HAYDEN

Jessica found me in the west hall.

The long, empty corridor echoed with the faint click of her heels and the soft hum of the old grandfather clock at the far end. I’d been heading toward the study to find a bit of quiet, Coleen had gone upstairs for a nap, and I desperately needed a few minutes to breathe after the disaster of breakfast.

“Hayden,” she said, sliding into the hallway with that same too-confident sway she used to have in high school.

I froze mid-step. ...