Free Ripple of Secrets: Rose Gardner Mystery Novella #6.5 (Rose Gardner series Book 3) by Denise Grover Swank Page A

you were hurting long before you met Rose.” She patted my arm. “You need to figure out how to live the best possible life you can without her, and if she happens to change her mind at some point, you’ll be a much stronger man when she comes back to you. Or for the next woman who claims your heart.”
    A lump filled my throat and I tilted my head as I watched her. “Why are you so nice to me? I want to steal your son’s girlfriend.”
    She shook her head. “I’m nice to you because you are a good person, Joe Simmons, and I can’t stand to see you so lost. You just need to find your way.”
    A good person? I definitely didn’t think it was true, but Rose had always told me I was. Now Maeve was telling me the same thing. Could there be some truth to it after all? “Find my way… Without Rose, I’m not even sure where to go.”
    “I’m not so sure about that. You like your work in the sheriff’s department. And you’re moving out to that farmhouse so you can restore it. You’re already on the right path. Fill your life with things you love and love will find you, whether it’s with Rose or someone else.”
    But I couldn’t imagine a life without Rose, and I wasn’t ready to consider loving anyone else. Maybe I’d never be.
    “You just need to take it one day at a time.”
    “Of course you’re telling me to move on without her,” I said stubbornly. “You don’t want her to leave Mason.”
    “Joe.” Her tone hardened as her gaze penetrated mine. “If Rose loves you , then I would rather that she rip out Mason’s heart than marry him. I’ve seen too many loveless marriages make everyone involved miserable, which is exactly why I said you shouldn’t marry Hilary.” She paused and her voice softened. “I confess that I do hope Mason and Rose get married someday. Considering the short time I’ve known her, I love Rose more than I ever would have expected. But I only want that if they truly love each other.”
    “I have to go.” I started to walk past her, but she grabbed my arm and held tight.
    “I’ve overstepped my bounds and I’m so sorry, but I can’t stand to see the pain in your eyes, Joe. I want you to be happy.”
    “Even after I killed your daughter.” The words came out before I could think on them. But the statement had been threatening to burst out of me for some time now.
    Her hold tightened. “You know I don’t for one minute believe that, so we won’t have that particular conversation, but you obviously still need to find a way to let that go too.”
    She was right, but I wasn’t sure how.
    She looked up into my eyes and smiled softly. “I hope you come back and see me again. I would really miss your visits if you were to stay away.” Her grin turned mischievous and she winked. “I promise to keep my conversation to the weather and the local bingo hall gossip.”
    I looked down at the floor and grinned. “As chief deputy sheriff, that bingo gossip could come in handy.”
    “Good. It’s settled. You’ll come back for a visit.” She wrapped her arms around my back and gave me a squeeze.
    I squeezed her back, then picked up my toolbox. “You still won’t tell—”
    “ No one knows you come visit me, but not because I’m ashamed of our friendship. I understand why you feel the way you do, so I respect your decision.”
    “Thank you.” Maybe I was stupid to believe her. She could feed Mason everything I told her, but I couldn’t believe the kind woman in front of me was capable of it. “I need to get goin’.”
    “It’s going to be cold and wet today. You keep bundled up.”
    I grinned. She reminded me so much of Roberta it made my heart ache. “Will do. Let me know if something else comes up with the house before I show up for my next visit.”
    I was surprised to see the tears glistening in her eyes as she smiled at me. “I will. And I look forward to it.”
    I left her warm house for the cold rain that was now falling. I’d barely made it out of her