Silhouettes moved inside the front room window and Kate could hear the laughter, the chatter of the guests who had gathered to celebrate. A cold shiver passed across Kate’s skin, pricked the hairs on her bare arms as she watched Declan reach out and rest his hand on Tilly’s upper arm. He slid Tilly’s large handbag off her shoulder and a few words were exchanged as Tilly insisted on carrying it, much to his protest.

With Declan falling a few hesitant steps behind her, Tilly—sans bag—started down the cobblestone path.

Kate pushed off the van, palms sweaty. As Tilly stepped through Declan’s front gate, their eyes met. Nervously, Tilly pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m fine,” she said as she drew closer, Declan out of earshot. “Don’t say anything about this to him, please,” she breathed in a rush.

Kate opened the passenger door for her. “I won’t,” she whispered.

Tilly didn’t even give her a chance to close the door, just reached for the interior handle and pulled it shut with a bang.

In surprise, Kate blinked twice.

“Kate.”

She pivoted. Standing before her with Tilly’s bag outstretched in his grip, Declan’s eyes held a strange focus.

Kate wiped her palms on the back pocket of her jeans and accepted the bag. But he held on, waiting to let go until she dared meet the richness of his glare. A silent acknowledgment charged between them, muffled like voices down a telephone line—whether or not Tilly thought she wanted to be married, she wasn’t ready, and he knew it. And yet here he was, letting Tilly go ahead with something that clearly brought her distress.

“Drive safely,” he said.

Kate nodded.

As Kate pulled the van away from the gutter, Tilly wound down her window.

Biting her tongue, she continued down the vicarage’s street and onto the main road.

“You’ll need to change lanes here,” Tilly said. “Just up ahead…”

“I know.”

“Just here,” Tilly noted.

“Yep. Been here before.”

“Right.”

Silence settled. Kate adjusted her glasses. “Can I ask what happened?” she said softly.

“Nothing happened.” Tilly paused. “I just…”

The need to know crawled beneath her skin, desperate. “You what?”

Tilly sighed. “I had a panic attack in his bathroom before dinner.”

As Kate paused at a stop sign, her head whipped around. “You did? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Tilly crossed her legs. “It was hours ago, don’t worry.”

“Well I am worried.”

“Well don’t be.” Tilly brought a hand to her face and covered her eyes. She wasn’t crying, no, but from the shake of her head, Kate could tell that she was frustrated. With herself? Declan? …Kate? Tilly groaned softly and heat pooled low in Kate’s belly at the sound.

Eventually, Tilly sighed. “You think I’m ridiculous.”

The indicator ticked. “I’m not thinking anything, Tilly.”

“Of course you are. You’re always thinking. You think louder than anybody I’ve ever known.”

She sighed. “I don’t want to argue with you.”

Tilly rested an arm against the window ledge and watched the houses as they drove by. “I’m not arguing. I’d just like to know what you’re thinking, Kate. That’s all…”