Page 41 of The Taste of Deceit

“They kept everything.”

“They always said this would still be my room whenever I came home.”

She smiles, loops her fingers through mine, and tugs me toward the bedroom door.

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“To introduce you to the horses you’ve apparently been dreaming about for weeks.”

Chapter 13

Sarah

“Daddy,” I call as we come down the stairs. “Let’s take Luca to see the horses.”

He laughs from the couch and looks over his shoulder.

“Sweet girl,” he says, “why don’t we eat some dinner first? Your mama made your favorite.”

My eyes widen.

“Fried chicken and corn on the cob?”

He grins.

“You know it.”

“Sorry, Luca.”

I immediately make a beeline for the kitchen.

When I walk into the kitchen, a bowl of fresh watermelon sits in the middle of the island. I reach in and grab a piece.

Mama swats my hand with the dish towel, but she’s smiling.

“Dinner’s almost ready.”

I pop the watermelon into my mouth anyway.

She shakes her head.

“Did you leave Luca with your daddy?”

“He’s a big boy.” I shrug. “He’ll survive.”

Mama smiles to herself as she stirs the potatoes.

“I know you sent pictures, but he sure is handsome.”

She bumps my hip with hers.

“Mm-hmm.”

“You sure seem to like him.”

“Mama,” I say, giving her a look.