Magazine Issue No.2 Print

reading with BRENDA NOVAK

ISSUE NO. 2 Containing the ﬁrst printing of Pieces of Perfect

reading with BRENDA NOVAK

Welcome to the second issue of my new magazine. When I started Read- ing with Brenda Novak, I promised to bring you insights into publishing, bonus content to my books, interesting articles and delicious recipes from me and other bestselling authors. I also promised to publish this magazine each time I have a book release, so this is only the ﬁrst of three magazines that will be coming out in 2021. The next issue will be published at the end of June with When I Found You, a novel that brings my Whiskey Creek series and my Silver Springs series together, and the third issue will come out at the end of Septem- ber with Keep Me Warm at Christmas--also part of the Silver Springs series.

This magazine focuses on The Bookstore on the Beach, but like the ﬁrst issue, it contains an exclusive novella, Pieces of Perfect, which is connected to last year’s big beach read, One Perfect Summer. It also includes a behind-the-scenes peek at what happens to a manuscript after it’s purchased by a major publishing house, a tour of Nantucket by none other than New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer, who has lived on the island for thirty-six years, and a gardening article by Dana Kelly, a good friend and a member of my online book group of nearly 19,000 avid readers--just to name some of the highlights. I’m particularly proud of the spread on Sausalito, which features the small, independent bookstore we toured as one of my Brenda Novak Indie Bookstore Tours. You should deﬁnitely put a visit to Sausalito on your bucket list, especially now that this magazine will step you through a very enjoyable day there.

Spring has sprung, and if you’re like me, you’re looking forward to a much more enjoyable summer than we had during COVID. As Oscar Wilde said, “With freedom, ﬂowers, books & the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?”

May you enjoy my latest, The Bookstore on the Beach, and be perfectly happy, too!

1 Explore Sausalito

7 Behind the Scenes

9 Publisher’s Corner by Alex Logan

11 Blueberry Lemon Mousse Cake From Debbie Macomber

13Dana’s Digs by Dana Kelly Start a 15 Garden

Nancy’s 17 Nantucket by Nancy Thayer

May’s 21 Book Box

Cover23 Reveal

Pieces of Perfect 25 by Brenda Novak SAUSALITO, CA

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge you’ll ﬁnd picturesque Sausalito. This seaside community has an abundance of shops and restaurants, a darling bookstore on the water, scenic views, charming houseboat enclaves and plenty of space for strolling along the water.

took a tour of Sausalito Books by the Bay with the I owner, Cheryl Popp, as part of my new event series, Brenda Novak Virtual Bookstore Tours, where I feature a different independent bookstore every other week. We all know small businesses have been the hardest hit by the pan- demic, and as booklovers, we certainly wouldn’t want to lose our Lorem ipsum independent bookstores, so thank you for helping me support them. This particular bookstore has beautiful views of San Francisco Bay Lorem ipsum in addition to a variety of books, gift ideas, art from local artists and a darling maritime themed kid’s section—all in honor of Cheryl Popp’s late mother, who gave her her love of reading. Watch the virtual tour on my Author Brenda Novak page on Facebook and put it on your list to visit in person one day. Recognize the bookstore on the cover? Although it’s not on a beach, it is right on the water--the perfect place to represent a new summer read like The Bookstore on the Beach. Getting to Sausalito is half the fun. Coming from San Francisco, you can take a ferry, which offers a scenic tour of the San Francisco Bay, with its sailboats, commercial ships and wildlife. (There are lots of sea lions!) You will pass Alcatraz Island--The Rock--and you’ll also get a spectacular view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Or you can drive, walk or cycle over the bridge. If you walk or cycle, you might want to take the ferry back. You can also take a guided bicycle tour--a great option for those who want to learn about the area's history and enjoy the view without having to worry about navigation and planning.

3 Shopping in Sausalito The Old Marinship Shipyards Sausalito is a destination for many, North along Bridgeway, you’ll find the primarily because of the downtown Old Marinship Shipyards, a historic shopping area. The colorful stores are industrial waterfront neighborhood right along the waterfront, making it a that’s fun to explore. You’ll see the gorgeous place to browse unique shops once-busy shipyard, where many liberty and art galleries and find souvenirs. ships were built during World War II. Starting in 1942 and ending in 1945, a Walk along Bridgeway vessel was sent to war about once every You can take a stroll from the center of thirteen days. A total of ninety-three town along Bridgeway, a scenic road ships were built — fifteen Liberty cargo with old-fashioned street lamps decorat- ships and seventy-eight tankers. The ed withhanging pots brimming with 110,000 square foot Industrial Center colorful flowers. This waterfront pathway Building (the ICB Building and formerly begins at the ferry landing and goes in the Yard Office) still remains and cur- two directions--north towards the yacht rently houses a free exhibit about Marin- harbors, with the marinas and Mount ship Shipyards inside the same ware- Tamalpais as a backdrop, or south house as the Bay Model Visitor Center. towards the Bay, with San Francisco in the distance. Ways to View the Bay The San Francisco Bay is remarkable, Floating Homes and you can see it in a variety of ways. Sausalito’s approximately 500 house- Not only can you get out on the water by boats in five floating home marinas are a taking the ferry from San Francisco, you sight to behold. Many of the houseboats can rent a kayak and explore on your are colorful and feature whimsical exteri- own or purchase a boat or sailboat tour. or decor, with potted plants and artwork You could even take a seaplane and displayed on deck. Artists makes up a gaze down on it from above. large part of the community, as the idyllic scenery of the waterfront provides Eating in Sausalito inspiration to painters, photographers Fresh seafood is always on the menu in and sculptors. Visitors can take a Sausalito. There are several amazing self-guided tour around the houseboat dining spots within walking distance, as docks. And on special occasions, some well as plenty of chocolate shops and ice houseboats are open to the public for art cream parlors. viewing. Getting to Sausalito is half the fun. Coming from San Francisco, you can take a ferry, which offers a scenic tour of the San Francisco Bay, with its sailboats, commercial ships and wildlife. (There are lots of sea lions!) You will pass Alcatraz Island--The Rock--and you’ll also get a spectacular view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Or you can drive, walk or cycle over the bridge. If you walk or cycle, you might want to take the ferry back. You can also take a guided bicycle tour--a great option for those who want to learn about the area's history and enjoy the view without having to worry about navigation and planning.

a day in sausalito

EQUATOR COFFEES Take a break from shopping and sip a glass of wine at this wine tasting room and gift shop This popular coffee shop started in a Marin while watching sailboats and ferries pass by County garage in 1995 and offers a wide on the bay. We recommend the Fotsch Napa selection of coffee drinks and pastries, and Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. they serve breakfast and lunch. We love their spicy avocado toast, which includes whipped ricotta cheese. Since it has a nice outdoor area, it’s a great place to start the day or go for an afternoon pick-me-up. This iconic restaurant was introduced to us by #1 New York Times bestselling author Cather- ine Coulter. Catherine lives in Sausalito and regularly donated lunch with her for two guests at The Spinnaker to Brenda Novak’s Online Auction, allowing Brenda to raise even more money for diabetes research. Since then, she’s been hosting author luncheons once a quarter, so we’ve been able to see the fantastic views from her gorgeous home, too.

FISH RESTAURANT The ambience here is amazing! You can sit outside on the picnic tables that are right by the water. Once you order and pay at the register, they bring your food out to you.

We love their crab roll, which is loaded with chunks of fresh crab meat and just the right amount of butter on a toasted bun. The fish and chips are light and crispy with dips that heighten the flavor. The clam chowder is heavy on potatoes, but we think it’s delicious. The fish tacos are always a great idea if you’re looking for something lighter. 5 The San Francisco Bay is remarkable, and you can see it in a variety of ways. Not only can you get out on the water by taking the ferry from San Francisco, you can rent a kayak and explore on your own or purchase a boat or sailboat tour. You could even take a seaplane and gaze down on it from above.

Eating in Sausalito

REAL NAPA

Take a break from shopping and sip a glass of wine at this wine tasting room and gift shop while watching sailboats and ferries pass by on the bay. We recommend the Fotsch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

THE SPINNAKER This iconic restaurant was introduced to us by The Spinnaker overlooks the San Francisco #1 New York Times bestselling author Cather- Bay from Shell Beach--named for the oyster ine Coulter. Catherine lives in Sausalito and shells deposited there by local restaurants. regularly donated lunch with her for two Not only do we love the views, we love that it’s guests at The Spinnaker to Brenda Novak’s one of the rare family-owned and operated Online Auction, allowing Brenda to raise even restaurants in the Bay Area. For over more money for diabetes research. Since ﬁfty-nine years, the Spinnaker has been a then, she’s been hosting author luncheons dining destination for generations of locals once a quarter, so we’ve been able to see the and visitors alike. fantastic views from her gorgeous home, too. This iconic restaurant was introduced to us by #1 New York Times bestselling author Cather- ine Coulter. Catherine lives in Sausalito and regularly donated lunch with her for two guests at The Spinnaker to Brenda Novak’s Online Auction, allowing Brenda to raise even more money for diabetes research. Since then, she’s been hosting author luncheons once a quarter, so we’ve been able to see the fantastic views from her gorgeous home, too.

We’re bringing back the Morrocan tote! It will be available again for a ﬁll-your-own-beach- bag item at The Brenda Novak Store, where you will be able to select the autographed summer beach reads you want to put inside it.

www.brendanovak.com

behind the How long does it take you to write a book? write to you long take does it How one of the questions that’s anauthor, As I get most often. SCENES ’m on deadline for three books a year, giving me four months to write each one. That’s deﬁnitely a brisk pace, but writing is I something I love to do. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night so eager to get back to my computer that it’s difﬁcult to wait for dawn to arrive.

Of course, some books are easier to write than others... 7 This iconic restaurant was introduced to us by The Spinnaker overlooks the San Francisco #1 New York Times bestselling author Cather- Bay from Shell Beach--named for the oyster ine Coulter. Catherine lives in Sausalito and shells deposited there by local restaurants. regularly donated lunch with her for two Not only do we love the views, we love that it’s guests at The Spinnaker to Brenda Novak’s one of the rare family-owned and operated Online Auction, allowing Brenda to raise even restaurants in the Bay Area. For over more money for diabetes research. Since ﬁfty-nine years, the Spinnaker has been a then, she’s been hosting author luncheons dining destination for generations of locals once a quarter, so we’ve been able to see the and visitors alike. fantastic views from her gorgeous home, too.

We’re bringing back the Morrocan tote! Fortunately, The Bookstore on the Beach was one of those books I call It will be available a gift. The characters were clearly defined in my mind from the very again for a beginning. I understood their goals, motivations and conflicts, and I fill-your-own-beach- knew exactly where I wanted to take the story. bag item at The Brenda Novak I especially enjoyed creating strong yet vulnerable Autumn Divac. Her Store, where you will backstory gave me such a nice starting point. She married an attorney be able to select the whose parents migrated from Ukraine, but he’s gone missing. She autographed suspects he was helping the government in that part of the world, but summer beach the government claims otherwise. She searches, unsuccessfully, for a reads you want to year, trying to find him while keeping her life as stable as possible for put inside it. their two teenage children. So at the beginning of the story, when she www.brendanovak.com returns to the quaint beachside town where she was raised, she’s hoping to gain comfort working in the bookstore owned by her mother and her aunt--to heal and move on.

But then she runs into Quinn Vanderbilt. She had a terrible crush on him in high school, but he had a steady girlfriend. Now he's divorced--and interested--and when the excitement and attraction she felt before starts to bubble up again, she doesn't know whether she's free to move on, or if her husband is still alive and might return some- day.

I loved exploring this and all the various conflicts and subplots in The Bookstore on the Beach. Difficult conflicts are what make a story intriguing to me. They give the reader that come-from-behind win that creates a satisfying ending. I hope--once you’ve read the book--you’ll agree!

After I work with the author to make choose from. Sometimes, there are several the story the best that it can be (a lot of rounds of designs created until we get it just interesting steps that could be the subject of right. another article), the manuscript goes to the In the meantime, the publicity and production editor to be shepherded through marketing teams will be doing their work. the steps to print it. The production editor will Publicity is any free promotion for the book, hire a copyeditor to check facts and timelines and marketing is any promotion that we in addition to spelling, grammar, and punctu- need to pay for. So an interview in a newspa- ation. I’m so thankful for the copyeditor who per is free publicity. And an ad on catches all the things that I missed! Goodreads.com is marketing because we After those corrections are made, the paid for that ad. book will be typeset by one of my colleagues. Now we need to get the book into Authors are often excited about this step stores. As the book’s editor, I get to tell our because it’s the first time that their story sales force why I’m excited about the book actually starts to look like a real book. This is and how I think it can find readers in the the version that goes out for early quotes and crowded marketplace. They use that infor- reviews. mation to go on sales calls (pre-COVID) all Then the production editor will hire a across the country to book buyers, not just at proofreader to make sure that the final text is independent bookstores and book chains correct. So we get a third chance to correct like Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million any errors before the book is sent to the but big box retailers like Walmart, Target, printer. (And there are interesting jobs relat- and Costco, grocery story and drugstore ed to the printing process like a paper buyer chains like Meijer and CVS, and stores you and a color proofer.) may not think about at first like Urban While the production process is Outfitters, Williams Sonoma, and Anthropol- underway, the fun process of cover art begins. ogie. We look at dozens of books that have sold As Brenda can tell you, some of an well in the same category as well as brain- author’s hardest work will happen when the storming new ideas. Then the art director for book is hitting the book shelves and being the book designs several covers for us to promoted by her publicist and marketer. While they are busy reaching out to bloggers and readers, I have a lot of colleagues who are working behind the scenes to make sure that the books are shipped from our ware- house, the inventory is restocked, the author is paid for each book sold, and the financial effect on our bottom line is tabulated. Then it’s up to me to buy the author’s next book! PUBLISHER’S CORNER Alex Logan

Alex Logan, Executive Editor ne of the many, many things that I’m missing during the at Grand Central Publishing, lockdown is the chance for my authors to visit our offices. The earned a journalism degree from Northwestern and reason is that they are always surprised by the large number of O worked as a bookseller at people who are hard at work on their book. While most people will Borders before moving to think of the editor and the cover art designer, there are so many NYC and becoming an editor. She acquires primari- others who have great careers working on books. ly women’s fiction, historical Once I buy a book from a literary agent, we need to decide on fiction, suspense and romance. In the near future, a title and a publication date. Together with the author and their she’s looking forward to the agent, I brainstorm a list of titles that get discussed with everyone in publication of Reunited on Dragonfly Lane by Annie my group but the final decision is usually made by my publisher. The Rains and When We Were publication date will depend upon when the author can send me the Young by Jaclyn Goldis. completed manuscript, of course, but it may also depend upon what time of year will be best to sell the book. You’ve probably noticed that all the big literary books generally come out in the fall each year while the big commercial books—thrillers and sci fi and romance—are published as summer reads.

