“It’s sunny and eighty degrees where I am. There’s not a ripple in the ocean, and it’s sapphire blue. There aren’t many people here right now, which is unusual. I guess the economy is as bad as they say it is.”

“Has anyone told you that you’re free from prosecution? If not, you can come and go as you please. We…we took care of that for you.”

The silence on the other end of the phone lasted so long, Isabelle had to say, “Are you still there?”

“I’m still here. No, I didn’t know that. Well, this is a wonderful Thanksgiving, after all. But, how do I know it’s true?”

“Because I tracked you down to tell you. I don’t lie. I think we might, I say might, be going to Washington soon.”

“Is that an invitation? If it is, I accept.”

“It is. If you give me your phone number, I can call you if it happens. You can call me anytime but not at this number.” She rattled off a number, which Stu Franklin said he memorized.

“Let’s talk, Isabelle. I want to know what happened that day at the casino. I want to know all about you.”

And so Isabelle told him while Annie pretended to snore lightly on the sofa.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

While their faces were rosy pink with the frigid temperatures, they were also glum. Except for Annie and Isabelle, who for some reason spent the whole holiday weekend smiling.

The snow had finally stopped late Saturday afternoon. Sunday was spent clearing it away with snowblowers. Now they had single-file paths that led to the different buildings. It had taken them hours, but they had managed to clear out a wide path to the cable car. All that remained to be done was to deice the gears, oil the machinery, and hope it didn’t start to snow again before the assembled guests were due to depart.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired in my whole life,” Jack said as he trudged back to the main building. He looked over at Nikki, who looked just as tired.

Inside the main building, Charles was waiting with rum cake, hot coffee, and a pot of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows. Food to go had been packaged for those who wanted to eat turkey during the coming week. Only Maggie and Jack had said they wanted food.

The Sisters were moaning and groaning about being frozen to their bones. Myra looked around, an indulgent smile on her face. She knew the girls would curl up in front of the fire that she and Annie would tend after their guests went down the mountain.

“They’re so tired, Myra. We need to tell Charles that morning will be time enough to get down to business. Do you agree?” Annie asked.