“No, he designed the plans but hired a real bricklayer to do the work. There’s even a brick oven, which makes mighty good pizza. Takes quite a while to get it hot enough, though; you build the wood fire right inside it. Makes marvelous crunchy bread too.”

“How does he have time for all this?”

“I personally think he has a touch of ADHD.”

Roxie chuckled. “I’ve wished for that at times. So many things I want to do, and I have to take time out to sleep.”

“She’s pretty high energy too,” Loren added. “Always has been.”

“And you would rather hide out with a book. I know.” Roxie said to Nate, “Loren’s had her nose in a book since before she learned to read. She’d bring me the book to read, then tell me the story by the pictures.”

“Both Mom and Dad read to us. I don’t know how they did it all. But there are advantages to having your own business. Well, disadvantages too. You want some help, Dad?”

“Someone can set the table to start.” Rich spread an assortment of sliced veggies out on the grill.

“I can do the table.” Roxie pushed back her chair.

“Everything is laid out on the counter.” Nate led them into the kitchen, where the marble countertop held all the dishware, some already on a tray. Loren picked up the tray and Roxie the basket with silver and napkins, already in bamboo rings.

How could such a dream kitchen also be so friendly and inviting, kind of like the whole place? Stepping back outside, Roxie caught her breath. Such a view. What must it be like to have early-morning coffee out here in the summer, with the breeze off the lake, birds singing, trees whispering. Of course, she had all of that at home but without the lake view—and enjoyed it immensely.

“How do you like your steaks?”

“Mine medium rare and Loren’s medium.” How long had it been since they’d had steaks on a grill? Probably last summer out at Ginny and Fred’s. The thought stabbed her. They wouldn’t be enjoying Fred’s banter and whatever meat on the grill, not ever again.

“What is it, Mom?”

She sniffed. “I just thought of barbeques at Ginny’s.” This time she left off the Fred. And blinked a bunch. If it hit her this hard, what must it be doing to Ginny? Thank God Amalia was able to stay with her. She sucked in a deep breath and set the silver around. Loren had already laid out the placemats, also of bamboo.

“You want me to put the salads out?” Nate called.

“Yes,” Rich called back. “I’m turning the steaks over. Vegetables look all done. So, please all, be seated. I like to serve hot food hot.”

“And cold food cold.” Nate grinned at Loren. “We have everything, please be seated. Dad, is there bread?”