to be brave.
“I caused Mom’s accident. I’m the reason she’s dead.”
A swell of emotion crashed over her, and hot tears flowed. Her secret was finally out in the open.
A long beat passed before Wren said, “That can’t be.”
“You were too little,” Lark said.
Why weren’t they listening? Her chest heaved. “It’s true. She wasn’t paying attention to the road because she was yelling at me about something I’d done. If it weren’t for me, she’d still be alive.” She sobbed.
“Rae, no,” Wren said, softly. “Mom was very angry that last week. I don’t know why, and Dad never said when I asked. That morning, she yelled at me for not finishing my breakfast fast enough, and I’ve always felt guilty about that. But it’s just a sad, awful situation that she was stressed out and got into a car accident. That’s not your fault.”
“I was too young to remember anything about that week, except for the funeral. I barely remember her,” Lark’s voice was sorrowful.
Raven swiped her wet cheek with the back of her hand. “If I hadn’t misbehaved, she wouldn’t have died that night,” Raven said, her voice raspy. The truth of her conviction was as immutable as ever.
“You don’t know that,” Lark said.
“Raven, I looked up the police report when I was in law school. I was curious about what had happened. It was icy and raining, and the roads in Westbury were narrow. It wasn’t your fault.” Wren said.
As usual, Wren was the voice of logic. But Raven wasn’t interested. She had experience on her side.
Her eyes burned, and a headache pounded. “I’m too upset to keep talking about this. I have to go. So history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Chapter 23
Hours later, after stopping at a rest stop to gather her wits, wash her face, and medicate her headache, Raven pulled up to 127 Stonington Way and cut the engine. The house was a sleek, modern masterpiece, made of glass and steel, and surrounded by dense forest.
She exited the car and peeked into the garage. It was empty. Perfect. He wasn’t home, and would likely be gone for a while, maybe even months. He’d have no idea when she dropped it off. Raven looked around for somewhere to leave the key fob.
Just then, a black Range Rover approached on the street. Raven’s heart kicked into a gallop.
Don’t let it be him. Don’t let it be him.
The Range Rover pulled into the driveway behind the BMW.
Shit. It was him.
Her blood thrashed through her veins as she waited for him to exit the car. He didn’t move. What the hell was he waiting for?
Finally, as Raven was on the verge of an aneurysm, the driver’s front door opened, and Brilla bounded out, running straight for her.
Raven melted and crouched on the driveway to accept Brilla’s kisses. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed this little kook.
“Who’s a good girl, huh?” Raven asked the fuzzy-headed dog. Her black-gray coat was glossy and thicker now and had been professionally groomed. “You look so pretty, and you smell good, too.”
Brilla’s bug eyes shone brightly from the compliment, and her crooked smile lifted around her lolling tongue. She pawed at Raven’s chest and nuzzled against her neck. Dogs didn’t need to talk to communicate, and Raven got the message loud and clear.
“She missed you.” Jack’s voice pulled Raven from her moment of zen.
“I hadn’t expected to run into you,” Raven said without looking away from Brilla. “I thought you didn’t come to this house often.”
“I didn’t use to, but now that I’ve got the dog, I bring her each weekend.”
The idea of Jack taking Brilla on long walks in the country made Raven’s heart swell with happiness. She tipped her chin toward him. A thrill zipped up her spine when she laid eyes on him. Damn, he looked good in his black jacket, jeans, dark blue sweater, and boots. She smiled. “You kept the beard.”
He leaned against the BMW. “Someone said she liked it.”
She uttered a small laugh. “I bet a lot of women do.”
“Only one matters.” The corner of his mouth curled up.
She turned back to the dog who was licking her hand. “Brilla looks good. I think she’s gained weight.”
“Vet says she’s right on target.”
“I like what the groomer’s done to her coat.”
“Did you drive all the way up here to talk about the dog?” he asked.
She met his gaze. “I came to return the car.”
His eyes lowered with sadness. “Why? It was a gift.”
“I can’t accept it.”
He scraped his fingers over his