Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,2

of all things. Money couldn’t replace time with his wife and kids. Charlie knew that now. He’d even kind of known it then, but what was a man to do? His career had provided the big house, the two luxury cars in the garage, the upscale vacations, and everything his family could want.

Except a great marriage. Except time with his daughters.

The woman from the Night Market popped into his mind, not for the first time in the past few weeks. A woman whose husband had passed away and was obviously still grieving two-years-and-a-bit later. She’d once had what Charlie wanted, but hers hadn’t lasted, either.

“Daddy?”

He blinked. “Pardon me?”

“I asked if you’ve finished renovating the house yet? Or can you fit me into your teensy place? You got so quiet I wasn’t sure if the call had dropped.”

“I’m here.” Just sidetracked. The kitchen fire in the house on the roastery property had been the final straw for the couple who’d sold the business to him. “I’m still in the temp apartment above the processing plant, but there’s room for you or your sister anytime. You know that.” Not that Evie would be showing up any day soon. She’d swallowed Julia’s poison.

“Okay, good. Dominic said I could stay at his sister’s apartment, but that just seems awkward since we haven’t met. Also, he’s going to his cousin’s wedding on Saturday. He invited me as his plus-one, of course, but I’m not sure about going. Doesn’t it seem presumptuous for me to attend a family event? He says he has a million cousins.”

“Baby, if you want to go to the wedding, go for it. You’ll wow them all. You clean up pretty nice, you know.”

Katri chuckled.

“But if you’d rather, you can hang out with me. I’ll treasure any time we can spend together.”

“Aw, thanks, Dad. I’ll let you know what I decide.” Her fridge door creaked, and she sighed. “I need to pick up some groceries.”

“Do you need money?”

“I’ve got a job. I got off late and skipped the supermarket on my way home from work. Looks like I shouldn’t have.”

Charlie already wished he could snatch the words back. Throwing cash at every problem was his default. Julia had loved his solution. Until she hadn’t.

“Don’t forget to eat your veggies.”

“Dad!” Katri half-laughed and half-sighed the word.

“Gotcha.” If it weren’t for Katri’s nagging, he’d probably exist on take-out. Turned out he kind of enjoyed cooking, now that he wasn’t a burned-out division head in a Fortune 500 company. He should probably have stepped away years ago. Could he have saved his marriage?

Probably not. Nothing satisfied Julia.

“Okay, gotta go. Talk to you soon.” Katri popped a kiss into the mic and disconnected.

Charlie set his cell down and wandered over to the large window. Down the hill, through the barren trees, he could make out the Spokane River. A short waterway, full of obstacles, just like a man’s life. Many of the obstructions were dams to generate power. Was he allowing the obstacles in his life to become something mighty that benefitted those around him? He hoped so. He couldn’t undo the past, but his move to Spokane had been a good one. He could start over here. Find a new rhythm.

Once again, his mind drifted to the woman. Winnie. The whipped cream clinging to her upper lip. The warmth in her pretty brown eyes. Her delight in the latte she ordered every week. Where was she getting her fix now that the market was closed for the season?

He didn’t even know her last name.

Just as well, since she still mourned her husband, and Charlie wasn’t looking, either. He was no great catch.

Just ask Julia.

Chapter Two

Winnie cradled her phone to her ear, smiling as her son rhapsodized over his girlfriend. To hear Dominic speak, Katri was practically an angel, a true Florence Nightingale in the hospital where Dominic’s med school training had taken him.

“Her dad moved to Spokane in spring and doesn’t really know anyone but his employees. Would you be willing to invite him over for Thanksgiving, Mom? I hate to think he might be alone for the holiday, but I want Katri with us.”

“Sure, I can do that. I can’t wait to meet Katri.” Winnie couldn’t remember when her eldest son had ever been smitten by a girl. He’d been so focused on classes during high school, undergrad, and most of medical school. Now that his MD was nearly in his hands, he’d been dating for the first time. Katri’s name had come up