Page 60 of A Brambleberry Summer

“That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Which direction were you going? To the beach?”

Usually she liked to stick to the paths with streetlights and some traffic when she was walking late at night. Since Wyatt was with her, that wasn’t necessary.

“Yes. Let’s walk on the beach. The water always calls me.”

They walked through the gardens, the air sweet with the scent of flowers and herbs. He opened the gate for her and she and Fiona went first down the path to the sand.

The moon was bright and full, casting a pearly blue light on everything. She certainly did not need her flashlight.

They walked mostly in silence for the first few moments, content to let the sounds of the waves fill the void. Despite everything between them, it was a comfortable silence.

She was the first to break it. “You said at dinner that your house is almost finished. Is everything going the way you like?”

“Yes. We had a few issues early on. It’s an old house with electrical issues, which is what started the fire in the first place. I want to make sure everything is exactly right. I think I have been getting on the electrician’s nerves a little, but we’re getting there.”

He gave her a sidelong look. “I’m sure you’ll be glad when everything is finished so we can get out of your way.”

“You are not in my way,” she protested. It wasn’t exactly the truth. He was very much in the way of her thoughts constantly. “You know you can stay as long as you need.”

“I know. Thank you for that.”

“I am sure you are more than ready to be back in your house.”

He shrugged. “I suppose.”

“You do not sound convinced.”

“It’s just a house, you know? I bought it after Tori died, when I knew I needed help and the best thing would be to move near Carrie and Joe. That one was available and it was close but it’s never really felt like a home.”

She had not been to his house and couldn’t offer an opinion, but she had to wonder if the house needed a woman’s touch.

She did not want to think about any other woman going in and decorating his house with warm, comfortable touches. She wanted to be the one turning his house into a home.

She pushed away the thought.

“You had many changes in a short time. That can be hard for anyone.”

“I guess.”

They walked in silence for a few more moments, stopping only when Hank lifted his leg against a tuft of grass.

“Carrie said something tonight that made me curious.” He spoke slowly, as if choosing his words with care.

“Oh?”

“Something about you. She implied you had a tough time after you came to the United States. It made me wonder again how you came to be adopted after you arrived. That seems unusual. You were a teenager, right?”

Rosa tensed, remembering that horrible time in her life, full of fear and darkness and things she did not like to think about.

“Yes. Fifteen.”

“And you didn’t have family here or back in Honduras who could have helped you?”

Her heart seemed to squeeze at the memory of her dear mother, who had tried so hard to give Rosa a better life. She gripped Fiona’s leash. The dog, who had been cavorting with Hank, suddenly returned to her side as if sensing Rosa’s distress.

“No.”

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