Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Why go to the hospital? I've already called the family doctor. Sit down, let me get a good look at you. Honestly, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into to end up like this?"

As she spoke, her eyes flicked toward Jane-barely hiding the accusation. She might as well have said it out loud: Jane must have sent someone to chop off Carson's finger.

Jane didn't flinch. Her attitude was always bold and upfront, never one to hide. "What's with that look? Listen, if I really wanted to do something, Carson wouldn't have come back at all. Trust me."

Jane never feared anyone except Fiona.

Mrs. Kidd's lips pressed together as Carson's mother jumped in, her voice sharp and defensive. "You hear that? What kind of thing is that to say? We're family, but all she ever does is wish us dead. I wouldn't be surprised if she really did have something to do with Carson's hand. She thinks just because we're alone, we're easy to bully."

No matter what she did, Carson's mother had never been accepted by Mrs. Kidd. She'd given the Kidd family a son, even been introduced to the family elders by Jane's father, but she was never allowed to call Mrs. Kidd "Mom."

When she first married in, she'd tried, but Mrs. Kidd shut it down fast-no morning greetings, not even allowed inside the family chapel. At best, she could kneel outside with the distant relatives. Everyone noticed, and plenty resented it.

knows: no big family ever truly welcomes the mistress. That's just

grow up. I know

turned to Carson, eyeing his injured hand. One look and she could tell-a sharp blade, a clean

it's time to tell the truth. That's the only

the image of that knife flashed in his mind-sharp, terrifying. The fear was real

I did it myself. No one else had anything to do with it." Carson shook his head hard, properly scared now. He wouldn't say another word about Golden Glow, wouldn't even dare to complain.

She was sure Jane was behind it, and to her, Mrs.

to believe the world was truly

the doorbell

Fiona. She quickly checked the fries on the coffee table; still warm. Perfect. Fiona could have them while