Page 1 of Knight's Journey

Chapter One

Bridget Kincaid carefully pulled the plate from a layer of bubble wrap and placed it into the cupboard. She used a box cutter to break down the now empty cardboard box and tossed it on top of a stack of others. Then she turned and faced what was now her kitchen…in her new home in a sleepy town called Grayson Cove.

Her heart ached. The decision to move had been the right one to make, but she wondered how much time had to pass before she felt like this was home. Her apartment in Charleston had been perfect for her — a two-bedroom with an open floor plan and a gorgeous view from a balcony overlooking a picturesque part of the city. The neighborhood was safe for a young nurse who worked long shifts and enjoyed an active night life on her evenings off. With her family spread out in Georgia and Florida, she was close enough to make regular visits to see them but not so close as to keep their noses in her business.

That life was behind her now. She missed her apartment, her friends and her job at the medical clinic, but her life was no longer just about her. She had gone from being single to being a foster parent to her niece and nephew within the span of an evening, so unexpected life changes were her new normal.

She once thought she had plenty of time before she assumed the responsibility of a parent, but when she had to step into that role unexpectedly, she revamped her entire way of living. Her only regret was not for the lifestyle she left behind. It was for the reason for the transformation.

She heard footsteps before she saw her nephew pop in the doorway to the kitchen. The sight of his five-foot, nine-inch frame, clad in basketball shorts and a faded graphic T-shirt made her smile. Mathias had that effect on her. He was her rock and, these days, her best friend. She thought of how proud her sister would have been of Mathias. At sixteen, he should be enjoying his high school years of playing sports, hanging out with his friends, dating girls and dreaming of colleges. Instead, he had stepped up to support his family despite his own grief at losing his parents.

A pang of guilt hit her in the chest at all her nephew had lost and how she leaned too heavily on him. The death of Dean and Jennifer Williams had rocked them all, and while Bridget attempted to figure out her new role as guardian of her niece and nephew, she counted on Mathias’ maturity that went beyond his years to help her make tough decisions for their family.

But then he returned her smile, and she pushed all of her doubt and guilt away to focus on him.

“How’s your room coming along?”

Mathias settled on a barstool at the kitchen counter. “Pretty good, I guess.”

As far as answers, this was typically as good as the teenager gave her unless she asked more pointed questions. Right now, she was too tired to push him for more details.

“I think I’ve got the kitchen about the way I want, but I need a break. I’m wiped.”

“I’m starving.” His smile widened at her exaggerated eye roll.

“You’re always starving.”

He shrugged. “It’s almost seven. Way past time for us to eat.”

Her eyes flew to the LED clock display on the stove, amazed that time had slipped by her. Considering her nephew seemed to eat twenty-four-seven, she was surprised he waited this long to seek her out.

“Wow, I didn’t realize. I thought we could go out to eat, and I had planned to scope out some places online. I got busy and completely forgot. I hope something is still open. Businesses in small towns tend to close earlier than we’re used to.”

“There’s a diner we passed in town. It didn’t look like much, but it’s gotten good reviews online.” He pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his shorts and tapped the screen a couple of times before turning it around for her to see.

Nodding as she skimmed the reviews, she remembered passing the diner. The exterior had a run-down appearane that would turn many people away, but the parking lot had been full, indicating it was a favorite among the locals. If the natives liked it, then it was a safe bet the diner had good food.

“It’s still open. Hopefully, they won’t care that we’re all dusty and sweaty from unpacking.” Bridget glanced down at her spandex leggings and oversized T-shirt reaching to mid-thigh. She made a face at the unflattering picture she presented. “Where’s your sister?”

He jerked his chin in the direction of where he came. “She found one of her boxes of books.”

Bridget nodded. “Well, if I can get her nose out of whatever book has caught her attention, we’ll get something to eat.”

“Good luck,” he called sarcastically as she set off down the hall toward her niece’s room.

The door was ajar, and she leaned against the door jam for a moment to watch the thirteen-year-old. Marlowe was settled on the carpeted floor, her back against the pale blue wall with her legs crossed. Her neck bent forward, her ponytail slipping over her shoulder, as she stared at the paperback in her hands. The cover was cracked, and the edges of the pages slightly up turned from all the times it had been read. Bridget recognized it as one of her niece’s favorites.

Marlowe didn’t glance up from her book even when Bridget settled on the floor beside her. Bridget placed a finger over the center of the open book and pulled it down enough to get the young girl’s attention. Marlowe blinked her wide green eyes as if disoriented, and Bridget smiled warmly. She loved how engrossed her niece could get in her books – to the point of forgetting where she was or what she was doing.

“Get ready. We’re going out to dinner.”

“Where?”

“The diner we passed on the way in.”

“A diner? Really? Is it one that serves breakfast all day?”

Bridget chuckled, always amused at her niece’s obsession with breakfast food. “I don’t know, but worst-case scenario, I’m sure they would make you a grilled cheese.”

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