CHAPTER 3
Inside,the house opened around her, and Rowan didn’t move.
The place looked the same.
A wide, white marble island still anchored the kitchen, a long wooden table beneath the black farmhouse chandelier just beyond it. The gray brick hearth stretched around the fireplace in the living room, couches arranged around it. Even the piano room near the front door felt untouched.
Rowan’s chest tightened.
She hadn’t stepped inside this place since the funeral.
On that day, the house had been full of people and flowers and casseroles left on every surface. Grief had filled each room, pressing in from all sides.
Now it felt settled, like the place had found its rhythm again—but without Sarah.
“You okay?” Naomi asked, her voice gentle.
Rowan nodded, though the motion felt slower than it should have been. “Yeah. It just . . .” She glanced around again. “It just looks the same.”
Naomi’s gaze softened. “We tried to keep it that way.”
A soft thump of paws sounded from somewhere deeper in the house, followed by the quick, eager rhythm of claws on hardwood.
A yellow lab rounded the corner at a trot, tail wagging hard enough to move the rest of him with it.
“Well, hey there,” Rowan murmured, crouching as the dog approached.
“This is Good Boy.” A hint of a smile captured Naomi’s voice. “He kind of adopted me. Or I adopted him. It’s still a little unclear. But now I can’t live without him.”
Rowan ran a hand over his head, something in her chest loosening. “I think he made the right call.”
Naomi laughed. “He usually does.”
Rowan straightened as Naomi continued, “Baby Grace is sleeping, but I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
“Me too!”
“And we’ve got three women staying here right now. Each of them brought a dog. They’re all doing their own things right now. I think most of them are in their rooms.”
“Good to know.”
Naomi touched her arm. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”
Rowan followed her toward the stairs, her hand brushing the banister as they climbed.
Naomi stopped near the end of the hall and pushed open a door. “You can take this one. It gets the best light in the afternoon.”
Rowan stepped inside. The space was simple but warm, with soft bedding, a dresser against one wall, and an oversized beige chair near the window. It was nothing flashy or complicated. Just . . . peaceful.
She set her bag on the edge of the bed and crossed to the window without thinking.
The view opened to the front drive.
She spotted Wes standing near his truck talking to Caleb.
Her chest tightened at the sight of him.
“How long has it been since you’ve seen him?” Naomi’s voice came from behind her, gentle but knowing.
