Page 35 of Mine to Keep

“There isn’t much to tell,” Bryn said, wondering if this would become a fishing expedition, and Bryn was the catch of the day. She remembered all the questions the police had had for her when Timothy died and how they treated her as if she’d been the reason his car had wrapped around a tree.

At one point, she’d thought the cops—and his family—totally disregarded the fact that he’d been high on cocaine and drunk.

The worst part had been that his parents actually believed the only reason he was under the influence was because he and Bryn had gotten into a fight.

Only, they fought every day.

Because he was high every day.

Rebecca leaned against the fence and pushed her sunglasses back over her eyes. “What do you do for a living?”

“I make jewelry.”

“Really,” Rebecca said. “How long have you been doing that?”

That was a loaded question. “I’ve dabbled in it since I was in high school but didn’t decide to make a business out of it until recently.”

“That’s fascinating. Do you specialize in any particular kind?”

“No, but I try to create unique pieces that you can’t find anywhere else. I also do custom work.” Bryn pulled her cell from her pocket and tapped the picture icon. “I made this matching set from someone’s wedding dress.”

Rebecca took the phone into her hand. “Wow. That’s beautiful. You’re incredibly talented.”

“Thank you.” Bryn couldn’t help but puff out her chest a little in pride. Timothy and his family had never taken her so-called hobby seriously. As a matter of fact, the last two years of her marriage, Timothy had forbidden her from even making anything for herself. He called it cheap and pathetic. He often told her that no wife of his would wear some homemade piece of crap when he could afford the real thing.

“I might have you make some pieces for me. If you’re interested.”

“I’d love to,” Bryn said. “Maybe we can set up an appointment next week when you’re not working to go over exactly what you’re looking for.”

“I’m having a big party for my daughter-in-law and I don’t have time before that, but I would like to have some things remade from my collection for my daughters-in-law and my granddaughters.”

“Oh. I love that,” Bryn said. “Just let me know when you’re available. Let me get you my number.”

“Perfect. I’ll send you a couple of dates that will work for me and we can go from there.” Rebecca took out her cell and typed in the numbers that Bryn rattled off. “Jamison’s wife would love this stuff. She’s really into jewelry.”

“Isn’t he divorced?” Bryn asked.

“He was going through some stuff when that happened. I think he rushed into it and it’s only a matter of time before he realizes that he made a mistake.”

That’s not what Jamison had told Bryn, but who was she to question his mother?

“So, where did you move from?” Rebecca asked.

Hatti had told her to keep the lies as close to the truth as possible. That way, she wouldn’t confuse them and get caught. It made sense. Over the course of the last few months, Bryn had worked out a past history that she thought was foolproof. But now that she was living in the real world and not running from one horrible hotel room to the next, she wasn’t so sure—especially since she was conversing with a police officer.

And not just any cop. The chief.

“Colorado Springs,” she said.

“Is that where your family is?”

Bryn wanted to ask Rebecca if Jamison had said anything at all about Bryn, because it felt like the woman had no information at all, but that would be rude, and it would also imply that Bryn knew something about their relationship. That wasn’t a good way to start any kind of relationship, even if she planned on it only being casual. Bryn had to live in this town, which meant she had to know the players, understand how they operated, and find a way to fit in while remaining on the outside.

If that made any sense at all.

“No. That’s where my husband’s family lives.”

“That’s got to be hard on them now that you and your daughter are here.” Rebecca raised her arms and rested them over the posts.

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