She nodded.
“I should have told you what Richard was doing.”
“You should have asked before he started.”
She lowered her eyes.
“I know.”
We sat quietly.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
Inside was another payment toward the money she’d received from the rentals.
Evan had helped her prepare it.
I accepted the envelope.
“Thank you.”
She took a breath.
“Are you ever going to trust me again?”
I looked toward the water.
“I want to.”
Her eyes filled.
“But it will take time.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
I reached for her hand.
She held it.
For a while, we watched a boat move slowly across the lake.
Then Madison asked whether she could have the old photograph from the fireplace.
The one of Thomas, Madison, and me on the dock.
I smiled.
“Of course.”
We went inside together.
She carefully lifted it from the mantel.
I checked the back to make sure the frame was secure.
Then I handed it to her.
