Page 25 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"You did."

"And?"

I looked around the room. The setting sun shone through the tall windows, filling the house with a warm amber light. Our wedding photo was on the mantel. The boxes were gone. The house was quiet now. Finally, it felt like home.

"I think..." I said quietly. "I think we made the right decision."

He smiled at me, and I understood. He had been waiting for me to say that. He reached over the box between us and took my hand.

"I've got one more surprise for you tomorrow."

I narrowed my eyes.

"You've done enough surprising."

"This one's better."

"Should I be worried?"

"Not even a little."

Outside, the porch lights came on one by one as evening settled over Lemon Grove Estates.

I rested my head on Zaire’s shoulder and watched the last sunlight fade behind the rooftops. For the first time since we arrived this morning, the house felt familiar. It felt like home. I realized that some homes don’t just hold memories. Sometimes, they wait for them to come back.

Chapter Three

Maci

I've always gotten up early. It’s not that I like mornings, but they just seem more logical to me. Before eight, everyone sticks to their routines. They leave for work at the same time, walk the same paths, use the same mugs, and say hello to the same neighbors. If you pay attention, you can spot their habits before you even know their names.

By my third morning in Lemon Grove Estates, I was already noticing the routines.

I sat on the front porch in a rocking chair, holding a warm cup of coffee. The neighborhood was just beginning to wake up.

At exactly 6:18, the landscaping crew drove through the gates in three identical black trucks.

At 6:25, the sprinklers came on as usual, spraying water over the bright green lawns.

At 6:31, Tasha’s front door opened.

"Mason! Miles! If I have to tell y'all one more time to put your shoes on, y'all are walking to school barefoot!"

"I can't find my backpack!"

"You found your Nintendo, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

"Then you can find your backpack." I laughed and took another sip of coffee.

Less than thirty seconds later, the twins ran out of the house. One of them carried a shoe instead of wearing it. Tasha saw me watching and threw her hands up.

"They're trying to humble me before seven in the morning."

"I believe it."

"They've been doing it for six years." She pointed across the street.