“To go home. Maybe he’s leavingbecauseof me. What if I’ve become too much trouble?”
“No, Kimberley, no.” I slid an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to me. “Mason adores you. This whole thing has to be tearing him apart.”
“What if he doesn’t love me enough for the grief I bring?”
“That isn’t it. You’re the reason he gets up in the morning.” Okay, it was time to take charge. “You need to do something, Kimberley. Now.” I gave her a tiny shake. When she looked at me, dazed, I said, “You can’t allow fear to keep you from discovering the truth. Is Mason at work?”
“I think so.”
“I’ll check. If he’s at The Java Corner, we’re going.” I texted Lacey.
Got a minute?
It didn’t take long for her to respond.
Maybe. What do you want?
Rude, but I deserved it.
I’m with Kimberley
Did you tell her you were sorry?
Not really. This is about mason
I waited nervously for what Lacey would say next, hoping that this emergency would be enough to sidetrack her until I could work up the energy for an apology.
I’m at the reading corner. Mason is next door and he’s a mess
When does he get off?
In 30 minutes. Can you bring her here?
“Kimberley, do you want me to drive you to the coffee shop?”
She shuddered. “What will I say?”
“First, that you love him and miss him. Second, that you need to be talking so you can dream up a way to live with whatever happens next.”
“You’re right.” She lifted her chin with resolve. “I’m ready now. Please take me to Mason.”
Good. I sent anon our waytext to Lacey.
Once we’d parked at the town square, Kimberley perched on a bench on the courthouse grounds and faced The Java Corner.
It was painful to sit beside her. Since she was always so happy, it madenot happyeven more noticeable. “Why are we sitting here?”
“Waiting for Mason’s shift to end.”
I glanced at my phone. “He should be leaving any moment.”
“He could’ve gotten off early.”
“He didn’t.”
“Would you check?”
I rose from the bench and crossed the street. Glancing in the windows, I couldn’t see any customers, so I opened the door and stepped inside.
