Page 165 of The Route to You

Sloan swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you, Penny.” Her eyes landed on a box labeled “jewelry,” and she pulled it down, setting the phone on another box. “But are you really sure?”

“One hundred percent. I even told Dad to make sure he’s leaving it all to you. So, really, you can do whatever you want with it with my blessing.”

Sloan pulled the lid off the box. Mom’s old jewelry box—a leather one that had reminded Sloan of a treasure chest when she was a kid—stared back at her.

“Mom’s jewelry,” she said, her heart giving a sharp pang. She opened it, then lifted a delicate silver chain with a single, large pearl. “I’m shocked you don’t want anything.”

She held the necklace up for Penny to see.

“I know. I’m heartless.” Penny shrugged. “I just . . . What am I going to do with it? I honestly can’t remember the last time I wore any jewelry. Even at your rehearsal dinner. Nada. I think your wedding planner said something snarky about it.”

That put Sloan instantly on Penny’s side. “Well, screw her. That’s a personal decision.”

“Exactly.” Penny gave a sly grin.

Sloan slipped the necklace on, clasping the pearl tightly. The last time someone had worn this . . . it had been Mom.

And that made Sloan feel like she was still here in a way.

“It looks beautiful on you,” Penny said, a wobble to her own voice.

Sloan packed the box back up, then set it under her arm. “I think it’s going to take some time for me to go through everything. But thank you for being here with me the first time.”

“You can always call me, Sloan. Always.”

That was enough for Sloan to get teary-eyed all over again.

“I should get back home before Kyle wonders where I’ve gone,” she said, walking back to the door. She flipped off the light, then locked the unit again.

“Oh yeah? How are things going with Mr. Winnick?”

“Good,” Sloan said. She put the box in the passenger seat and smiled. “Really, really good. He loves me. And I love him.”

Penny rolled her eyes. “Well, yeah. Anyone who saw you guys together when you were young knew it was the real thing. Made me jealous, if I’m telling the truth.”

Sloan started her car. “I should get off before I start driving. Thanks, Penny. I’m glad I called you.”

“I'm glad you called me too.”

They hung up, and Sloan stared at the black screen. They weren’t like the Winnicks. There were no big shows of affection. No effusive declarations of familial bonds.

But she was glad to have her sister back in her life.

The house wasn’t too far from the storage facility, it turned out, but once again, the house was dark.

She shook her head. Does Kyle bother turning on the lights when I’m not here?

Sloan went inside, carrying the box with her mom’s jewelry with her. The dogs didn’t greet her either, though. Instead, she found Kyle on the back lawn, new firepit lit, dogs lying at his feet, beer in his hand.

“Hey,” she said, heading toward him slowly. She dragged an Adirondack chair toward the firepit, then sat beside him.

“Hey yourself,” he said, voice low. “Did you have a nice time at work?”

She nodded, then leaned back in her chair, staring up at the stars. This was the sort of life she’d visualized when she’d stayed at the Murdock’s ranch. Sure, they had a lot of money, so the house and the setting were more luxurious, but that wasn’t what she’d found herself longing for.

She wanted quiet evenings at home, a couple of dogs at her feet. Maybe a family someday. Someone to hold her hand and grow old with. The burn of sore muscles after a hard day’s work. Good food or drinks shared with friends. And laughter. So much laughter.

All the luxury in the world couldn’t give her that.