Page 69 of Find Me in California

That explained how she’d found the diary. I’d left it in the nightstand, never thinking anyone would come into my place. Fool that I was. It wasn’t my house. I didn’t own the nightstand. There wasn’t an inch of space inside the room that was off-limits to the homeowner.

“Were you ever going to tell me?” she asked.

“How are you so calm?”

“Oh, I’m not calm. The only reason I’m not trying to kill you is that I don’t want to lose my baby. I’ve already lost Matty. Lying, cheating bastard that he was, I still love him. Can you believe that? I’m a fool.”

“I’ll leave.”

“Yes, I think that’s best.” Liza held out my journal, waiting for me to take it. I crossed the room and grabbed it, but she didn’t let go. Our eyes locked. “I trusted you.”

“I know.”

Liza let go. She stood, pausing with a grimace, and out of habit, I reached to assist her.

“Don’t you touch me,” she hissed, and I lurched back, apologizing as she walked to the door. “I want you out of this house and off my property within the hour.”

I looked at the blue shag carpeting. “Yes, ma’am.”

“And Magnolia? I’ll die before I ever forgive you. You didn’t only ruin my marriage; you killed my husband. Matty died because you were selfish. I never want to see you again.”

So I left California for home, only to have my parents turn me away at the door. Not only did I run away on my wedding day, but I’d also returned home penniless and pregnant. I’m nothing but an embarrassment to them.

Tuesday

CHAPTER 33

JULIA

It’s barely 8:00 a.m. when Julia arrives at Rosemont to retrieve the diary—and, hopefully, the answer to her question—from Liza. Her entire life she’s believed Benjamin Stromski was her grandfather. Why Mama Rose would mislead her, she may never learn, but if what she wrote is true, Matthew Holloway is her biological grandfather. Which explains the animosity between Mama Rose and Liza, and why Mama Rose sought her forgiveness.

Julia is headed down the hallway toward Liza’s room when Lenore intercepts her. She’s breathless and less put together than her usual self. Her silk blouse is untucked and sleeves pushed up. Flyaway hairs have escaped her topknot.

“Have you spoken with Matt Gatlin?”

“Not since last night.” She’d asked about his plans for Liza, but either he hung up on her again or his phone died. She didn’t know which, and he hadn’t answered when she called back. She looks over Lenore. “What time did you get in this morning?” She’s usually not on-site until 8:30 a.m.

“I’ve been up since three. Just got back from the hospital.”

Alarm spears Julia. Instinct tells her the news isn’t good. “Liza?”

Lenore grasps her hand. “She had a stroke late last night.”

Julia doesn’t allow herself to consider that the diary could have been the trigger. She refuses to let her thoughts go there. “Ookay. How ... How is she?”

“Critical. Tell Matt she’s at Huntington if you can get through to him. He isn’t returning our calls. Her doctor isn’t confident she’ll last the day.”

“I’ll—I’ll call him right away.” No telling if he’ll answer, but it’s worth the shot. Why didn’t she ask which motel he’s at? If she knew where he was, she’d call the front desk and insist someone knock on his door.

“Thank you.” Lenore squeezes Julia’s hand before rushing off.

“Lenore,” Julia calls after her. “Liza has something that belongs to my grandmother—a book. It’s important.”

“Her room is open if you want to have a look.”

Julia’s hands shake as she rummages in her bag for her phone. She calls Matt on her way to Liza’s room and is immediately dropped into voicemail, where she’s notified his box is full. She dictates a text. “Lenore has been trying to reach you. It’s Liza. There’s been an emergency. Call me.”

Unless Matt had a change of heart and drove to California last night or can get on a plane within the next hour, it will take nothing short of a miracle for him to get here. He’s at least an eight-hour drive away, and there’s much Liza shared with her last night about his mom that she regrets not telling him when he was younger and it mattered. It still matters. Matt needs to sit with her before he loses her.

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