Page 112 of The Widower
“What are you doing here?”
“I asked to come. I was worried about you. Isabelle brought me.”
Normally, he’d have lectured me for that. But instead, Colin forced a faint smile and said, “This is your sister’s grave. And your mom’s is right beside it.”
I’d assumed Joshua had been there for their burial, but apparently, he hadn’t.
“I was never brave enough to come before, Dad.”
“I’ll give you two some time alone.”
“Stay,” Colin said quickly, urgency in his voice.“You don’t have to go.I… I want you here.”
I nodded.
They stood there, both staring quietly at the gravestones.Neither spoke for several minutes.
“Dad,” Joshua finally said, “I’m not as scared to ride in the car anymore.”
“I’m proud of you, son,” Colin replied softly.
We stayed at the cemetery for a while longer before heading back to the mansion. Colin didn’t say a word about us having followed him; when we got home, he went straight to his room without speaking to anyone.
Helen was in the foyer when we arrived, watching us carefully, though she didn’t say anything at first.
“I think you know something about the accident that killed Colin’s wife and daughter,” I said softly. “Please, tell me what happened?”
Helen hesitated.
“Isabelle, you think I know, but I don’t. What I do remember is that Jeniffer and Colin were fighting a lot during the month before she died—and that wasn’t normal for them. They were always cheerful, always playing with Joshua and Maddison. A normal, happy family. Something happened, yes, but I can’t tell you what, because I honestly don’t know.I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I gave her a small smile and nodded.There was no reason to doubt her.
But despite what I said, it wasn’t really okay. Something had happened—I just didn’t know what.
Not yet.
But I would find out.
CHAPTER 26
“And sometimes a single gesture can bring us joy in the hardest of times…”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
“I came to see if you needed anything.”
I’d finally gathered the courage to step into his workspace. Lately, I’d been ignoring quite a few of his rules—and honestly, one more wouldn’t make much of a difference.
At least, I hoped not.
“I’m fine.”
“Can I keep you company?”
I was fully expecting a no, especially after everything that had happened.But his answer came quick—and not at all the way I’d imagined.
“If that’s what you want, sure.”
