Page 2 of Dangerous December
“I don’t know why he bothered to let me know he’s coming.” Beth managed an offhand smile. “But it’s a blessing to know in advance. With luck, I can make sure my mom and I don’t run into him, and all will be well. I doubt he’ll be out and about much.”
A hush fell over the group. “Is—is he all right?” Keeley ventured after an awkward pause.
“He mentioned a shoulder injury—enough to land him at Walter Reed for a few weeks. He’s on medical leave.”
“When I provide physical therapy following shoulder replacement surgery, I tell my patients it can take a good six months to heal. And almost a year to feel normal. But a contaminated battle wound would be so much worse—and there was probably far more damage in the area.”
Olivia’s brow furrowed. “Will he end up with a medical discharge?”
“I asked, but he vehemently denied it.”
Beth felt a twinge in a small, scarred part of her heart as she recalled just how dedicated Dev was to military service. Nothing had mattered more to him. Not his family, certainly not her. “He...sounded awfully touchy when I asked.”
There’d been a time when she would’ve given anything for him to come home for good.
But those romantic feelings were long gone.
Now she felt only sympathy for a man whose entire adult life had focused on covert operations he could never discuss.
If he had to leave the service, she could imagine how difficult the adjustment would be.
Olivia shook her head. “That has to be tough.”
“Definitely, but he’ll have options once he takes possession of his inheritance. His parents bought up a lot of cheap property long before this town became such a tourist destination. They owned this entire block, and I can only imagine what it’s worth now.”
She hesitated before continuing. “The other call a few minutes ago was from his family’s attorney, reminding me to attend the reading of the will.”
“The attorney calledyou?” Sophie’s soft green eyes filled with worry. “Why?”
“I’m sure it’s just a formality. Dev is their only heir.”
“Wow. It sure took a long time to settle things.”
“Apparently, Vivian was very specific about wanting both of us present, even if it meant a long delay because of his overseas assignments.”
Just the thought of that meeting gave her jitters.
Without any warning, Dev had ended their marriage. And he’d left her to face the worst experience of her life alone.
She’d prayed hard, trying to forgive him. Maybe she had, but seeing him again would reopen those wounds.
He had made it plain during their divorce that he’d never again live in Agate Creek. Would he callously decide to terminate her bookstore lease so he could sell all of his parents’ property to the highest bidder?
If he did, she’d lose her home on the second floorandher livelihood.
Her customers and the members of the book club were like family to her, and she’d lose them as well if she couldn’t find another affordable location in this town.
Which wasn’t at all likely, given the explosion in property values here over the past five years.
The bitter end of their marriage made it all a distinct possibility.
Keeley sat forward in her chair and shoved a strand of gleaming, honey-blond hair behind her ear. “Now, that’s intriguing. You need to be there for the reading of the will, but yet you’re divorced?”
Fourteen months and two weeks, to be exact, though she’d never admit to being so aware of the time frame.
“Maybe she left everything to you!”
“And not their only child? No way.”
