Page 47 of The Pink House

“I still don’t understand why you went to Devil’s Bathtub.” Mackenna’s tone turned puzzled. “Brian simply said he wished you and he had been together back then so you could have enjoyed going there with him.”

“That’s what the letter said.” Hannah took another bite of the Reuben, but found she’d lost her appetite.

“So why go there with Charlie?” Mackenna reminded Hannah of a dog with a bone. For some unknown reason, she wouldn’t let the subject drop. “I mean, it isn’t as if Brian gave you a bucket list.”

“You’re right. It isn’t a bucket list.” Hannah sat back in the booth. “But the fact that Brian listed three specific activities tells me they were important to him. I thought if I could go to Devil’s Bathtub, maybe see what he saw, feel what he felt—”

“With Charlie.”

This time, Hannah frowned. “Something is obviously on your mind. Instead of dancing around it, why don’t you tell me what it is?”

Mackenna hesitated for a long moment, appearing to weigh her options. Options, which in Hannah’s mind, were either denying or admitting that Hannah’s suspicions were on target.

“You just got back into town. You’re rebuilding your life here.” Mackenna expelled a breath. “I don’t know that you’re ready to jump into a relationship, especially with a man who seems to avoid entanglements at all costs.”

Hannah laughed out loud, the full, robust sound drawing head turns all around. She couldn’t help it. Mackenna’s fears were so off target, they were laughable.

“OMG, you really think there is something romantic going on between me and Charlie Rogan.”

The bright spots of pink returned to Mackenna’s cheeks. Back in high school, her friend had tended to blush. It appeared that hadn’t changed.

Mackenna lifted her chin. “Why wouldn’t I think that? You were at the street dance with him. You went to Blues, Brews and Barbecue with him. Now you’re making dinner for him. What else am I to think?”

“Charlie is my neighbor. He was my husband’s best friend and has been helping me get settled.” Hannah’s tone brooked no argument. “There’s nothing the slightest bit romantic between the two of us.”

* * *

When she got home from her lunch with Mackenna, Hannah put on her hiking boots and headed into the woods.

Instead of following a specific path, she wandered aimlessly, letting the sights and sounds of the forest wrap around her. On the needle-covered path, the scent of evergreen mingled with the smell of damp moss.

Pausing, Hannah leaned close to study a shrub with bright red berries. Winterberry?

“This is a nice surprise.”

Hannah jerked upright. Her heart slammed against her rib cage.

Maisie stood close enough to touch, her blue eyes radiating warmth. Like her, the woman wore long pants, sturdy walking shoes and a simple cotton shirt.

Two women enjoying an impromptu meeting in the woods.

The realization that this meeting was nowhere near that simple made Hannah smile. She’d spent hours in these woods looking for Maisie and the pink house. Now, when she wasn’t searching, the woman appeared. “I’ve been looking for you.”

"Well, if you thought you’d find me in the winterberry,” Maisie gestured, her tone teasing, “it’s no wonder I had to come looking for you.”

Hannah blinked. “You were looking for me? Why?”

“I was worried.” Maisie’s brow furrowed as her gaze searched Hannah’s face. “I saw that receiving the letter upset you. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

First things first. She would not allow herself to be distracted this time. “How did you get the letter? There was no address on the envelope.”

Maisie startled her by reaching out and giving Hannah’s hand a squeeze. “Sometimes things come into our possession at exactly the right time.”

Warmth flowed through Hannah’s fingers and up her arm. The nervous beating of her heart quieted.

Maisie’s tone was equally soothing when she said, “Do you want to tell me about the letter?”

Emotion had Hannah clearing her throat before responding. “It was from my husband, Brian. He wanted me to know there were so many things he’d have done differently if he’d known our time together would be so short.”

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