The front door swung open and banged closed again. Will caught a whiff of baking, warm cornbread. It made his chest hurt, and he closed his eyes.

  It was time to wake up, but damn, he’d have liked to dream a little longer.

  15

  Will grabbed the phone on the fifth ring, only slightly out of breath. He’d run up from the basement, where he’d been checking the fuses.

  “Buckley Veterinary Clinic, Doctor Harvey speaking.”

  “Will, hey. It’s Joe Kenmore. I’m calling to confirm our appointment for next week.”

  “The inspection, right.” Will glanced at his calendar. “The twentieth, right? Next Monday?” A shiver ran through him. That was three days away, but Will was prepared. He’d covered the basics, even spruced the place up. He still had a to-do list as long as his arm, but with what he’d accomplished, he’d pass inspection. He hoped.

  “Monday the twentieth. I’ll be there at noon.” Kenmore was quiet a moment, and Will thought he’d hung up. Then he cleared his throat, an embarrassed sound. “I’d have liked to give you more time, but with the holidays coming—”

  “It’s fine. I understand.”

  “Then, okay, see you Monday. And, Will? Good luck.” Kenmore hung up. Will went to the door and turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED. Serena would be back soon with subs for lunch. They’d eat, then she’d spot him while he retiled the ceiling.

  He headed back to his office to wait for Serena, but no sooner had he sat down than the door chimed outside.

  “We’re closed for lunch,” he called. “Come back at one.”

  “Hello?” Heels clicked in reception, moving closer. Whoever it was, they weren’t going away. Will rose stiffly and headed out front.

  “I’m sorry. We’re—” The words died on his lips as he recognized Serena’s mother. She hadn’t changed a bit since her days heading up Turner High’s booster committee—same tight-pulled hair, same thin-lipped smile. “Mrs. Mayer. Serena’s just stepped out.”

  “I know. I just talked to her. I came to see you.”

  “Me?”

  Alice Mayer just looked at him. Will cleared his throat and plastered on a smile.

  “Why don’t you come back to my office? We can talk there.”

  Alice followed him back to his office, but when Will offered a chair, she didn’t sit down. She strolled around the room instead, examining his books and the trinkets on his shelves. A paperweight caught her attention, one with a dandelion trapped inside. She picked it up and turned it to the light.

  “We used to make these,” she said. “When I was little. We’d take those plastic Easter eggs and pour them full of resin, then in goes the dandelion, and it pops out just perfect.”

  Will nodded, distracted. “Juniper made me that one. My friend Juniper Marsh.”

  “I know Juniper,” said Alice. “But I’m here about my daughter.” She set down the paperweight and dusted off her hands. “She’s a lost soul, you know.”

  “Who, Serena?” Will couldn’t help but laugh. He could think of a lot of words to describe Serena, but lost wasn’t one of them.

  “You may not see it in her, but you don’t know her like I do.” Alice sat down at last, straight-backed in her seat. “Serena’s always needed someone to guide her, to show her what she wants. I’d ask her, when she was little, ‘What do you want for Christmas?’ And she’d think and she’d think, but she never had a clue. I picked her gifts, and you know what? She always loved them. I picked her hobbies, her friends—and I always picked right. You hear what I’m saying?”

  “Mama knows best?”

  “Exactly.” Alice’s lips quirked up. “Right now, my little girl’s hurt. And that hurt’s set her searching for something missing in her life. But what I know and she can’t see is, she won’t find it here.”

  Will stiffened where he stood. “Shouldn’t she be the judge of that?”

  “In an ideal world, certainly. But the real world keeps moving, and if you don’t move with it, you get left behind.” Alice leaned forward, hands clasped. “I’m going to be straight with you: what Serena’s missing is what she had all along, her home and her children and her husband by her side. She’ll see that sooner or later, but I’d like to make that sooner. Before Jack gets tired of waiting and moves on for good.”

  “I...see.” Will’s stomach hurt. He couldn’t think. Was this why Serena had seemed so stressed? Pressure from her parents? Or was Alice right? Was Serena missing the life she’d once had?

