Page 98 of To Believe In You
At the table, Krissy spoke to the waiter, but Matt couldn’t go back in there yet. Not while he knew Lina was in trouble.
He pulled up her contact information and called. Voicemail picked up on the third ring. “Hey. I heard about the break in. I’m sorry they got your grandma’s jewelry. I hope they left the stamp book alone, and maybe your grandpa’s ring was somewhere else? In any case, I’m sorry.” He’d said that already. He pushed ahead. “You can always call me. I still care.”
As if that’d do any good when he wasn’t even in the area. Even once he returned to Lakeshore, he couldn’t string her along when he knew they couldn’t work out.
He started back for the table. Krissy smirked as she handed the waiter their menus. She must’ve ordered for him, and who knew what she’d picked? Brains, probably, since he seemed a little short on those lately.
27
To think that Lina had felt awkward about visiting Adeline and Gannon for coffee, and now they were putting her up in one of their guest rooms. She parked in the drive and peered up at the house. She’d lost Grandma’s rings, and now no one trusted her to even look after herself.
And why should they?
Shane’s true nature had eluded her. Even after learning of the gambling, she hadn’t predicted his controlling tendencies or his penchant for violence.
The security system she’d chosen wasn’t nearly what it should’ve been—what she might’ve chosen if she’d foreseen the possibility of a jewelry theft.
Had it been Shane? Or someone else?
If her ex were the culprit, at least that would mean she hadn’t overlooked some other enemy.
The front door opened, and Adeline waved hello from the step. Lina lifted her purse and Grandpa’s stamp book from the passenger seat to head inside. The theft had exponentially increased the book’s value to her—it and the only ring from Grandma she had left would live wherever she did.
With the book clutched to her chest and Gannon’s and Adeline’s friendly greetings to reassure her, she popped the trunk.
Gannon lifted Lina’s suitcase from inside and didn’t even bother acknowledging her offer to carry it herself as he motioned her toward the house.
Adeline held the front door as Lina stepped into the foyer. “I thought you’d like the first-floor guest room.” Adeline passed through the kitchen, and Lina and Gannon followed. “It has its own bathroom and TV, and it is right by the kitchen.”
Adeline opened the first door on the left, then stepped back to allow Lina into the room first.
The color palette of white and cream lent a clean, cozy feel. The teal lake and autumn trees out the window added color, and a window seat offered a plush spot from which to enjoy the view. As promised, a private bathroom was through a door off to the right. A bed, dresser, and armchair filled out the space.
Though comfortable, the room wouldn’t be home.
Home.
The word conjured mixed feelings, a longing for safety that wouldn’t be fulfilled here or in a house that had been recently violated. She hugged the stamp book closer.
“I’m sure it’s been a long day.” Adeline slid her arm around Gannon, who’d left the suitcase inside the room. “Don’t feel like you have to hang out with us, but you’re welcome to, of course.”
“Hopefully this will only be for a day or two.” She ran a hand over the stamp book, then placed it on the dresser, choosing to relinquish the fear that would have her clutching the keepsake forever. “I’ll go back when the new system is in.”
Uncertainty tinged Adeline’s expression, and she shot a glance up at her husband, but he gave Lina a smile. “Until then, our house is your house.”
The couple left, their voices fading as they moved away.
Lina sank to a seat on the edge of the bed and checked her phone. The phone gave a short vibration at her touch, signaling she’d missed something. A new voicemail notification topped the other updates.
In a few taps, Matt’s name appeared. Someone had told him about the break in? Or he simply needed something related to Key of Hope? Oh, or Awestruck.
Regardless, she didn’t have the energy for it. All her brain wanted to do was rehash the burglary. The thief had entered through the laundry room and had only stolen jewelry from Lina’s bedroom. Their route would’ve taken them past electronics, which the police seemed to think would normally have been snatched before the intruder checked the jewelry box.
Who would target the jewelry exclusively?
She could narrow the suspect list to people who fell into one of three camps.
One, someone who wanted the jewelry for himself. Two, someone who wanted the money and knew how to unload jewelry more easily than other stolen merchandise. Or three, someone who understood the collection had special significance to Lina and wanted to hurt her.
