He looked down at the ring, closed his eyes a moment. Then drew it off.

“You can see where it was, where the sun couldn’t get through.”

“That’ll fade in time. You’re letting in the light.”

He put the ring in the keepsake box. And she was gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

On a sun-kissed June afternoon, Adrian sat in Teesha’s home office holding the baby while her business manager went over financial reports, budgetary issues, and marketing plans for Rizzo’s and the youth center.

Chubby with mother’s milk, Thaddeus waved his teether while Phineas sat on the floor apparently building a futuristic city with Legos.

All the while the notes of Monroe’s piano drifted from upstairs in what Adrian thought must be a ballad about heartbreak.

“Finally,” Teesha concluded, “Jan’s made a very strong and well-thought-out pitch for a raise and promotion for Barry. Since Bob-Ray, the de facto assistant manager for the last year or so, is retiring, she’d like you to consider making Barry her official assistant manager, with a raise and benefits commensurate with that position. I have her letter of recommendation. I second it.”

“And I’ll read it, but I’m going to approve because I know Barry, I know his work, his loyalty, and his love for Rizzo’s. Isn’t that right?” she asked Thaddeus as she gave him a bounce.

“Great. I’ll let Jan know. Meanwhile, when you and Kayla start shopping again, stick to the budget.”

“Yes, ma’am. We didn’t go that much over on lighting and plumbing fixtures.”

“You go a little over here, a little over there, and before you know it, you’re a lot over everywhere. And you went one-point-six percent over on the lighting, and a full two percent over on the plumbing.”

Adrian bounced the baby again. “Your mom is so strict.”

“Daddy isn’t.” Carefully Phineas chose another block. “He says sometimes you just gotta have a wrestle even if it’s bedtime.”

“Somebody has to be the referee around here, little man of mine. What are you building this time?”

“I’m making Phinville. When I grow up, I’ll make my own town and be the boss of everybody.”

“How are you going to be an astronaut and boss of Phinville?”

He gave his mother the most patient of looks. “I’m gonna build Phinville in space.”

“Of course. What was I thinking?”

“I don’t have preschool all summer, but I start kindergarten after. I’ll ride the bus with Bradley and Mariah, and save a seat for Collin because the bus gets us first.”

“How do you know it gets you first?” Adrian wondered.

“Because it picks up Mo’s friend Cissy after Mo, and Cissy lives across the street from Collin, so I’ll save him a seat because we’re best friends. We won’t need school buses in Phinville. Everyone will teleport.”

Adrian looked at him with his gorgeous dark curls, his big beautiful brown eyes and fell in love with him all over again. “Very efficient, and speedy.”

“Buses use gas, and it’s not good for the air. And we have to make the air in Phinville because it’s in space. Hey, Daddy! I’m building Phinville.”

Monroe sauntered in, crouched down, and gave the emerging city a serious study. “You’re going to live there.” He tapped a tower. “Because it’s the tallest. You can look out and make sure the city’s at peace.”

He gave Sadie, sprawled by Adrian’s feet, a good rub. “Shift change. Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in or I’d’ve gotten the kids sooner.”

“I got to hold the baby and watch the erecting of Phinville. I loved what you were playing a bit ago. Do you have lyrics?”

“Working on them. The music came first this time. Let’s take Thad for a stroll, Phin. Get us all some fresh. Mama won’t mind if you leave your city for now, will you, Mama?”

“No, you go ahead. Thad might need a change.”

“Got it covered, don’t we, Phin?”

Monroe hauled the now-bouncing-on-his-own baby into his arms. And Adrian held hers out for Phineas. “Hey, handsome. I need one.”

He gave her a hug, rocking side to side the way she found so endearing. “You can live in Phinville, too.”

“I’m counting on it.”

As he walked out with his father, Phineas’s whisper carried back. “Are we going for ice cream, Daddy?”

“Boy, you’re going to get me in trouble. Your mama’s got fine ears on her.”

Adrian shook her head. “You’re not too strict for ice cream on a June afternoon.”

“They like to play the game. I like to play it, too. We still have to go over some numbers for New Gen, but since other ears are now out of the room, I’m switching to personal. First the tough stuff. Any word from your investigator?”

“Actually, yes. She located fourteen more women—all alive and well. She’s spoken to all but one of them, and is heading to Richmond—is probably there by now—to speak to the last in person.”

“Okay.” Teesha nodded slowly. “That’s good, that’s solid. That’s a little better than forty-one percent alive and well.”

“I can tell you it’s brought me some serious relief.”

“And it should. On the flip side, with those she found who aren’t alive and well added on to fourteen, she’s got the same percentage to locate. She will. She’s thorough.”

“She is. Nikki Bennett isn’t back in DC yet. She detoured to another client, apparently. No luck locating the brother, not yet anyway. She did speak with some neighbors. Nobody’s seen him in years.”

“Maybe the sister killed him and buried him in the basement.”

“Now that’s uplifting.”

“Just spitballing. Anyway, I feel better knowing neither of them are around, and your PI’s digging. I want this shit over. You’ve dealt with it long enough. Case closed.” She slapped her hands together. “Then you can go to the beach with my sexy neighbor and just enjoy.”

“You’re sure about taking care of the garden?”

“It’s two weeks, Adrian, not two years. We can handle it. Now for the fun stuff. How’s it going with you and said sexy?”

“It’s … We had a really good dinner with the kids. Mariah’s already got an agenda started for the shopping trip. You know, I thought: Hell, sure, I can take a kid shopping, no big. But I never have. Maybe you should—”

“Uh-uh-uh.” Teesha ticked her finger back and forth. “First, you know I only shop when cornered, and second, she’s revved about going with you. It’s a bonding op. Take it. She’s a good kid. They both are. When you live next door, you know.”

“But do I just let her go wild, or do I rein her in, or what?”

“You’re talking to the referee, remember? So I’m staying neutral on it. Go with your gut. And stop looking for obstacles.”

“I’m not. Exactly. It’s just … He took off his wedding ring.”

“Oh.” Puffing out her cheeks, Teesha sat back. “That’s a big.”