9 Fortunately, The Bookstore on the Beach was one of those books I call a gift. The characters were clearly deﬁned in my mind from the very beginning. I understood their goals, motivations and conﬂicts, and I knew exactly where I wanted to take the story.

I especially enjoyed creating strong yet vulnerable Autumn Divac. Her backstory gave me such a nice starting point. She married an attorney whose parents migrated from Ukraine, but he’s gone missing. She suspects he was helping the government in that part of the world, but the government claims otherwise. She searches, unsuccessfully, for a year, trying to ﬁnd him while keeping her life as stable as possible for their two teenage children. So at the beginning of the story, when she returns to the quaint beachside town where she was raised, she’s hoping to gain comfort working in the bookstore owned by her mother and her aunt--to heal and move on.

Alex Logan, Executive Editor in addition to spelling, grammar, and punctu- need to pay for. So an interview in a newspa- at Grand Central Publishing, ation. I’m so thankful for the copyeditor who per is free publicity. And an ad on earned a journalism degree from Northwestern and catches all the things that I missed! Goodreads.com is marketing because we worked as a bookseller at After those corrections are made, the paid for that ad. Borders before moving to book will be typeset by one of my colleagues. Now we need to get the book into NYC and becoming an editor. She acquires primari- Authors are often excited about this step stores. As the book’s editor, I get to tell our ly women’s fiction, historical because it’s the first time that their story sales force why I’m excited about the book fiction, suspense and romance. In the near future, actually starts to look like a real book. This is and how I think it can find readers in the she’s looking forward to the the version that goes out for early quotes and crowded marketplace. They use that infor- publication of Reunited on Dragonfly Lane by Annie reviews. mation to go on sales calls (pre-COVID) all Rains and When We Were Then the production editor will hire a across the country to book buyers, not just at Young by Jaclyn Goldis. proofreader to make sure that the final text is independent bookstores and book chains correct. So we get a third chance to correct like Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million any errors before the book is sent to the but big box retailers like Walmart, Target, printer. (And there are interesting jobs relat- and Costco, grocery story and drugstore ed to the printing process like a paper buyer chains like Meijer and CVS, and stores you and a color proofer.) may not think about at first like Urban While the production process is Outfitters, Williams Sonoma, and Anthropol- underway, the fun process of cover art begins. ogie. We look at dozens of books that have sold As Brenda can tell you, some of an well in the same category as well as brain- author’s hardest work will happen when the storming new ideas. Then the art director for book is hitting the book shelves and being the book designs several covers for us to promoted by her publicist and marketer. While they are busy reaching out to bloggers and readers, I have a lot of colleagues who are working behind the scenes to make sure that the books are shipped from our ware- house, the inventory is restocked, the author is paid for each book sold, and the financial effect on our bottom line is tabulated. Then it’s up to me to buy the author’s next book!

MOUSSE CAKE From Debbie Macomber

Mousse: Crust: Topping: 1 1/2 cups blueberries 30 Nilla wafers, crushed 1 cup blueberries 2 tbsp. lemon juice 5 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 tbsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. lemon zest Pinch salt 1/8-1/4 cup sugar 2 tsp. unﬂavored gelatin 1 tsp. lemon zest 2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips 3 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Puree blueberries, lemon juice and lemon zest in a blender until smooth. Sprinkle gelatin onto the surface of the puree and let sit for 10 minutes to bloom.

Meanwhile, place white chocolate chips in a large heatproof bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 1 cup of the heavy whipping cream to a simmer. Pour over the white chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute to melt the chips. Stir until completely melted, then whisk in the blueberry puree; whisk until smooth. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat remaining 2 cups cream with the powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Mix together the crushed wafers, butter, and salt; stir to combine. Press into the bottom of a greased 9-inch spring- form pan. Set aside. Gently fold the whipped cream into the blueberry mixture until no streaks remain. Pour over the crust, then use an offset

BLUEBERRY LEMON spatula to smooth the top. Refrigerate until ﬁrm, about 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, toss blueberries with lemon juice. Drain extra juice, then toss with sugar until coated. Arrange blueberries on the cake, then sprinkle with the lemon zest. Slice and serve cold.

Most seeds can be directly sowed in the garden, or you can buy “starts” in small pots to give you a head start. One year I bought four different packs of tomato seeds, planted them in trays and set them under a grow light in my dining room. Of course, they all sprouted--about 100--so I gave all but 10 of them away. Now I buy 6-8 tomato plants of different varieties in 4” pots and plant those. I love little Yellow Pear, Sweet 100’s, Beefsteak, Early Girl and a few Heirlooms. I’ll be planting squash, cucumbers, and green beans by seed since they don’t like to be transplanted. There will also be bell pep- pers, jalapeños and, of course, cilantro in my garden. One thing I’ve learned along the way is companion planting. Did you know that tomatoes and cucumbers don’t get along? They need to be planted in different areas of your garden. I also like to plant flowers among my veggies to attract pollinators. That gets me a larger yield. Plus, it looks pretty. Borage now grows wild in my garden, and the bees love it. Without bees, we wouldn’t have much to eat at all, and the purple borage flowers can be eaten raw and look pretty in a salad or as decoration for a cake. If your only outdoor space is a patio or balcony, you can still grow veggies in pots as long as they get 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Bush Beans and Patio tomatoes are a few that are happy in pots. You can also grow herbs in a sunny window or maybe your town has a community garden where you would be able to tend your own garden plot. Your planting dates will be based on where you live. My sister lives in the White Mountains of Arizona. The old-timers there say not to plant until June 1 st. In Sacramento, I usually start planting in March. It’s said that if you can sit on your soil or stand on it barefoot, and it doesn’t feel cold, it’s ready for planting. For tips and lists of planting dates and veggies that do well in your part of the country, you can’t beat the Farmer’s Almanac. (www.almanac.com) Remember, if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Spring has sprung. It’s turning warmer, trees are growing new leaves, plants are starting to flower and there are more daylight hours. I love this season of new beginnings because it means it’s gardening time. Nothing is more satisfying than growing your own food. DANA’S DIGS

It’s said that if you can sit on your soil or stand on it barefoot, and it doesn’t feel cold, it’s ready for planting. Puree blueberries, lemon juice and lemon zest in a blender until smooth. Sprinkle gelatin onto the surface of the puree and let sit for 10 minutes to bloom.

When ready to serve, toss blueberries with lemon juice. Drain extra juice, then toss with sugar until coated. Arrange blueberries on the cake, then sprinkle with the lemon zest. Slice and serve cold.

y garden beds have been weeded and amended with composted chicken manure that I purchased at my local garden center. And boy, is it stinky! I’ll be able to start planting M in a week or so. Thankfully, the smell will be gone by then. Most seeds can be directly sowed in the garden, or you can buy “starts” in small pots to give you a head start. One year I bought four different packs of tomato seeds, planted them in trays and set them under a grow light in my dining room. Of course, they all sprouted--about 100--so I gave all but 10 of them away. Now I buy 6-8 tomato plants of different varieties in 4” pots and plant those. I love little Yellow Pear, Sweet 100’s, Beefsteak, Early Girl and a few Heirlooms. I’ll be planting squash, cucumbers, and green beans by seed since they don’t like to be transplanted. There will also be bell pep- pers, jalapeños and, of course, cilantro in my garden. One thing I’ve learned along the way is companion planting. Did you know that tomatoes and cucumbers don’t get along? They need to be planted in different areas of your garden. I also like to plant ﬂowers among my veggies to attract pollinators. That gets me a larger yield. Plus, it looks pretty. Borage now grows wild in my garden, and the bees love it. Without bees, we wouldn’t have much to eat at all, and the purple borage ﬂowers can be eaten raw and look pretty in a salad or as decoration for a cake. If your only outdoor space is a patio or balcony, you can still grow veggies in pots as long as they get 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. Bush Beans and Patio tomatoes are a few that are happy in pots. You can also grow herbs in a sunny window or maybe your town has a community garden where you would be able to tend your own garden plot. Your planting dates will be based on where you live. My sister lives in the White Mountains of Arizona. The old-timers there say not to plant until June 1 st. In Sacramento, I usually start planting in March. It’s said that if you can sit on your soil or stand on it barefoot, and it doesn’t feel cold, it’s ready for planting. For tips and lists of planting dates and veggies that do well in your part of the country, you can’t beat the Farmer’s Almanac. (www.almanac.com) Remember, if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.

14 Grow Plan Pl GRASS REMOVAL GARDEN SOIL

Sheet mulching is a great organic Healthy soil is the foundation that method. Just put down newspaper makes any garden a success, and 1or unwaxed cardboard to smother 2 most plants have an optimal soil the grass. Sheet layering can take type in which they thrive. Common several months to kill the grass, but issues with soil that can affect the it’s typically effective. Because it's a health of your plants include: lengthy process, it might be best to sheet layer in the summer so that Nutritional problems: Plants the area will be ready for the derive all of their nutrients from following spring planting season. the soil they're planted in. Perform a soil test on your garden bed to Manual removal is a lot of work, determine its nutritional content. If but it is great exercise and entirely the results suggest a deﬁciency, natural. It's also very effective. you'll need to add the necessary Moisten the lawn area thoroughly a amendments to remedy the day or two before you plan to problem. remove the grass. This will soften the turf and loosen the root Incorrect soil type: Soil type refers system. Next, use a sharp spade to to the texture and composition of cut the lawn into one-square-foot the soil. For instance, some soil sections. Remove each section by contains too much clay, causing sliding the spade beneath the drainage problems. If soil is too segment and levering it up and sandy, it drains water before plant out of the ground. roots can make use of it and does not contain enough organic mate- rial to provide the right level of nutrition. It's important to know the type of soil in your garden bed so that you can amend it accord- ingly.

Pl ant SELECTING PLANTSGrowWEEDS AND PESTS

As you select plants for your Weeds are a gardener's enemy, so garden, you need to do your home- it's important to identify which 3 work to learn about a plant's 4 weeds you’re dealing with. This speciﬁc requirements to ensure knowledge will continue to come you choose the right plants for the in handy long after you start a right location. Plants commonly garden. Weeds will pop up again used in garden beds and land- and again in spite of your best scapes generally fall into these efforts to prevent them. Many categories: sources of information like gardening books and websites are avail- Herbaceous annuals: plants that able to help you identify weeds. go through their entire lifecycle in one growing season and must be All gardeners face pests at some replanted every year. point. In some instances, you can take preventive measures like Herbaceous perennials (and fences or picking certain plants biennials): plants that return every that can deter certain animals or year. Their foliage dies to the insects. In some cases, you will ground in the winter, but the plant have to go on the offense. Natural re-grows from its root system the and synthetic chemicals can following spring. combat pests, but each method has its pros and cons. Some natural Woody trees and shrubs: plants methods might take longer to that do not have the soft herba- work, while chemical methods can ceous stems of annuals and peren- be harsh on the environment. nials.

Vegetables, fruits, and herbs: plants that are generally deﬁned as those that produce edible seeds, fruit, stems, foliage, or roots.

16 Healthy soil is the foundation that makes any garden a success, and most plants have an optimal soil type in which they thrive. Common issues with soil that can affect the health of your plants include:

Nutritional problems: Plants derive all of their nutrients from the soil they're planted in. Perform a soil test on your garden bed to determine its nutritional content. If the results suggest a deﬁciency, you'll need to add the necessary amendments to remedy the problem.

Incorrect soil type: Soil type refers to the texture and composition of the soil. For instance, some soil contains too much clay, causing drainage problems. If soil is too sandy, it drains water before plant roots can make use of it and does not contain enough organic mate- rial to provide the right level of nutrition. It's important to know the type of soil in your garden bed so that you can amend it accord- ingly.

WELCOME TO NANCY THAYER’S NANTUCKET! As you select plants for your Weeds are a gardener's enemy, so garden, you need to do your home- it's important to identify which work to learn about a plant's weeds you’re dealing with. This speciﬁc requirements to ensure knowledge will continue to come you choose the right plants for the in handy long after you start a right location. Plants commonly garden. Weeds will pop up again used in garden beds and land- and again in spite of your best scapes generally fall into these efforts to prevent them. Many categories: sources of information like gardening books and websites are avail- Herbaceous annuals: plants that able to help you identify weeds. go through their entire lifecycle in one growing season and must be All gardeners face pests at some replanted every year. point. In some instances, you can take preventive measures like Herbaceous perennials (and fences or picking certain plants biennials): plants that return every that can deter certain animals or year. Their foliage dies to the insects. In some cases, you will ground in the winter, but the plant have to go on the offense. Natural re-grows from its root system the and synthetic chemicals can following spring. combat pests, but each method has its pros and cons. Some natural Woody trees and shrubs: plants methods might take longer to that do not have the soft herba- work, while chemical methods can ceous stems of annuals and peren- be harsh on the environment. nials.

Vegetables, fruits, and herbs: plants that are generally deﬁned as those that produce edible seeds, fruit, stems, foliage, or roots.

“I’ve lived on the island for thirty-six years. Here are some things I’ve learned.”

-New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer There once was a man from Nantucket Who kept all his cash in a There are two ways to get to the island: by boat or by plane. bucket But his daughter, named Nan, Ran away with Nantucket’s favorite book: The Nantucket Reader a man, And as for the bucket, Nantucket!

