Chapter 64

As Sarah closed the drapes to block the sun, she saw Helen turn the corner at the end of the garden. Just as the drapes shut, a form flashed past the window. Sarah yanked the drapes back to see Marco storming down the garden path where Helen had just walked.

Was he after Helen?

Sarah shoved her shoes back on and plunged back out into the sunshine. It was so bright, she couldn’t see. Then she caught sight of the chef rounding the corner after Helen.

Sarah sprinted down the path and around the corner herself. She slammed into Marco. He was stopped dead, searching around. Helen was nowhere to be seen. Sunlight glinted in the woods. Sarah saw Helen between the trees.

Marco saw Helen too. He lunged in her direction. Sarah shouted and grabbed his arm, trying to slow him down. He spun around, his face red and furious.

In his large hands were Helen’s flowers.

“Roses,” he sputtered. “Roses.”

Oh, no, Sarah thought. He’s coming unhinged because of the roses.

She stepped back, putting some space between them. Marco was breathing hard. He looked to be in shape. He couldn’t be out of breath from the running. His face was red, but maybe not furious.

He held out his hand with the bouquet. “Your friend left her roses,” he said haltingly between breaths. “Will you give them to her?”

He started to cry, his hand still extended with the flowers. The rose scent wafted between them. “I miss her. I miss her so much.”

Sarah knew who he was talking about. His body shook. The flowers fell to the ground. Sarah bent to pick them up. Before she straightened, he shuffled away.