  “You could do her a favor here,” said Alice. “Help her find her way home.”

  Will almost laughed. “You want me to tell her to go back to Jack?”

  “That would be ridiculous.” Alice pursed her lips. “Why would she take relationship advice from you? I want you to tell her you’ll—”

  A loud banging cut in, the rat-tat of a jackhammer. Alice’s brows went up.

  “What on earth was that?”

  “I’m having some work done downstairs. I guess they’re breaking concrete.” Will waited till the noise died down, then motioned to Alice. “Anyway, you were saying?”

  “I was saying, I want you to tell her you’ll no longer require her services. And stop filling her head with ideas about running that bakery.”

  “You want me to fire her.” The words came out hollow, and Will swallowed hard.

  “I know it sounds harsh, but you’d be doing her a favor.” Alice stood up again and set her hand on Will’s arm. “The happiest I’ve ever seen Serena was one day last summer, before the trouble with Jack. Nathan and Julie had been off at camp—just three days and three nights, but that was plenty for Serena, her first time without them since the day they were born. The kids jumped off that bus and she scooped them right up. She held them and kissed them and spun them around, then she took them for ice cream and listened to all their stories. She listened again at dinner, and again the next day, and you want to know something? She never got bored.” Alice dabbed at her eyes, though no tears had fallen. “Serena loves those kids, and she needs to be with them. Her place is at home, and I think you know that.”

  Will sank down at his desk. He’d seen it for himself, the way Serena lit up when she was with Nathan and Julie. The way they needed her, trusted her, went to her for comfort. Would she be happier back home full time? Will loved his work, but the clinic was his calling. Serena had signed on because she needed the money. Why keep her here, surrounded by dogs that still scared her, mopping their pee, dealing with their owners? Why put her through that when she could be home with her family? They were her calling. Even her mother thought so. If Jack could give her that...

  Will let out a sigh. His head felt too full, at odds with his heart. “I’ll think about it,” he said. “I see where you’re coming from, but—”

  “Think hard.” Alice patted him on the shoulder, a quick, firm tap. Then she brushed past him and straight out the door. The jackhammer started up again, and Will massaged his temples. He was getting a headache, but worse than that, he felt ashamed. Had he really come between Serena and her happiness? What did she want? Did she even know?

  He cradled his head in his hands and waited for the hammering to stop.

  Serena darted back, heart pounding, as her mother strode past. Her elbow bumped the doorframe, but the hammering from downstairs covered the sound. Part of her wanted to storm out and confront her. Who did she think she was, tugging on Will’s heartstrings with her saccharine tripe? This was just classic Ma, manipulation and half-truths designed to get her own way.

  Ma kept on going, not noticing her at all. Serena let out a pent-up breath and slumped back against the wall. Ma’s speech had been bad enough, but Will hadn’t fought her. Had he really bought all that, even knowing her as he did? Serena’s blood boiled. Of course she missed her kids—what mom wouldn’t? She got a pang every day, just dropping them off at school. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t branch out or grow, couldn’t have dreams beyond the walls of her home. Why hadn’t Will fought for her? He hadn’t promised to fire her, but he hadn’t said no. He hadn’t said I think that’s her choice, or I’d miss her around here. Serena closed her eyes, choking back tears.

  Will’s chair creaked softly, and Serena went tense. If he caught her here, hiding, he’d know she’d been listening. She held her breath a moment, waiting to see if he’d move, then tiptoed out through reception and jingled the bell.

  “Serena? Is that you?”

  “Yep! Hope you’re hungry.” She slapped a smile on her face as he emerged from his office. “Meatball sub, extra sauce.”

  “Thanks.” Will took the bag without meeting her eyes. He took a quick peek inside, then spun it shut. “I’m not hungry right now. Mind running this upstairs?”

  “Sure.” Serena took Will’s lunch back, but she made no move to go. “Uh...did something happen while I was out?”

