Page 88 of Ethan

Silver rental sedan. Her stomach dropped.

She set the cup down and went out the back door before Linda could knock and wake Ethan.

Linda was already out of the car, dressed like she was going somewhere, her jaw set that was different from the last two times. The apologetic softness was gone. This was something else. Naomi stepped onto the porch.

“We need to talk,” Linda said.

“We already talked.” Naomi pulled the door shut behind her and crossed her arms. “Twice.”

“You didn’t give me a chance to explain myself properly.”

“You explained yourself fine.” Naomi kept her voice low. “You wanted money that was never yours. We’re done.”

Linda’s eyes hardened. “That house belonged to my mother too.”

“Your mother left it to me. Not you. There’s a will that says so and a lawyer who drew it up.” Naomi looked at her steadily. “You don’t have a claim.”

“I have every right—”

The door opened behind Naomi.

Ethan stepped out, coffee in hand, wearing only his jeans, and took in the scene in one quiet look. He handed Naomi a cup of coffee.

Linda looked at him, then back at Naomi.

“I’d like to speak to my daughter alone,” she said.

“That’s up to her,” Ethan said simply. He didn’t move.

Naomi felt something steady move through her at his presence behind her.

“Say what you came to say,” Naomi said. “He stays.”

Linda’s expression shifted into something uglier. “You’ve known this man five minutes and you’re taking his side over your own mother’s?”

“You stopped being my mother when you drove away and didn’t look back.” Naomi’s voice was quiet and even and she meant every word. “I don’t owe you anything. Not money, not time, not a relationship.” She held Linda’s gaze. “I’m sorry your plan didn’t work out. But I think it’s time for you to go home.”

Linda looked at her for a long moment, something working behind her eyes.

“You’ll regret this,” she said finally.

“I don’t think I will.”

Ethan stepped forward. His voice was quiet and unhurried and left no room for argument.

“Ma’am, I’m going to ask you to get off my property. Right now. And I’m going to ask you not to come back.” He held her gaze. “If you do come back, I’ll call the sheriff. Are we clear?”

Linda looked at him, then at Naomi, and whatever she saw in both of their faces told her everything she needed to know.

She got in the car without another word.

Neither of them moved until the sedan had disappeared down the driveway and the sound of the engine had faded completely down the road.

Naomi let out a long slow breath.

Ethan’s hand came to rest on her shoulder.

“You alright?” he asked quietly.