Nantucket’s favorite limerick

Nantucket’s favorite ﬂower: Hydrangea

19 Nantucket’s favorite color: Blue and white stripes Nantucket’s favorite activities: biking, sailing and kayaking

Nantucket’s favorite bookstore: Nantucket Bookworks Nantucket’s other favorite bookstore: Mitchell’s Book Corner

Nantucket’s favorite dog: yellow lab Nantucket’s favorite drink: Whale Tale Pale Ale a few of my fav

I always enjoy picking the items for May’s Brenda Novak Book Box. May is my birthday month, so it’s become a tradition to include a few of my favorite things. This year, I’m putting in an autographed copy of Family Reunion, our book group read, by Nancy Thayer, who is, of course, one of my favorite authors.

It’s also tradition to include a new card designed exclu- sively for me by my sister, Pamela Mott. She’s never had any formal training, but her natural talent for anything artistic is remarkable. Her greeting cards are cute and funny, like this one, so if you missed the card she designed for me last year, it’s available at www.brendanovak.com

A perfect suer read!

Don’t mi the new design!

cover This face cream is the best I’ve ever tried! a few of my fav orite things I’d given up the search for a face cream I liked, settling for Oil of Olay—until Alexa introduced me to UpCircle. Made from I always enjoy picking the items for May’s Brenda Novak argan shell powder with soothing cocoa Book Box. May is my birthday month, so it’s become a butter and aloe vera, it’s fast-absorbing tradition to include a few of my favorite things. This year, and leaves my skin feeling so smooth. I’m putting in an autographed copy of Family Reunion, Another plus is that it’s not outrageously our book group read, by Nancy Thayer, who is, of course, expensive—only $24 a jar. Such a bargain one of my favorite authors. when compared to the face creams I’ve tried that cost much more and aren’t as It’s also tradition to include a new card designed exclu- The best face cream! good. sively for me by my sister, Pamela Mott. She’s never had any formal training, but her natural talent for anything After years of being told she should bottle artistic is remarkable. Her greeting cards are cute and an old family recipe passed down by Makes everything funny, like this one, so if you missed the card she generations, Nina Keough and two original designed for me last year, it’s available at partners created M SALT, a blend of salt, taste beer! www.brendanovak.com herbs and spices. She says it takes ordinary food and makes it extraordinary, and I have to agree. I use it on everything! And this 5.5 oz. jar, which is $8, has a dual ﬂapper cap. One side ﬂips open for easy seasoning with a sifter; the other is big enough for a spoon to make measuring easy.

I ﬁrst tasted Sweet Street’s Manifesto cookies at a restaurant near where I live called Garden of Eat’n. Ted and I loved every ﬂavor we tried but settled on Salted Caramel as our favorite. Not only does it have toffee and white chocolate chunks, it has pretzel bites and sea salt. Yum! I have a huge sweet tooth, and a delicious cookie is irresistible to me. Taste aside, I love that this company is, like the business I run These e delicious! with my daughter, owned by women. cover REVEAL Maybe this Christmas can thaw his frozen heart and heal hers.

Hollywood starlet Tia Beckett knows one moment can change your life. Her career had been on the fast track before a near-fa- tal accident left her with a debilitating facial scar. Certain her A-lister dreams are over, she agrees to house-sit at her producer’s secluded estate in Silver Springs. It’s the escape from the limelight Tia’s been crav- ing, until she discovers she’s not the only houseguest for the holidays. And her handsome new roomie is impossible to ignore.

Artist Seth Turner has good reason to keep his distance. Losing his wife after only a few years of marriage has left a deep scar, even if he is still happy to spend a semester Silver Springs teaching art classes at the New Horizons Book 1: Finding Our Forever Boys Ranch for troubled teens. Book 2: No One but You Book 3: Until You Loved Me Despite nursing her own wounds, Tia finds Book 4: Right Where We Belong her curiosity piqued by enigmatic Seth, Book 5: Unforgettable You whom she recognizes as something of a Book 6: Christmas in Silver Springs kindred soul. Maybe spending Christmas Book 7: A California Christmas together could be another game changer Book 8: When I Found You for both of them - this time, for good. Book 9: Keep Me Warm at Christmas 23 I first tasted Sweet Street’s Manifesto cookies at a restaurant near where I live called Garden of Eat’n. Ted and I loved every flavor we tried but settled on Salted Caramel as our favorite. Not only does it have toffee and white chocolate chunks, it has pretzel bites and sea salt. Yum! I have a huge sweet tooth, and a delicious cookie is irresistible to me. Taste aside, I love that this company is, like the business I run with my daughter, owned by women.

Brenda Novak’s 2021 Reading Challenge

January February March April

May June July August

Any Brenda Novak Book

Silver Springs Book 1: Finding Our Forever Book 2: No One but You Book 3: Until You Loved Me September October November December Book 4: Right Where We Belong Those who read and record all twelve Challenge Reads will be eligible to receive an Book 5: Unforgettable You enamel pin signifying the completion of the goal. This commemorative Book 6: Christmas in Silver Springs pin will be free to those getting January’s Brenda Novak Book Box (because we can Book 7: A California Christmas just slip it inside). Otherwise, there will be a small charge for shipping Book 8: When I Found You and handling ($5). Be sure to record your reads on my website at Book 9: Keep Me Warm at Christmas www.brendanovak.com/book-group/readers-challenge/ 24 Silver Springs Book 1: Finding Our Forever Book 2: No One but You Book 3: Until You Loved Me Book 4: Right Where We Belong Book 5: Unforgettable You Book 6: Christmas in Silver Springs Book 7: A California Christmas Book 8: When I Found You Book 9: Keep Me Warm at Christmas Silver Springs Book 1: Finding Our Forever Book 2: No One but You Book 3: Until You Loved Me Book 4: Right Where We Belong Those who read and record all twelve Challenge Reads will be eligible to receive an Book 5: Unforgettable You enamel pin signifying the completion of the goal. This commemorative Book 6: Christmas in Silver Springs pin will be free to those getting January’s Brenda Novak Book Box (because we can Book 7: A California Christmas just slip it inside). Otherwise, there will be a small charge for shipping Book 8: When I Found You and handling ($5). Be sure to record your reads on my website at Book 9: Keep Me Warm at Christmas www.brendanovak.com/book-group/readers-challenge/

PIECES OF PERFECT by Brenda Novak

Pieces of Perfect is a sequel novella to One Perfect Summer, which was released in April 2020. For maximum enjoyment, be sure to read it first. It’s about three strangers who take a DNA test and find out they’re sisters. In their quest to figure out how and why, they become family in every other sense of the word, too. One Perfect Summer is available in print, audio or digital. I gave digital copies of Pieces of Perfect away to all those who preordered The Bookstore on the Beach, but this magazine contains the only print version.

I hope you will like the story!

Lorelei found that heartbreaking--that a plane ticket. But she hadn’t been able woman, her adoptive mother, could be to bring herself to do it. killed and discarded like trash without her death causing so much as a ripple First of all, she had no idea if he’d in the world at large. Either then or tell her what he knew. Even if he could now... remember her biological mother, it was possible he’d never met her adoptive He rubbed the shiny pate of his mother. She also had no way of know- bald head. “Tell me what you know so ing if whatever he said would be true far.” and didn’t want to allow him to mess Lorelei shifted uncomfortably on with her mind. She was almost as afraid the leather seat. “It might help if I begin he’d tell the truth as she was that he’d by telling you a little about me.” lie. Did she have other siblings out there somewhere? Besides Reagan and “Great place to start,” he agreed. Serenity? If so, how many?

“From what I’ve been able to dig Sitting forward again, Mr. Rut- up, I’m the daughter of a Catholic ledge leaned his meaty elbows on the priest,” she told him. desk. “Go on,” he said. “You have my full attention.” “Your father…left the priesthood?” She clasped her hands around “No. I’m betting my biological her purse. Her story was convoluted, mother wasn’t even of age when he and she wanted to make sure she slept with her, which is why he’s spent explained it as clearly and succinctly as the last twenty years in the Mississippi possible. “His name’s Bernard Green- State Penitentiary.” stone. He was Father Greenstone when he impregnated three young wom- “Interesting.” en--three that we know of; there could be more--in the parishes over which he “It’s quite a legacy, right?” presided.”

“Have you tried to contact him?” He winced. “Parishes…plural?”

“No.” Although she lived in Flori- “Yes. He’d get a girl in trouble, da, she’d considered going to “Parch- there’d be complaints about his behav- man Farm,” as they called it, and paying ior and the church would pay her and him a visit. She’d looked at the logistics her family off, arrange for the child to be several times and almost bought a adopted and move him somewhere else.” Chapter 1

The air-conditioner chugged, His eyebrows, which had hairs struggling to combat the heat and going every which way, slid up, wrin- humidity of a Florida summer, as Lorelei kling his forehead. “The police have Cipriano set her purse on her lap and been no help?” took the chair the private investigator offered her. “I’m talking about something that happened thirty-four years ago.” “What can I do for you?” Leon “That isn’t going to make my job any Rutledge, a heavyset man in his fifties, easier.” asked as he rounded his desk to take his own seat. “That isn’t going to make my job any easier.” Lorelei had been saving for months to be able to hire him. She “Exactly.” But she was counting knew this would be an expensive on him to finally put her mind at ease. endeavor, but she was prepared to At the very least, she had to do all she spend the money now that she had it. could for the poor woman who’d adopt- The DNA test she’d taken a couple of ed her and tried to give her a home. years ago had connected her with two “The case is very cold, and the police half-sisters she hadn’t even known claim they’ve done everything they about, so she’d prepared herself in can.” other ways, too. Who knew what she’d His chair squeaked as he rocked find? Reagan and Serenity had turned back. “They could be telling the truth. out to be a pleasant surprise. They’d Have you considered that?” helped her figure out who she was and where she’d come from. But there were “There has to be more out there,” still so many blanks to fill in. “I’m hoping she insisted. “She deserves to have you can discover who killed my adop- someone try harder.” And who was tive mother.” going to make that happen if not her? No one else seemed to be concerned.

Mississippi, where the church moved “Where it would happen again.” him next. There, I was adopted by a couple by the name of Mitch and Sarah He was guessing, but judging by Ryan.” She sighed before continuing, his fatalistic tone, he understood that “Everything might’ve ended well at that behavior like Greenstone’s typically point…” didn’t change. “Yes.” “Except…” “Seems I’ve seen that in a movie.” “Only a year or so after the adop- “We all have. That was how the tion, their marriage fell apart, and Mitch Catholic Church dealt with problem went back to Canada, where he was priests back then.” originally from.” Lorelei shook her head. “As far as I know, we never heard from “So…are you saying you think he him again.” killed your mother?” “And Sarah…” “If my adoption was handled the same way as my two sisters’, then no. In “Was murdered.” that case, he would have no way of knowing my mother. But we can’t say His frown made his chin look like for sure how mine was handled. It a wooden puppet’s. “Tell me what you could’ve happened differently. Maybe know about that.” Sarah did know Greenstone and my biological mother--she was a member “When she split with Mitch, Sarah of the parish, too--and he wanted to took me and moved to Florida, where I keep her from testifying against him.” was found alone on a busy street in downtown Orlando at only two years “You have two sisters who were old. I’m assuming whoever murdered also adopted?” her dropped me off in some random location--or let me out when he went to “Yes. Let me back up. He impreg- dispose of her body, and I wandered nated one young woman in the Bay around until someone picked me up off Area, who had a girl named Serenity. He the highway.” impregnated another young woman in Cincinnati, who had a girl named “No one came forward when you Reagan. They’re my two sisters, and were found? It didn’t make the papers?” they were born only months apart. I was born two years after Reagan, in “It did. But my mother’s remains

I hope you will like the story!

“Have you tried to contact him?” He winced. “Parishes…plural?”

didn’t turn up until four years later.” had to compete with the sound. “How do you know as much as you do?” he “Surely someone reported her asked. missing.” “Serenity’s father hired a P.I. who “I don’t think she was in Orlando pieced that much together a couple of long enough for anyone to even realize years ago.” she should be around.” “This P.I. couldn’t find anything “What about her family? Some- else?” one had to have missed her.” “Maybe he would have--that was “I’m guessing she didn’t have just the low-hanging fruit--but I much familial support. Otherwise, her couldn’t expect Serenity’s father to disappearance would’ve been reported. continue paying him indefinitely, and I Anyway, by the time her body was was going through a divorce at the time discovered, there was nothing left but and couldn’t afford him myself. So…we bones. Her purse was nearby, and they left it there.” were able to use her driver’s license, which was barely legible by this point, “And now you’re hoping I’ll dig to identify her. But I’d already been put deeper.” in the foster care system by then, and they never connected the child who’d “Yes.” been picked up off the busy street with the woman who was murdered and His calloused fingers began to dumped in the swamp.” twirl a pen. “You realize what a long shot this is, don’t you? Are you sure you “The killer left her purse with her want to invest in something that may body? That doesn’t seem very smart.” never provide the answers you need?”

“He must’ve felt safe, even if they “I spent a lot of time doing identified the body. Or he was fright- research so I could find the best P.I. in ened and in too much of a hurry. It Florida.” could even be that she was in such a remote location, he didn’t expect her He straightened the placard with body to be found.” his name. “Don’t tell me you think that’s me.” The air-conditioner finally switched off, meaning they no longer “I read an article about how you The air-conditioner chugged, His eyebrows, which had hairs struggling to combat the heat and going every which way, slid up, wrin- humidity of a Florida summer, as Lorelei kling his forehead. “The police have Cipriano set her purse on her lap and been no help?” took the chair the private investigator offered her. “I’m talking about something that happened thirty-four years ago.” “What can I do for you?” Leon “That isn’t going to make my job any Rutledge, a heavyset man in his fifties, easier.” asked as he rounded his desk to take his own seat. “That isn’t going to make my job any easier.” Lorelei had been saving for months to be able to hire him. She “Exactly.” But she was counting knew this would be an expensive on him to finally put her mind at ease. endeavor, but she was prepared to At the very least, she had to do all she spend the money now that she had it. could for the poor woman who’d adopt- The DNA test she’d taken a couple of ed her and tried to give her a home. years ago had connected her with two “The case is very cold, and the police half-sisters she hadn’t even known claim they’ve done everything they about, so she’d prepared herself in can.” other ways, too. Who knew what she’d His chair squeaked as he rocked find? Reagan and Serenity had turned back. “They could be telling the truth. out to be a pleasant surprise. They’d Have you considered that?” helped her figure out who she was and where she’d come from. But there were “There has to be more out there,” still so many blanks to fill in. “I’m hoping she insisted. “She deserves to have you can discover who killed my adop- someone try harder.” And who was tive mother.” going to make that happen if not her? No one else seemed to be concerned.

specialize in helping people who’ve been adopted locate their birth fami- lies--about how hard you worked to connect one man, who needed a bone marrow transplant, with his biological relatives. You saved his life.”

