Chapter 11: The River Gate

Willa's POV

Jerome came back from his run at seven, with his shirt dry.

I noticed it, and I didn't ask.

I was at the table with my laptop open and a dead account on the screen.

Dot had already knocked twice with a plate of eggs.

"I have something for you," Jerome said.

He held out a square of paper, folded in four.

On the front, in blue ink, it said: The pregnant one.

"Where did you get this?"

"The guest house nurse. Through the gate. She said it's from Linnea."

I took it.

My hands weren't steady, and I couldn't tell if it was the baby or the paper.

I opened it.

"Willa. I'm Linnea. I was told you were a liar, and I think I was told a lot of things."

"Will you come to the river gate on Tuesday at nine at night? The nurse will let you in."

"Come alone, please. Don't tell the man who stood beside you at the luncheon until you've heard me."

I read it twice.

Then I looked up.

Jerome stood very straight, with his hands at his sides.

"She doesn't want me to know," I said.

"Doesn't she?"

"She said not to tell you."

"I didn't read it."

"I know you didn't." I folded it along its creases. "Why would she say that?"

His face did something small and quiet.

"I think I know," he said. "I want to tell you something first, before you go."

"After."

"Willa..."

"If she tells me not to tell you, she has a reason, and I'd like to hear it from her."

He didn't argue.

"Then go," Jerome said. "Whatever she says to you, I'll answer it. Anything."

I should have heard what he was telling me.

I was listening to the baby instead.

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