With a sigh, Skye slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder, grabbed the big cardboard box on her coffee table, and headed downstairs to her red Subaru Forester. Storing the box in the back, she took Lincoln Street out to Curtis Park, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver.
The beige duplex on West 23rdwas older, with a pointed roof, dark brown shutters, and a covered front porch. The property, which appeared to be in very nice condition, was enclosed by a wrought-iron fence, the yard well-maintained.
Callie and Lila had just moved in. Lila had gotten a job with an accountant, while Callie had registered for the spring semester at the local community college to finish the courses she needed to graduate. In the meantime, she was working as an assistant to an older woman who wrote children’s books.
Skye unloaded the box from the car and carried it onto the porch. Since the duplex wasn’t furnished, the women had been taking donations from family members, everything from a sofa and chairs to mattresses. Conn had an attic full of old furniture he had gladly volunteered, including some very pretty antiques.
Skye was contributing household items—pots, pans, towels, things she had picked up at the local Target. She balanced the box on her knee and knocked on the door. Callie pulled it open and grabbed the box.
“Come on in.” Callie grinned, clearly happy with her new accommodations.
“How’s it going?” Skye asked, following her into the living room. Skye could see the work the women had done. The sofa and chair, covered with a pale green flowered throw, sat in front of a faux-brick fireplace that held a pretty potted plant. A patterned foam-green rug sprawled under a walnut coffee table. Several framed posters of flowers hung on the walls.
“We’re almost settled.” Callie carried the box into the kitchen and set it down on a round oak table with four matching chairs. Skye recognized the table from when she and her family had occupied Conn’s old Victorian.
“It looks great, Callie. I’m so happy for you.” Skye leaned over and hugged her.
Her sister’s blue eyes welled with tears. “If it hadn’t been for you and Edge—”
“Hey. All of that’s behind you. Nothing but sunny days ahead.”
Callie smiled. “A little rain is just part of life, but moving in here with Lila has really been fun. Oh, and I heard from Molly. She still won’t tell me where she is, but for now, she seems okay.” Callie opened the box and started putting the pots and pans away. “These are great, thanks.”
When she finished, she turned and looked at Skye. “So what about Edge? Is he still in Kentucky? Is he going to come back or stay there?”
Skye managed not to glance away. “He’s back where he belongs, Callie. At least that’s what I tell myself.”
This time the hug came from her sister. “You deserve to be happy, Skye. You’ll find someone else. Edge isn’t the only man in the world.”
Skye smiled sadly. “Maybe someday.” She looked up to see Lila walking into the kitchen, her thick, dark hair a curtain of silky black around her shoulders. The long-sleeved, pale blue T-shirt she wore with a pair of stretch jeans curved over her full breasts and outlined her rounded belly.
Skye walked over and pressed her palm on the swell of Lila’s child, feeling the baby inside. “She’s growing.” Lila now knew the baby was a little girl. Everyone was already in love with the unborn child. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. No morning sickness, and the baby feels stable, like she’s making herself at home.”
“What’s the doctor say about your due date?”
“I’m further along than I thought. Almost four months, he says.”
“You look beautiful. Pregnancy agrees with you.”
Lila smiled and started to reply when the sound of the front door opening had them turning in that direction. All three of them filed back into the living room, where a black-haired man stood in the middle of the room.
He was six feet tall, in his early thirties, smooth shaven, black eyed, and incredibly handsome.
“Lila.Mi amor.”
Raul Ramirez.The tortured look on Lila’s face left no doubt.
The handsome Latino took two long strides and dropped to his knees in front her. “Mi querida.” He reached up and caught Lila’s hand, pressed his lips against the back. “I never thought to see you again.”
Lila jerked her hand away. “How did you find me, Raul? What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be dead. I never want to see you again. Get out and leave me alone!”
Raul rose, his features stricken. “Do not say that. I love you. I came as soon as I could. Please listen to what I have to say.”
“I told you to get out!” Her eyes welled, but her spine remained ramrod straight. “I don’t know you. I never did. Get away from me.”
“What are you talking about? I am your husband, the man you married.”