“I got lucky,” he said. “I found the needle in the haystack.”

Lorelei had to blink back tears. She’d daydreamed about unraveling the mystery of her early life for as long as she could remember. Spending the summer in Lake Tahoe a couple of years ago, getting to know her half-sisters--two women she’d never previously met--had only made that desire more acute. “Do you think you can ﬁnd another one?”

His chest lifted as he drew a deep breath, putting even more strain on the buttons of his shirt. “I can’t make any promises,” he said. “But…I’ll do my best.” Lorelei found that heartbreaking--that a plane ticket. But she hadn’t been able woman, her adoptive mother, could be to bring herself to do it. killed and discarded like trash without her death causing so much as a ripple First of all, she had no idea if he’d in the world at large. Either then or tell her what he knew. Even if he could now... remember her biological mother, it was possible he’d never met her adoptive He rubbed the shiny pate of his mother. She also had no way of know- bald head. “Tell me what you know so ing if whatever he said would be true far.” and didn’t want to allow him to mess Lorelei shifted uncomfortably on with her mind. She was almost as afraid the leather seat. “It might help if I begin he’d tell the truth as she was that he’d by telling you a little about me.” lie. Did she have other siblings out there somewhere? Besides Reagan and “Great place to start,” he agreed. Serenity? If so, how many?

“Have you tried to contact him?” He winced. “Parishes…plural?”

30 Mississippi, where the church moved him next. There, I was adopted by a couple by the name of Mitch and Sarah Ryan.” She sighed before continuing, “Everything might’ve ended well at that point…”

“Except…”

“Only a year or so after the adoption, their marriage fell apart, and Mitch went back to Canada, where he was originally from.” Lorelei shook her head. “As far as I know, we never heard from him again.”

“And Sarah…”

“Was murdered.”

His frown made his chin look like a wooden puppet’s. “Tell me what you know about that.”

“When she split with Mitch, Sarah took me and moved to Florida, where I was found alone on a busy street in downtown Orlando at only two years old. I’m assuming whoever murdered her dropped me off in some random location--or let me out when he went to dispose of her body, and I wandered around until someone picked me up off the highway.”

“No one came forward when you were found? It didn’t make the papers?”

“It did. But my mother’s remains

“I got lucky,” he said. “I found the needle in the haystack.”

His chest lifted as he drew a deep breath, putting even more strain on the buttons of his shirt. “I can’t make any promises,” he said. “But…I’ll do my best.”

But Lorelei felt no loyalty to her of lying. “It won’t take long,” he said. Francine. They were no longer friends. So she wasn’t going to argue or ques- She was tired of being cornered tion him. “Okay.” by him, so she risked pushing back, even though she’d been doing her best, He gestured at the house. “Can for Lucy’s sake, to keep things calm and we go inside?” positive between them. Her efforts were probably to blame for why he was Her mind raced for an excuse to suddenly trying again. He thought he stay out in the yard. She didn’t want to might have another chance--but he be alone with him. The last time he’d didn’t. “Just tell me now. I’m in a hurry,” had an opportunity like this, he’d she reiterated. pressed her up against a wall and kissed her. He’d been trying to remind He sighed. “I want to talk to you her of what they’d once had, but she’d about Lucy.” felt nothing other than a mild revulsion. Ever since she’d met Finn Hatch, who’d “What about her?” rented the cabin next to the one where they were staying that summer in “I think the divorce is taking a big Tahoe, she hadn’t been able to get toll on her. She’s not the same.” excited about anyone else. He was the new standard by whom she measured He’d been coming up with more all men. “Actually, I don’t have more and more of this type of thing lately, than a couple of minutes. I was just and, while Lorelei was worried about stopping by to grab my checkbook. The how the divorce was affecting their only time I use it is when I get my hair daughter, the concerns he expressed done, so I forgot to take it with me were engineered to manipulate her into when I left this morning.” coming back to him. “What do you mean? In what way?” The way she’d shored up her statement with so much detail was a “She started crying last night dead giveaway that she wasn’t being when I was putting her to bed.” truthful. Besides, she’d just had her hair done. But she curled her fingernails “Because…” into her palms and hoped he’d buy it. “She wants her parents to be He seemed frustrated that they together again. She doesn’t like having couldn’t have more time and more to split her life between your house and privacy, but he didn’t seem to suspect mine.” didn’t turn up until four years later.” had to compete with the sound. “How do you know as much as you do?” he “Surely someone reported her asked. missing.” “Serenity’s father hired a P.I. who “I don’t think she was in Orlando pieced that much together a couple of long enough for anyone to even realize years ago.” she should be around.” “This P.I. couldn’t find anything “What about her family? Some- else?” one had to have missed her.” “Maybe he would have--that was “I’m guessing she didn’t have just the low-hanging fruit--but I much familial support. Otherwise, her couldn’t expect Serenity’s father to disappearance would’ve been reported. continue paying him indefinitely, and I Anyway, by the time her body was was going through a divorce at the time discovered, there was nothing left but and couldn’t afford him myself. So…we bones. Her purse was nearby, and they left it there.” were able to use her driver’s license, which was barely legible by this point, “And now you’re hoping I’ll dig to identify her. But I’d already been put deeper.” in the foster care system by then, and they never connected the child who’d “Yes.” been picked up off the busy street with the woman who was murdered and His calloused fingers began to dumped in the swamp.” twirl a pen. “You realize what a long shot this is, don’t you? Are you sure you “The killer left her purse with her want to invest in something that may body? That doesn’t seem very smart.” never provide the answers you need?”

Chapter 2

Lorelei was surprised to find her “I need to talk to you,” he replied, ex-husband, Mark, parked in her drive acting as though it was important. when she returned. He was supposed to have their six-year-old daughter for the She peered around at his Explor- next week. She would’ve assumed he er. Sure enough, he was alone. “Is Lucy was bringing Lucy home early, but she okay?” didn’t see their child in the car. “She’s fine.” What was going on? “Where is she?” Steeling herself for what she might encounter, she got out of her “Francine took her and Leila Jetta. He vacillated between berating swimming at a friend’s house.” her for her lack of forgiveness for what he deemed “one mistake” and pleading Leila was the sixteen-month-old with her to reunite their family, despite daughter he’d had with Francine. She the fact that he was currently with was a beautiful baby, but Lorelei had a someone else. difficult time looking at her. Francine had been her best friend before she She forced a smile, hoping a had an affair with Mark and wound up congenial response would influence the pregnant. tone of the conversation. Their split had been so acrimonious. She was finished Did Francine even know Mark fighting with him, wanted nothing was here? more than to put it all behind her and move on. He was the one who wouldn’t Lorelei doubted it. She would not let go, which was pretty ironic consider- be happy to learn she was babysitting ing the reason for their divorce. “Hello, both kids while he was visiting his ex. what are you doing here?” she asked.

“What about Leila?” she asked. with this person. The fact that it hadn’t “Won’t your other child want the worked out had been devastat- same?” ing--made all the worse because of her background. She’d believed, with him, “Leila’s too young to know any she’d ﬁnally had a real family, a forever different.” home.

“And Francine?” But he’d broken what they’d had, broken it so badly she couldn’t ﬁx it. She “Come on, Lorelei. I’ve told you knew that, even if he didn’t. “I do forgive she drives me crazy. You’re the only one you,” she said. “I'm just not going to get I’ve ever wanted.” back into the relationship.”

“That couldn’t have been how “Why?” you felt when you were sleeping with her, or it would never have happened.” She actually felt some sympathy for him. That in itself showed her how “We’ve been over that,” he said in far she’d come--and that she was ﬁnally exasperation. “I didn’t mean to…to stray. over him. “Because I don’t love you I just got confused, made a mistake. anymore.” Anyone can make a mistake.” He stiffened as though she’d He was right in one regard. They slapped him. “It’s because of that boy had been over this, and she didn’t you met in Tahoe, right? You’re still in understand why they had to go over it contact with him.” again. He liked referring to Finn as a She made a show of checking boy. He thought it was a clever put- her phone. “I’m afraid I can’t talk about down. Finn was ﬁve years younger than this today.” she was, nine years younger than Mark, but he was a better man than Mark by “But you’ll consider it?” He far. “I talk to him occasionally,” she stepped forward. “God, Lorelei, how allowed. But since Tahoe, he hadn’t long is it going to take for you to forgive offered her anything more than friend- me?” ship. “He’s not what broke up our marriage, and you know it.” She stared up into the face she’d once found so handsome. She’d “I’ve already taken responsibility thought she’d spend the rest of her life for that. And I’ve apologized. What

more can I do?” She had to be grateful for the emotional stability and hope he could overcome “Pick up and move on--while the divorce, too. being the best father to Lucy you can be.” “You okay?” Mr. Rashid called from over the hedge that separated her “I am a good father,” he said, house from his. suddenly combative. “I’ve always been a good father.” She hadn’t realized they’d had an audience. The neighbors didn’t know A good father would not have the details of the breakdown of her done what he did, but she didn’t point marriage--she’d certainly never shared that out. “And I appreciate it. Lucy may them--but it would be hard to miss the not realize it yet, but she does, too.” fact that she and Mark had struggled to get along. Mr. Rashid had even called “So what about me?” he asked. the cops once, when Mark was scream- ing obscenities at her and throwing She hiked her purse up higher. things in the garage the day he moved “What about you?” out.

“I’m not happy with Francine. I’ve “I’m okay,” she replied and sent never loved her, and I don’t love her to him a smile for looking out for her this day. Living with her isn’t going to before hurrying into the house. change that.”

“Then I’m sorry you ever slept with her,” she said.

He muttered something laden with expletives under his breath. Lorelei knew whatever he’d said wasn’t ﬂatter- ing to her. But at least he got in his car and left.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him turn out of the neighborhood. But she didn’t let this most recent encounter upset her. That was more proof she was doing better. Lorelei was surprised to find her “I need to talk to you,” he replied, ex-husband, Mark, parked in her drive acting as though it was important. when she returned. He was supposed to have their six-year-old daughter for the She peered around at his Explor- next week. She would’ve assumed he er. Sure enough, he was alone. “Is Lucy was bringing Lucy home early, but she okay?” didn’t see their child in the car. “She’s fine.” What was going on? “Where is she?” Steeling herself for what she might encounter, she got out of her “Francine took her and Leila Jetta. He vacillated between berating swimming at a friend’s house.” her for her lack of forgiveness for what he deemed “one mistake” and pleading Leila was the sixteen-month-old with her to reunite their family, despite daughter he’d had with Francine. She the fact that he was currently with was a beautiful baby, but Lorelei had a someone else. difficult time looking at her. Francine had been her best friend before she She forced a smile, hoping a had an affair with Mark and wound up congenial response would influence the pregnant. tone of the conversation. Their split had been so acrimonious. She was finished Did Francine even know Mark fighting with him, wanted nothing was here? more than to put it all behind her and move on. He was the one who wouldn’t Lorelei doubted it. She would not let go, which was pretty ironic consider- be happy to learn she was babysitting ing the reason for their divorce. “Hello, both kids while he was visiting his ex. what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Then I’m sorry you ever slept with her,” she said.

He muttered something laden with expletives under his breath. Lorelei knew whatever he’d said wasn’t ﬂatter- ing to her. But at least he got in his car and left.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him turn out of the neighborhood. But she didn’t let this most recent encounter upset her. That was more proof she was doing better.

successful at touting her best points, think he believed he could ruin what he anyway. She’d been through so much had. It comes as a shock that I’m not she was more tempted to post a there to devote all my time and energy disclaimer: damaged goods. to him anymore.”

With a sigh, she was about to go “He should’ve treated you better back into the kitchen to try again to when he had you.” accomplish something on her new cookbook when she received a text “That would’ve saved us both a from Serenity. lot of grief. But it’s too late now.”

Hey, you. How’s it been going? “Have you put up that proﬁle on Match.com we’ve been talking about?” Instead of texting back, Lorelei decided to call. She needed to hear her “Not yet.” sister’s voice. She hadn’t told Reagan or Serenity that she’d made an appoint- “Why not?” ment with a private investigator. Until this morning, she hadn’t been entirely She decided not to mention that sure she’d go through with it. she’d almost done it tonight. That would only make Serenity push harder. “What’s up?” Serenity said as “I’ve been focused on other things. I had soon as she answered. an appointment with a private investigator this morning.” Lorelei set her laptop aside and stretched out on the couch. “Not “You did? Someone local?” enough, actually. I need to create a recipe for my new cookbook, but I’m “Yeah. A Leon Rutledge.” not feeling it tonight.” “How’d you ﬁnd him?” “Why not? Is everything okay?” “I’ve been looking around.” She told Serenity what had happened earlier with Mark. “What’d he have to say?”

“He just won’t give up,” Serenity “He didn’t sound too optimistic said. about my chances of learning anything after so long, but he agreed to take the “I was so committed for so long, I don’t case.”

Chapter 3

Lorelei usually kept herself so what she was using to pay Mr. Rut- busy she didn’t have time to miss what ledge. Her editor had asked her to she’d had with Mark. During the days, create a follow-up focusing on salads she worked as a checker at the local using homegrown sprouts and other grocery store to make ends meet. At herbs, as well as low-oil, no-preservative night, when Lucy was in bed, she tried salad dressings, so she’d been working to create new recipes or promote her on that. There was plenty she should be cookbook, which had come out in April. doing tonight, while she had the But now that summer was here and time--if only she could concentrate. Lucy was out of school, Mark and Fran- After Mark’s visit, she’d been feeling too cine were taking her every other week, disgruntled and out of sorts to accom- which left Lorelei alone during those plish much and was wondering if she evenings. should finally put up a profile on one of the online dating sites. She tried to make good use of the time. She was still incredibly excited Maybe she could meet someone. about her cookbook--loved seeing it in She doubted there was anyone who Barnes & Noble and other stores. She’d could make her feel the way Finn did, dreamed about creating something like but that would become a self-fulfilling that for years but never really imagined prophecy if she didn’t try to get out she’d be able to do it. She probably there in the dating pool. wouldn’t even have tried, if not for the encouragement of Reagan and Sereni- She used her laptop to navigate ty. And if not for the publishing connec- to Match.com, but ultimately couldn’t tions Serenity, a true crime writer, had bring herself to load the necessary generously shared… pictures and write about her interests. Building that profile smacked too much Thank goodness she did try, of selling herself--as though she was a because now it was a reality, and the product--and that had never felt right money she’d made from it was largely to her. She didn’t think she’d be very

“So you hired him?” more.”

