Page 142 of Unexpected Entanglement

“What did you just call her?” Chris did a double-take and stared at his dad.

“It’s just your father’s little nickname for me. Is something wrong with that?” Rosemary said, looking concerned.

“No.” Chris laughed at himself. “It’s just I also call Rowan Ro sometimes.”

“This is the friend you were helping in Maine?” Rosemary asked.

“I think she’s more than a friend, isn’t she, son?” George said.

“I don’t know. I’m technically engaged to her.” Chris suddenly couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about Rowan.

Rosemary gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth in delighted shock.

“Well, technically, because she has Mom’s ring,” Chris started.

“You gave her Mom’s ring?” His dad’s eyes went overly sharp at the reminder of the wife he’d lost, and for a second, Chris feared he’d digress. Instead, George said, “You must be serious. You better tell us why this young woman isn’t here with you now.”

“Brace yourself for a wild ride.” Chris poured more coffee into his cup. “It started as a simple favor for Dean’s wife and became anything but.”

forty-nine

Osterville, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Rowan stared at the big iron gate in front of her, hoping she was at the correct address. White stone wall enclosed the property, and she could only see a long driveway behind the still secured gate.

She’d already given her name to whoever answered the call box, and now she was just waiting. Her heartbeat echoed louder in her ears with each second her car stood there.

“This is a mistake,” Rowan murmured to herself.

“Stay your course, Ro!” Alex’s voice came loud through the speakerphone. “You’ve come this far. You’re going in there and say what you need to say.”

“You’re not seeing what I’m seeing,” Rowan replied, her voice hitched high.

“Well, show me,” Alex reminded with an eye roll.

Rowan, in her nervousness, forgot Alex was on video. She flipped the camera to show the view in front of her. Alex whistled in amazement.

“I can’t wait to see the house,” Alex said.

“I’m turning around.” Rowan grabbed the gear handle, ready to put it into reverse.

“Don’t you dare!” Alex warned her. “Coward!“

Rowan froze. “Take that back.”

“Not until you act like the Rowan I know. Don’t you be the woman Richard molded you. You’re a go-getter. You’re fearless.”

“I’m not fearless,” Rowan told her friend. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of what I might lose.”

Alex took a beat before saying, “Let me see you.”

Rowan flipped the phone camera again. At the same time, a mechanical whirling sound jolted her. The iron gate split open, beckoning her to enter.

“Shit. The gate’s open,” Rowan said.

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