She traced her fingers absently through the coarse hair on his chest. “Everything okay?”
“It’s the anniversary of Alana’s death.” His arms tightened around her.
“Oh.” She slid forward to press a kiss against his cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s…well, it’s not okay, exactly, but it’ll be okay,” he said in that frank way of his, the way he made everything sound manageable. “But I need to visit the cemetery, and then I need to go see her parents.”
She swallowed. “Is…is there anything I can do?”
“Not today. I need to do this on my own. But another day, I’d really like to bring you to the cemetery with me.”
“I’d like that too.” She fought against the completely irrational twinge of hurt in her chest. Of course, he needed to do this alone. She was being weird and clingy. “Will I see you tonight, then?”
“At some point, yeah.”
It was her morning to help with breakfast at the castle, so she dressed quickly. “Good luck today,” she said with a kiss as they parted at the front door. “Call me if you need me.”
“Thank you.” He paused, taking her hand in his. “It makes it easier, knowing that you’ll be here when I get home.”
“I’m glad.” She gave him a hug. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” He drew her in for one last kiss, and then he headed toward the barn while she took the path up to the castle.
She slipped in the side door that led directly into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Beatrice called over her shoulder as she rummaged in the refrigerator.
“Need help with anything?” Megan asked, grabbing a croissant off a pile on the island.
“Not a thing. Anthony and I have got it all under control.” Anthony was a college student who helped Beatrice prepare breakfast for their guests before he headed to campus every morning. The kid was good in the kitchen and funny too.
“Got what under control?” he asked as he loped into the kitchen, apron tied around his waist and a net over his hair. “You mean that loaf of banana crunch bread I just took out of the oven?”
“Yum,” Megan said with a smile.
“Hey, stranger!” Elle swept into the kitchen in a yellow sundress almost as bright as the smile on her face.
“You saw me yesterday,” Megan protested.
“In passing,” Elle said. “And don’t even pretend you don’t know what I mean. You’ve been spending every spare moment down at the farmhouse with Jake.”
“Well, I live there now.”
“You could at least pretend you still enjoy our company,” Elle teased, still smiling widely. “But seriously, how are things?”
“Good,” Megan said, feeling somewhat self-conscious at the revelation. She and Elle had known each other since they were about eight years old, and this was Megan’s first serious relationship. It was a big deal, and they both knew it. “Really good.”
“I’m so happy for you guys.” Elle grabbed her in an impulsive hug.
“I feel like everything happened really fast to get us to this point,” Megan said. “So now I’m looking forward to just slowing down and settling in, you know?”
Elle nodded. “I totally know. It was that way for Theo and me too. Until you get a chance to relax and settle, it all feels a bit surreal, right?”
“Exactly.” Megan released a deep breath, glad Elle had put into words what she was feeling. “It’s all really weird…but not weird.”
Elle laughed. “I totally hear that. Do you guys want to join us here at the castle for dinner tonight? It’s been a while.”
“I’d love to, but today is the anniversary of his wife’s death, so I think another day would be better.”
