John’s chin dropped to his chest. “You don’t mean me?”

“It would definitely have to be someone who’s passionate about animals,” I said, ignoring his comment. “And this person would probably have to make sure the grounds are kept up, so someone with a lawn mower would be ideal.”

The wrinkles around John’s eyes creased as a genuine smile spread across his face, but it dropped just as quickly. “Given all that’s transpired, I’m not sure Connie would want me to be in charge of something like that.”

“I have it on pretty good authority that is exactly what Constance would have wanted.”

John gave me a sideways look. “Pretty good authority, huh?”

“The best.” I nodded sharply.

“You Warren women.” The smile returned to his face as he looked down to his lap. “Do you think that means Connie has forgiven me?”

My chest tightened. “John, I know she has.”

He peered up at me. “Is she at peace?”

“She is,” I said with another nod, “but I think she’d still like to know that you forgive her too.”

“I never blamed her for any of it.” He pulled a hanky out from his pocket and rubbed his nose. “I hope she knows that.”

Just then, out of nowhere, Dog flew over the top of both of us and cawed loudly.

My eyes widened. “I think she knows.”

John laughed. “I always knew there was something funny about that bird.”

• • •

Brynn Warren, it’s been an age since I’ve seen you.” Beatrice Saunders beamed at me from behind the wooden counter of the town records building as I came in the door. Beatrice was a fixture in Evenfall. She was the type to always have a smile on her face and a hand outstretched ready to help those in need. I had gone to school with two of Beatrice’s kids, so even though I was all grown up, she always looked at me with a warm, motherly gaze. I had missed that look. “How you doing, honey?”

“I can’t complain.” I walked toward the counter, matching her smile. “How are you? How are the grandkids?”

Beatrice and I chatted a little while. She loved talking about her grandkids, and I found I loved hearing about them. It really had been too long. After a couple of minutes, she asked, “So what can I do for you today?”

I had one last promise I needed to fulfill for Constance. This task had been the one that had given me pause in the graveyard. Yet while I had been taken aback at first, the more I thought about it, the more sense it made to me. I could see why Constance needed me to do this. Although I was a little nervous about it, given it probably wasn’t entirely legal.

“Well,” I said, opening my messenger bag and pulling out a single piece of paper. “I’m sure you know Constance Graves was staying with us at Ivywood Hollow before her death.”