Page 56 of Shadow

Asher felt his chest tighten. First mistake, made within thirty seconds. “Yeah, the days blur together. Hospital time is weird.”

Ruthie smiled. “I’m sure. How long are you two staying?”

“Oh, a month, maybe,” Daphne said casually.

“Oh, Oh, that’s the longest you can stay. Aspen Ridge rules. No guests longer than thirty days.” She made a wry face. “But he should be on his feet by then. My husband…um, late husband had his appendix out years ago—laser. And was up a day later.” She still stood on the step holding the basket. “Can I…” She gestured inside.

Asher reached for the basket. “This looks fantastic.”

More silence.

“Well, I won’t keep you,” Ruthie finally said. “I’m sure you’re exhausted from the drive. Actually, we have a community potluck next Friday, if you’d like to come. Six p.m. at the clubhouse. Great way to meet everyone.”

“We’ll see how Roger’s feeling,” Asher said.

“Of course. Oh, and there’s a community Facebook group. Very active. I can add you if you’d like.”

“Actually,” Daphne said quickly, “we’re pretty private. Don’t use social media much.”

“Oh yes. I forget, Facebook is an old person’s platform. Well, if you change your mind…” Ruthie backed toward the porch steps. “Welcome to Aspen Ridge! If you need anything, I’m right next door.”

“Thank you,” Daphne said. “We appreciate it.”

Ruthie walked down the steps, across the lawn, and disappeared into her house.

Daphne closed the door and turned to Asher.

“We said two weeks and ten days,” he said quietly.

“It’s just a small thing.”

“Yeah, but…we need to get our stories straight. Really straight. Not just basics. Everything.”

“Agreed.”

Asher grabbed his keys from the counter. “Pizza. I’ll go get pizza. When I get back, we talk. Real details. No more contradictions.”

From the master bedroom: “I don’t eat pizza!”

Asher closed his eyes and took a breath.

Daphne’s mouth twitched. “This is going to be a long four weeks.”

“We’ll figure it out. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

He headed for the door, but Daphne caught his arm with a brief, light touch. “Hey.”

He stopped and looked at her. Auburn hair catching afternoon light from the window, green eyes serious, freckles across her nose visible this close. “Be careful.”

He smiled at her. Didn’t move.

“What?”

“I’m waiting for a kiss goodbye.”

“Leave now.”

He laughed and walked out into the cold air, long shadows, sun touching mountain peaks. Got in the car, started the engine, backed out of the driveway.