“Albert and Mrs. Mayhand,” Van answered my unspoken question.
It was no secret that the incident in Chicago was weighing on both of us.
However, tonight’s discovery was different. I couldn’t compartmentalize it to a city seven hours away. Someone had been within the confines of our snow globe. I swallowed the mix of emotions—fear, disappointment, unease—as Van pulled his truck into the large garage.
I turned to Van in question.
The bright light from the ceiling highlighted his tense features, letting me know I wasn’t alone in my thoughts. He pulled out his phone and peered down at the screen.
“The sensors show a person in the kitchen and another in the living room. Mrs. Mayhand and Albert.”
I nodded. “No one else.”
Van shook his head. “No one. The new heat sensors show the entire floor plan.”
“Even the third floor?”
Van’s gaze narrowed. “Why would you ask that?”
“That room is empty and never used.”
“It isn’t equipped yet, but I’ll have Jonathon get on it.” He reached for my hand. “Our dinner is probably cold.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“I know how to build up your appetite.”
When I didn’t reply, Van released my hand and wrapped his arms around me. “I won’t let you out of my sight.”
Van closed the garage door as we made our way down the breezeway toward the kitchen doorway. Hanging our coats in the mudroom, I opened the door. I’d been wrong about not wanting to come home to Paula’s cooking.
The bright kitchen was welcoming, filled with lights and delicious aromas. Her tired smile beamed as we entered.
“Congratulations. I just heard we have a wedding to plan.”
Her enthusiasm was exactly what I needed to chip away at the concoction of emotions stifling our snow globe.
“The wedding is on,” I said, smiling up at Van. “The location is still under consideration.”
“Peggy,” Paula said, using her daughter’s nickname, “and I have been talking about the cabin. We have ideas.”
“Did Margaret go out there?” Van asked.
Paula shook her head. “No. We were going to check with you and go tomorrow.” When neither of us responded, her gaze narrowed, bringing small lines to the side of her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Van said, squeezing my hand. “Stay with Mrs. Mayhand. I need to speak to Albert.”
Pulling out one of the stools from the counter, I climbed up as Van disappeared beyond the living room. With my hands clasped on the counter, I let my chin fall toward my chest as I tried to think of anything and nothing.
“Child, are you okay?”
I shook my head, suddenly fighting tears I didn’t know were ready to flow.
Paula turned down whatever was on the stove and came around the counter. Before I knew it, her hand was covering mine and her face was close. I stared into her brown eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said.
Paula shook her head slowly. “Apologies aren’t necessary. What can I get you?”
“A new snow globe.”