1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber Page A

I can learn about those names for you,” she said.
    â€œThat would be great.” Mack felt some of the tension ease from between his shoulder blades.
    Mary Jo turned to Charlotte again. “You don’t happen to know who lived in the duplex in the forties, do you?”
    Charlotte shook her head. “No, sorry, but I do know it wasn’t originally a duplex.”
    â€œWhen did it become one?”
    â€œOh, heavens, I’m not sure. It must’ve been twenty years ago. The previous owner hadn’t kept up the place, but that all changed when Mack bought it. He’s made such a difference.”
    Mack’s heart sank all the way to his feet. He glanced covertly at Mary Jo and was surprised she didn’t react to the news.
    â€œMack’s made improvements, then?” she asked without letting anything slip.
    â€œThe difference is like night and day,” Charlotte said.
    Mack stayed quiet, for fear that any remark he made would damn him all the more in Mary Jo’s eyes.
    â€œI’ve kept you long enough,” Mary Jo said after a moment. “I’ll come by on Wednesday with Noelle.”
    â€œBen and I will see you then.” Ben started to push the cart away when Charlotte turned back. “I’ll find out whatever I can about Joan Manry and Jacob Dennison in the next couple of days and tell you what I learn on Wednesday.”
    â€œOh, thank you. I can’t wait.”
    Mary Jo yanked the cart away from him and steered it back to the diaper aisle at a clipped pace. Mack had to hurry to keep up with her. The anger and betrayal she felt seemed to radiate from her rigid back and stiff shoulders. Unsure how best to proceed, Mack trailed silently behind her.
    Not a word passed between them as Mary Jo finished her shopping. He stood, still silent, as she paid for her purchases and exchanged pleasantries with the friendlycashier. The woman’s name tag said Christie Levitt. He thought he’d seen her before, but troubled as he was, Mack couldn’t remember where.
    Mary Jo seemed quite cheerful—until he caught her eye. Her gaze narrowed and Mack knew there’d be no reprieve for him. She was upset and she wasn’t going to forgive his deception easily.
    Once she’d paid and collected her bags, Mack dashed ahead of her and unlocked the car, opening Mary Jo’s door. Usually he put Noelle in her infant seat but this time Mary Jo did it, not giving him a chance. With nothing more to do, Mack slid into the driver’s seat, and simply waited until Mary Jo got in. His hand on the ignition key, he looked at her.
    â€œCan we talk about this?”
    â€œNo.”
    Her voice was stark.
    â€œUh, can you let me know when we can talk about it?”
    She didn’t answer.
    â€œI guess that means it won’t be anytime soon?” he asked, attempting a bit of levity.
    â€œProbably not.” She stared out the passenger-side window.
    Mack exhaled slowly, then backed out of the parking space. He drove in silence.
    â€œJust when I thought I’d met a man I could actually trust,” Mary Jo blurted out five minutes later, “I discover that not only did you outright lie to me but you continued with the fabrication when you had every opportunity to set the record straight. Were we not discussing this very matter no more than thirty minutes ago?”
    â€œWell, yes, but—”
    â€œCan I trust anything you have to say?”
    â€œYes,” he insisted.
    â€œI doubt it.” She looked pointedly out the passenger window again, her arms crossed.
    â€œWould it help to say I’m sorry?” he asked. And he was. But once he’d told her someone else owned the duplex, he couldn’t ever find a way to introduce the truth. He wished now that he’d tried harder.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThat’s pretty harsh, don’t you think? Okay, I screwed up. I admit it.”
    â€œFine, apology