Page 106 of In the Shadows
He didn't say anything for a long moment. Just stared at the photograph, his jaw tight.
"I've never had a picture of home," he said finally. "I didn't know what it would feel like to look at one."
"What does it feel like?"
He set the frame on the counter, next to the wooden box. "Like something I don't want to lose."
She moved to stand beside him. Their shoulders touched. Outside, the light was slowly brightening over the water, turning the gray to silver to gold.
"The motion might not matter," she said quietly. "The judge might throw it out. The trial might go exactly the way it's supposed to."
"It might."
"But even if it doesn't—" She stopped. Took a breath. "Even if everything falls apart, I'll still have this. This cottage. This tree. You."
"You'll have me regardless."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "That's the only thing I'm sure of anymore."
The crooked tree watched from its corner, hung with borrowed ornaments and carved snowflakes. The chipped angel kept her vigil at the top, wings imperfect, still standing guard.
In the kitchen, the coffee grew cold. Neither of them moved to warm it.
Chapter Twenty
Sid's New Year's Eve party was not what Ronan had expected.
He'd imagined something small—a few people, some drinks, maybe fireworks on the television. Instead, the house was packed. Grace had strung lights across the back porch and set up tables in the yard, and it seemed like half of Blossom Springs had shown up with covered dishes and bottles of wine.
"You look like you're planning an exit route," Lila said, appearing at his elbow with two glasses of champagne.
"Three. The back gate, the side yard, and through the garage."
"Sid would be impressed."
He chuckled and took the champagne but didn't drink it. "How many people live in this town?"
"About four thousand. Why?"
"Because I think most of them are here."
"Grace knows everyone. And everyone loves Grace." Lila clinked her glass against his. "Relax. It's a party. You're allowed to enjoy yourself."
"I'm not sure I remember how."
"Then fake it. That's what I've been doing for years."
She said it lightly, but something in her voice made him look at her more closely. She was smiling, her shoulders loose, her body language open and easy. To anyone else, she would have looked perfectly comfortable.
Ronan knew better.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Everything's fine."
"Lila."
She glanced around, checking who was nearby. Hanna and Quinn were talking to Jace by the grill. Mitch and Izzy were laughing at something Patricia had said. No one was paying attention to them.
