The path veered left around a group of bushes lit by one of the park’s many security lamps. They followed the trail deeper, past morning walkers and a few other joggers.
Megan drew in the scent of warm air and packed dirt. “Is he all right?”
“He said he is.” Doreen didn’t seem convinced. “He sounded fine. Better than he has in a long time.”
The last time Megan had seen Ean was during his father’s funeral, more than six months ago. Did he even remember their exchange? She’d shaken his hand and expressed her condolences. But Ean’s eyes had looked so lost—not even Ramona’s touch reached him. Megan knew well the pain of losing a beloved family member. She’d lost two—four, if you included the parents she barely remembered.
Megan’s thoughts returned to the present. “Did you have any idea he’d been thinking of coming back?” Had Ramona?
“None.”
Megan couldn’t wrap her mind around the news. “Ever since high school, all Ean’s wanted to do was leave Trinity Falls. Why is he moving back?”
Doreen chuckled. “Paul used to say Ean had been born with a road map out of town.”
Megan smiled at the mention of her friend’s late husband. “Ean always had a plan, which is another reason this decision is so out of character.”
“I know. My son has never been spontaneous.” Doreen paused as they jogged past two women speed walking on the trail. “He chose his college when he was in elementary school. And he selected his law school before he graduated from high school.”
Megan had been devastated when he’d picked New York University’s law school. It had seemed so far away. “It was always his dream to become a partner with a prestigious New York City firm. Now that he’s achieved that dream, he’s going to throw it away to return to Trinity Falls, Ohio, population less than fifteen hundred?”
In the seven years since Ean had been working for that law firm, Megan could count on her hands the number of times he’d come home.
“I don’t understand his decision, either. But I’m glad that he’s coming home.”
Megan’s face warmed with guilt. Doreen’s response put this situation in its proper perspective. She reined in her panic and focused on her friend. “I know you’ve missed him.”
Doreen was silent for several paces. “A lot has changed since he’s spent any real time here.” She wasn’t talking about the new buildings and wider roads.
Megan reacted to the tension in the other woman’s voice. She reached out, giving her friend’s shoulder a bracing squeeze. “As long as you’re happy, Ean will be, too.”
Doreen’s expression was hopeful. “Do you really believe that?”
Megan let her hand drop. “How you choose to live your life is your decision, Doreen. Ean can either get on board with it or not.”
Doreen mustered a halfhearted smile. “I hope he gets on board. It’ll be nice to have him home again.”
It would be nice for Doreen. And for Megan? That would depend on whether Ean and her cousin picked up where they’d left off.
CHAPTER 2
A little more than an hour later, Megan opened Books & Bakery, her combination bookstore and café, for business. As soon as the doors opened, two of her regular customers strolled in.
“Morning, ladies.” Darius Knight greeted Megan and Doreen. The local newspaper reporter slipped onto his usual chair at the bakery counter.
“Good morning, Megan, Ms. Doreen.” Dr. Quincy Spates followed Darius to the counter. The Trinity Falls University history professor took the seat beside his childhood friend.
Megan studied the two men on the other side of the counter. They’d been friends with Ean since birth or at least as long as she’d been alive. Tall, fit, intelligent and attractive, they were brothers in every way but by blood.
Darius’s midnight eyes gleamed with excitement. “Have you heard the news?”
Doreen served both men a mug of coffee. “If you’re talking about Ean coming home, of course, I have. I’m his mother. And I’ve already told Megan. When did you two find out?”
Darius added cream and way too much sugar to his coffee. “Ean e-mailed us late last night.” He inclined his head toward Quincy.
Quincy swallowed half his cup of coffee. “What do you make of his coming home?”
Megan frowned. Had he also e-mailed Ramona? What was her cousin’s reaction to Ean’s plans?