Page 38 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“That’s a great idea,” Grace added. “I live in the condos down the street from you. Why don’t I pick you up? About six twenty?”

She looked at the faces of all the women waiting to see what she’d say. Did she want to get to know them better? She wouldn’t mind having a friend in town besides Garrett, even if she would only be there a short time.

Beyond all the smiling faces of Garrett’s friends, Aspen had caught more than one stranger looking her way, people her father’s age or older. They definitely weren’t wearing the welcoming expressions she’d expect to see at church.

Were they like that with all the guests?

Somehow, she doubted it.

Yes, she definitely needed friends on her side. “I’d love to come. What can I bring?”

Tabby said, “Whatever you want—or nothing. We always have way more than we can eat.”

Buoyed by the invitation, Aspen followed Garrett further through the addition and up a short flight of stairs. They’d almost reached the sanctuary when she felt a touch to her shoulder.

“Are you Aspen?”

She turned to a tall man—six-two at least—with salt-and-pepper hair and warm brown eyes. By the wrinkles, she’d guess he was her father’s age, early fifties. But, unlike her father, who’d developed a paunch, this man was trim and fit.

She’d heard the expression about people’s eyes lighting up, but she’d never really understood it until that moment. When he looked at her, it was as if his whole expression brightened.

“You look just like your mother.”

People were streaming around them toward the double doors just ahead. Music filtered out.

Garrett nudged the small of her back. “Maybe we should get out of the way.”

The man shook his head quickly. “Sorry. Sorry. Can we just…?” He backed out of the crowd and into a corner.

She followed, feeling both nervous and excited. Here was somebody who looked at her, saw her mother, and didn’t despise her for the resemblance.

She liked this guy already.

When they were out of the stream of parishioners, he held out his hand, which she shook. “I’m Brent Salcito.” Before she could introduce herself, he said, “And you’re Aspen. I’d heard you were in town, but even if I hadn’t, I’d recognize you anywhere.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Behind her, Garrett said, “I can wait for you inside, if you two need to?—”

“It’s all right,” Brent said, then focused on her again. “I just wanted to introduce myself and welcome you to Coventry. What brings you here?”

“My father passed away a year ago.”

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard. That must have been very difficult.”

“Yes, thank you. Anyway…” She’d been about to tell this man about the house, but at the last second, she shifted. Maybe this person truly was a friend, but she felt like she had enough foes in Coventry that she needed to be cautious. “He used to talk about Coventry all the time. I wanted to see it for myself, get a sense of where he and my mother lived.”

“You picked an interesting time to come. Unless you’re a skier, you might prefer to visit in the summer.”

“I wanted to experience a winter here.” She exaggerated a shiver. “I had no idea that air could be so cold.”

When Brent smiled, his whole face got involved, lifting his cheeks and crinkling the skin around his eyes. “Where did you grow up?”

“On the Big Island of Hawaii.”

“Wow. This is different, then.” He slipped his hand into his jacket—he wore a suit, though most people dressed more casually—and came out with a business card, which he held out to her. “If you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate. My wife and I are at your service.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer. “Your mother and I were good friends.”

She thanked him, pocketing the card, and he slipped into the crowd entering the sanctuary.

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