“Like I said, I don’t agree with it, but in this envelope are the results for Gus and his family, and Max dropped quite a weighty hint about what the outcome of those tests revealed.” Bennett drew in a long breath and took Lisa’s hand. “Darling, I don’t know what to do. Somewhere along the line, Gus and his family became my family. I love those children like they were my own, and I adore Gus and Cathleen. I don’t want them to grow old and die. I just don’t.”

“That’s not your decision, though, is it? I mean, they’d still have to make the choice—right? And you were so against me turning because you were afraid I’d change. They could, too.”

“I know,” Bennett said, sighing. “Like I said, it’s quite the conundrum.”

Lisa took a moment to think. “Well, the good thing is that most puzzles can eventually be solved. It just takes time.”

“You’re right, and we do have a wealth of that,” Bennett said, tucking the envelope back into her pocket. “No need to give myself a migraine.”

“How about a little exercise instead? Care to go for a walk?”

“We’re on an airplane.”

“Yes, we are, and it’s a very long airplane,” Lisa said, getting to her feet. “We have a little time before they’re going to roll out dinner, so I thought we could stretch our legs.”

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to reply to some emails,” Bennett said, opening the tablet in front of her. “My phone’s been vibrating like a sex toy since we got to the airport.”

“Something wrong?”

“No, something’s right,” Bennett said, smiling. “It seems our competitors in the art gallery world are all atwitter about a new artist. They’re asking if I’ve ever heard of him.”

“Who?”

“Sylvester Honeycutt,” Bennett said, her smile growing even wider. “They say he may be the next Pollock. Imagine that.”

It took a split-second for Lisa to recall where she’d heard the name before her face lit up. “I guess that means momma can get a new pair of shoes—huh?”

“Momma can have anything she wants,” Bennett purred. “All she has to do is ask.”

Lisa placed her finger under Bennett’s chin, tilting the woman’s head up enough to give her a short, albeit passionate kiss. “I’m going to hold you to that,” Lisa said in a breath. “Be back in a few.”

***

Four hours into their six-hour flight to Heathrow, the lights were now dim, and most were asleep, including Lisa, or she was until she awoke with a start. Blinking for a few seconds, Lisa raised her seat into the upright position.

“Are you all right?” Bennett said softly.

“Yeah, I…uh…I just had a dream.”

“A bad one?”