She was coming home early. She arrived before lunch. Anna knew because Tom sent one sentence. She's here. For five full minutes, Anna considered pretending she had not seen the message.
Then she drove to the Carter house, not because she was brave, because disappearing would prove every bad thing Beth might already be thinking. When Anna stepped into the kitchen, Beth stood at the counter with a mug in both hands. Tom sat at the table with several folders spread in front of him. Murphy slept between their chairs as if the household had not quietly become a minefield. Beth looked at Anna, then Tom, then Anna again.
Her eyes narrowed. Why are you both looking guilty? We're not, Anna and Tom said at the same time. Beth stared at them. Murphy chose that moment to walk through the kitchen carrying a scarf Anna had placed in donate.
Tom pointed at him. He's guilty. No one laughed. Beth sat down her mug. How long?
Anna's stomach tightened. Nothing happened. That wasn't my question. Tom stood. Beth, no.
I'm asking Anna. That hurt more than anger would have. Anna nodded. Not long. And we were going to tell you before anything did happen.
Beth let out a breath and looked away. You were going to tell me? Yes. When? Today?
Beth gave a short, humorless laugh. Convenient. Anna could have defended herself. She wanted to. Instead, she looked at her best friend and saw the real wound beneath the shock.
Beth had been the person sit beside Anna when her engagement collapsed. The one person she had trusted when trust itself felt humiliating. Now Beth was standing in her childhood kitchen, blindsided by her. "You're right," Anna said quietly. Beth blinked.
"I should have told you sooner." Tom stepped forward. "This isn't all on her." Anna lifted one hand. "Tom, please."
He stopped. Beth's expression changed at the way Anna said his name. Not Mr. Carter Tom. That made everything real. Beth folded her arms.
And yes, this is strange for me. You're my best friend. He's my father. I'm allowed a minute to hate how weird that sentence sounds. Anna almost smiled.
Almost. I asked you to help him move. I know. I asked you because I trusted you. I know.
And now he doesn't want to sell. He didn't want to sell before I got here. Beth looked at Tom. Is that true? Tom hesitated.