The following morning, after her husband busied himself in the yard, Matilda sifted through a steep pile of laundry.

Ever since Colin had begun his numerous projects about the property, the hamper typically spilled over with clothing soiled from the efforts of his labor. She didn't mind the extra chores—she'd always fancied herself a homemaker—and now that she was caring for more than just herself, keeping busy around the house gave her a satisfying sense of purpose.

As she put away a stack of boxer shorts, a slender pine box at the bottom of the dresser drawer caught her eye. Fiddling with the latch, Matilda lifted the lid. Inside, a credit card-sized booklet stared back at her. She picked it up and flipped opened the cover. A passport issued to Colin only two months before glinted in the brilliant beams of afternoon sunlight.

How odd. Her husband had told her once that he'd never left the country and, according to him, never intended to. The mere thought of boarding a plane made him queasy.

Why on earth would he need such a thing?

The troublesome words of her mother suddenly sliced through her. "You've only known each other a few short months," she'd warned. "He's a stranger to you!"

Matilda's teeth grazed her bottom lip. So what if they'd only known each other a short while? How well did a person ever really know another? Still, the teensiest shred of uncertainty nagged at her conscience. What else could Colin be hiding inside that wooden compartment? Her fingers fumbled quickly through a stack of irrelevant papers until they met a thin booklet lying at the bottom of the pile. Your New Life in Mexico, it read in bold white font. An image of palm trees swayed invitingly in the background.

New life in Mexico? Was someone planning to move? Certainly not them! They'd just spent a small fortune on their historic home in the country. Matilda lifted the book and a small slip of paper fluttered from between the pages and onto the floor.

In big bubbly letters, the single word SOON perched in the center of a hand-drawn heart, along with that very day's date. Undeniably a female's writing. But what did it mean?

Matilda swallowed against the dryness in her throat. She went to the bedroom window and peered outside, placing a hand on the wall to steady herself. Two stories below, slaving away in the scorching summer sun, Colin glanced up and gave her a wave.

Watchful as ever. Just like a hawk.

Had he always been so vigilant? Unnerved, Matilda gestured back before turning away.