  “I don’t think so. Like what?” Will was leafing through patient files, showing her his back. Serena’s eyes stung.

  “Something’s different,” she said, pressing a little harder. She needed Will to be honest, now more than ever. To talk to her, share with her, ask her what she wanted. “You were starving, and now you’re not. And you seem distracted.”

  “Guess I just lost my appetite. It happens sometimes.”

  Serena couldn’t move. Her ears were ringing, like a door had just slammed behind her, or slammed in her face. Was this it, the end? She could feel her dream crumbling, slipping away—her job, her independence, her shining new life. And to lose Will, as well—

  “The hardware store!”

  “What?” Will glanced back at her, brow knit in confusion. Serena forged on. She had to show him, remind him why he’d hired her. Remind him why he needed her, what he’d lose with her gone.

  “Remember we talked about repainting reception? I thought we’d go to the hardware store this afternoon, pick out some paint. That way, the smell will clear before your inspection.”

  “Oh.” Will frowned. “Can’t you do that yourself?”

  “I could,” said Serena. “But I thought it could be fun to pick a shade together.” She forced a bright smile, but Will wasn’t looking.

  “I think it’s best if I stay here,” he said. “The plumber’s downstairs, and I have a busy afternoon. You can handle it, right?”

  “Well...sure. Okay, then.” Serena headed upstairs, deflated. She stashed Will’s lunch in his fridge, and her own along with it. She’d been looking forward to eating with him, the way they’d been doing since her first week. Eating alone at her desk felt like admitting defeat. Instead, she grabbed her purse from reception and headed for the door. She felt dizzy, cast adrift. Will hadn’t fought for her. Why not? Did he see her as weak, some kind of lost soul?

  “I’m going,” she called. Will grunted his assent from somewhere in back. Serena set out for the hardware store, left on Bruckner, past the feed shop. Past the bakery, as well, with its FOR SALE sign out front. Serena paused to look at it, her confusion growing deeper. Will hadn’t fought for her. Had he given up? What they had together felt so real when he held her in his arms—but when had he held her last? Not at Sunday dinner, though he’d had plenty of chances. Not the Thursday before, when he’d run into Jack. She’d needed him then, but he’d backed right off.

  She turned away, frustrated, and marched up the street. She should’ve seen this coming. Jack had been the same way when he’d first got with Sherry—before she’d found out, but after she’d sensed something wrong. He’d been distant, distracted, couldn’t look her in the eye. He’d claimed stress at work, and she’d tried to believe him, but with Will, it was different. She knew the signs now, the signs it was over.

  Serena dabbed her eyes dry as she ducked into Top Hardware. Whatever happened with Will, she wouldn’t let it break her. She waved at Kara behind the counter and flashed her a smile. Kara smiled back, and if she noticed anything wrong, she gave no sign.

  “Hey there, Serena. Help you find something?”

  “I think I’m okay,” she said. “I’m just here for some paint.”

  “Behr’s ten percent off this week,” said Kara. “But Sherwin-Williams has more colors.”

  “Thanks, Kara.” Serena headed for the back shelves, where the paint was kept. She leafed through the sample cards, but she couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for the task. Buff, almond, harvest wheat—what did it matter? Would she even be around to see how it looked? She tried to pinpoint when things had changed with Will, the moment they’d stopped being in this together. Maybe they’d never been, except in her head. He’d never said—

  Serena’s phone gave a chirp, loud in the silence. She fished it out of her pocket and her mouth turned down. Jack’s text seemed to mock her, bold as brass on her screen.

  hey babe. how about dinner, just you and me? I’m thinking it’s time we discussed our future.

  “So, I’m babe again, huh?” Serena blew out a long breath and tucked her phone away. Had Jack known about Ma going to Will? Had they planned it together, and now he hoped to swoop in and pick up the pieces? She pushed the thought aside and grabbed a paint swatch at random. Summerside blue—that would do fine. Will could go bathe in it, for all she cared.

