While He Built Her Home novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Forty-Eight Ticks

Brynn didn't bring dinner.

At six-thirty she texted: Running late, hon, so sorry!! Tomorrow?

The studio lights were still in the back of Jared's truck.

I knew that because he had parked in front of her house.

She had posted a photo of the truck with a heart.

"We go get them," Phoebe said, and pulled her keys out of her apron. "Tonight. I'm driving."

"We could wait for Clayton."

"You have a grand reopening in five days and no lamps."

I got in her car.

Linden Court is a quiet street with maples and porch swings.

Brynn's house is the pale blue one at the end, with white shutters I helped her pick out.

I had sat on that porch a hundred times.

A woman I half knew was watering her mums next door.

She waved at me with the hose.

"Valerie! Congratulations on the big night!"

"Thank you," I said.

I don't know what I was thanking her for.

Brynn opened the door in socks and a soft gray cardigan, and her whole face lit up.

"You came! Oh, I feel terrible. I didn't even start dinner."

"I'm here for the lights," I said.

"Of course. Come in, come in."

The house smelled like vanilla.

There was a lamp on in every room.

A vase of yellow tulips stood on the entry table.

I did not look at the tulips.

Keep reading free with an account. Start While He Built Her Home from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.