Instead, I caught myself.
“No. Actually, I’m hungry.”
Steven smiled.
“Then let’s eat.”
Victoria sat beside her father.
Mary brought me a fresh sandwich.
“This one really is on the house,” she said.
I glanced toward Christopher.
He gave a small nod.
“All right,” I said. “I’ll accept it.”
We didn’t talk about Christopher.
We didn’t talk about the broken engagement or the investment Steven had decided against.
Victoria asked how Benny had come into my life.
Steven asked how long Frank and I had been married.
For once, accepting someone’s kindness didn’t make me feel as though I owed them something.
Before leaving, I stopped beside the chalkboard.
DOGS WELCOME.
I turned toward Christopher.
“If you’re going to keep that sign outside, mean it.”
He held my gaze.
“I will.”
“Good.”
The following morning, Benny and I returned to the cemetery.
