Chapter 32

At lunch, Matthew put a piece of caramelized pork on Heidi's plate, then he added some greens to Rachel's. "Take it easy on the meat," he seriously said. "The doctor said your cholesterol's high." Rachel pushed the greens around with her fork and rolled her eyes. "You're such a nag. Since when does one bite send me to an early grave?" Matthew's face fell. "Don't say things like that, especially around Christmas! Knock on wood—quick!" Rachel laughed at his superstition but stayed away from the meat dish after that. Between them, they were pushing a hundred, yet they argued like a couple of teens. Heidi held her fork and quietly watched them, a dull ache rising in her chest. Even over simple meals and constant bickering, their hearts were in sync. She and Maverick weren't like that. "Heidi, why aren't you eating? Is the pork not good?" Heidi snapped out of her daze and put a piece of meat in her mouth. She'd barely chewed before swallowing, so it caught in her throat, making