Stunned by the massive patio, Joanna hadn’t noticed its surface was entirely covered in the same slate that appeared in the foyer as well as in many rooms of the house. “What? Was somebody having a sale on this stuff?”

“I’m not sure, but whoever it was had no idea what they were doing,” Evelyn said through a frown.

“What do you mean?”

“Inside isn’t bad, but out here the mortar has deteriorated due to the weather. Between how slippery it gets when it rains and the crumbling grout, you need to be careful. Some of the sections seemed to have taken on a life of their own.”

“So...no jogging allowed?”

With a laugh, Evelyn motioned toward the stairs. “If you want to jog, I’d suggest doing it around the grounds. Up here is far too dangerous.”

Joanna only doubted Evelyn’s warning for a second because as soon as she took a step, she heard the mortar crunch as the slate under her feet shifted ever so slightly. Glancing at Evelyn, Joanna grinned. “Um...point taken.”

“Good. I knew you’d agree,” Evelyn said as she slowly walked to the railing.

Joanna cautiously followed until they reached the iron balustrade surrounding the perimeter of the patio. “Is it safe to lean on this or am I going to plunge to my death?”

Evelyn smiled. “The railing is quite safe, and we’re on a hill, so if you fall over the side, the most you’ll do is roll to the bottom and land with a thud.”

Joanna looked down over the railing and drew in a quick breath. The slope of the grassy hill on which the veranda was built was the steepest she had ever seen. Grabbing the railing, she gave it a quick shake, and feeling its sturdiness, she looked out over the property and immediately glowered.

The gardens, like everything else she had seen, were massive, but all were overgrown with weeds, brambles, and vines. Amidst the tall stalks of field grass swaying in the breeze, Joanna could make out a few low walls of rock, but like the house, the vines were doing their best to strangle everything in their path.

“Not what you expected is it?” Evelyn said.

“To tell you the truth, I’ve looked out the windows a few times, but I kept thinking the rain was distorting the view.”

Evelyn sighed. “I’m afraid not.”

Stunned by the appearance of the neglected property, Joanna shook her head. “Let me guess, she doesn’t like flowers?”

“As a matter of fact, I think the first flowers ever brought into the house were the ones I put in your wing the day you arrived.”

Joanna smiled as she remembered the splendid fragrances that had filled the east wing that day from bouquets in vases of every shape and size. “I never thanked you for those. They were wonderful.”