“I’m sorry, Mia,” David said. “I had no idea what Kurt was doing. That he would go to such an extreme is just shocking. If I’d known, I sure wouldn’t have given him charge of Evergreen’s finances.”
“It’s not your fault.” She waved a hand. “Money makes people do crazy things.”
“But murder?” David shook his head. “Here in our little town. And to think I was partners with the guy who facilitated it. Crazy. Just plain crazy.”
She agreed but didn’t want to ever think of it again. “Let’s put all of that behind us and start fresh from now on.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Ryan said. “But if you need help, be sure to find a counselor.”
“I will. Trust me.” David shuddered.
“Counseling helped me for sure,” her dad said. “I’m only sorry I was too proud to get help sooner.”
Oh, wow!Her dad had gone to counseling. Not anything she would ever expect from him.
“I know today has been an emotional one so we’ll leave you alone to enjoy your mom’s things,” her father said.
“But we want to have dinner with you tonight.” David shoved his hands into his pockets. “At my place. Can you come?”
“Yes,” she said without reservation.
“Good,” David smiled. “Because we already invited Ryan and his family, and they all said they would come if you did.”
Ryan took Mia’s hand. “Just try to stop us.”
David laughed. “We’ll eat at six, but please come earlier. The weather is great today, and we’re going to grill.”
Her dad smiled at her. “I’m making burgers just the way you once liked them.”
Her hope for a nice night grew inside, but she tamped it down. She may have given God charge of her life, but she would still take things one at a time and be cautiously optimistic.
“Just one thing before you go,” Mia said. “Why have you been buying land? Like the property next door?”
Her dad arched a brow. “Nothing more than an investment.”
“Real estate is always a solid investment,” David added. “We bought in a down market, and will be selling some of the properties soon.”
“If that includes the lot next door, our family might be interested,” Ryan said. “Our business is really taking off, and we could use more space.”
“Call me and we can talk,” David said.
With a promise to see her tonight, her father and David left.
Fingers on the pearls, she collapsed on the sofa and stared up at her mother’s portrait. How she missed her and was so very glad to be able to see her face again. “This has been a very good day.”
“I agree.” Ryan sat next to her and circled his arm around her shoulders.
She slid closer settling into the curve and lay her head on his chest.
“Even better now,” she whispered.
She reveled in the warmth of their connection and the beating of his heart, strong and solid beneath her ear. He loved her. At least she thought he did.
He’d intimated after he’d come to the rescue with Pope that he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Problem was, he hadn’t said another word since then. He hadn’t officially declared his love. Or asked her to stay in Shadow Lake. Or even tried to hold her or kiss her.
Looking up at him, she relived the days since she’d been back in Shadow Lake. His strong arms as he carried her from the fire, the concern in his voice each time he tried to warn her to be careful, and his joyful face when she revealed her renewed faith. And now, his captivating blue eyes telegraphing a message she hoped was love.
But maybe he didn’t love her.
