The next thing Monica knew,she was being whisked upstairs in the marina, to a comfortable apartment with a big window overlooking the lake, and a wide sectional couch, where all the sisters-in-law plopped themselves down.
Isla took it upon herself to make another round of introductions. “Kerry, January, Catie—my fellow schemer. We’re the wives.”
They were all at least a few years older than her. They looked like they belonged in this town.
“And then our hostess for the morning, with our apologies, August—”
“I’m January’s older sister,” she said. “And you are welcome here any time.”
“You loaned me your boots,” Monica said. “Thank you.”
“We’re all happy to provide whatever you need,” Kerry said.
“You don’t even know me.”
Catie shrugged. “But we know and love Josh. And…”
January glanced left and right, then shrugged. “I’ll say it. He’s still in love with you.”
No. The bottom of her stomach fell out, because she knew what it felt like when Josh loved her. It was warm and bubbly and perfect—for both of them.
And these people were being nice to her because they thought she was going to bring that kind of goodness to Josh’s life.
“That’s not why I’m here,” she said carefully.
The sisters-in-law all exchanged a look. “Are you leaving?”
Yes. “No,” she said faintly. “Not today.”
Not if they’d somehow magicked up a luxury vacation home. She could stay one more day and talk this through with Josh. Figure out why she kept saying no, when of course she was leaving.
“What do you need?” That was Kerry. She was short, with springy dark curls, and she had a look of genuine concern on her face.
They are all so genuine it hurt.
“Why do you think I need anything?” She swallowed, her mouth dry. “Why did you whisk my mom off with…”
“Trent,” Catie offered calmly.
“Trent,” Monica repeated.
“He was the only single man in close proximity, and he hits on any pretty smile he catches sight of. Your mom has a very pretty smile.”
“Umm…”
Isla’s lips twitched. “What I think Catie is trying to say is, we got the impression that this was an unexpected arrival, and you could use some time. And maybe some resources?”
“Reinforcements, maybe,” January offered. “We all know how exhausting it is to try to crack that Kincaid brittle exterior.”
Isla blushed. “I don’t.”
Catie rolled her eyes. “Adam is the exception,” she explained to Monica. “He’s the youngest, and a genuine golden retriever of a man.”
Monica’s chest twinged, a deep ache. Because once upon a time, Josh had been more like that, too. She looked down at her hands. At some point in the last two days, her manicure had chipped away. And she was only noticing now, because it hadn’t mattered.
Nothing had mattered, except staying present in the moment, with Josh. Standing in the storm, literally and figuratively.
“Did any of you know Josh?” She took a deep breath. “Before?”
