“Where do you want me to stop?”

“Here is fine.”

He pulled up beside the grocery store, which had doubled in size since he’d last seen it.

“I’d like to say it was a pleasure, but that would be a lie,” she said, climbing out. “But I will say thanks—”

“Because your mom taught you how?” He couldn’t help throwing that at her.

She ignored him, slammed the door, and walked away. Dylan watched her long legs carry her down the street. He was surprised to feel regret. Dylan rarely regretted anything, but he had a feeling that meeting this woman under different circumstances would be a hell of a ride.

His eyes tracked left and right as he pulled back out onto the street. Plenty of leafy green trees had been planted, and a few bench seats were now in place. This Ryker Falls was unrecognizable from the one he’d left as an angry teenager.

“Sixteen years, bud, plenty has to have changed.”

Taking the right fork at the end of town, he headed down the hill, following the river, then took another right. The street was full of houses now, another change. When he’d been here his parents’ place had been one of only six, and it sat in pride of place at the end, big enough so anyone could see it, if they were looking, and be assured important people lived inside. That was his mother’s way of thinking. Mary Howard was all about appearances.

Driving slowly down the street, he raised his hand in response to the wave of an elderly man jogging. Winter would hit hard and fast soon, and outdoor activities would be done in thick, warm clothing. He remembered the cold; it got into your bones and didn’t leave till spring.

He wouldn’t know every person who lived here by name and reputation now either, as they had once known him.

Just the thought of the life he’d lived here choked him.

He sucked in a breath, exhaled loudly, then drove up the long drive and parked to one side. Looking at the large white weatherboard house, he wondered what waited for him inside. His dad wasn’t in there; he’d still be in hospital as the accident was only four days ago.

Gabled roof, and two floors; the bedrooms had been on the second. His mother had run a tidy house, and taught her kids to do the same. Well, he was tidy; he had no idea what his sisters were like. Deep blue trimmed the windows and the front door.