“Ta-da! First step in licking my spending problem accomplished! Next I’m going to start selling some of my stuff online to pay this thing off—on my own. I even found a job I’d love to do that’s perfect for me. It’s mostly nights, so we won’t need childcare for Collette. I’ll just need you to help out more in the evenings. What do you think?”

Winding his way around the island counter, he stepped in front of me, held my face with his oven-mitted hands, and kissed me. Kissed me long and deep and lovingly, a passionate Hello, I’m back between long-lost lovers.

When at last Grant broke the kiss, he said, “Robin, I think you’re amazing and brave, and I’ll do anything to support you, to love you, and to fulfill you.”

I knew in that moment that we were going to be okay. Better than okay. Already we were changed, better than we’d been for months. It didn’t mean it’d be a smooth, easy road, but it meant we were willing to try. Trying was the first step toward succeeding.

As the oven timer beeped, I slipped out of his arms and grabbed my cell phone. Pulling up the number I had saved, I dialed and the receptionist answered after the second ring:

“Hello, this is the Women’s Rape Crisis Center. How can I help you?”

I took a breath, flashed Grant a nervous grin, and replied, “Hi, I’m calling about the job posting you have online. I’d like to submit my application . . .”

Chapter 41

Mackenzie

TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Everything felt so wrong, so twisted, so upside-down. I hadn’t expected Aria to become a suspect. I had already decided that if they pinned Owen’s death on her, I would take the blame, but I hoped and prayed it didn’t come to that. But what if she had done it? The thought curdled in my stomach—my little girl, a killer? Like mother, like daughter . . .