Page 75 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

Someday.

Considering everything she’d learned, the last thing she wanted was to stay in this town, where everybody judged her by her mother’s reputation.

As much as Aspen liked Garrett, she needed to step away from him.

“How’re the table and chairs working out? Dean said they were stable, but when I saw how beat-up they were?—”

“I’m sorry. What?”

“Garrett did give them to you, didn’t he? The table and chairs? Dean’s been planning to strip them for years, but he’ll never get around to it.”

“Wait. You’re Garrett’s…aunt?”

“I’m sorry. How rude of me. I should have told you.”

Garrett’s aunt had been Jane’s best friend, and Garrett hadn’t thought to mention that?

Even that day, as they’d discussed people who might know about her parents’ marriage, Garrett had stayed silent?

Aspen could only nod like an idiot. She set the yearbook she’d been looking at on top of the others. “You’ve given me so much information that I don’t think I’ll need these anymore.”

Deborah studied her through squinted eyes. “I doubt Garrett knows your mother and I were friends. We’ve never talked about it.”

Aspen nodded slowly. “Even with me back in town, and him working at my house?”

“Garrett and Dean have discussed that a little. But with Dean’s health?—”

“Oh. Right. Garrett said his uncle…” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Of course you’ve all been distracted. And it’s his heart? Have you told Garrett?”

“He’s not answering his phone, which tells me he’s probably up at your place.”

“He is. I’ll instant-message him and tell him to call you. He should get that if he’s connected to my Wi-Fi.”

“Thank you.” Deborah stood, lifting the books. “I’ll take care of these. I’d love to have you over for dinner sometime. I’m sure Garrett would like that too. Maybe later this week?”

“I’d like that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Late Wednesday morning, Aspen followed the map on her navigation system toward a retirement community in Hooksett, just north of Manchester. She’d managed to locate the people who used to own her house and had decided to pay them a visit. Though she had donated most of the things in the attic to the thrift store, she’d held on to the photographs. Maybe they would appreciate having them back.

At the library the day before, she’d messaged Garrett about his aunt trying to reach him regarding his uncle. He’d responded with…

How do you know this?

Met your aunt at the library. She and my mother were best friends.

She’d waited while the three little dots on her screen danced. It took him a few moments to formulate his reply.

Dean told me this morning. I didn’t think to ask him at the time if he’d mind if I told you. After our talk, I planned to ask, but he had that doctor’s appointment.

That could be true. Probablywastrue. Garrett had no reason to lie to her.

She was still frustrated to have learned it from Deborah instead of him. It would have saved her a lot of time.

Not that the time had been wasted. Seeing her parents’ yearbook, their faces as young people, happy people…

She wished Garrett had told her, but she understood his loyalty to his aunt and uncle.

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