Yeah, I have a ranch to run. Why did people seem to forget that? Steel money didn’t grow on trees. Well, it did, and also in pastures and vineyards. But a hell of a lot of work went into it too.

“Yeah. Lots of work at the ranch.”

“Understood. It was good to see you. Stop by more often. Evelyn and I miss seeing you around here.”

I turned and lifted my foot to walk toward the front door, when something made me hesitate.

“Tom?”

“Yeah?”

“Could I bother you for another cup of coffee?”

“Sure, no problem. Help yourself. Sit on down here with me. We can talk.”

Talk.

And I had just the person to talk about.

Chapter Eighteen

Melanie

My five o’clock session rescheduled earlier in the afternoon, so after my four o’clock, I was left with an hour to kill before Oliver met me at the office.

I didn’t have long to wait, though, because I had a visitor. Rodney Cates. At least he hadn’t barged in on a session this time. Randi had left for the day, so he knocked on the open door to my office.

“Dr. Cates?” I cleared my throat, my nerves jumping. “What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to let you know that Erica seems to be doing a little bit better.”

A heavy sigh of relief left me before I could stop it. “Thank you. You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that.”

“I don’t know how glad you are? I lost my daughter, and then I almost lost my wife. And you think I don’t know how glad you are that my wife is doing better?”

I hadn’t meant to hit a nerve. He was right. My remark had been selfish and unfeeling. This man was hurting, so I resolved to deal with him as I would with anyone else who was hurting. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I am absolutely sure you’re glad that your wife is doing better.”

“May I come in?”

I couldn’t very well say no, no matter how much I wanted to. “Of course.” I was sitting at my desk, but I stood and walked over to my session area and sat down in my chair. I ge

stured to the couch and the other recliner. “Please, have a seat.”

He plopped down on the couch and turned to face me. Yet he said nothing.

“What can I help you with, Dr. Cates?”

“There’s something I wanted to ask you. About Gina.”

I wasn’t about to reveal anything from my session notes, but I didn’t need to tell him that. “Of course. What do you want to know?”

“Did Gina say anything to you about falling in love?”

My throat thickened. She hadn’t, at least not until the letter I got after she died.

So I shook my head. “Not during our sessions, no.” Technically, that wasn’t a lie. “Is there a reason why you’re asking me this?”

“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “One of her friends told Erica and me that Gina had been in love.”

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