“I did.” “I don’t think so.”

“Wow. I’m glad. It’s an expensive “Why not?” endeavor, but I think it’s the right way to go.” “He doesn’t care as much as you do. He doesn’t have the emotional pull “Are you still thinking about you might have.” going to see our sperm donor?” They’d discussed paying “Father Greenstone” a “I don’t think Greenstone cares visit one day. Serenity planned to write enough about us to give us any ‘pull.’” their story for her next true crime book, so she deﬁnitely needed to meet him “You don’t know that. What if we and learn what she could--if he’d allow all went together--you, me and it. But Lorelei wasn’t enthusiastic about Reagan?” the prospect of being in the same room with him. “You think Reagan will do it?”

“I am,” Serenity replied. “First I “I think so, yeah.” need to see if he’ll agree to meet with me. You should come, too--even if “But we don’t even know if he’ll Reagan doesn’t want to.” see us.”

“You think he’ll know something “He might be eager for about my situation?” visitors--or, if he’s found God again, anxious to unburden his conscience “Who can say? But he’s our only with an apology. Ask our forgiveness.” link to the past. It can’t hurt to talk to him.” Lorelei didn’t dare let herself hope he’d be that tractable. “I doubt it’ll “Maybe I’ll have my new P.I. pay go that way. Besides, the trip will cost him a visit before he’s out prison.” money, and--”

“What if Rutledge can’t get as “It’ll cost more to send a PI,” much out of him as you could?” Serenity broke in. “Since they charge per diem.” “Rutledge is an experienced investigator. He should be able to get Serenity had a point. She’d seen

“Then I’m sorry you ever slept with her,” she said.

He muttered something laden with expletives under his breath. Lorelei knew whatever he’d said wasn’t ﬂatter- ing to her. But at least he got in his car and left.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him turn out of the neighborhood. But she didn’t let this most recent encounter upset her. That was more proof she was doing better.

the rates in the contract she’d signed at “That’s true.” Lorelei rubbed her Rutledge’s ofﬁce. “Can you get away?” temples as she tried to decide. She’d Lorelei asked. “Sawyer won’t mind?” just told Rutledge that the woman who’d adopted her deserved more care “You know Sawyer. He won’t and concern than she’d ever gotten. begrudge me a weekend trip with my This was one way Lorelei could possibly sisters.” learn more about the circumstances surrounding Sarah Ryan’s death. And Although Serenity was expecting she’d have her sisters with her, which a baby in three months, she didn’t have made the prospect of visiting the prison any children yet, so she didn’t have to much more tolerable. “Okay,” she worry about childcare. Reagan, howev- relented. “I’ll write to see if he’ll allow er, had a one-year-old. “Reagan won’t the visit.” want to leave Summer, will she?” “I can do that, if you’d rather,” “Rally will watch her. He’s so good Serenity said. “I would’ve written him to that little girl.” already, but I’ve been so darn sick.”

Summer was the result of an Morning sickness had hit her affair Reagan had at the ad agency hard almost from the moment she got where she’d worked before going out pregnant, although she’d been feeling on her own. She hadn’t been seeing better the closer she drew to her final Rally at the time, but you’d never guess trimester. “No, I’ll do it,” Lorelei said. that Summer wasn’t his. He treated her “Lucy’s with Mark, so I have the time.” as though he loved her every bit as much as the older kids he had with his “I wonder if he’ll agree to see us.” ex-wife. “You’re convinced we should go to Mississippi?” She’d be traveling from “So do I.” Lorelei had started Florida. Reagan would be coming from plenty of letters to him, but she’d New York, which was even farther. And thrown them all away. Serenity would be coming the farthest--all the way from California. “I’d Serenity covered the phone for a love to see the two of you. Greenstone moment. When she came back on the I’m not so excited about.” line, she said, “I’d better go. I’ve got to force my poor swollen feet into some “I know, but it would be smart for shoes. I promised Sawyer we’d go out to both of us. Once he gets out, there’s no dinner tonight.” telling where he’ll go or whether we’ll be able to find him.” “Okay. Have fun. And tell Sawyer I Lorelei usually kept herself so what she was using to pay Mr. Rut- busy she didn’t have time to miss what ledge. Her editor had asked her to she’d had with Mark. During the days, create a follow-up focusing on salads she worked as a checker at the local using homegrown sprouts and other grocery store to make ends meet. At herbs, as well as low-oil, no-preservative night, when Lucy was in bed, she tried salad dressings, so she’d been working to create new recipes or promote her on that. There was plenty she should be cookbook, which had come out in April. doing tonight, while she had the But now that summer was here and time--if only she could concentrate. Lucy was out of school, Mark and Fran- After Mark’s visit, she’d been feeling too cine were taking her every other week, disgruntled and out of sorts to accom- which left Lorelei alone during those plish much and was wondering if she evenings. should finally put up a profile on one of the online dating sites. She tried to make good use of the time. She was still incredibly excited Maybe she could meet someone. about her cookbook--loved seeing it in She doubted there was anyone who Barnes & Noble and other stores. She’d could make her feel the way Finn did, dreamed about creating something like but that would become a self-fulfilling that for years but never really imagined prophecy if she didn’t try to get out she’d be able to do it. She probably there in the dating pool. wouldn’t even have tried, if not for the encouragement of Reagan and Sereni- She used her laptop to navigate ty. And if not for the publishing connec- to Match.com, but ultimately couldn’t tions Serenity, a true crime writer, had bring herself to load the necessary generously shared… pictures and write about her interests. Building that profile smacked too much Thank goodness she did try, of selling herself--as though she was a because now it was a reality, and the product--and that had never felt right money she’d made from it was largely to her. She didn’t think she’d be very

“So you hired him?” more.”

“I did.” “I don’t think so.”

said hi.” “Not in the same way you do. Reagan and I have never slept with “Will do.” him,” Serenity said with a laugh. “Call him.” Lorelei suddenly stopped Sereni- ty from hanging up. She couldn’t keep After Serenity disconnected, herself from saying one last thing. “By Lorelei navigated to the last text the way, have you heard anything from exchange she’d had with Finn--four Finn lately?” months ago, at Christmas. They’d checked in, wished each other a happy “Not recently,” her sister replied. holiday. “Why?” Should she reach out to him? See “I was just…wondering.” if even a ﬂicker of what he’d felt the summer they met was still there? There was a lengthy pause before Serenity said, “Lorelei, if Finn still means She didn’t want to bother him if that much to you, you should reach out he’d moved on. And chances were he to him.” had moved on. A man as handsome, intelligent and kind as Finn could take “No. No way,” she said. “He his pick of women. Why would he want doesn’t ‘mean that much’ to me. It’s her? natural that I’d wonder if…if maybe you’ve seen him. You both live in Califor- She opened the photos on her nia, after all.” phone and scrolled through the pictures they’d taken at the lake two “He lives in So-Cal, six hours from years ago, and felt a smile tug at her here.” lips. She’d been married and dealing with her husband’s inﬁdelity. It was Finn She should’ve kept her mouth who’d helped her through that terrible, shut; she’d given too much away. dark period. He’d built her self-esteem “Right. Sorry.” by listening to her and befriending her and making her feel desirable at a time “Lorelei, I know you care about when she’d felt like an old cast-off him,” Serenity said. sweater.

“We all care about him,” she But when the summer ended, he responded. hadn’t pushed for anything more. She’d told herself she wasn’t in a position to successful at touting her best points, think he believed he could ruin what he anyway. She’d been through so much had. It comes as a shock that I’m not she was more tempted to post a there to devote all my time and energy disclaimer: damaged goods. to him anymore.”

get involved with anyone; she was on the rebound. They didn’t live in the same state. He was ﬁve years younger and not ready for marriage. And she had a daughter to think about.

She’d assumed she’d go home, ﬁle for divorce and eventually forget about Finn.

She’d been right about two of those things. She’d gone home and ﬁled for divorce. But here she was two years later. Her divorce was ﬁnal and she’d survived the emotional rapids that’d tossed her around for so long.

Yet she hadn’t forgotten a single moment she’d spent with Finn. “So you hired him?” more.”

“I did.” “I don’t think so.”

“We all care about him,” she But when the summer ended, he responded. hadn’t pushed for anything more. She’d told herself she wasn’t in a position to

40 the rates in the contract she’d signed at “That’s true.” Lorelei rubbed her Rutledge’s ofﬁce. “Can you get away?” temples as she tried to decide. She’d Lorelei asked. “Sawyer won’t mind?” just told Rutledge that the woman who’d adopted her deserved more care “You know Sawyer. He won’t and concern than she’d ever gotten. begrudge me a weekend trip with my This was one way Lorelei could possibly sisters.” learn more about the circumstances surrounding Sarah Ryan’s death. And Although Serenity was expecting she’d have her sisters with her, which a baby in three months, she didn’t have made the prospect of visiting the prison any children yet, so she didn’t have to much more tolerable. “Okay,” she worry about childcare. Reagan, howev- relented. “I’ll write to see if he’ll allow er, had a one-year-old. “Reagan won’t the visit.” want to leave Summer, will she?” “I can do that, if you’d rather,” “Rally will watch her. He’s so good Serenity said. “I would’ve written him to that little girl.” already, but I’ve been so darn sick.”

get involved with anyone; she was on the rebound. They didn’t live in the same state. He was ﬁve years younger and not ready for marriage. And she had a daughter to think about.

She’d assumed she’d go home, ﬁle for divorce and eventually forget about Finn.

Yet she hadn’t forgotten a single moment she’d spent with Finn.

pencil and nothing more. The perfec- Sincerely, tion of what she saw indicated that Greenstone had taken his time and Father Greenstone wanted his reply to look as civil and digniﬁed as possible. He’d signed it Father Greenstone. No doubt he’d been excommunicated His words seemed to convey the when he was convicted. Lorelei guessed same thing. that would be standard procedure. So it was probably just a name he still called Dear Ms. Cipriano, himself. Was there some signiﬁcance to it? Was he once again trying to lay Thank you for your letter. I would claim to the credibility and respect certainly be willing to meet with you typically afforded a man of the cloth? and your sisters and help in any way I can. Assigned visitation for my unit is Lorelei dialed Serenity and the third Monday of the month from together they added Reagan to the call. 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but that can change depending on several factors, “So what do you think?” Reagan so you might want to check the website asked after Lorelei read Greenstone’s before you come. I will add you to my letter aloud. “Will this trip be worth it?” visitation list. That way, there won’t be any problems the day you arrive. “We have to take the chance,” Serenity replied. In case you’ve never visited a prison before, be aware that you will “I agree with Serenity,” Lorelei need to bring a valid state or federal said. She’d already decided she owed I.D., and there is a dress code. Again, I that much to the woman who’d tried to refer you to the prison website so you take her in and care for her as a baby. can read about that and other rules, But she couldn’t say she knew what to which should make your visit go more make of Greenstone’s response. He smoothly. For instance, you will need to seemed polite and well-educated. But leave your cell phone, purse and other was he truly interested in helping personal belongings locked in your car, them? as you will not be allowed to bring them in. That remained to be seen.

I look forward to meeting the three of you. said hi.” “Not in the same way you do. Reagan and I have never slept with “Will do.” him,” Serenity said with a laugh. “Call him.” Lorelei suddenly stopped Sereni- ty from hanging up. She couldn’t keep After Serenity disconnected, herself from saying one last thing. “By Lorelei navigated to the last text the way, have you heard anything from exchange she’d had with Finn--four Finn lately?” months ago, at Christmas. They’d checked in, wished each other a happy “Not recently,” her sister replied. holiday. “Why?” Should she reach out to him? See “I was just…wondering.” if even a ﬂicker of what he’d felt the summer they met was still there? There was a lengthy pause before Serenity said, “Lorelei, if Finn still means She didn’t want to bother him if that much to you, you should reach out he’d moved on. And chances were he to him.” had moved on. A man as handsome, intelligent and kind as Finn could take “No. No way,” she said. “He his pick of women. Why would he want doesn’t ‘mean that much’ to me. It’s her? natural that I’d wonder if…if maybe you’ve seen him. You both live in Califor- She opened the photos on her nia, after all.” phone and scrolled through the pictures they’d taken at the lake two “He lives in So-Cal, six hours from years ago, and felt a smile tug at her here.” lips. She’d been married and dealing with her husband’s inﬁdelity. It was Finn She should’ve kept her mouth who’d helped her through that terrible, shut; she’d given too much away. dark period. He’d built her self-esteem “Right. Sorry.” by listening to her and befriending her and making her feel desirable at a time “Lorelei, I know you care about when she’d felt like an old cast-off him,” Serenity said. sweater.

“We all care about him,” she But when the summer ended, he responded. hadn’t pushed for anything more. She’d told herself she wasn’t in a position to

Chapter 4

The day the letter arrived from her, on an emotional level, than it did to the Mississippi State Penitentiary, Lore- her sisters. Serenity had been raised by lei stuck it in her purse. She was too a wonderful family; she’d known the nervous to open it right away. She didn’t love and security that brought. Reagan even look at it until after she’d spent the hadn’t gotten quite as lucky in that evening with Lucy and put her to bed. area. She’d been raised by a difficult mother. But these days, she was so Then, when she was alone and fulfilled being with Rally and raising the house was quiet, she took the letter their child, the past didn’t seem as out of her purse, carried it into the living important to her. room and sat down on the couch. Lorelei was the one who’d had a A red stamp signified it was terrible childhood and been unlucky in correspondence from a correctional love. institution. That was the only way she could tell it was from Greenstone; his Steeling herself for what could prison number and not his name amount to a stinging rejection, or even appeared in the return address. a lie claiming he wasn’t guilty of the crimes for which he’d been imprisoned, She planned to call Serenity and she tore off one end of the envelope Reagan to tell them he’d replied. They’d and slid out the lined paper inside it. been waiting for more than two weeks. But she wasn’t quite ready to alert His handwriting could only be them. The reason she’d decided to be described as elegant. He’d written to the one to write him was so she could her in cursive, and not many people did have a few minutes to herself, should he that anymore. As far as Lorelei could tell, deign to reply, to absorb the contents he hadn’t made even one mistake, and evaluate how his response made despite the fact that he probably wasn’t her feel. Because of her background, allowed an eraser. From what she’d seeing Greenstone mattered more to read online, prisoners were given a golf

42 get involved with anyone; she was on the rebound. They didn’t live in the same state. He was ﬁve years younger and not ready for marriage. And she had a daughter to think about.