  16

  “That’s all the sockets checked,” said Serena. “And I got a new surge protector for your office computer. Anything else on your list?”

  Will glanced at his checklist, not that he needed to. He’d memorized it weeks ago, right after the inspection. He’d dreamed of that list—more nightmares than dreams—of termites and burst pipes, old wiring, weak beams. But that nightmare was done. The list that had haunted and taunted him had been conquered at last, every item checked off. In just a few minutes, the inspection would begin. Half an hour after that—well, he didn’t want to jinx it.

  “You could go round the doors,” he said. “Check the hinges don’t creak.” He meant that as a joke, but Serena headed off all the same. Will watched her go, frowning. She’d been off all weekend, or he had. They had. They’d got off their rhythm, their usual give-and-take.

  “Serena.”

  She paused and glanced back. “What?”

  Will bit his tongue. He wasn’t sure what to say to her, how to break the ice. The phone cut in, instead, and Serena picked it up.

  “Buckley Veterinary Clinic. How may I help you?” Her greeting was professional, but at least to Will’s ear, it lacked its usual warmth. Was that proof she’d lost interest, with Jack back in town? Proof her old life, her safe life, was where she belonged? Will had struggled with the idea of letting her go, especially with the holidays on the horizon, but maybe she’d welcome it. Maybe in her heart, she’d already moved on.

  Serena booked the appointment and logged it in. She wished the client a merry Christmas and hung up, stone-faced.

  Will scowled. “What was that?”

  “What was what?”

  “You, just now. You were...” Will shut his mouth, feeling stupid. Had he really been about to take her to task for not smiling on the phone?

  “I was what?”

  Will ground his teeth, frustration rising. “Something’s up with us,” he said. “I can’t seem to talk to you, or get you to smile. I’m over here and you’re over there, with a million miles between us. I guess what I’m asking is, why? What went wrong?”

  Serena’s eyes narrowed. “You’re asking me?”

  “Yeah, I’m asking. What’s wrong?”

  “You can’t think of anything that might’ve burst our bubble? Anything that might’ve happened, say Friday, around lunchtime?”

  Will reeled back as though she’d struck him. “You mean—”

  “My mom.” Serena’s lip curled. “If you want to fire me, just fire me. What, were you waiting for the holidays to be over? It won’t sting any less coming after New Year’s.”

  “How did you even hear that? You were out getting lunch.”

  “What does it matter? I did hear. I know.” Serena bent down and peeled a scrap of painter’s tape off the wall. She dropped it in the trash and wiped her hand on her pants. Her eyes had gone hard, like she’d come to some decision. “You’re not denying it,” she said. “So you are going to fire me.”

  “I don’t want to,” said Will. “But your mother, uh...”

  “What?”

  “She gave me a lot to think about.” Will turned away. He couldn’t face Serena’s outrage—or, worse, her hurt. Outside, it was snowing, big fluffy flakes drifting lazily to the ground. The street lay empty, lonely, and Will closed his eyes. “I’ve been thinking, maybe—maybe she had a point. Maybe I’m in the way. If it was just me, I’d want to keep you here forever. But you’ve got your family, your kids at home. It’s not my place to keep you from where you belong.”

  “Where I belong.” Serena made a disgusted sound. “Since when’s that your business? Since when was my family any of your concern?”

  “Since never, I guess.” Will glowered out the window. His throat had gone tight—tight with anger, frustration, a deep sense of loss. “You never let me in, did you? I thought we had something, but it’s always been like that—me over here, your family over there. Two separate worlds, and never the twain shall meet.”

  She rounded on him, eyes spitting indignation. “What are you talking about? I brought my kids to your family’s ranch, brought them for—”

  “You never said a word to me when Jack showed back up. I had to find out when he dropped by here.”

  “Which you never told me. And still, you expect—”

  “I told you I ran into him.”

  “That’s not the same thing, and you know it. Running into someone means it happened by chance. Jack came to confront you, and you kept that from me.” Serena threw up her hands. “Whatever. The point is...”