“There are a few things I haven’t managed to figure out,” I said. “One of them is why Brett left. You’re telling me you two were happy, and that he wanted to improve his life and bring the kids to live with him. But none of that happened. Could this explain why Brett left you? If he was seeing someone else?”

She was talking again before I got the sentence out. “Brett was a very social person, very loving. That’s what made him so attractive—to me, and to everyone else. Brett was loyal.” Cheryl gave a brisk nod. “I know that in my heart. Whatever your witness saw, they got it wrong.”

“With all due respect, if he was that loyal, why did he plan to leave town without letting you know?”

“I’ve had almost twenty years to wonder about that, and I still don’t have the answer.”

She looked down at the toy she’d been holding, and slowly placed it on the table. Glanced up at the photos of Erynn that hung on the walls, and drew a shaky breath. “We think she’s autistic,” Cheryl said. “Did Suze tell you? Robbie’s been looking into early intervention programs, driving all over the area to find the best one. Not that he has time for that, but he does it anyway. We all struggle to get through to Erynn. I’m with her for hours, almost every day, and sometimes it’s like I’m not here at all. It’s not fair.”

She wasn’t just referring to her granddaughter. “No,” I said, “it isn’t.”

“He left before we had a chance to be a family. He didn’t even say good-bye.”

I looked on as tears formed and spilled onto her cheeks. She wasn’t the only woman Brett left behind in Swanton, but Cheryl believed she’d had top billing in his life. Even now, she still felt the need to defend him. Play the role of devoted partner. Had she told herself she was everything Brett wanted? Promised him she’d heap affection onto his family and give them a life that was orderly and calm? Cheryl might have had a plan for their future, but Brett hadn’t invited her to be a part of his.

“Ma?”

Behind us, the front door had opened and Robbie Copely stepped inside, stomping his snowy feet on the mat. He was dressed for work in khakis and a button-down shirt under a puffy jacket. Aside from filling out a bit and growing a tidy beard that was two shades darker than his blond hair, he looked just the same. In his arms was little Erynn.

Robbie stopped short when he saw me, and a smile spread across his face. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said with delight. “Suze told me you were back, but I almost didn’t believe it. Shana Merchant, in the flesh. How the hell are you?”

I’d barely managed to get to my feet before he had me in a bear hug, the child squeezed and squirming between us. He smelled of aftershave and mint gum, and when he let me go, I felt myself blush. Up close his eyes were even more striking, with lashes galore.