“Not quite yet,” Evelyn said, touching her on the arm. “Follow me.”

Earlier, when her father had stepped out of the lift, Joanna had noticed the three large windows centered behind the railed opening. It was impossible not to. Running from floor to ceiling, they were massive, but their size wasn’t what had caught her attention. Damask fabric in the hues of tobacco and beige surrounded each and held open by gold drapery cords with puffed-up tassels dangling from their ends, the combination was positively ghastly. However, what Joanna hadn’t noticed came into view as she followed Evelyn past the lift. In front of the gargantuan windows was a sitting area, complete with a Victorian double end settee, the pattern of its upholstery a fine stripe of light and dark olive, while the two button-backed chairs bordering it were covered in sage and cream floral toile.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” Joanna said, her entire face spreading into a smile.

“It’s actually my favorite place in the entire house, as long as I don’t have to look at the draperies,” Evelyn said, wrinkling her nose as she looked over at the window coverings. “It’s always quiet up here, and the morning sun is absolutely wonderful. It’s a great place to relax, read a book, and have a cup of tea.”

“I bet,” Joanna said quietly, running her fingers over the walnut trim on one of the chairs.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, but I just realized I haven’t read a book in years, and I’m not sure I know how to relax anymore.”

“Well, our library definitely needs work, but I’m confident we can remedy that, and as for relaxing, I think that’ll come back to you,” Evelyn said, gesturing toward the stairs. “Now, how about we head down?”

“All right.”

As they descended the grand staircase, Evelyn said, “Oh, the nurses you hired stopped by this morning to get their bearings. They’ve been given entrance codes and know where everything is. The first will arrive tonight and work through until tomorrow morning.”

“That’s a long shift.”

“I agree. Apparently, there was some confusion as to who was working when, but the agency promised me by tomorrow morning, it will all be sorted. We’ll have nurses on eight-hour shifts around the clock, so I think that between you, me, the nurses, and the staff, your father shouldn’t want for much.”

Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Joanna blushed as she cast her eyes downward. “Actually, there is one thing I noticed...”

“Yes?”

Raising her eyes, Joanna said, “I hate to ask, but Dad really likes to watch sports on the telly and—”

“Blast!” Evelyn said, stomping her foot. “I knew I forgot something.”

“It’s not really a problem—”