Brian emerged from one of the two bedrooms, a tablet in his hands. “I’ve calculated the best route to see everything, and—”
Bobbi sighed. “I already did that.”
“Yeah, but you went by location, and I went by drive time.” He grinned, this time wearing fashionable glasses. “My way is twenty minutes faster.”
They were a cute couple. Maybe something good had come out of Grace’s coma, and maybe that knowledge could help her move on, even if she never regained her memories.
A blonde woman in her early twenties emerged from the bedroom with Rose in her arms. She was slight, and her movements were halting, as if she’d injured her back. “Sure. No problem.” Her voice was soft and timid as she pulled at a T-shirt sporting the logo of the Denver Broncos. “Have a nice time.”
There was something off about the woman. Grace studied her, itching for her camera. Her temples pounded and the room went in and out of focus, so she held perfectly still until the attack stopped. Her stomach felt hollow, and the coffee gurgled into an acidic mess inside her. She hadn’t had an attack like this one for a week, but that was sooner than the last interval. Time was definitely running out.
“You okay?” Brian asked, concern drawing his lips down.
She nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.” She tugged her older camera out of her bag. “Could I take a couple of pictures? Rose is just so cute.”
Bobbi’s sister’s eyes widened, and she took a step back.
“Sure,” Brian said smoothly. “This brings back memories, big time.”
Grace clicked off several shots of the toddler with her aunt and then quickly reached for her digital camera to do the same. “The film shots will turn out better, but they’ll have to wait for development. For now, this’ll have to do.”
“You always were a snob about film versus digital,” Brian said.
Bobbi laughed. “That is so true. I forgot about that.” She moved and reached for Rose. “How about a family picture? Do you mind, Grace? I’ve missed your shots.”
“Sure.” Warmth filled Grace. “Why don’t you sit on the couch? The color of the wall behind it is a nice background.” Had she chosen that paint color way back when? Something told her she had.
“Excuse me,” the sister said, turning and heading for the bathroom.
Bobbi watched her go and sighed. “Don’t worry about her. She’s going through a rough time.” Rose, dressed in a cute pink outfit, fussed, but Bobbi sat and settled the toddler on her lap. Brian sat next to them and put an arm around them both, smiling for the camera.
Grace adjusted her angle, lifted up, and snapped several shots. “I’ll send these to you once I get on a computer and tweak them a bit. Maybe as a thank you present for all you’re doing for me.” It was the least she could do.
“Let’s go.” Bobbi stood and walked to the back bedroom, returning without the baby. “She’s ready for a nap. Didn’t even complain.” Moving past Grace, she opened the door and tucked her arm in Grace’s, looking up at the clear blue sky. “Oh, it’s a pretty day. Are my sunglasses in the car, Bri?”
Brian followed them, shutting the door before zipping up his leather jacket. “I don’t know. Last time I saw them, they were on Rose’s stuffed pig.” He picked up the sled and set it against the house before striding into the sun, squinting at the sparkling snow. “I think mine are in the car. You can borrow those if you don’t find yours.”
Grace relaxed for the first time in days. These had been her friends, and she’d helped bring them together. Kind of. The sun brought out the blond highlights in Brian’s hair, and he grinned, looking boyishly handsome. Yeah, she could see why she’d been attracted to him. There was a lightness in him that Adare had probably never had, even in his youth.
The thought of Adare just wouldn’t leave her mind. He’d kissed her. Well, she’d kissed him. That hadn’t felt like a duty—even on his part. Maybe she’d been a dreamer way back when.
She followed the couple to an older SUV and sat in the back, next to a sparkling clean baby seat.
The two sat in the front, and Bobbi searched for sunglasses.
“Your car is so clean,” Grace murmured.
Brian snorted. “No comment.”
Bobbi smacked him. “I do not have OCD. Okay, maybe a little, but not enough that