Page 134 of Already Home

“I’m just so mad at her for dying like that. For not makingthings clear.”

“Would you rather not have known her?”

A simple question, she thought, turning the words over in hermind. It would have made her life easier. She’d just been getting it alltogether when Serenity had shown up to mess it all up again.

“No,” she whispered. “I don’t wish that.”

“Then take what you were given and treasure it. You knew her.She touched your life and you touched hers.”

She glared at him. “I swear to God, if you start talking aboutripples in a pond, I’ll hit you.”

“Sorry. Sometimes I get carried away.”

“You need to stay away from the spiritual for a while. Get intouch with the real world. Go to Las Vegas for a weekend.”

“I’ll consider that.” He moved close and drew her into hisarms. “You’re angry because she died. That’s normal.”

“The first stage of grief?”

“That, too. But in your case, you have legitimate reasons to beangry. My only concern is that you don’t let that overshadow the relationshipyou had with Serenity. You can remember what was good or wallow in what has youso pissed. The choice is yours.”

He smelled clean and masculine. Familiar. “I don’t wallow.”

“You were headed there.”

“I have all these feelings and I don’t know where to putthem.”

“Maybe they don’t belong anywhere but where they are rightnow.”

“Churning inside of me?”

“That’s as good a place as any.”

She sighed. “You always tell me the truth. I like that aboutyou.”

He kissed the top of her head. “At the risk of having you hitme, I can’t regret having Serenity in either of our lives. Not only did I findher an amazing person, she brought us together.”

“There is that.”

He touched her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I don’twant to lose you over this,” he said.

“You won’t.”

“I kept her secret.”

“True, but I understand. Part of it because you’re a medicalprofessional and you had to, legally. Part of it is because she asked you to.Integrity can be infuriating, but it’s important.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Reluctantly she stepped away. “I need to get back to the house.There are going to be a lot of details to take care of. I’m guessing the funeralwill be in Napa.”

“Can I help?” he asked.

“I don’t think so, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Good. You’ll call when you get back?”

---