Kate had managed to get everything she needed in no time at all. She clutched two bags of groceries against her chest as she stepped into the house. Angel squeezed past her and went to work investigating. Using her foot to close the door, Kate moved to the kitchen and set the bags on the shelf. She turned and gazed into the front room while memories of Mike cascaded over her. For a moment, it felt as if her breath were being choked off. If only he were still alive. He’d been a true pal, someone who understood her in ways no one else did, not even Paul. Paul was right. They ought to sell this house. Their home was on the creek, not here. But no matter how reasonable it seemed, Kate couldn’t bring herself to part with the place. It was a piece of Mike. She couldn’t simply dispose of it. In spite of the cool June weather, Kate opened the kitchen window. The house smelled musty and felt chilly, so she started a fire in the kitchen stove.
