“So, how do you think it’s going?” Noah asked as he set the coffeemaker to brew for the third time that morning.

“What do you mean?” Evelyn asked, looking up from her day planner.

“Between the two Mrs. Kanes.”

Letting out a snort, Evelyn put down her pen. “I think they’re doing a stand-up job living in the same house without ever having to set eyes on one another.”

“I suppose,” Noah said, letting out a sigh as he sat down.

“What’s wrong?”

Noah puffed out his cheeks as he thought about his answer. “I guess I just miss seeing them. Before the wedding, Joanna would bring her dad down here for their meals whenever he felt up to it. Hell, she even took him on walks around the house a couple of times, but now they’re locked away in the east wing for fear the great Addison Kane might get a bug up her ass. It’s not fair. They aren’t lepers.”

“It is Addison’s home.”

“Yeah, but it’s also Joanna’s. Isn’t it?”

“Well, technically it is. Yes,” Evelyn said with a nod. “And I’m not arguing with you, Noah. I don’t like it either, but you have to remember how proud of a man Robert appears to be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Do you honestly think I haven’t noticed how you prepare his meals?” Evelyn said with a gleam in her eye. “Bite-sized pieces easily speared with a fork, the largest napkins we own, silverware of gargantuan proportions—”

“They aren’t that big!”

Letting out a laugh, Evelyn reached across the island and placed her hand over Noah’s. “I know they aren’t, and I know you’re doing a bang-up job making sure Robert is comfortable, but the man has his pride. I’m not saying he’s the only reason they don’t come downstairs any longer, but Joanna asked us on Monday to have all their meals brought upstairs, so I have to think that’s probably got something to do with it.”

“It still sucks,” Noah said with a pout.

“Yes it does,” Evelyn said with a sigh. “Isn’t it funny how quickly you can become accustomed to life.”

Raising his eyes to meet hers, Noah said, “What do you mean?”

“Life,” Evelyn said, motioning with her head toward the kitchen door. “Having someone around who, when she laughs, manages to brighten everyone’s day. When she skips down the stairs in the morning, you can’t help but smile, and on the rare occasion when Robert shuffles by, we simply can’t stop ourselves from wanting to chat with him.”

“That’s because they’re nice people.”

“Yes, they are...” Evelyn said, her voice trailing off as she thought about the last three weeks. Straightening her backbone, she jumped off her stool. “You know what? You’re right.”

“About what?”