Forever After by Deborah Raney Read Free Book Online

figure something out.”
    Lucas didn’t seem to notice. He took a sip of his coffee, then searched her eyes. “So how are you doing?”
    She was never sure what people expected when they asked that question. In the first weeks after Zach’s death, there was no doubt they were referring to her loss. But now that the first anniversary of the tragedy had passed, she never knew whether to answer the question in relation to Zach and the fire, or in relation to her “new normal.”
    She took a risk with Lucas because at least he understood what the fire had cost the community, even if he didn’t know her own pain. “I’m hanging in there. How about you? How is your mom?”
    A shadow darkened his countenance. “She’s doing well. Moving on.”
    “Moving on? As in … literally moving?”
    “It looks that way. It’s not public knowledge yet, so don’t say anything, but she’s … I think she’s getting married.”
    “Oh, that’s wonderful.” Too late, she saw in his eyes that he didn’t agree. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that isn’t easy for you.”
    He shrugged. “She’s happy. She wasn’t for so long, I really can’t begrudge her this.”
    “I hope she’s not moving too far away.”
    “Just to Springfield. That’s where Geoff lives. Geoff Morrison.”
    “Well, tell Emily I’ve been thinking about her.” She looked at her lap. “You too. I’m glad to see you’re doing so well.”
    He grunted. “If you can call it that.”
    “You were in a wheelchair last time I saw you—with casts up to here.” She drew a line above her knees, then gestured to his cane. “I’d say this is a huge improvement.”
    He shrugged. “I’ll consider myself improved when I can get back to work.”
    “Any idea when that might be?” She felt as if she was prying, and worried he heard the skepticism in her voice. He didn’t look anywhere near ready to return to the rigors of firefighting.
    But he didn’t seem offended. “I really don’t know. Ma just told me a few days ago—about Geoff. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.”
    “I’ll bet.”
    He grinned, obviously trying to put her at ease. “Oh well, I’m a big boy. Twenty-seven next month. It’s probably time I was out on my own.”
    “Where will you go? Have you looked at apartments yet? I’m going to be looking one of these days, too,” she confessed.
    “You’re moving, too?”
    She nodded. “Not leaving the Falls, but I can’t afford to keep our house.” It made it seem so real to speak the words aloud. “I’ve got it on the market. Actually, that’s why I’m camped out here. The Realtor’s showing the house right now. I’m a little afraid it’ll sell right away.”
    “Maybe you can just move in here.” He winked and pointed toward the counter. “All the coffee you can drink, bathrooms in the back …”
    “I’m moving in with Zach’s parents for a while. And I just turned twenty-nine.” She smiled, realizing the irony.
    He cocked his head. “ Really twenty-nine, or the twenty-nine all women claim after a certain age?”
    “No, really twenty-nine.”
    He looked skeptical. “And you’ll be thirty on your next birthday? Or twenty-nine again? Just checking.”
    “No really. I swear. I may stop counting at thirty -nine, but honest, I’m twenty-nine right now. For real.” She held up three fingers in a Scout’s honor gesture.
    He laughed. “Okay, okay, I believe you. It’s nice you have someplace to go. I do, too, just so you know. Ma’s renting the house to me as long as I want to stay.”
    “Over on Bramblewood, right? I always liked that house. Not that I’ve ever been inside …”
    “Yeah, it’s home. But it’s going to feel awfully strange rattling around in there by myself. Me and the cat.”
    “Yeah. I know what you mean. And I don’t even have a cat.”
    His face fell, as if he’d just realized the implications of his words. “I’m sorry, Jenna. You already know what it feels like—to be