Susannah's Garden (Blossom Street #3)(44)

“Then Troy must be balm to her wounded ego.”

This was Susannah’s take on the situation, too.

Carolyn sipped her wine. “You’ve probably figured out that his mother is Sharon Nance. She’s been married two or three times over the years, but still goes by Nance.”

Susannah did remember Sharon and while they’d never been friends, they’d been cordial. Sharon was hot-tempered as a teenager and had an unsavory reputation. At the age of thirteen, she’d bragged she was dating twenty-year-old men. By comparison, Susannah had lived an innocent existence. Sharon came from a single-parent home—a rarity in those days. Her mother had worked as a barmaid and now, so did Sharon.

Susannah sighed heavily, disappointed in her daughter’s fascination with Troy. “I assumed that one date would clue Chrissie in to the fact that Troy is no prize.”

“So she went out with him last night?”

Susannah nodded and swallowed a sip of wine. “She was home early enough, before midnight, and claimed she’d had an amazing time—her word. But I don’t think she’d tell me if she hadn’t.”

“Why not?” Carolyn reached for a slice of bread and then for the cheese.

Discouraged, Susannah leaned back in her chair. She’d failed Chrissie in this situation and wasn’t proud of what she’d done, especially because she knew better. “I tried to warn Chrissie about Troy, but I might as well have saved my breath. It was a mistake to say anything because now she’s determined to prove how wrong I am.”

“I don’t think Troy’s into hard drugs, if that’s what concerns you,” Carolyn said.

That was reassuring. But Troy definitely looked like a recreational drug user, and leaving his job at the mill confirmed it. “I talked to my husband and he said we’ve done our best raising Chrissie and at almost twenty she’s capable of making her own decisions.”

“And you agree?” Carolyn asked, skewering Susannah with a look. “Never having had children, I wouldn’t know.”

“The thing is, I don’t, either,” Susannah muttered. It would’ve been so nice to spend these weeks with her daughter, just the two of them. They’d been getting along well, and the last thing she wanted now was to be at odds with Chrissie over a young man who’d be in and out of their lives within a few days.

“What I’m finding so difficult is all of this,” Susannah said, gesturing around her. “I’m packing up my parents’ lives and discovering all these bits and pieces of my own life. For instance, Mom saved the first baby tooth I lost. I also came across a file she kept with all my school papers from first grade on. She saved everything, and I do mean everything.”

Carolyn nodded. “I know what you mean. I didn’t pack up my mom and dad’s stuff, but I moved into their home. Everywhere I turned I was confronted by memories. It was a little eerie at first, you know?”

Susannah did. Speaking of eerie…She leaned forward, wondering if she should say anything. “I didn’t mention this to Joe because I don’t want to alarm him. Someone’s been in the house recently.”

Carolyn paused, her glass halfway to her mouth. “Someone’s broken into the house?”

“No, that’s the crazy part. There’s been no obvious break-in and nothing of value is missing. Well, some old sports ribbons and baseball cards. A few other things.” She paused. “It’s happened more than once.”

“Are you spooked?” Carolyn asked.

“Yes, and it’s driving me crazy. Who would do that and why?”

“Any idea?”

Susannah just shook her head.

Carolyn nibbled on her bread and cheese. “Do you think the spirit of your father is still here?”

“No.” The thought appalled Susannah. “That’s not it at all. This is…different.” Susannah grew quiet in an effort to put her feelings into words. “Thursday night after meeting with you and the others, I came back here and the moment I stepped inside the house, I knew someone had been here.”

“Wasn’t that when you found Chrissie had arrived?”

“Yes, but I still think it’s more than that. True, Chrissie was there—but I sensed someone else had come in, too. And I’m pretty sure it happened again, maybe even today. That makes three times I know of. This afternoon, I saw that some of my father’s papers were missing. I’d just started going through his files and I’d left some stuff on his desk. Then it turned up missing. Gone.”

“You’re sure you didn’t toss it?”

“I’m positive. I know it was there and then it wasn’t.”

“I believe you.”

Her friend was silent after that. “Anything on your mind these days?” Susannah asked.

Carolyn’s gaze flew to hers, and her face immediately reddened.

“Carolyn?”

She blushed even more profusely, but didn’t respond.

“Tell me.”

She finally began, “There’s this guy….”

Susannah should’ve known it had to do with a man. “What guy?”

“I’m embarrassed to say anything. His name’s Dave. He’s with Kettle Falls Landscaping and he maintains my yard and the area outside my office. I can’t stop thinking about him. At work I catch myself staring out the window, hoping for a glimpse of him.”