Mel continued to enjoy sitting on her patio. She closed her eyes and let her mind wander to Adam. Spending time with him made her think and feel things that she had considered long dormant. Images in her mind invariably turned to John. Loving and living with him for all those years were a gift. He had been her best friend, confidante and biggest cheerleader. When she’d struggled with her dissertation, he had made pots of coffee and read every page. When she had received her doctorate, he took her to the swankiest restaurant in Philadelphia and they spent the night at the Ritz. She remembered he had been so proud of her. He told everyone who would listen from the waiter to the front desk clerk to other guests what they were celebrating.
“Melinda?”
Her eyes flew up and she sat straight up.
