“I’ve told them,” he said. “Hang on a sec.” I heard footsteps, and then a door closing. “Back,” he said. “Out in the hall, so they can’t hear me. I completely agree with you about the hamster thing. I have no intention of taking them anywhere near the pet store or any other establishment where rodents of any kind can be acquired.”

“Just make sure they don’t talk Rob into taking them,” I said. “Or Dad.”

“Or your grandfather, or my mother,” Michael said. “Understood. I’ve spoken to the owner of the pet shop and the manager of the animal shelter. If anyone from either of our families shows up attempting to buy or adopt hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, or mice, they’ll be told that all the available rodents are already bought or adopted and are waiting for their new families to pick them up. There will be no rodents on the Waterston-Langslow homestead, apart from those the barn cats are supposed to be dealing with.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I wish you’d just stay home and rest, but if you’re coming into town anyway, could you drop my laptop off at Trinity Episcopal? I’m helping out with the effort to find places to relocate all the New Life concerts, services, classes, and social events.”

“Can do,” he said. “And don’t worry. As soon as I talk the boys into some kind of sensible presents for you, I’ll bring them home so we can all nap in preparation for tonight’s concert.”

“Good plan.”

We signed off and I returned to my task. I discovered that in addition to her very detailed schedule, Robyn had given me a list of the other clergymen in town, with their e-mails, office, and cell phones.

I had been fond of Father Rufus, our previous rector, a genial soul who habitually walked about so deep in thought that he bumped into walls and had been known to get lost while traveling from his study to the pulpit. Not everyone liked the tidal wave of energy and efficiency Robyn brought to the parish, but if you asked me, they were exactly what it needed.

And it looked as if she’d already done a good half of the job I’d been assigned.

I couldn’t do much more until Michael arrived with my laptop, so I decided to see how the concert preparations were going.

Chapter 8