“I miss you, Mom and Dad,” Lani whispered as she let the tears fall.
She kept walking until she had climbed up to the ridge. Coming out on a road, she found a long, low house that would have an amazing view of the lake below, and Katie McBride standing at the bottom of a driveway.
“Hi.” Lani waved and prepared to move on.
“Lani, hello. Come down.”
“I was just—”
“I’ll show you the view!”
Dammit.
She walked down.
“What are you doing up here on the ridge in those clothes? Shouldn’t you be dressed and heading to the Howler for the auction?”
“I’m not going.”
“Have you been crying?”
“No. I had a yawning fit, and it made my eyes water.”
“Now that’s a lie, but if you don’t want to tell me, I won’t push.”
Kate wore a black dress that fitted her lovely body to perfection. It had sleeves that stopped below her elbows, and she wore black heels that would make Lani’s nose bleed.
“I thought you told Noah you were going?”
She could see why Katie was a good cop, because she had the intense, unwavering stare that was needed in the job.
“I said I might,” Lani mumbled. “Besides, my wardrobe doesn’t really lend itself to an occasion like that. I mean, look at you.”
“Oh well, if that’s the only thing stopping you, I can sort that. We’re the same size, although I’m taller. Come on.”
“What? No.” Lani tried to back away, but Katie was stronger and relentless. She had her in the house in seconds. “Katie, really. I don’t want to go.”
“But you promised. And Mrs. C told me she was really pleased that you seemed to be coming out of yourself and this was a step toward that.”
“Oh well, sure. But really, no one will care if I don’t show up.”
“I know of at least two people, and I think there’s more.”
“Wow, what a view.” Lani stopped in the dining area and looked out the huge windows that dominated one side of the house. The lake, the town over the top of the Redwoods, and the mountains beyond were all showcased.
“I know, right? We love it here. Cubby got the land years ago, and we built the house and moved in six months ago.”
It was modern and yet retained the nature outside the doorstep in natural colors.
“It’s really amazing.”
“Thanks. Now let’s get you dressed. Buddy, you go on and roam around, nothing here you can spoil.”
Lani saw the dog had followed her in. “Maybe he should be outside.”
“No, he’s all good, and we love animals. In fact, we’re looking into getting a dog. Come this way.”
“Katie, really. I can find something in my suitcase.”