She’d assumed she’d go home, ﬁle for divorce and eventually forget about Finn.

Yet she hadn’t forgotten a single moment she’d spent with Finn.

I look forward to meeting the three of you.

were called--and they used a big whip Reagan wiped off the sweat that for discipline.” was beginning to bead on her forehead. Lorelei was hot, too, but she was used to Reagan looked appalled. “I can the heat and humidity in the South. only imagine how well that worked Reagan and Serenity couldn’t seem to out.” get over how hot and sticky it was. “You mean they were taken out by rival gang “Apparently, it worked better members?” than what came after,” Serenity said. “Or just as well. Gangs have taken over “Some were killed that way,” where the trusties left off.” Serenity told her. “But not all of them. There’ve been quite a few suicides, too. “I read about that, too,” Lorelei Conditions here are said to be deplor- said. “I don’t know if it’s still true, but able.” there was a time in the not-so-distant past when gang leaders were calling Lorelei agreed. “Some of the the shots here, including where various pictures I saw online showed water inmates would be housed.” pouring into the prison whenever it rains.” “Where were all the correctional officers?” Reagan asked. “What were Giving up on trying to cool her- they doing?” self off, Serenity dropped her hair. “Not to mention toilets that don’t work, sinks “This prison has been severely that are missing, food and water that understaffed for years,” Serenity said. are unsanitary, rats the size of cats.” She “They’ve tried to get enough money waved a hand. “You name it.” from the legislature to raise salaries, but I couldn’t find anything that indicated “And you two are only saying they ever received it.” something now?” Reagan muttered. “What are we doing here again?” “Morale was low, people were quitting left and right,” Lorelei added. “We’re going to meet Daddy Dearest,” Serenity joked. Serenity lifted her long dark hair and began to fan herself to relieve the Reagan grimaced. “Ew. Don’t call heat. “And that sort of thing filters over him that.” to the inmates, you know? A couple years ago, they had nine deaths in one Lorelei shuddered, too. “I feel the month.”

Chapter 5

Three weeks later, Lorelei met “No.” Reagan sent them each a her sisters in Memphis, where they worried look. “Is there a reason I should rented a car for the ninety-minute drive have? Has it been in the news recent- to Parchman, which was located in ly?” unincorporated Sunﬂower County in the Mississippi Delta region. Serenity closed the trunk. “What I read on the internet was from a little “This is quite the notorious over a year ago. That’s pretty recent.” prison. You know that, right?” Serenity said as she pulled into the lot designat- They all made sure they had their ed for visitors and put the car in Park. I.D.s. She’d insisted on being the one to drive, saying it helped with the motion sick- Reagan slid hers in the pocket of ness that came on so easily since she’d her black slacks as they started toward gotten pregnant. the entrance. “You read up on the prison?” Lorelei got out the passenger side and watched as Reagan covered “I was curious,” Serenity said with her eyes to shield them from a broiling a shrug. hot sun as she left the backseat. Lorelei had Googled “Parchman “Notorious in what way?” Reagan Farm,” too. She’d been so anxious about asked. this visit that she’d followed quite a few of the links and read several articles. “Corruption, abuse, gang “Back in 1901, when the Mississippi violence.” Serenity opened the trunk so legislature bought the Parchman Plan- they could put their cell phones and tation so they could build a prison here, purses inside. “The structure itself is they set up a system where they used a falling apart. You’ve never heard about few trusted prisoners to help the guards this place?” keep the others in line--trusties, they

same. Anyway, I’m sure conditions have officials would make sure of that,” improved. They got a new corrections Serenity said. commissioner a little while ago.” Lorelei didn’t add anything. One “Those are big problems that of the correctional officers had already can’t be fixed overnight,” Reagan point- opened the door on the other side of ed out. the room, and the inmates were filing through, hurrying over to the friends “At least we know what to and loved ones who’d made the trek to expect,” Serenity told her. “I wanted to see them. picture what Bernard Greenstone’s life has been like for the past twenty years.” She knew the instant she spotted a distinguished, white-haired gentle- Serenity researched everything. man that she was looking at “Father” That was probably what made her so Greenstone. good at her job. Lorelei had only read up on the prison hoping that knowl- He seemed to realize who they edge would raise her comfort level and were, too, because he smiled as he lower her anxiety. “Did you ever think came toward them. “Wow. You all have we’d meet Greenstone when we the same dark hair and blue eyes. It’s figured out how we were related two uncanny how much you resemble each years ago?” other.”

“I’ve never had any desire to,” Lorelei had no idea what to say. Reagan responded. “I just came to see Reagan and Serenity didn’t say any- you two.” thing, either, which surprised her. They were rarely at a loss for words. They’d reached the sally port, where they had to be scanned and He continued to smile even searched, but it didn’t take long until though the color had drained from they were allowed to go into a waiting Serenity and Reagan’s faces--and likely area, after which they were bussed to her own. Fortunately, he was courteous the appropriate unit. enough to pull his chair out an appropriate distance rather than sit too close. “The visitor center looks okay,” Reagan commented as they were led Lorelei hauled in a deep breath. inside. He was wearing a plain white T-shirt with black and white striped pants like “After all the bad press, I’ll bet the the rest of the inmates, but he was

I look forward to meeting the three of you.

signiﬁcantly older than the others in Of course. There were probably the room. more girls than just their mothers. The Church had moved him from one “Thank you for seeing us,” Sereni- parish to another before they were even ty said. born. And it was now nearly forty years since he’d been with Serenity and Lorelei was relieved that her Reagan’s biological mothers, and thir- sister had taken charge. She was more ty-seven years since he’d been with comfortable sitting back and watching hers. Lorelei had been so focused on and listening for a while. trying to ﬁnd out who killed her adoptive mother that she hadn’t allowed “Of course.” He put the Bible he’d herself to think too much about her carried in with him on the table. “It’s the biological one. The need to know more least I can do.” about her, too, suddenly hit hard.

Serenity gestured at the book. “Is “The secrecy surrounding our there any particular reason you brought adoptions has made it impossible for us the Bible with you?” to learn much,” Reagan explained.

He looked down. “I keep it with What she didn’t say was that me always. It’s how I find peace in here.” their birth mothers hadn’t yet gotten a DNA test through 23andMe or Ances- “I see.” try.com, two of the biggest companies that did that sort of thing, or the match- “I know it must seem odd to you,” es would’ve shown up in their profiles. he added, “but…I’ve managed to retain That signified, at least to Lorelei, that my faith despite my sins and my situa- their mothers weren’t interested in tion.” being found, which was why she probably would never pursue it. She needed Lorelei did find that odd, but she to feel as though she might be wel- made no comment. come in order to do that.

“Do you remember the women “Where are you from?” he asked. you slept with--our mothers?” Serenity “That might help jog my memory.” asked. “I’m the oldest, and I’m from the He shook his head helplessly. “I’m Bay Area,” Serenity told him. afraid you’d have to give me something more to go on.” “Your mother was eighteen,” he Three weeks later, Lorelei met “No.” Reagan sent them each a her sisters in Memphis, where they worried look. “Is there a reason I should rented a car for the ninety-minute drive have? Has it been in the news recent- to Parchman, which was located in ly?” unincorporated Sunﬂower County in the Mississippi Delta region. Serenity closed the trunk. “What I read on the internet was from a little “This is quite the notorious over a year ago. That’s pretty recent.” prison. You know that, right?” Serenity said as she pulled into the lot designat- They all made sure they had their ed for visitors and put the car in Park. I.D.s. She’d insisted on being the one to drive, saying it helped with the motion sick- Reagan slid hers in the pocket of ness that came on so easily since she’d her black slacks as they started toward gotten pregnant. the entrance. “You read up on the prison?” Lorelei got out the passenger side and watched as Reagan covered “I was curious,” Serenity said with her eyes to shield them from a broiling a shrug. hot sun as she left the backseat. Lorelei had Googled “Parchman “Notorious in what way?” Reagan Farm,” too. She’d been so anxious about asked. this visit that she’d followed quite a few of the links and read several articles. “Corruption, abuse, gang “Back in 1901, when the Mississippi violence.” Serenity opened the trunk so legislature bought the Parchman Plan- they could put their cell phones and tation so they could build a prison here, purses inside. “The structure itself is they set up a system where they used a falling apart. You’ve never heard about few trusted prisoners to help the guards this place?” keep the others in line--trusties, they

said. was a total stranger and not someone they held a very high opinion of. Lorelei felt her jaw drop. She’d expected to hear excuses and lies. Lorelei spoke up for the ﬁrst time. “I don’t know where I was born. I’m “And her name?” Serenity asked. guessing Mississippi, because that’s where I was adopted by a couple “Laura.” named Mitch and Sarah Ryan.”

Serenity clasped her hands “I never met any of the adoptive together so tightly Lorelei could see her parents,” he said. “I was always out of knuckles whiten. “Do you remember the picture by then. But if you’re the her last name?” child I think you are, your real mother was named Kristina. She was only “I do. But I’m afraid I can’t give fifteen. I feel the worst about her.” you that information. It would be irre- sponsible of me. As harsh as that must “Because…” sound--and I sincerely apologize for that and so many other things--I have “She was so young,” he said as if to take her feelings into account. I don’t that should be obvious. “But if it helps, want to make what I did even worse. I you were also born in Cincinnati. They’d hope you can understand.” moved me to Mississippi by then, but your mother…she reached out to let me Again, Lorelei was surprised by know she’d had a girl.” his response. Although it wasn’t what any of them had hoped to hear, it If the reason he was being so sounded reasonable. “I suppose the nice was to strike up a relationship with same goes for my mother,” Reagan said. them, it wasn’t going to work. But “I was born in Cincinnati.” Lorelei felt relieved that this meeting wasn’t as adversarial as she’d feared. “So “Yes. I remember your mother, you never met my adoptive mother.” too. Her name was Liz. She was beautiful. Just like you.” He seemed confused that she’d ask about Sarah instead of Kristina. “No. Fortunately, there was nothing Why do you think I might have?” suggestive about the compliment. He was acting rather fatherly--in the parent “I’m not saying you did. I just…she sense, not the church sense--which was was murdered two years after I was disconcerting in its own way, since he born.” were called--and they used a big whip Reagan wiped off the sweat that for discipline.” was beginning to bead on her forehead. Lorelei was hot, too, but she was used to Reagan looked appalled. “I can the heat and humidity in the South. only imagine how well that worked Reagan and Serenity couldn’t seem to out.” get over how hot and sticky it was. “You mean they were taken out by rival gang “Apparently, it worked better members?” than what came after,” Serenity said. “Or just as well. Gangs have taken over “Some were killed that way,” where the trusties left off.” Serenity told her. “But not all of them. There’ve been quite a few suicides, too. “I read about that, too,” Lorelei Conditions here are said to be deplor- said. “I don’t know if it’s still true, but able.” there was a time in the not-so-distant past when gang leaders were calling Lorelei agreed. “Some of the the shots here, including where various pictures I saw online showed water inmates would be housed.” pouring into the prison whenever it rains.” “Where were all the correctional officers?” Reagan asked. “What were Giving up on trying to cool her- they doing?” self off, Serenity dropped her hair. “Not to mention toilets that don’t work, sinks “This prison has been severely that are missing, food and water that understaffed for years,” Serenity said. are unsanitary, rats the size of cats.” She “They’ve tried to get enough money waved a hand. “You name it.” from the legislature to raise salaries, but I couldn’t find anything that indicated “And you two are only saying they ever received it.” something now?” Reagan muttered. “What are we doing here again?” “Morale was low, people were quitting left and right,” Lorelei added. “We’re going to meet Daddy Dearest,” Serenity joked. Serenity lifted her long dark hair and began to fan herself to relieve the Reagan grimaced. “Ew. Don’t call heat. “And that sort of thing filters over him that.” to the inmates, you know? A couple years ago, they had nine deaths in one Lorelei shuddered, too. “I feel the month.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. something else. “Who raised you, then?” He spread out his hands. “I wish I “I went into the foster system, could tell you. But just in case you still and her killer has never been identi- think it might’ve been me--maybe ﬁed.” because I’m the only bad person you know in this whole mess--I can assure His eyes widened, and he you it wasn’t. And I can prove it. I was in pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m guilty custody at the time.” of abusing my position as a clergyman and of statutory rape. Those things are “You didn’t go to prison until after bad enough. I regret what I did. I can’t I was found,” Lorelei said. “We have a tell you how much. But I had nothing to newspaper article dated after she do with anyone’s murder. I’ve never would’ve been murdered that talks even met this woman you’re asking about your trial and the sentence you about, didn’t even know her name until received.” you mentioned it.” “But preparing for my trial took That made sense. Why would he? almost a full year. I was in custody that Lorelei had been grasping at straws, whole time.” hoping one piece of the puzzle might lead to another. “You don’t think there’s Which meant he couldn’t have any chance…my biological mother or been in Florida, murdering Sarah Ryan any of her family could’ve tracked Sarah and dumping her body in a swamp. If down, do you?” he cared about the child he’d created at all, he was probably grateful someone “To harm her?” He shook his had adopted her, and he no longer had head. “No. They’d never do such a thing. to feel any obligation. “I see.” I’m sure they were grateful you were in a good home. Giving you up meant “I can prove it,” he reiterated. Kristina could ﬁnish school, go on to college, build a life.” “I believe you,” she said.

