CHAPTER 31

She smiled and then shooed him toward the kitchen.

“If y’all don’t get the meat on, we’ll never eat. We’re hungry!”

Laughing, Derrick headed in James’s direction, Ken following behind. After a moment the three men disappeared into the kitchen, and Sandra heard the door to the patio open and then shut as they went out to tend the grill.

Noticing Sophia’s and Karla’s wineglasses were nearly empty, she went to fetch a bottle and refilled theirs as well as hers.

She motioned for them to sit and get comfortable, knowing they had half an hour before the steaks were ready.

It was just like old times, only Clement wasn’t there. He was the only missing component, and now there was James, filling that void. It would never be the same, and for the first time Sandra felt optimistic about that fact. No, nothing would ever be the same, but it was certainly possible that it would be better.

AS if knowing how trying the evening had been for Sandra and how emotionally fragile she was, Derrick made lov