She was really here. Really doing this. She eased into a plush chair in the corner. Maybe it could be a new start for them.

Nora held her cell to her side. “While we wait for him, why don’t we get you settled into your old room. I hope you didn’t check into a hotel. You’re family. Whatever happened before is in the past.” Her sister’s eyes brimmed with tears that disappeared with her smile. “What do you say?”

Yes. I say yes. I want this new beginning.

But it was far too complicated. Mackenzie wasn’t sure she could stomach staying in the same house where she’d briefly lived before Dad died, and where Rowan now lived.

“I’m here to stay a few days, but my bag is back at the hotel. Let’s wait and see what Rowan thinks.”

Nora nodded. Rowan would have the last say. He always had, since Dad died.

“I’ll get us something to drink.”

“Sure, but Nora, what did you mean earlier when you told me to—”

Nora lifted a finger to her lips and gave a subtle shake of her head. “When Rowan gets here, we’ll go out to eat together.” Nora left her alone.

Fine by her. She could catch her breath—

A scream ignited the air. Heart pounding, Mackenzie raced through the house. Nora’s sobs struck a terrible chord in her heart as she followed the sound to Dad’s old office. Standing behind an executive desk, her sister looked down, her face twisted in grief.

She could think of only one reason for Nora’s reaction.

Mackenzie moved around the desk and looked to the floor at her brother’s lifeless body.

FOUR

What happened after they found Rowan’s body remained a blur. After two long nights of staring at the wood beams in her old room, Mackenzie had to get out.

Too many people visiting the house.

Friends of the family.

Board members.

Rowan’s ex-wife.

People Mackenzie didn’t know.

Officials in and out. Medical personnel. She’d grown weary of the weeping and angst. Trying to reminisce about their family life while skipping over the part where Mackenzie messed up. Nothing was the same after that.

Funeral arrangements hadn’t been made. She still needed to tell Nora why she’d come, which frankly sounded nuts when she said the words out loud, but how did she drop that bomb in the middle of a brand-new nightmare? How and when? It seemed wholly inappropriate.

“It’s surreal . . . you coming back.” Nora had given her a strange look on her way to her bedroom.

And there it was. The moment Mackenzie should have told Nora about the warning. Mackenzie had wanted to tell her then. After all, that had been the first real opening for her to do so. At the same time, it was no opening at all.