“So who killed Sarah?” Lorelei “I’m a true crime writer,” Serenity asked. Now she was asking him to told him, “and I plan on writing our speculate, but she had so little to go on. story. What happened back then. How At least he’d been involved in the situa- Lorelei, Reagan and I found each other tion at the time. Maybe he could tell her through DNA testing. Is there any something that would lead to chance you’d be willing to meet with same. Anyway, I’m sure conditions have officials would make sure of that,” improved. They got a new corrections Serenity said. commissioner a little while ago.” Lorelei didn’t add anything. One “Those are big problems that of the correctional officers had already can’t be fixed overnight,” Reagan point- opened the door on the other side of ed out. the room, and the inmates were filing through, hurrying over to the friends “At least we know what to and loved ones who’d made the trek to expect,” Serenity told her. “I wanted to see them. picture what Bernard Greenstone’s life has been like for the past twenty years.” She knew the instant she spotted a distinguished, white-haired gentle- Serenity researched everything. man that she was looking at “Father” That was probably what made her so Greenstone. good at her job. Lorelei had only read up on the prison hoping that knowl- He seemed to realize who they edge would raise her comfort level and were, too, because he smiled as he lower her anxiety. “Did you ever think came toward them. “Wow. You all have we’d meet Greenstone when we the same dark hair and blue eyes. It’s figured out how we were related two uncanny how much you resemble each years ago?” other.”

me again and tell me more about what you were thinking and feeling, and why you did what you did?”

He hesitated. He didn’t seem too pleased with the idea, but he ultimately nodded. “I wish I knew why I did what I did. Since I don’t, I’m not sure that what I have to say will be meaningful. But as long as it doesn’t put any of the women I’ve already hurt in a worse position, I’ll help as much as I can.” signiﬁcantly older than the others in Of course. There were probably the room. more girls than just their mothers. The Church had moved him from one “Thank you for seeing us,” Sereni- parish to another before they were even ty said. born. And it was now nearly forty years since he’d been with Serenity and Lorelei was relieved that her Reagan’s biological mothers, and thir- sister had taken charge. She was more ty-seven years since he’d been with comfortable sitting back and watching hers. Lorelei had been so focused on and listening for a while. trying to ﬁnd out who killed her adoptive mother that she hadn’t allowed “Of course.” He put the Bible he’d herself to think too much about her carried in with him on the table. “It’s the biological one. The need to know more least I can do.” about her, too, suddenly hit hard.

49 said. was a total stranger and not someone they held a very high opinion of. Lorelei felt her jaw drop. She’d expected to hear excuses and lies. Lorelei spoke up for the ﬁrst time. “I don’t know where I was born. I’m “And her name?” Serenity asked. guessing Mississippi, because that’s where I was adopted by a couple “Laura.” named Mitch and Sarah Ryan.”

me again and tell me more about what you were thinking and feeling, and why you did what you did?”

But Francine continually tried to tempt more about it, she went into the bath- her back into the comfortable, close room, closed the door so she could have relationship they’d once had, and that some privacy and hit the Send button. wasn’t ever going to happen. For Lore- lei, it wasn’t about love or forgiveness. It He answered on the second ring. was about trust. Her trust had been shattered, and there was no way to “Hey,” he said. “Is it really you?” piece it together again. She stared down at the tile on Her phone lit up. Mark was trying the bathroom ﬂoor. Just the sound of to call her. No doubt he was curious his voice made her heart ache to see about how it had gone, too, and him. “Yeah, it’s me.” thought she’d tell him. “What’s going on?” But she wasn’t going to pick up. She didn’t need to talk to either one of “I…” She drew a deep breath. “I them right now. All she’d wanted was to wanted to see if you’d be coming to know her daughter was safe. Tahoe this summer.”

Ignoring the call, she put her “Work’s gotten crazy so it might phone on the nightstand and went be difficult, but I’m trying to arrange it.” back to surfing TV stations, trying to occupy herself until Reagan and Sereni- He hadn’t come last summer ty got off their phones. But they were because of his job. He was an artist--a both laughing and talking in such an painter--which usually gave him a lot of animated fashion she got the impres- flexibility. But he’d had a big gallery sion this could go on for some time, and showing. Was he having another one that made Lorelei feel different from this year? everyone else--like she’d always felt as a child. Her sisters had partners they “It would be great to see you loved; she had an ex-husband and an again,” he added. ex-best friend who had a child together. Were those only words? Sudden- Impulsively, she reclaimed her ly, Lorelei had to know. “If you really phone and pulled up Finn’s contact wanted to see me, you could always record. She had to talk to him. That was come to Florida.” all there was to it. “You’ve never invited me to Without letting herself think any Florida.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. something else. “Who raised you, then?” He spread out his hands. “I wish I “I went into the foster system, could tell you. But just in case you still and her killer has never been identi- think it might’ve been me--maybe fied.” because I’m the only bad person you know in this whole mess--I can assure His eyes widened, and he you it wasn’t. And I can prove it. I was in pressed a hand to his chest. “I’m guilty custody at the time.” of abusing my position as a clergyman and of statutory rape. Those things are “You didn’t go to prison until after bad enough. I regret what I did. I can’t I was found,” Lorelei said. “We have a tell you how much. But I had nothing to newspaper article dated after she do with anyone’s murder. I’ve never would’ve been murdered that talks even met this woman you’re asking about your trial and the sentence you about, didn’t even know her name until received.” you mentioned it.” “But preparing for my trial took That made sense. Why would he? almost a full year. I was in custody that Lorelei had been grasping at straws, whole time.” hoping one piece of the puzzle might lead to another. “You don’t think there’s Which meant he couldn’t have any chance…my biological mother or been in Florida, murdering Sarah Ryan any of her family could’ve tracked Sarah and dumping her body in a swamp. If down, do you?” he cared about the child he’d created at all, he was probably grateful someone “To harm her?” He shook his had adopted her, and he no longer had head. “No. They’d never do such a thing. to feel any obligation. “I see.” I’m sure they were grateful you were in a good home. Giving you up meant “I can prove it,” he reiterated. Kristina could finish school, go on to college, build a life.” “I believe you,” she said.

Chapter 6

That night they stayed in Mem- You know I always take great care of phis. They were planning to drive to her--love her like my own. Nashville the following morning to see that city, too. They were going to spend Lorelei rolled her eyes. The way two nights there, enjoying the country she’d loved Mark like her own? music scene together before going home. They’d see each other again in How’d it go today? Francine August, when they had their yearly asked. What was your father like? I’ve reunion at Serenity’s family cabin in been dying to hear. Lake Tahoe. Since Francine had once been Reagan was on the phone with her best friend, she knew all about Rally, and Serenity was on the phone Lorelei’s hopes, dreams, fears and inse- with Sawyer. They were telling their curities. Maybe that was why Lorelei signiﬁcant others--Serenity had married was having such a hard time forgiving Sawyer but Reagan hadn’t yet married her for cheating with Mark. Francine, of Rally--about their meeting with Green- all people, knew Lorelei had never really stone and what he’d been like, while had a family, that the one she’d estab- Lorelei lay on the bed, watching the TV lished with Mark meant everything to without sound so they’d be able to hear. her, and yet she’d gone to bed with him anyway. Feeling like the only one who didn’t have someone important to Now they each had a child with share her thoughts and feelings with him. back home, she sat up and texted Francine to check on her daughter. Thanks for letting me know Lucy’s okay. I appreciate you being so How’s Lucy? Everything okay? good to her, she wrote back and left it at that. She was determined to be polite She’s ﬁne. Don’t worry about her. for Lucy’s sake, didn’t want to give Francine any reason to resent her child. 51

“I didn’t realize I needed to.” hand. “Serenity needs me,” she told him. “I’d better go.” “I haven’t wanted to get in the way. You’ve been going through a “Lorelei?” he said. divorce, and you’ve told me you need to put Lucy ﬁrst, which I totally under- “I’ll be there in a sec,” she called stand. I thought that might include out to Serenity before returning to her getting back with her father.” conversation with Finn. “What?”

“That’ll never happen. It’s over “I’m glad you told me.” between Mark and me.” “That’s not all.” She squeezed her “How was I supposed to know? I eyes closed. “I’ve never gotten over you. can’t read your mind, Lorelei.” I don’t think I ever will,” she said and disconnected. Had she expected too much of him? She knew her insecurities often got the best of her, especially in a romantic relationship. They made her assume the worst. Made her hold back. Made her afraid to take a risk for fear she’d only get hurt. That was how she’d wound up with Mark to begin with. He was bold and felt he should have anything he wanted, so he went after it.

She tended to do the opposite.

“I miss you,” she said.

“I miss you, too,” he said softly.

There was a knock at the door. “Lorelei? Are you in there?”

Afraid she’d already said too much, that Finn would feel as though she was trying to make something out of nothing, she dropped her head in her me again and tell me more about what you were thinking and feeling, and why you did what you did?”

52 That night they stayed in Mem- You know I always take great care of phis. They were planning to drive to her--love her like my own. Nashville the following morning to see that city, too. They were going to spend Lorelei rolled her eyes. The way two nights there, enjoying the country she’d loved Mark like her own? music scene together before going home. They’d see each other again in How’d it go today? Francine August, when they had their yearly asked. What was your father like? I’ve reunion at Serenity’s family cabin in been dying to hear. Lake Tahoe. Since Francine had once been Reagan was on the phone with her best friend, she knew all about Rally, and Serenity was on the phone Lorelei’s hopes, dreams, fears and inse- with Sawyer. They were telling their curities. Maybe that was why Lorelei signiﬁcant others--Serenity had married was having such a hard time forgiving Sawyer but Reagan hadn’t yet married her for cheating with Mark. Francine, of Rally--about their meeting with Green- all people, knew Lorelei had never really stone and what he’d been like, while had a family, that the one she’d estab- Lorelei lay on the bed, watching the TV lished with Mark meant everything to without sound so they’d be able to hear. her, and yet she’d gone to bed with him anyway. Feeling like the only one who didn’t have someone important to Now they each had a child with share her thoughts and feelings with him. back home, she sat up and texted Francine to check on her daughter. Thanks for letting me know Lucy’s okay. I appreciate you being so How’s Lucy? Everything okay? good to her, she wrote back and left it at that. She was determined to be polite She’s ﬁne. Don’t worry about her. for Lucy’s sake, didn’t want to give Francine any reason to resent her child.

She tended to do the opposite.

“I miss you,” she said.

“I miss you, too,” he said softly.

There was a knock at the door. “Lorelei? Are you in there?”

Afraid she’d already said too much, that Finn would feel as though she was trying to make something out of nothing, she dropped her head in her

supposed he was doing more than he “How did you track him down?” said and had gotten off the phone She’d done some rudimentary search- quickly after that. Now it was time for ing herself--on the internet--to no avail. her to send him another check, but she was thinking she’d made a mistake “I have access to certain databas- hiring a private investigator for such an es you don’t, and it certainly took some old case. Should she just let the past time,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been go? As much as she craved answers doing all month. Haven’t you been when it came to Sarah Ryan, as much getting my emails?” as she believed the poor woman deserved justice, some things simply She had, but his emails were full couldn’t be fixed. Maybe she had to of bullet points and long shots, no accept that. Rutledge had tried to tell conclusions--nothing that gave her her she’d be wasting her money and, much hope. “I guess I just…talked five thousand dollars later, she was myself out of expecting anything.” beginning to believe him. “No doubt I had a hand in that. I When she answered, she was wasn’t optimistic when I took on this prepared to tell him she’d changed her case.” mind. There were so many other places her money needed to go, most notably “And now?” saving for Lucy’s college education. But when she answered, he started out “I’m feeling a lot more hopeful with, “I might have something for you,” about it.” and she was so surprised she nearly dropped her phone. Excitement raced through her. “Why? Did you talk to Mitch?” “What do you mean?” she asked. “I did,” he responded. “I was in “I managed to track down Mitch Illinois while you were in Tennessee.” Ryan.” “You didn’t say anything about She sank onto the bed. “In that when we spoke on the phone.” Canada?” “You were dealing with enough “He’s no longer living in Canada. already. I figured if it didn’t amount to Hasn’t been there for more than twenty anything, I’d just put it in my weekly years. He’s on his third wife and living in email.” Chicago.” But Francine continually tried to tempt more about it, she went into the bath- her back into the comfortable, close room, closed the door so she could have relationship they’d once had, and that some privacy and hit the Send button. wasn’t ever going to happen. For Lore- lei, it wasn’t about love or forgiveness. It He answered on the second ring. was about trust. Her trust had been shattered, and there was no way to “Hey,” he said. “Is it really you?” piece it together again. She stared down at the tile on Her phone lit up. Mark was trying the bathroom floor. Just the sound of to call her. No doubt he was curious his voice made her heart ache to see about how it had gone, too, and him. “Yeah, it’s me.” thought she’d tell him. “What’s going on?” But she wasn’t going to pick up. She didn’t need to talk to either one of “I…” She drew a deep breath. “I them right now. All she’d wanted was to wanted to see if you’d be coming to know her daughter was safe. Tahoe this summer.”

Chapter 7

When Lorelei got home, she went off. Leon Rutledge. It’d been couldn’t pick up Lucy because Mark almost two months since she’d hired and Francine had taken her to the him. Other than a weekly email updat- birthday party of Francine’s niece. ing her on his progress, and the call Returning to an empty house was a she’d placed to him from Mississippi, letdown, but she’d had a great time telling him about her visit with Green- with her sisters. Already, she couldn’t stone, she hadn’t heard from him. wait for Tahoe. She’d take Lucy with her when she went to California, and “Thanks for letting me know Reagan would bring her daughter, what he had to say, but I didn’t think Summer, too. Greenstone had anything to do with it,” he’d said when she told him about the “Tahoe’s only four weeks away,” conversation she’d had at Parchman she said aloud, to encourage herself. Prison. Finn had also texted her to conﬁrm he’d be there. She was more excited to see Slightly offended that he could him than ever. dismiss her attempt to learn more so easily, as if he’d known all along it would As soon as she let herself in, she be a waste of time, she’d attempted to turned on the air-conditioner. It was explain why she’d felt the trip was sweltering inside, since the house had necessary. “I was hoping he could tell us been shut up for four days. She wished something. I didn’t know he was she could move closer to Sereni- already in custody when my mother ty--which would put her closer to Finn, was killed.” too--but she couldn’t leave Florida, couldn’t take Lucy away from her “I did,” Rutledge had said. “I father. checked that ﬁrst thing.”

