“Hi, yourself. What are you running from?”
I fell into step beside her. “Maybe I’m running toward something. Or someone.”
It sounded more profound than I’d meant it to be. I cleared my throat. “Actually, I just wanted to catch up with you and tell you the mural looks great. Although I’m not sure that I deserve to be depicted as a knight in shining armor.”
“Your girls think so.” She smiled. “And after saving my grandmother’s photos, I think so, too.”
The compliment left me disconcerted. “Well, the girls love all of it—the pictures of themselves and Jillian and Peggy and Griff.” I paused. “And their mother.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, you were pretty upset the other day when I was looking at the photos, so I didn’t know if you’d approve.”
Once more, I regretted how I’d overreacted. “You caught me off balance, that’s all. Sorry I was so harsh.”
“No worries. I understand how some things can push buttons.” Snowball tugged on the leash, and she started walking.
I fell into step beside her.
“What was your conference about?” she asked.
To my surprise, I told her. I described a bunch of new federal regulations, and she not only listened but also asked questions. I told her about the big case that was taking up most of my time. It felt great to talk to someone who wasn’t working with me or against me, who seemed really interested and engaged—so great I lost all track of time. When my phone buzzed, I pulled it out, glanced at the screen, then grimaced. “It’s Jillian. I told her I’d be back in twenty minutes, and it’s been nearly forty-five.”
Hope and I had circled around on our walk and were now only about a block from our homes. We stopped. “Are you and Jillian...”
I knew what she was asking, but I didn’t help her out. I just stood there and waited for her to flat out ask. I didn’t have to wait long.
“... involved?”
I shook my head. “She’s my sister-in-law, that’s all.”
“Seems like there’s more to it than that.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because she’s at your house all the time, and...” Her voice trailed off.
“And what?”
“Well, I’ve picked up a certain vibe. And there’s no reason you couldn’t date her.”
“Yeah, there is.” I waited until she looked up and met my gaze. “I don’t want to.”
“Oh.”
Damn, I wished there were more light, because her expression changed and I couldn’t get a good read on it before she looked down at Snowball. She watched him sniff the grass as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. “Have you dated since your wife...”
Why did people shy away from the word? Did they think I’d forgotten what had happened to her? “Died?”
She nodded.
I lifted my shoulders. “A few times. Why do you ask?”
“Well, your wife was beautiful, and everyone talks about how wonderful she was.”
“Yeah, she was. So?”
