“Seems like,” he agreed and took another cookie.

“Going to make your mark this time around, are you?”

“That’s the plan. You come on down to the stables while I’m here, Mrs. Williamson.” He grinned wickedly. “I’ll give you a ride.”

She threw back her head, exploding with laughter just as the door swung open. Ann Sullivan stepped inside. The instant she spotted Michael, lounging at the table with cookies and coffee, her mouth tightened.

“I see you’re entertaining, Mrs. Williamson.”

“The boy just dropped in to visit.” They’d worked together too long for Mrs. Williamson to miss the icy disapproval. Or to pay any heed to it. “Coffee, Mrs. Sullivan?”

“No, thank you. Miss Laura is in the solarium and would like some.”

The door burst open behind her, and Kayla rushed in. “Mama said to—Hi!” Instantly distracted, she ran toward Michael, jumped in his lap. “Did you come to see us?”

“I came to talk Mrs. Williamson out of some cookies. And I needed to see your mom for a minute.”

“She’s in the solarium. You can go see her. I drew your picture. Do you want to see?”

“You bet I do.” He kissed the tip of her nose, grinned. “What is it?”

“A surprise.” Eager, she scrambled down. “I’m going to go get it. I’m going to tell Ali you came. Don’t go away.”

Ann stood where she was as Kayla bolted out. If she’d been blind, she would have been able to recognize the easy affection between man and girl. A considering look came into her eye. She was far from ready to soften, but she would consider.

“You can go on to the solarium if you remember the way,” she said stiffly. “I’ll bring the coffee.”

“Fine. Thanks.” He rose, equally stiff, until he turned to Mrs. Williamson. “Thanks for the cookies. And that offer still holds.”

“Get on with you.”

He got on. He remembered the way to the solarium. The fact was, he realized, he remembered everything about Templeton House. Walking down the polished hallway, glancing into elegant rooms, was like stepping back in time. His time. His youth.

This was a constant, he thought. The soaring ceilings and ornate moldings, the carefully selected and lovingly tended furnishings. The sweep of the stairway in the main hall, the bowl of flowers set just so on a credenza. Candlesticks with their tapers burned down to varying heights.

In the parlor he noticed the quiet fire sizzling. The hearth was lapis, he remembered. Josh had told him that, had explained to him about the deep blue stone. There was a large crystal compote on the piano, a floor-spanning faded rug over the waxed wood.

Flowers everywhere, he observed, fresh and dewy from garden or greenhouse. Not just hothouse roses but simple daisies, sunny tulips. Their scents were subtle, an elemental part of the air.