Page 21 of Trouble Walked In

the pain in her voice, the sound of goodbye.

What more would there be to say

If I could relive that day?

How much longer would she stay

The one that got away.

The one that got away.

Renic hit “Stop.” The words were raw, and the emotion they evoked made his chest tight. It reminded him too much of Lizzie and the pain etched in lines on her face when she said,“You destroyed my family.”

It wasn’t true. It had been Della’s idea to go solo, not his. He’d agreed to sign Della to stop her from signing with someone less honest and less invested in her and her family. He’d hidden the truth from Lizzie because it would have hurt her too much.

He’d become the enemy she could blame, on purpose, so that her love for her sister wouldn’t be tainted by Della’s choice. It had hurt him to do it, and, if he was honest, it still did, but he’d done what he thought was right, despite the cost.

After the band parted ways, he’d done what he could to make sure Della, Piper, and Mattie’s careers flourished.

He’d stayed away from Lizzie.

She’d been married. He’d had no right to want her.

So he’d let her storm out on righteous misconceptions and hadn’t tried to stop her.

Now, Lizzie was divorced, and time had passed, and maybe…

No, he refused to go down that road.

He picked up the keys and his phone and left. He needed a clear head, and a drive would do him good.

On his way out the door, he texted Davis.One That Got Away good to go. Finish it up.

Chapter Seven

Lizzie woke up exhausted Tuesday morning after a restless night filled with half-remembered dreams featuring Renic. She wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but the sun was rising and she had work to do, so she eased out of bed, careful not to wake Della, grabbed her phone and a change of clothes, and padded to the bathroom to get ready.

She could hear Jordanna snoring in the guest room as she tiptoed past and down the stairs. There was no reason to wake either of her houseguests this early, so she let them sleep.

Lizzie spent the morning organizing the makeready for the wedding, and the early afternoon making sure rooms were ready for the new guest. It was almost three when she stopped for lunch in the enormous kitchen where Carrie reigned as head cook and best friend.

Lizzie lowered herself onto a stool at the kitchen island and sighed with relief. “I need more sleep.”

Carrie set a sandwich and pasta salad in front of her. “Not enough hours in the day before a wedding, but it’s comingtogether. The new arch looks great covered in twinkle lights. That was a good call.”

“Thanks, but can’t take the credit on that one. It was actually Mark’s idea.” She took a bite of the roast beef with provolone sandwich. “This is delicious. Thanks, Carrie.”

“So who’s the guest tonight? Think they’ll like chicken pot pie?” Carrie asked.

“If you make it, he’ll like it.” She licked her lips. “If he doesn’t, I’ll eat it.”

“What’s the event this time?”

“He’s setting up for a business retreat that starts this Sunday afternoon, after the wedding guests leave. Not sure why Mr. Webber wanted to come so early, but his fee paid for the plumbing repairs so I didn’t question it. I’m glad the wedding party isn’t that big. We actually have a room available.”

“Nice. Well, I have cookies ready for him when he arrives, and dinner will be at six thirty.”

“Thanks, Carrie.” In the stillness, she heard the front door open. “Think that’s him, unless the contractor forgot something.”

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