She looked around, but nothing seemed familiar. Finally, she drove up to her previous apartment building and parked in front of Unit L, staring at the blue doorway on the first floor. The walk had been shoveled, and hints of greenery poked out through the snow on either side.

Breathing in through her nose, she counted and then breathed out through her mouth, calming herself. The area was quiet with the snow falling, and a couple of apartments still had Christmas lights twinkling.

She took another deep breath and forced herself to cut the engine and step out of the car. It would be dark soon, and she wanted to do this while it was still light outside. For some reason, that felt safer. The sun shone down, not really warm but making everything look bright and alive. She shut the door and stood there, taking in the deep red brick, wrought iron railings, and tall trees that combined into an aesthetically pleasing picture of peace and calm.

How many times had she sat on that porch during the spring or summer, sipping her tea and looking for the perfect camera angle? How many pictures had she taken of this neighborhood?

Why couldn’t she remember that night?

The wind picked up, scattering the snow, and she shivered, her feet going numb. Enough with the procrastinating. Throwing her shoulders back, she strode along the walkway to the door, stepping over a couple of small sleds that looked as if they’d been dropped on the way to the door. Hopefully the residents would allow her inside to look around.

Right. Who wouldn’t welcome a stranger who claimed she’d been so viciously attacked there that she’d fallen into a coma? She lifted her hand but hesitated before knocking. This was crazy.

She knocked anyway.

A sound came from inside, then the thumping of something rolling across the floor and a soft curse, before the door was opened. A man stood there, tall with light brown hair and glasses showcasing brown eyes. He hopped on one foot with a child’s toy right behind him, spinning wildly as if he’d tripped over it. “Sorry about that. I—” His eyes widened and he reached for her. “Grace!”

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Grace froze as the stranger embraced her and then let go, the force of his hug pushing them both out onto the porch.

He leaned back, his eyes wide. The sun shone down on them, highlighting streaks of natural blond in his hair and showing freckles across his face. “I don’t know what to say,” he said, rubbing her arm. “You’re alive. You’re awake and here.” He smiled and then started. “Crap. Sorry. Come inside where it’s warm. I’m just completely taken off guard.”

“Ditto,” Grace said, tripping over her own feet as she followed him inside. Who was this nice guy?