Chapter Nine
Ellie gripped the arms of the chair to keep herself from falling to the floor. She felt as if all the blood had drained from her body, and her head swam furiously. Zach’s hand felt warm and comforting around hers, yet after reading Grandpa’s letter, she couldn’t allow herself the comfort offered her.
Six months. A trial period. She was shocked at her own inwardly violent reaction to the thought. Until then, she hadn’t realized how much her heart had surrendered to the idea of owning the house with Zach. There had seemed stability in it, a foundation. He was strong, responsible, capable, and she had never had someone like him in her life. She had always had to be that person for herself and Paul, even when Grandpa was alive.
Now, Zach had a way out. What if, one day, he deci
