“I take care of the plants. As easy as that may sound, in a house that’s over fourteen thousand square feet, it’s no small job. And I have to take care of Kiki.”

“Kiki?”

“Maxi’s parrot.”

“Maxi didn’t say anything about a parrot.”

“Well, he has one, and parrot-sitting requires more than throwing a handful of birdseed in a bowl.” Maxi had taught her how to take care of Kiki the day before he left. Then he’d observed her for several hours, just to be sure she could do the job. Parrots could be finicky, and he knew Kiki wouldn’t like him leaving. “I was also going to dust and vacuum once a week to keep things up, since the housekeeper is on holiday. But if you’d rather take over those chores, I can show you how to do it all.”

“Nice try,” he said. “Who are you—Tom Sawyer’s sister? I’ll let you handle the parrot and the rest of it. And don’t worry. I won’t get in your way.”

She continued to hang back so he couldn’t see her face. “You’d rather have me invade your space?”

“I won’t mind as long as you’re quiet. That bird isn’t going to be too loud, is it? Because I typically work at night and sleep during the day.”

She barely refrained from rolling her eyes. The tortured artist was such a cliché. “She sleeps at night, so she should be quiet while you create your latest masterpiece. During the day you might hear her speak or squawk or whatever.”

“She speaks?”

“She says a few phrases. Maxi used to have a dog, so she learned to bark, too.”

He narrowed his eyes as if he wasn’t quite sure she was being straight with him. “Sounds annoying.”

“It’s the reason he didn’t replace his dog once it passed. But you don’t have anything to worry about. She lives in an aviary in the middle of the house that goes up through both stories. The plants and the glass walls capture most of the noise, so you shouldn’t hear much—not unless she’s upset.”

“How often does that happen?”

“She’s an animal. Emotional episodes aren’t scheduled. If we keep her happy, it might not happen at all.”

“Good to know. I’ll make you a copy of the key.” He turned to go but she spoke again.

“You don’t feel it would be presumptuous to copy someone else’s house key?”

“Not if I’m going to be staying for a few months. I consider it a practical matter. Why? Would you rather try to pass it back and forth between us?”