“You have a visitor.”
Thomas swung around, expecting Darren or one of his deputies. He caught his breath when he saw Chelsey standing beside the deck with a potted plant under her arm. Fiery streaks of sunlight mingled in her dark, shoulder-length hair. The wind tossed her wavy locks around. There was something in the way the light caught Chelsey’s face that stopped his heart. Healthier than she’d appeared in months, Chelsey glanced uncertainly around the yard until her eyes settled on him.
“I’ll call you later,” Thomas said. “Are we still having dinner?”
“Don’t worry about us,” Naomi said, setting a hand on his arm. “We’ll save you a plate. Go to her before you lose your nerve.”
He felt naked after Naomi joined Scout. The wind shoved him around, prodded him to move his feet before he rooted himself to the ground. Stuffing his hands inside his pockets, he crossed the yard.
“Chelsey, I didn’t expect you.”
“I come bearing gifts,” she said, handing over the plant. “It’s not much, but I’m told they’re quite beautiful once they mature.”
“That was kind of you. I have just the place for it. Would you like to come inside and get out of the wind?”
She bit her lip. He was certain she’d decline, and that would be the last he’d see of her for weeks.
“I’d like that.”
His mind raced as he walked her into the dining room. She hadn’t set foot in his house since the night Jeremy Hyde tried to murder them.
“May I get you something to eat or drink? Maybe a—”
“Thomas, I’m sorry.”
He leaned against the table.
“For what?”
“For being a fool. I should have been thrilled when you moved back to Wolf Lake. Instead, I panicked.”
He pulled out a chair and sat, motioning for her to do the same. She ran a hand through her hair.
“I wasn’t fair with you, Thomas. You always had the best intentions, and I was too stubborn to admit I was scared.”
“Why? What were you afraid of?”
She looked at the ceiling and exhaled.
“Seeing you again reminded me of my depression. And that’s not fair, because you had nothing to do with my sickness. I couldn’t bear another bout. Ironically, pushing you away was the reason my depression returned.”
He swallowed. Until now, he’d only suspected Chelsey suffered from depression. Hearing her admit it was a dagger through his stomach.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I trust you’re getting help.”
She nodded.
“My doctor started me on an antidepressant and an anti-anxiety medication. And I see a therapist three times a week.”
“How’s that going?”
A pensive look came over her face. It morphed into a smile.
“It’s working.”
“I’ve spoken to a therapist since April. If you ever want to talk, my door is always open.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer.”
He hadn’t expected that response. Thomas cleared his throat.
“Thank you for the sympathy cards. My mother was especially pleased you wrote.”
“I should have been there for you. Losing your father…it isn’t right you went through that alone.”
“It was for the best. He’s not suffering, and my mother can heal.”
“What about you, Thomas? Are you healing?”
His eyes moved to the yard where Raven and LeVar joined Naomi, Scout, and Darren, who’d arrived to take Raven to lunch. Thomas smiled.
“I am. It’s good to have loved ones so close.”
She reached across the table and took his hands in hers.
“I’ve waited too long, and I understand if you’re uncomfortable having me around. I’ve done little to inspire confidence. But I’d like to be part of your life, Thomas, if you’d allow it.”
A sob wracked his chest.
“Yes, I’d like that. Very much.”
A tear crawled down her cheek. She wiped it away and laughed.
“We’re quite the pair, aren’t we? Both of us in therapy and figuring out how to make it to the next day.”
“It’s easier when you have a friend who understands.”
“So how do we do this? I’m not sure where to start.”
Thomas leaned back in his chair and slid the door open.
“Well, we can’t move forward until you meet Jack.”
The dog rushed into the dining room as if summoned, his tongue hanging out as he glanced between Thomas and Chelsey.
“Jack, this is my good friend, Chelsey. Chelsey, Jack.”
The dog barked and licked Chelsey’s hand. She laughed and pet Jack’s head.
“I’m already in love. He’s perfect.”
“He sure seems to like you.”
Thomas raised his head as Darren led Raven and LeVar inside.
“Are we interrupting?” Darren asked, cocking an eyebrow when he noticed Chelsey.
“Not at all.” Thomas smiled. A completeness he hadn’t experienced in over a decade settled over him. “It’s great to have the family together again.”
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Copyright Information
Published by Dan Padavona
Visit my website at www.danpadavona.com
Copyright © 2021 by Dan Padavona
Artwork copyright © 2021 by Dan Padavona
Cover Design by Caroline Teagle Johnson
All Rights Reserved
Although some of the locations in this book are actual places, the characters and setting are wholly of the author's imagination. Any resemblance between the people in this book and people in the real world is purely coincidental and unintended.
About the Author
Dan Padavona is the author of the The Darkwater Cove series, The Scarlett Bell thriller series, Severity, The Dark Vanishings series, Camp Slasher, Quilt, Crawlspace, The Face of Midnight, Storberry, Shadow Witch, and the horror anthology, The Island. He lives in upstate New York with his beautiful wife, Terri, and their children, Joe, and Julia. Dan is a meteorologist with NOAA’s National Weather Service. Besides writing, he
