Page 106 of Floodgates

“Right around the same time,” he answered. “I didn’t go to their funeral.”

“I think it would have been hypocritical if you had.”

“Thank you. Some people thought it was odd of me.”

“I don’t.”

His gaze locked on mine. “You’re a very understanding man, Tracy Brandt. If you weren’t already involved with the policeman, I would ask to take you to dinner.”

“And I would have accepted.” I smiled at him.

He was a handsome man with his short blond hair and dark-blue eyes, but there was a sadness that clung to him. His regrets would never go away.

Changing the subject then, he asked me what I’d seen, and I gestured around me.

“You haven’t been off the property?”

“No.”

“There are some lovely covered bridges to see, and just walking down Main Street is a treat. You should let me take you and the inspector out.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Excellent. Let me give you my number.”

He excused himself a few minutes later, and I wandered the grounds, sat in the gazebo, and eventually drifted back into the house and through the crowds. I finally walked into the great room and took a seat on the couch. I was just about to get my phone out when Bethany took a seat beside me.

“Oh, hey,” I greeted her.

She was studying me.

“What?”

“You know, I was really surprised by you.”

“Sorry?”

“I just—and I don’t mean you to take this the wrong way, but… when I first saw you,” she said thoughtfully, “I was certain my mom got it wrong.”

“Got what wrong?”

“She told me what the inspector said on the phone the day he called, but when I saw you and Celia, I thought maybe Mom misheard and that you were Breckin’s husband and Celia was your friend who was also your surrogate or something like that.”

“What?”

She cleared her throat, leaning forward, closer to me. “He told me he was bi in high school. I’ve known forever.”

“Oh.”

“And you’re totally his type.”

“His type?”

“Well, yeah. You look just like him; you must know that.”

“Like who?” I asked, even though, after talking to Lucien, I could hazard a guess.

“Turi Carrera. He was this guy Breckin fooled around with in high school.”