She circled around Silver Pines, heading north. Just beyond the retirement community was a big, fancy golf course. There were two in the area. The public one out by the interstate and this one, which was private. Unity had never played golf and she didn’t run in private club circles, so she’d never been on the grounds.

As they approached, Dagmar pointed to an entrance to a residential community.

“In there,” she said.

Unity glanced at her. “Are you moving? Why would you leave Silver Pines? It has everything.”

“I’m not going anywhere. This is for you.”

Unity immediately pulled to the side of the road. Tension formed a knot in her stomach, making her want to get out of the car and run so far, no one could ever find her.

She drew in several slow breaths, then looked at her friend. “What are you doing?”

“Showing you a townhome. It’s just an open house. I happened to see an ad for it and thought of you.”

“Did Thaddeus tell you?”

Dagmar looked confused. “Tell me what?”

“Looking at houses is on my challenge list.”

“He never mentioned that, darling. The first I heard of your competition was when you told me a couple of hours ago.” She smiled. “But it is interesting that all your friends have the same notion.”

“It’s suspicious.”

“How can you say that? Ellen and I love you. It’s just an open house,” Dagmar added gently. “Come look. If nothing else, you can brag about it to Ellen.”

Unity didn’t want to think about moving. She loved living in Stuart’s house, sleeping in his bed, having her clothes hang in the same closet as his still did. She often pretended he wasn’t dead—that he was just gone, like on a deployment, and soon he would be back. She wanted the pictures on the hallway walls, the memories in every corner. If she moved, she would lose all that. If she moved, she would lose him.

But she couldn’t say that to Dagmar, or anyone. No one understood what she was going through.

“For me?” Dagmar asked.

Unity nodded because it was easier to agree. In one respect, her friend was right. It was just an open house.

She followed the signs to an unexpectedly large complex. They parked in the visitor’s lot and made their way to the unit for sale. On the way they passed a community pool, several barbecues and a nicely kept garden.

The unit for sale had a two-car garage. She and Dagmar took off their shoes before walking into a surprisingly open foyer that led to a big living room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a beautiful garden.

A well-dressed real estate agent greeted them.

“Hello. I’m Miranda. Thank you for coming.” She handed them each a brochure on the property. “It’s a wonderful end unit, so there are extra windows. The HOA dues cover all the outside maintenance, including the pool, along with a social membership at the club.”