Chapter 1
My mom, Mabel Brennan, had never once left our small inland town, so when my brother Nino Brennan got into college in Kingsport, I talked her into coming along to see the city.
The day they landed, I was buried in an accounts meeting at the Cassano Hotel Group, so I turned to my husband, Kane Mercer, home on vacation, and asked him, "You're off in two days. Could you pick up my mom and Nino from the station?"
He didn't look up from his game, sunk deep into the couch.
"No time."
On the video call, Mabel had been rattling off all the things she wanted to bring us, and her voice cut off.
A moment later, she smiled and covered for him, "It's fine, we'll find our own ride. Kane's been on his feet in that kitchen all year. Let him rest."
Something bitter twisted in my chest.
Then I turned and caught Kane making a soft promise to Vivian Ashford, "Don't worry, I'll drive Lucy up to Kingsport myself. We pass through a few family territories on the way, but I know people everywhere. Nothing will happen to her."
Lucy Ashford was Vivian's little sister, coming to Kingsport for a visit.
Kane was ready to drive 750 miles to go pick her up.
His game ended, and he got up to grab his car keys.
On the screen, Mabel was still bright with a careful, tentative excitement, "I brought your favorite pickles, and I knitted Kane ten pairs of wool socks. His feet must ache, standing in that kitchen all day."
My eyes stung.
And all at once, I didn't want this husband anymore.
……
Leah's POV:
After I ended the video call, Kane came out of the bedroom, already on the phone.
"Don't mention it. Whatever your sister needs, I'm there. Lucy's never traveled far, and Vivian's worried. Picking her up is the least I can do."
He said it with a smile tugging at his mouth, none of the coldness he'd just used to turn me down.
Anyone could see he was genuinely happy to drive 750 miles for her.
But he wouldn't spare half an hour for Mabel and my brother.
Kane hung up and tossed a line over his shoulder, "Pack me a couple changes of clothes. I'm going to get Lucy."
I stared at him.
"Kane, why won't you pick up my mom and Nino from the station?"
He glanced at me, his voice flat, "I already promised Vivian. I'm busy that day.
"Besides, they can grab a cab and be here fine. No reason to drag me out there."
I kept my voice level, "You'll drive 750 miles for Vivian's family, but that's not too much trouble?"
Kane paused, his brow knotting, "Lucy's just a young girl crossing all that territory alone. It isn't safe. Leah, don't be unreasonable."
I was the unreasonable one?
When our home was furnished with the deep-red leather couch and gold chandelier Vivian liked, I found out and fired the designer, and he called me unreasonable.
When I was hospitalized with acute appendicitis and he was busy making soup for Vivian, who was pulling a late shift at the club, I found out and we fought, and he called me unreasonable.
Now he'd rather drive 12 hours for Lucy than spare half an hour for Mabel, and the moment I asked about it, I was unreasonable all over again.
I stared at his face, a little dazed.
In our marriage, Vivian always seemed to come first.
A wave of exhaustion rolled over me.
This marriage needed to end.
*****
Three days later, when I got home from my meetings, I found Mabel and Nino crouched outside the apartment with two big bags.
The midday Kingsport heat baked the hallway like an oven. However long they had been standing there, their faces were flushed and their clothes clung to them, damp with sweat.
I hurried over, sick to my stomach, "Mom, why didn't you go inside? I gave you the door code, didn't I?"
Mabel looked at me, flustered, and said nothing.
I punched in the code three times, and every time the lock flashed red, [Incorrect code.]
Only then did I understand why they'd been stuck outside.
I swallowed my anger and called Kane, "Did you change the door code?"
Kane went still for a second, thrown, "You're back?"
The call cut off, and the door opened from the inside.
Kane stood in the doorway in an apron, a spatula in his hand.
Inside, Lucy lounged in the air conditioning, eating chilled watermelon and laughing at the TV.
Mabel greeted Kane warmly, "Kane, sorry to intrude."
Lucy shot us a glance, Kane gave a nod, and then he turned back to the kitchen without a word.
Mabel tugged at the hem of her shirt and looked at me carefully, "Honey, you've got company. Did we come at a bad time?"
My eyes filled with heat, and I almost started crying.
I forced the tears back, took her hand, and said gently, "Mom, it's fine. This is your daughter's home. Treat it like your own."
I waved Mabel and Nino inside, where dinner was already set out on the table.
Kane pulled out a chair for Lucy himself, then called over coldly, "Leah, food's ready."
He treated Mabel and Nino like they were invisible the whole time.
Mabel let it slide and even praised him with a smile, "Kane's really something. He earns well, and he cooks too."
Nino stood up to dish out the food, "I've got it, Kane."
Kane cut in, cold, "Don't bother. There's none for you."
My head snapped toward him, "I told you they were coming. I said it days ago."
Kane shrugged it off, "Forgot. And I don't cook for strangers."
