Page 28 of Josh Dalton

I rise out of my chair. “Why didn’t you start with that?”

He shrugs and gives me her address.

I grab my keys and head toward the door. “Don’t wait up for me.”

“Ass,” he says as I make my way down the hall.

You’ve gotta love the guy.

* * *

I make it back to my apartment and grab some things before getting into my car and heading out of town. I type the address my brother gave me into the GPS. It’s supposed to take an hour to get there. Bet I can do it in less.

I need to come up with a speech that gets me out of the doghouse and back into Kim’s good graces. If she doesn’t forgive me, I’m not giving up. I need her in my life, and I’m not a quitter. She doesn’t know who she’s up against.

The directions say I’m close. I take a left that brings me to a gravel road that winds around trees. An old house sits in a clearing. An even older barn sits behind it. This has to be it.

What a dive. Does somebody really live here?

I hop out of my car and walk toward the porch. Hesitate before taking the first step onto the stairs. Not sure if they’ll hold me.

While I debate the sturdiness of the steps, the door opens, and an old woman shuffles out. Closes the door behind her. Mary? The gray-haired lady is dressed in a white long-sleeve button shirt with overalls. Paint splatter covers her clothing. She glares down at me from the top of the porch, hands resting on her hips.

“Who are you, and what do you want?” Her eyes get beady. “I’m not buying anything you’re selling.”

She thinks I’m a salesman? No one in their right mind would try to sell anything here.

I swipe my hand over my mouth. “Is Kim here?”

“Who’s asking?”

I blow out a breath.Steady.

“Josh Dalton, and I’m looking for Kim.”

The woman smiles and does a one-eighty.

“I’m Mary Lewis.” She extends a hand. I shake it. “I’ve been expecting you. Come in, I’ll get our girl.”

“Thank you.”

I follow her into the house. Now comes the hard part, getting Kim to forgive me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

KIM

I wake up groggy. Unsure of where I am until past events come crashing back. I lean into the pillows, trying not to cry again. You’d think after so many tears, there wouldn’t be any left. Wrong.

Someone’s coming up the stairs. The door opens, and Mary peeks in.

“Good, you’re awake. Come down and have some tea with me.”

She disappears before I can protest.

I go to the bathroom and splash water on my face. Change out of my pajamas and head downstairs.

As I walk down the steps, I hear voices. Geeze, I hope it’s the radio or TV. Not up for any company right now. I walk to the back of the house, and Josh is here.What the hell? I turn to leave before they can see me. The squeak of a floorboard gives me away. “Kim?”

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