The Chesapeake Diaries Series Read Online Free Page B

hears from her occasionally.”
    “He has a sister?”
    “That’s the other part of the story. He never knew about her. Didn’t realize his mother was pregnant when she brought him to Hal, but he realizes now that she had to have been. A couple of years ago, Vanessa—that’s the sister, Vanessa Keaton—showed up in St. Dennis looking for Beck. She said her mother told her it was time she met her brother.”
    “So Mama’s a woman who likes to keep secrets.”
    “Apparently.”
    “Will we see her at the wedding?”
    “Fat chance.” Mia snorted. “Beck doesn’t want anything to do with her. He never even refers to her as his mom, only by her first name, Maggie. According to Vanessa, Maggie is now on husband number whatever. She’s living on a sheep ranch out west here someplace.”
    “The phone book is in that bottom drawer”—he pointed past her—”if you want to look her up, see if she’s listed. Maybe you’d want to call. Introduce yourself.”
    “You are such a wiseass.” Mia laughed. “I’d never do that behind his back. Besides, I don’t know her last name. And I think she’s in one of the Dakotas, not Montana.”
    “But you are curious.” He dumped the macaroni into the pot of boiling water, then set the timer.
    “Damn right.” She grinned.
    “You sure this guy doesn’t have issues that you’re overlooking because you love him?”
    “Positive. Beck is the most stable person I’ve ever known.” She smiled and added, “Like I said, more stable than some of the Shieldses have been for the past few years.”
    “And on that note, I’ll go out to your car to get your things. I’m assuming you brought a suitcase or something?”
    “There’s a canvas bag on the backseat.”
    “I’ll be right back. I want to check on Chance before I get too comfortable, so I’ll grab your bag while I’m out there.”
    “Thanks, Grady.”
    Mia tossed him the keys, and Grady went out through the back door. It had grown dark while they chatted, so he switched on the outside lights before crossing the yard to the barn. Once he assured himself that Chance was good for the night, he locked the barn door and retrieved Mia’s bag from the Jeep.
    He paused halfway to the house and listened to the night sounds: an owl in the stand of pine trees at the far side of the property, the scurrying of something through the brush near his feet. He took a deep breath, savoring the clear air, and sensed a change coming that had nothing to do with the emergent spring. He wondered how many more nights like this there’d be, when he’d be here, with his memories, in this comfortable life he’d made.
    “Maybe it’s time,” he said to the owl as it swept over his head. “Then again … maybe not …”
    He hoisted the bag—what could she have packedfor an overnight that could weigh this much?—and went back inside.
    “What the hell is in this thing? I’ve backpacked for a week and all my gear—including my tent and food—didn’t weigh this much.”
    “It’s my stuff. You know. Clothes and products and—”
    “Products?”
    “You know. Hair stuff and makeup and shower gel and—”
    “Never mind.” He waved her off. “I’ll put it in the back room.”
    “Great.” She laughed. “Thanks.”
    He went through the living room and down the hall to the last door on the right. Opening the door, he swung Mia’s bag onto the bed without turning on the light. The room was small and not very fancy, but it, like every other room, had been painted and refurnished after Melissa died. He’d hoped to get the smell of death out of the house, but sometimes he thought he could still detect a faint lingering whiff.
    “The macaroni’s almost ready,” Mia told him when he returned to the kitchen. “There are only a few more minutes on the timer.”
    He checked the pot and nodded.
    “So how’s the new job?” He searched a cabinet for a large colander, found one, and placed it in the sink.
    “It’s all right.