At least Karen didn’t have to lie about the acquisition. “When Lisa died, it was returned to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Alice, it was a long time ago,” Karen said briskly, fighting more tears. “I’d forgotten all about it until now. I only came across it because I was cleaning out some boxes.”

Alice laughed. “That has to be a first.”

“What?”

“You not knowing what’s in every storage box. What else is in here?”

Karen deftly slid the lid into place. “Just some old lesson plans I’m going to throw out. I’ll do it now while you make tea.”

After the box was safely stowed in the back of the laundry cupboard and Karen had repaired her makeup, she joined Alice in the kitchen. Steam curled from a mug of Earl Grey tea, the bergamot scenting the air. It wasn’t Alice’s favorite tea and Karen appreciated her thoughtfulness.

“Thanks, darling. How was the group?”

“Really good. But hearing all the oldies’ stories about their lives and families has made me realize I don’t know much about our family.”

“Of course you do. You’ve met the cousins in Adelaide and southwest Queensland. And Grandpa did the family tree before he died. I think he traced the Hunters back to Germany and Scotland. Dad’s got a copy of it in the office somewhere.”

“I meant your family.”

The tea washed back into Karen’s throat, making her cough. “My parents died when I was seventeen and—”

“Then there was one.” Alice completed the sentence in the same tone Karen had always used when the twins had asked the question as little girls. “Surely you’ve got distant cousins out there who are still alive? Wouldn’t it be cool to find them? Ancestry.com has a huge data base so if you got your DNA tested—”

“No!”

Alice flinched and Karen immediately regretted her sharp tone. “Sweetheart, I’ve got you, Libby and your father, not to mention the little girls. That’s enough family for me.”

The disappointment dragging on Alice’s mouth told her she didn’t agree. Karen held her breath, trying to predict her daughter’s next question.

Alice sighed. “I guess I’ll ask Dad to look out the Hunter family tree.”

Karen relaxed. “Good idea. There are some great stories in there, including the failed gold miner who made his fortune selling provisions to other miners.” Determined to change the subject, she asked, “Are you in for dinner tonight?”

Alice shook her head. “No. I’m cooking with Holly and Hunter.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Harry’s got an evening meeting at the school.”

Karen hadn’t met the Waxmans so she only knew what Alice had told her—widower with two kids. It was one thing for Alice to be tutoring the girl, it was another thing entirely to be the domestic help. “He better be paying you!”

“Mom!”