“Where’s their mother?”

“She’s out of town, actually. This was a spur-of-the-moment trip, so I’ll have to catch up with her later.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Gus said, pulling up the curb. “But we’re here.”

Bennett looked out the window at the regal, two-story colonial house just off the road. “Why yes, we are.”

Fallon was the first out of the car, but it wasn’t until Bennett stepped out when the door to the home opened, and a lanky man with a headful of silver hair walked from the house. His gait was an easy one as he came down the walk, and his smile grew wider every step of the way. “Lordy, it’s good to see you out in the sun,” Oskar Jensen said, opening his arms wide. “Now come here and give me a hug.”

Bennett didn’t need to be asked twice, and for a long moment, she returned the man’s affectionate embrace. “The salt air must be good for you, old friend,” she said, stepping back. “You look marvelous.”

“So do you,” Oskar said, gazing at Bennett. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

“Did you honestly expect me to?”

Oskar laughed, angling slightly to look past Bennett. “And who do we have here?”

Bennett turned and waved Fallon and Gus closer. “Oskar, I’d like you to meet Gus Rooney and his daughter, Fallon. Gus drives for me, and Fallon came along for the ride.”

“I see,” Oskar said, extending his hand to Gus. “Well, it’s very nice to meet both of you. Why don’t we go inside, and I can put on a fresh pot of coffee, and I’m sure Hanna has some juice and soft drinks in the fridge.”

“Thanks for the invite, but I thought I’d take Fallon into Portland to do a little shopping,” Gus said, draping his arm around his daughter. “It’ll give you two some time to catch up, and it’ll give me an excuse to spend some money on my daughter.”

“Well, I can’t argue with that,” Oskar said. “If memory serves, when you have a teenage daughter, spending money comes naturally.”

Gus’s mirth echoed down the street. “That it does, sir. Bennett, is it all right if you text me when you’re ready?”

“Of course,” Bennett said, waving her hand. “You two go enjoy your day. I’ll text you when it’s time to leave.”

***