The Mirror (The Lost Bride Trilogy #2)

When they trooped in, Clover greeted them with “Peaceful Easy Feeling.”

“An optimist.” Trey carried the pizza boxes into the kitchen, where Cleo had already started the feeding routine for the animals.

Sonya poured more wine into her glass and Cleo’s before she reached for plates.

“I gave Owen the brief overview you gave me. Now spill the details.”

“I will. Let’s start on the pizza before it gets any colder, and I will. I also wrote it all down, so if it ever fades from my memory—as if—I can refresh it.”

“I never heard a thing,” Cleo said as they gathered around the table. “Slept right through it all.”

“I don’t think there was anything for you to hear, since it all happened in my room. Then and now.” She put a slice of pizza on her plate, then just let it sit.

“I had to have gone through the mirror again. But I didn’t go to it. It came to me.”

When she teared up in the telling, Clover played “Tragedy + Time.”

“She sure learned to laugh again,” Owen commented.

“I think she’s amazing.” Sonya swiped at a tear. “And seeing how much love she gave Collin and my father in the little bit of time she had, that’s going to stick with me forever.”

“Part of the point, I think.” Trey laid a hand on hers. “Eat some now.”

She nodded, picked up the slice. “And bearing witness. I think that’s the big guns here. Dobbs took her ring—slim, gold, interlocking hearts, just like in the painting.”

“And she said…” Cleo took the paper out of her pocket, read off the words.

As she did, windows shook.

“Oh, bite me, you hideous, heartless hag.”

Owen tapped his bottle to Cleo’s glass. “Points for the alliteration.” Then turned to Sonya. “It wasn’t like it was with you and me? Awake and aware going through?”

“No, like dreaming, then not. But like before, I could smell the candle wax, feel the heat from the fire, hear their voices. Like being there, but not.

“But when I finally went back to sleep, I did dream. I wasn’t there, like through the mirror, but it was absolutely clear. Their wedding, Clover and Charlie’s—she was wearing her wedding dress. It was just full of light and happy. She wanted me to have that, too. Now I do.”

“And today, quiet, you said.”

She nodded at Trey. “Yeah, until smoke vulture.”

“She rang the servants’ bell when I was downstairs working out. Pye hissed at her.”

“You work out?”

Cleo raised her eyebrows at Owen. “Mostly yoga, but I’m trying a new routine.”

“I’m figuring to stay Friday and Saturday nights, since you’ve got us hauling more stuff on Saturday. If you don’t want company down there, let me know when you plan to hit the gym.”

“It wouldn’t be before ten on Saturday, and Sunday.” She batted her eyelashes. “That’s a day of rest.”

“And dinner at your parents’. Cleo and I are looking forward to it.”

“I’m hoping it’s ham. Nobody makes ham like Corrine.” Owen flicked a glance at Cleo. “If you take care of dinner Friday, I’ll cook Saturday. Only fair.”

“You’ll cook?”

“Keep it simple after digging up tables and chairs. I can make mac and cheese.”