“You should be! Asking Miguel if he could afford a house was too much.”

“I just—” He decided it was better not to try to defend himself. “You’re right. So what did you do last week?”

Kelly sighed. “The usual. Sewed up four injured dogs. Castrated a couple of things.”

“Ouch!”

She gave him a look that said he deserved it. “I did a C-section on a four-pound Yorkie. The puppies were too big for her to deliver.”

“I’m impressed.” He wiped his hands and mouth. “Do you know where Vera goes on weekends?”

She just blinked at him.

“I pieced together that people think she and I are in some motel together every weekend, but we’re not. I told you that I’ve been staying at the apartment.”

“But I thought you meant that Vera was with you.”

“Nope. Just me. Hiding from everybody.”

She nodded at his honesty. “So where is my sister going?”

Adam took a moment to answer. “I think she’s participating in anti-war protests.”

“Like at Kent?” Kelly whispered. “Where the soldiers shot the students?”

“Yes, like Kent and all the other places.”

Kelly looked out at the water. “That sounds like her. She told Mom she’d stop. But she’s sneaking off and still going. When she’s free of Mom and me, she’ll do it in the open. You’re going to have your hands full with her in Africa.”

“I know,” he said. “With Vera there, it won’t be a quiet village life. She’ll go after the tribe’s chief. She’ll—” He quit talking.

“Yes, she will.” Kelly paused. “We’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe she’s doing something else on the weekend.”

“Like what?”

“Maybe she’s taken on an extra job to earn money. She’ll need a plane ticket. New clothes. Or maybe she wants to buy Mom a new car. There are lots of possibilities.”

“Do you believe any of those?”

“No,” Kelly said. “Only something she shouldn’t be doing needs to be kept a secret.” She was quiet for a moment. “So what do you plan to do about it?”

“Me?” Adam sighed. Of course it was his job. “I’ll find out what she’s up to for sure. Then I’ll... Any suggestions?”

“That don’t involve rope and chains?”

“Right.” He leaned back on his arms and looked at the pond. “You going on a date with Miguel again?”

“Probably. You planning to show up on all of them?”

Adam stood up. “No. I think it’s time I stop trying to rule other people.”

“Robbie will be glad to hear that.”

“Except for him. He’s half in love with the preacher’s daughter.”

“Lisa is nice. I hope it works out for them.”