He let the earring and chain fall onto her black sweater.
“You went through my jewel box?” Helen sounded stunned, incredulous.
“I went through the whole house.”
“Why?”
A little frown puckered his forehead, as if the question surprised him. “Well . . . I guess, kind of a knee-jerk reaction, after fifteen years on the force.”
“But . . . why? What were you looking for? I mean— Chilly, it’s been so good since you got back. Better than good. Hasn’t it?”
“Mm,” he agreed. “Like a whole new start. Like you were suddenly a different person.” His arm let go of her waist. He still didn’t look at her. “I knew something was up. I just didn’t know what.”
Catching his hand, Helen stepped back to where she could meet his eyes. “I realized how much I love you. That’s all. Being gone for two weeks— I
