Page 93 of Perfect Harmony

“Shouldn’t you be at work?” he said.

“I had a showing this morning and anotherone this afternoon,” she said.

He smiled at her. “You’re doing reallywell at your job, Kira. Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”

She blinked rapidly to keep the tears atbay. “I hope so.”

Her voice grew hoarse and she cleared herthroat. “God, I hate this time of the year.”

“I do too,” he said.

“Thirteen more days,” she said.

“I know.”

“I’m not the only one with the countdown inmy head, huh?”

“No.” Counting down to the anniversary of hisparents’ deaths wasn’t something he wanted to do, but every year by the middleof June it was there, silently clicking away in his head.

Kira reached for his hand and he took itand squeezed it tight. “You okay, kiddo?”

“Yeah, as okay as I can be. I told Connorand he’s been… well, he’s been really great.”

“Good,” he said.

A soft smile crossed her face. “Not badfor a Willington boy, huh?”

“Not bad,” he said.

She laughed and squeezed his hand before droppingit. “Enough sadness. We’ll be plenty sad in another couple of weeks. Let’stalk about Grace’s birthday. She doesn’t want anything big, so I was thinking maybedinner at my house. Addie’s still in New York with Harper, but we could invitePreacher and a few of Grace’s coworkers. Have some pizza and birthday cake.What do you think?”

“Sounds good,” he said. “She’s made friendswith one of the volunteers through Wanda’s thing. Her name is Rayna Abrams.”

“I remember her from school. She runs the animalrescue, right?”

“Yeah. We could probably get her numberfrom Wanda.”

“Cool, I’ll invite her then. I think havingthe dinner on her actual birthday, the third, will be best.” She paused, alook of annoyance crossing her face. “Do you think it’s even worth it toinvite her parents?”

“They’re leaving town the morning of herbirthday,” he said.

“Of course, they are,” Kira said. “God, Ihate them.”

“What about the carnival?” he said. “If wedid it Saturday, we could have dinner and then take her to the carnival that night.”

“Ooh, not gonna work. Connor and I aregoing up to Willington for a fourth of July barbeque with his parents that evening– and yep, I’m nervous as hell about it – so we won’t be back until late.Plus, Gracie, like, hates the carnival. I’ve never gotten her to go to it. Idon’t know why, but she refuses to go every year.”

Fresh anger at Grace’s parents hit him likea bulldozer. He barely controlled his urge to smash his fists on his desk likea three-year-old having a tantrum. He took a deep breath. There had to be somethinghe could do for her.

Like what? You’ll be lucky if she’sstill at your house when you get home tonight. You both got what you wantedfrom each other and she’s not going to stick around tormenting both of you.

“Gideon?” Kira waved her hand in front ofhis face. “Come back to me, buddy.”

“Sorry,” he said. “Listen, maybe -”

“Gideon? Did Jonas talk to you abouttaking – oh, sorry.” Wanda stopped in the doorway and smiled at Kira. “Hello,sweetheart.”

“Hi, Wanda.” Kira jumped up and kissedWanda on the cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

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