When He Finally Chose Me I Was Gone novel · Chapter 21 of 32

Chapter 21: Tea at the Isles

The invitation came on cream paper, in Margit's upright hand.

"Tea, Thursday at four, at the house. Bring the child. M.L."

I held it up at the breakfast table, and Elin read it over my shoulder.

"She wants to look at her," Elin said.

"Yes."

"She wants to see whether she's a Lund."

"Yes."

"You don't have to go."

"I know," I said. "That's why I'm going."

Soren met me at the curb on Lake of the Isles with his hands in his pockets.

It was the first time I had seen the house since the morning of the gala.

The lawn was cut, and the windows shone, and the dock stuck out into the water exactly where I had left it.

I stood on the walk with Wren on my hip and the diaper bag over my shoulder.

I had lived behind that door for three years, and I had never once felt that it was mine.

"You don't have to go in," Soren said.

"I'm going in."

"I'll be in the room."

"I'd like that."

Margit received us in the front parlor, at a table laid with a silver pot, three cups and a plate of lemon cookies.

She wore the navy cardigan and the pearls, and she stood when we came in.

"Linnea," she said. "Thank you for coming."

"Margit."

She looked at Wren.

I watched her do it, and I saw her face try to stay composed and fail.

"May I?" she said.

I did not answer at once.

I thought of the envelope with two million dollars in it, and the coffee shop on Superior Street, and the words she had said when she left: Remember who has the harder year.

Then I put Wren into her arms.

My daughter looked up at her with a frown, grabbed one of the pearl earrings, and held on.

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