Page 74 of Find Me in California

“We can look. Since we’re here, can you show me where Liza lived?”

His interest surprises her. “Sure.” She points down the hallway opposite Lenore’s office when they’re inside. “Her room was down there.”

He looks at her with lifted brows. “Come with me?”

“Of course.” Julia tells him the room number, and he stops in the doorway to take in the barren room.

“This is it?”

“She had a few items left. I can ask where they are.”

Matt moves into the room and stops at the window. He peers into the darkness. “How’s the view?”

“The grounds are beautiful. This room overlooks the back garden.”

“Elizabeth had a rose garden. It was a sight to see. But you already know that.”

Their eyes meet, and an invisible tether pulls her across the room. Surreal to think her grandmother once oversaw that same garden. Even more bizarre to be standing here with Matt as if their families have come full circle. As if she’s known him her entire life. As if they were meant to have met all along.

She pulls her gaze from him, embarrassed by her ridiculous thoughts. Just because they’ve had several long, intimate conversations doesn’t mean they’ll ever speak again once he leaves for home now that Liza has passed.

She hopes their calls continue.

“Everything all right?” Matt asks.

“Mm-hmm.” Mouth pressed into a thin line, she nods.

He peers at her with a slight tilt of his head, opens his mouth only to close it and shake his head. She wants to ask what he was going to say, if he, too, is feeling whatever this is between them. But he looks around the room and asks, “Was she happy here?”

“I wouldn’t call Liza happy. But I don’t think she was unhappy here if that helps.”

Matt nods and doesn’t say anything further.

“Let’s go find Lenore,” she suggests, guessing he must feel strange in Liza’s room given they hadn’t been on good terms. “Steve’s at the front desk. We can ask him about Liza’s things.”

“I don’t want anything of hers. I already have to figure out what to do with the stuff you sent me.”

Julia winces. Her bad. “If it’s too much for you, I can help. Ship the boxes to me and I’ll sort through them. I can put aside anything that seems important for you when you’re ready and donate the rest.” It’s the least she could do for the inconvenience.

“Thanks, but they’re already with me. I’ll get around to them eventually.”

They return to the lobby and approach the front desk. “Do you know what they did with Liza Holloway’s personal effects?” Julia asks Steve.

“Got her things right here.” Steve retrieves a box from under the desk. “It’s addressed to Matthew Gatlin to be shipped tomorrow.”

“That’s me. I’ll take it.” Matt picks up the box. “Is there someplace I can go through this?”

“You don’t want to wait until you get to your hotel?” She’d be an emotional wreck going through Mama Rose’s things and would want privacy.

“Here’s fine. I’m sure someone could use whatever’s inside. It’s probably just clothes.”

“That’s kind of you. The dining room should be empty at this hour.”

They walk past the common area on their way to the dining hall. It’s movie night, and Julia automatically searches for Mama Rose among the small gathering in front of the TV.

Matt stops to stare into the room. “Is your grandmother here?”

“Yes, she’s sitting over there.” She points at the wheelchair in the far corner.

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