I took a step backward, leaves crunching under foot. He turned at the sound. We made eye contact across the yard, though neither of us moved. We just stood there. Staring. Finally, I lifted a gloved hand and waved. He waved back, offered a hint of a smile. And then I turned and walked away.

I did my best to wipe away the tears before I was back at the inn. But my efforts were fruitless. I ran into Carlos at the back door.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked.

I sniffed. “I’m fine. Just getting a cold, I think.”

He furrowed his brow. “I don’t believe you.” It wasn’t surprising he didn’t believe me. We’d gotten to be good friends over the past few months. When he’d started coaching his daughter’s indoor soccer team, he’d asked me to help, and I’d readily agreed. I’d needed things to do outside of work, aside from church and endless hours of Netflix binging. Assistant coach to a team full of ten-year-olds was a pretty great gig.

“I’m fine, Carlos. Just thinking.”

“You were walking in the rose garden again. Did you see him?”

I scowled. He wasn’t supposed to ask me questions like that. “See who?”

He cocked his head. “You are not so hard to read, amiga.” Carlos had gotten bits and pieces of the story as our friendship had grown. “Why don’t you just go talk to him?” He held open the back door, and I followed him into the inn’s office space.

I scoffed. “So many reasons. I don’t even know what I would say.”

“You still worry about Jamie?”

I nodded. “I do. It hasn’t been that long. Plus, I don’t even really know how Simon feels anymore.”

“You just said it hasn’t been that long.”

“No, but it still feels scary.”

“Sure it does,” Carlos said. “The best things always do.”

Jamie: Hey. I’m on your front porch. You got a key hidden somewhere?

Simon: You’re in NC? When did you get in?

Jamie: Just now. Finally here to empty the storage unit behind the old office. Can I crash at your place?

Simon: Of course. Key is on the back porch, wedged under the bird feeder.

Jamie: Got it. Thanks.

Simon: I’ll be home in an hour.

* * *

Jamie: Simon. Why didn’t you tell me about Lane?

Simon: What are you talking about?

Jamie: I found the book. And the card. Are you seeing her?

Simon: No.

Jamie: Were you ever seeing her?

Simon: No. I never gave her that card. Please, Jamie. Let’s talk about this in person. I’m coming home right now.

Chapter 24