She was wheeling her luggage Then why hadn’t he put it in one into the bedroom when her phone of his updates? She didn’t ask. She

“But it did amount to something.” coincidence that his second wife went missing under very mysterious circum- “I think so.” stances. He was and still is a suspect in her disappearance, but the Chicago Rutledge never overstated any- police haven’t been able to prove anything, which imbued his words with thing.” more meaning than she would otherwise ascribe to them. “What did you “He may have killed another learn?” woman?”

“He claims he had no idea Sarah “Yes. She disappeared ﬁfteen was murdered, let alone that someone years ago. No one’s heard from her had left you to wander the streets. Told since. Her family claims she’d never just me Sarah moved to Florida after they drive off into the sunset and leave her split. He’s never even been there.” two children, which she had from a prior marriage. But her body has never “Can you prove otherwise?” been found, which makes it hard for the police to build a case against him.” “I don’t know about that yet. There’s still a lot of work to be done. But “Wow,” she said on a long exhala- I ran across something that makes me tion. believe we’re on the right track.” “Not only that, but I’ve spoken to Lorelei caught her breath. This two other women who’ve been roman- was way more than she’d expected. tically involved with Mitch.” “What was that?” “And?” “Most murders are committed by someone close to the victim. In an “They both say he was controlling investigation, you look at every person and sometimes violent and abusive. connected to the deceased and try to They were afraid of him.” rule them out, which was why I was so eager to ﬁnd Mitch.” “He killed Sarah.”

“Wasn’t he out of the country “That’s my guess. From what I’m when the murder occurred?” hearing, he’s not a man who takes kindly to rejection. One woman told me “That’s what he says. But I’m hoping to she had to move out of state in order to prove otherwise--because it’s a strange feel safe after she broke up with him.”

She tended to do the opposite.

“I miss you,” she said.

“I miss you, too,” he said softly.

There was a knock at the door. “Lorelei? Are you in there?”

Afraid she’d already said too much, that Finn would feel as though she was trying to make something out of nothing, she dropped her head in her

“She might’ve gotten lucky,” “Absolutely! I’m putting another Lorelei said. check in the mail today.”

“I agree.” “You got it.”

“But…in Sarah’s case, would he After Lorelei pressed the End leave the two-year-old child he’d adopt- button, she let herself collapse onto the ed to wander around on her own?” bed. Mitch probably thought he’d gotten away with murder. But she was “A man that narcissistic could do going to see to it that wasn’t the case. anything,” he replied. “He certainly couldn’t have taken you with him even “Bastard,” she muttered. But if he felt bad about it.” then she smiled. If she had anything to say about it, he was going to prison. “True.” Lorelei combed her “This is for you, Mom,” she whispered to ﬁngers through her hair while trying to Sarah as she got up and wrote Rutledge think. “This blows me away. Will-will we another check. Even though she knew ever be able to prove it?” Sarah couldn’t hear her, she was glad to be giving something back to the poor “That, I can’t promise. But even if woman who’d tried to take her in, love we can’t prove he killed Sarah, we her and raise her. might be able to prove he killed his second wife. There’s a lot more She’d just ﬁnished unpacking evidence in that case. I know it wouldn’t when she heard a knock. Assuming it be quite the same, but it would put him was Mark and Francine bringing Lucy away for good. That’s what’s important.” back, she stepped over her empty suitcase and hurried to the door. She didn’t know what to say. She was struggling to take it all in. But it wasn’t Lucy. It was Finn.

“Lorelei?” “You said I should come to Flori- da,” he said with a grin. “So…here I am.” “I’m still here. After so long, I just…can’t believe we might have the answer. Thank you,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“So you want me to continue?” When Lorelei got home, she went off. Leon Rutledge. It’d been couldn’t pick up Lucy because Mark almost two months since she’d hired and Francine had taken her to the him. Other than a weekly email updat- birthday party of Francine’s niece. ing her on his progress, and the call Returning to an empty house was a she’d placed to him from Mississippi, letdown, but she’d had a great time telling him about her visit with Green- with her sisters. Already, she couldn’t stone, she hadn’t heard from him. wait for Tahoe. She’d take Lucy with her when she went to California, and “Thanks for letting me know Reagan would bring her daughter, what he had to say, but I didn’t think Summer, too. Greenstone had anything to do with it,” he’d said when she told him about the “Tahoe’s only four weeks away,” conversation she’d had at Parchman she said aloud, to encourage herself. Prison. Finn had also texted her to conﬁrm he’d be there. She was more excited to see Slightly offended that he could him than ever. dismiss her attempt to learn more so easily, as if he’d known all along it would As soon as she let herself in, she be a waste of time, she’d attempted to turned on the air-conditioner. It was explain why she’d felt the trip was sweltering inside, since the house had necessary. “I was hoping he could tell us been shut up for four days. She wished something. I didn’t know he was she could move closer to Sereni- already in custody when my mother ty--which would put her closer to Finn, was killed.” too--but she couldn’t leave Florida, couldn’t take Lucy away from her “I did,” Rutledge had said. “I father. checked that ﬁrst thing.”

She was wheeling her luggage Then why hadn’t he put it in one into the bedroom when her phone of his updates? She didn’t ask. She

“She might’ve gotten lucky,” “Absolutely! I’m putting another Lorelei said. check in the mail today.”

“I agree.” “You got it.”

“So you want me to continue?”

spend some time with her. “One second, honey,” Lorelei called back. I think so, she wrote. Eventually. Serenity: I’d be down with that. Reagan: Whoa! Seriously? Reagan: What about Finn? He still coming? Serenity: OMG!

Lorelei glanced over her shoul- Last night when they were der, where she could see Finn helping making love, he’d told her that he loved Lucy come closer to shore, so she her for the ﬁrst time. She sort of wanted wouldn’t get too tumbled by the waves. to tell her sisters about that, but it was He is. too intimate a moment to share, even with them. How are things going between you? Serenity asked. “Mo-om!” Lucy yelled, her voice full of complaint. “You’re taking forever!” There was so much Lorelei had to tell them both, but she didn’t have the Lorelei sent her sisters a heart, time or the privacy to go into it right but before she could set her phone now. So she sent them a simple emoti- down again, another text came in, and con that summed it all up anyway. :) this one wasn’t from Reagan or Sereni- ty--or even Mark. She was so stunned by Reagan: LOL! A smiley face is what it said that she didn’t hear Finn or good. Is he still in Florida with you? Lucy rushing up the beach to get her until they were right beside her. It’d been two weeks since he arrived, but he hadn’t mentioned leav- Lucy reached up to take her ing. Lorelei was beginning to wonder if hand and pull her toward the water, but he might stay until they were supposed Finn recognized that something was to go to California. His job allowed him going on and muttered, “Just sec, Luce.” to be that ﬂexible. Yeah. And then, to Lorelei, “What is it?”

Is he thinking of moving there? She blinked several times, almost Reagan asked. afraid to believe what she was seeing.

Lucy’s voice interrupted. “Are you “Lorelei?” he prompted. coming, Mommy?” “I have a message from that investigator I told you about.” “But it did amount to something.” coincidence that his second wife went missing under very mysterious circum- “I think so.” stances. He was and still is a suspect in her disappearance, but the Chicago Rutledge never overstated any- police haven’t been able to prove anything, which imbued his words with thing.” more meaning than she would otherwise ascribe to them. “What did you “He may have killed another learn?” woman?”

Epilogue

Unable to quit smiling, Lorelei “Come out with us!” he called, shaded her eyes against the sunlight waving for her to join them. glinting off the sea as she watched Finn and Lucy playing down the beach, in She got up, but when she bent to the surf. She’d just gotten a series of slide her phone under her chair to nasty texts from her ex--Mark was protect it from the hot Florida sun, she furious that Finn was staying at the saw that the message she’d received house--but she was so love-drunk she was from Serenity, not Mark, and it’d didn’t care. Maybe it’d be different if been sent to the group text she and Lucy didn’t like Finn. But she was Serenity had going with Reagan. almost as excited to have Finn around as Lorelei was. Can’t wait to see you both in a few weeks. Sawyer and I are at the When her phone went off yet cabin now, and being in Tahoe is again, Lorelei ignored it. No doubt it making me look forward to our reunion was Mark, sending her another hateful even more. message. She wasn’t going to allow him the opportunity to ruin this magical Lorelei paused to send a afternoon or any of the time she had to response. I can’t wait. Mark has a spend with Finn. Mark was living with family trip planned at the same time her former best friend. Certainly, she and is demanding to take Lucy. I know had the right to move on, too. She’d how much you both wanted to see her, been trying to rebuild her life ever since and I’d rather bring her, but I think I’ll the divorce; she just hadn’t been able to let her go with him this time. I have her get to a place where she felt whole, way more than he does, and it might complete and happy. help keep the peace.

Until now. A reply appeared from Reagan. Totally understand. We’ll have to plan a Finn made all the difference. sisters’ trip to Florida this fall so we can

“The one you hired to ﬁnd out testimony against him that should even what happened…in the past?” lead to hard evidence.”

He could’ve stated it more direct- “That’s almost too good to be ly, but she knew by that pause in the true,” he said. middle that he was trying to be sensi- tive of Lucy, didn’t want to say, “The “It is.” She felt tears well up as she person who probably murdered your threw her arms around his neck. “Mitch mother?” will never be able to hurt anyone else again.” “Yes.” “I know how much this means to His eyebrows shot up expectant- you, and I’m so glad it’s ﬁnally hap- ly. “And?” pened,” he murmured and they both laughed in happiness and relief as he “The police have just arrested picked her up and swung her around. Mitch Ryan. They’re going to charge him.” “I love you,” she whispered before he put her down. Then she grabbed her “For what happened to your daughter’s hand and the three of them mother?” raced toward the ocean.

“No. For the wife that went missing in Chicago.”

“I thought they hadn’t found what they needed to make the charges stick?”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked up at them, but Lorelei was too stunned to answer that question.

“She still hasn’t been found. But Rutledge has located a neighbor who has since moved but was having an affair with him at the time. Rutledge says that this woman has incriminating

“She might’ve gotten lucky,” “Absolutely! I’m putting another Lorelei said. check in the mail today.”

“I agree.” “You got it.”

“So you want me to continue?”

Is he thinking of moving there? She blinked several times, almost Reagan asked. afraid to believe what she was seeing.

Lucy’s voice interrupted. “Are you “Lorelei?” he prompted. coming, Mommy?” “I have a message from that investigator I told you about.” 59 Unable to quit smiling, Lorelei “Come out with us!” he called, shaded her eyes against the sunlight waving for her to join them. glinting off the sea as she watched Finn and Lucy playing down the beach, in She got up, but when she bent to the surf. She’d just gotten a series of slide her phone under her chair to nasty texts from her ex--Mark was protect it from the hot Florida sun, she furious that Finn was staying at the saw that the message she’d received house--but she was so love-drunk she was from Serenity, not Mark, and it’d didn’t care. Maybe it’d be different if been sent to the group text she and Lucy didn’t like Finn. But she was Serenity had going with Reagan. almost as excited to have Finn around as Lorelei was. Can’t wait to see you both in a few weeks. Sawyer and I are at the When her phone went off yet cabin now, and being in Tahoe is again, Lorelei ignored it. No doubt it making me look forward to our reunion was Mark, sending her another hateful even more. message. She wasn’t going to allow him the opportunity to ruin this magical Lorelei paused to send a afternoon or any of the time she had to response. I can’t wait. Mark has a spend with Finn. Mark was living with family trip planned at the same time her former best friend. Certainly, she and is demanding to take Lucy. I know had the right to move on, too. She’d how much you both wanted to see her, been trying to rebuild her life ever since and I’d rather bring her, but I think I’ll the divorce; she just hadn’t been able to let her go with him this time. I have her get to a place where she felt whole, way more than he does, and it might complete and happy. help keep the peace.

Until now. A reply appeared from Reagan. Totally understand. We’ll have to plan a Finn made all the difference. sisters’ trip to Florida this fall so we can

“The one you hired to ﬁnd out testimony against him that should even what happened…in the past?” lead to hard evidence.”

“No. For the wife that went missing in Chicago.”

“I thought they hadn’t found what they needed to make the charges stick?”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked up at them, but Lorelei was too stunned to answer that question.

“She still hasn’t been found. But Rutledge has located a neighbor who has since moved but was having an affair with him at the time. Rutledge says that this woman has incriminating

Is he thinking of moving there? She blinked several times, almost Reagan asked. afraid to believe what she was seeing.

Lucy’s voice interrupted. “Are you “Lorelei?” he prompted. coming, Mommy?” “I have a message from that investigator I told you about.”

What haens at bk group stays at bk group

Join Brenda Novak’s Book Group on Facebook

www.facebook.com/groups/brendanovaksbookgroup How do you start a new chapter when you haven’t closed the book on the last one?

Eighteen months ago, Autumn Divac’s husband went missing. Her desperate search has yielded no answers—she still has no idea where he went or why. After being happily married for twenty years, she can’t imagine moving forward without him, but for the sake of their two teenage children, she has to try.

Autumn takes her kids home for the summer to the charming beachside town where she was raised. She seeks comfort by working alongside her mother and aunt at their quaint book- shop, only to learn that her daughter is facing a life change neither of them saw coming and her mother has been hiding a terrible secret for years. And when she runs into Quinn Vander- bilt—the boy who stole her heart in high school—old feelings start to bubble up again. Is she free to love him, or should she hold out hope for her husband’s return? She can only trust her heart…and hope it won’t lead her astray.

www.brendanovak.com “The one you hired to ﬁnd out what happened…in the past?”

He could’ve stated it more directly, but she knew by that pause in the middle that he was trying to be sensi- tive of Lucy, didn’t want to say, “The person who probably murdered your mother?”

“Yes.”

His eyebrows shot up expectant- ly. “And?”

“The police have just arrested Mitch Ryan. They’re going to charge him.”

“For what happened to your mother?”

“No. For the wife that went missing in Chicago.”

“I thought they hadn’t found what they needed to make the charges stick?”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked up at them, but Lorelei was too stunned to answer that question.

“She still hasn’t been found. But Rutledge has located a neighbor who has since moved but was having an affair with him at the time. Rutledge says that this woman has incriminating