But first, he had to speak with Jenna.

While Jenna waitedfor Elsie to finish helping a young woman—the newest guest at the shelter—find the perfect outfit to wear to an upcoming interview, Jenna lost herself in the mundane task of organizing clothes. She folded a tiny piece of clothing, resisting the urge to lift it to her nose and inhale any lingering baby scents, then laid it on the growing pile on the table in front of her. Reaching into the donation bag, she grabbed another onesie.

Her heart lurched. It seemed like only yesterday she was dressing Oliver in cute little outfits. Constantly changing them after a blowout or spilled baby food. Now her baby was turning into a toddler. Wearing big boy clothes and offering opinions about which dinosaur t-shirt he preferred. She loved watching him grow, but each new phase brought with it a mourning period for the one he left behind.

And leaving behind the baby stage filled with infinite snuggles and total innocence was much harder than she anticipated.

She’d needed this. Needed a second to forget her worries and think about others—think about her boy, who always filled her life with joy. Needed to help the women she’d come to care so much about while also connecting with her friend.

Her earlier answers to the officer’s questions returned to her mind. Had she cleared her name? Had she presented herself in the best way, or just dug a bigger hole?

So much for forgetting her problems.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Elsie’s sweet southern drawl broke into her spiraling thoughts.

Jenna smoothed the last piece of clothing on top of the pile and sighed. “I have way too many thoughts spinning around in this head to even know where to start.”

Elsie hooked an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a tight half-hug. “I’m so sorry for everything you’re going through. A death of a loved one is never easy to navigate.”

Guilt chomped down on her gut. Yes, she was struggling with the death of her sister, but she was struggling with so much more. Her feelings for Calvin front in center, when her only focus should be on finding justice for Stella.

“I’d hoped to help you organize the room and escape reality for a while.” She flicked her wrist toward the cluttered space that would soon serve as the makeshift shop for women in the shelter to find whatever they’d need during their stay. Right now, boxes and bags cluttered the room while empty clothes racks from Elsie’s store stood on one wall, ready to be filled with undiscovered treasures.

“I can see your wheels going round and round, so I don’t think you’re escaping anything.” Elsie brushed her long, strawberry blond bangs off her forehead with the back of her hand then sat cross-legged on the wood floor beside Jenna. She scooted a giant bag her way and rummaged through the contents. “Trust me, I’ll take all the help I can get, but sometimes it’s good for the soul to talk things through.”

Jenna swallowed hard, debating what to say—what to admit. “I’m gutted over the loss of my sister, and still in shock about how everything’s playing out. Then there’s the PI who’s helping me. Our past is… Complicated.”

“How so?”

“He’s my ex.” Jenna cringed at the description. Calvin was so much more than just some ex-boyfriend from her past, something that’d been blaringly obvious the past couple of days.

Elsie’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a small O.

“Exactly.”

“Exactly what?” Mrs. Collins said, appearing as if from thin air.

“Just filling Elsie in on the horror show that has become my life,” Jenna said, offering Mrs. Collins a small wave.

Mrs. Collins’ exaggerated frown spoke volumes as she crossed the room and wrapped Jenna in a hug. “Things have taken an unexpected and tragic turn, and I’m sorry for that. But you have a beautiful son, a job you love, and a bright future once you wade through your shock and grief. Now, I’m not saying that’ll be easy, but you’re strong.”

Jenna sighed, appreciating the tough love and support. “You’re right. I know. But it’s not just my sister and the grief. It’s spending time with my ex. He was the man I thought I’d marry one day.”

“And why didn’t you?” Mrs. Collins shifted to keep one arm firmly around Jenna.

“I messed up.” The admission loosened the tension she’d carried with her for so long like air leaking from a balloon. When Stella’s drugs had been found and she’d placed the blame on Calvin, ending his time in the police academy, Jenna had been so torn. She’d wanted to be there for both of them—she’d loved them both so much.

But Calvin had asked her to choose, and Stella had guilted her with sobs and pleas for help. She’d picked her sister and never really apologized to Calvin.

Mrs. Collins shrugged. “Then make it right.”

Jenna huffed out a humorless laugh. “It’s not that simple.”

Mrs. Collins clucked her tongue. “You young people are always complicating everything. You want this man back in your life, tell him that. If you messed things up, apologize and see if you can move on. At least then you’ll know where things stand.”

Grabbing a pair of jeans from the donations, Jenna weighed Mrs. Collins’ suggestion. Could it really be that easy? Could Calvin be experiencing the same conflicting emotions, same regret over the turn their relationship had taken?

“Maybe you’re right, but that’s a problem for another day. Now, I need to focus on Stella and Oliver. I don’t have room for anything else in my life.”