Bethanne makes a quick glance out to the yard and lowers her voice. “Yes. She said he wouldn’t agree to meet her in person because he was lonely and he knew he wouldn’t be able to let her go.”

I try to hide my flinch. He was lonely. I press my hand closer to my chest, but not because my hand hurts—this time it’s my heart.

Loneliness is the side effect of solitude starving the soul. I know it quite well.

“I didn’t know,” I whisper.

“Don’t feel bad. He found Deedy.”

My gaze inches to Bethanne’s. “He’s not rich.”

She chuckles. “Deedy doesn’t care about money. It’s all about love. I can promise you, she loves him.”

My attention shifts from Bethanne to my dad and Deedy unloading the truck with her village of friends. He looks happy.

Really.

Truly.

Happy.

“Thank you.” I smile. “I just didn’t see it.” Probably because I’ve never had a man look at me like my dad looks at Deedy.

“So how long are you staying in Milwaukee?”

“Just until I figure out how to get back to L.A. with my sister’s dog. My car took its last breath. Flying isn’t an option. And my dad refuses to let me drive by myself. I already tried closing my eyes and snapping my fingers three times, but it didn’t work. I’m still here.”

She grins. “Ya know … I might have just the ticket you need.”

“Ticket?”

“Yeah. I bet I can get you a ride if you’re willing to wait until next week.”

I frown. “I was thinking of sneaking out before my dad swallows his erectile dysfunction pill.”

“Ha! I get that. But seriously, if you don’t mind waiting, I can get a ride for you and your sister’s dog.”

“You’re not planning on stowing me in the back of a semitrailer filled with cheese are you?”

“I would never.” She grins. “Meet me at the cafe around ten tomorrow morning, and we’ll get it all planned out.”

“Can we meet somewhere else? I think I should avoid that Jake guy at all costs.”

“I’m working tomorrow, but I can take a break at ten. And the last thing you should do is avoid Jake.”

“Why would you say that?”

Bethanne skips back toward the moving van. “You’ll see.”

“You going to sleep all day?”

I hide my head under the pillow of the twin bed in Deedy’s sewing room. She said the bed belonged to her younger brother who died. Nothing creepy about sleeping in a dead person’s bed on sheets that must be the lowest thread count ever.

“Dad, I’m still on West Coast time. Leave me alone.”

He tickles my foot peeking out from the veil-thin sheet.

I jerk and draw my knees to my chest. “Stop!”