Page 3 of Forgiveness River

Catching a few hours’ sleep. See you later. – W

Eight words. Eight cold, impersonal words that told her nothing and everything at the same time. No endearment. No explanation. Just a notification, as if she were his secretary instead of his wife.

Raven set the phone face-down on the counter, refusing to let the tears gathering behind her eyes fall. The rest of her life might be a mystery, but for the next ten hours, she could lose herself inthe rhythm of commerce and the comfort of beautiful things. It was enough.

It had to be.

Chapter Two

Raven had just finished arranginga display of colorful sundresses when the bell above the door jingled. She turned to see Hattie O’Hara balancing a paper bag from The Lampstand in one hand and a tray with two iced coffees in the other, her baby bump leading the way.

“Sustenance delivery!” Hattie announced, her white-blond hair pulled back in a messy bun that somehow looked elegant rather than haphazard.

She radiated that particular glow unique to women in their third trimester.

“Simone saw me on my way to the office and insisted I bring you lunch. Apparently you’re too skinny and need feeding.”

Raven smiled, genuinely this time. Hattie’s direct manner was refreshing—no beating around the bush, no hidden meanings. “That woman has the gift. I was just thinking about skipping lunch.”

“Which would be a tragedy considering Simone made her famous chicken salad today,” Hattie said, setting the food and drinks on the counter by the register. She smoothed a hand over her rounded belly, her wedding ring catching the light. “Duncanwatches what I eat like a hawk. I think he’s secretly afraid I’ll be outeating him forever, or that I’ll never lose the baby weight.”

The bell chimed again, and Deputy Carson Reynolds stepped in, cap in hand and a friendly smile lighting up his boyish face. His dark-rimmed glasses gave him a studious look that contrasted with the crisp uniform and duty belt. At barely twenty-three, he still had that eager, fresh-from-the-academy energy that made the older deputies chuckle.

“Morning, ladies,” he greeted, replacing his cap over neatly trimmed dark hair. “Just making my rounds, checking in on all the businesses. Everything okay here today, Mrs. O’Hara?”

“All quiet, Carson,” Raven replied. “How’s your mother doing? I heard she was back in the hospital last week.”

Something flickered across the young deputy’s face—worry quickly masked with a practiced smile. “Better, thanks for asking. She just got home last night. The new medication seems to be helping, but the bills—” He shrugged, then straightened his shoulders. “We’ll manage. Always do.”

“Simone made a huge batch of her special clam chowder this morning,” Hattie mentioned. “She’s planning to drop some by your house this afternoon. Your mother mentioned it was her favorite when they talked at church last month.”

Carson’s smile turned more genuine. “That’s really thoughtful. Mom will love that.” He glanced at his watch. “Better keep moving—Sheriff likes us to stick to schedule. You ladies have a good day now.”

As the door closed behind him, Raven shook her head. “He’s such a nice boy. Wyatt says he’s one of the most promising rookies they’ve had in years.”

“And carrying so much on those young shoulders,” Hattie added, watching through the window as he went to the florist shop next door. “His mother’s MS has been getting worse, and I heard he’s the only family she has left.”

“I didn’t realize,” Raven said, unwrapping her own sandwich.

Hattie popped a chip into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully before speaking. “Duncan mentioned that Wyatt’s been mentoring Carson, giving him extra shifts when he can. The medical bills must be crushing.”

As Duncan O’Hara’s wife, Hattie had quickly become an integral part of the community. She’d initially taken over managing the sporting goods store when she first arrived in town, but now oversaw several of the O’Hara family businesses, putting her sharp mind to good use.

Hattie winced and then sighed, looking accusingly at her sandwich.

“How’s the heartburn?” Raven asked.

“Brutal,” Hattie said, sipping her iced tea. “I’m practically keeping Tums in business. And don’t even get me started on the heat. Duncan sleeps in his winter coat because I keep the air turned down so low.” She paused, studying Raven’s face. “What about you? Are you okay? You’ve got that look.”

“What is it with you and Sophie today? I’m fine,” Raven insisted, taking a bite of her sandwich to avoid further questioning.

“Mmm-hmm,” Hattie hummed skeptically. “That’s why you look like you haven’t slept in days. Is Wyatt working crazy hours again?”

Raven swallowed hard. “Something like that.”

“Duncan mentioned he passed him early this morning when he was heading out to paint,” Hattie said casually. “Said Wyatt was coming down Twin Lakes Road. Must have been quite the sunrise.”

The sandwich suddenly tasted like sandpaper in Raven’s mouth. Twin Lakes Road? There was nothing up there except the old Murphy cabin, abandoned for years except for occasional teenage rendezvous. What would Wyatt be doing there at dawn?

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