Page 108 of Finding Forever

Rosalind smiled. “And then he would have cried.”

Rosalind laughed and Beth did, too.

For a few minutes, they remembered him together. His terrible jokes. His habit of leaving cupboard doors open. The way he used to sing loudly in the car despite being completely unable to carry a tune.

It felt good.

There had been a time when talking about Jessie left Beth exhausted. Now the memories could make her smile as often as they made her sad.

Rosalind wrapped her hands around her mug. “You seemed happy yesterday.”

“I was. It was a perfect day.”

“I don’t only mean because of Kayla.”

Beth looked at her sister-in-law.

Rosalind raised her eyebrows.

“Oh,” Beth said. “You mean Dave.”

Rosalind nodded. “He seems lovely.”

“He is.”

“And he obviously adores you.”

Heat crept into Beth’s cheeks. She picked up her coffee. “We’re taking things slowly.”

“Why?”

Beth gave her a pointed look.

“Okay.” Rosalind held up one hand. “None of my business, but I am happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

Rosalind’s smile faded slightly. She looked toward the photographs on the refrigerator again. “It’s strange, though.”

Beth lowered her mug. “What is?”

“Seeing you with someone who isn’t Jessie.”

The words caught Beth unexpectedly.

Rosalind must have noticed because she quickly added, “Not bad strange. Just different.” She hesitated before continuing. “I was talking to Peter about it last night.” She rubbed one thumb along the handle of her mug. “I told him I don’t think I could ever do it.”

Beth frowned. “Do what?”

“Love someone else.”

Beth’s fingers tightened around her cup.

Rosalind continued, her voice softer now. “If Peter died, I couldn’t imagine meeting another man and falling in love with him. Not after everything we’ve shared.”

A cold sensation slid through Beth’s stomach.

Rosalind shook her head. “I’d always feel as though I was betraying him somehow.”