When Miguel sent an email saying he was making progress in getting Vera to consider retiring, Kelly had been ecstatic. “He says she’s going to write her memoirs,” she told Adam. “And Miguel is going to work on a book of his photos.”

“That’s great.” Adam’s reply was cautious. He didn’t believe Vera was capable of staying in one place for very long. “So where will they live?”

She’d looked at her husband. They’d lived together for so many years that their minds were in sync.

“Your old house,” Adam said softly. “And let me guess. You’re going to bring it into the twenty-first century.”

“Yes, I am.” Kelly’s eyes seemed to glaze over. It had taken her a while to adjust to retiring from full-time work as a vet. Turning over the clinic to Coop and moving into the KC apartment had been a jolt to her. It had taken her a while to find things to do. This new project excited her. “Granite and quartz countertops, Bosch appliances, a big stainless sink, a—”

Adam laughed. “I’m sure Vera will use all the appliances to their full capacity. Just in case, maybe you should put a firepit in the back so she can roast pigeons or whatever.”

Kelly grimaced. “She’ll want to work and that’s all. And Miguel will fiddle with his photos. I’ll make a bedroom into an office so they can—” Her eyes widened. “Bait! That’s what I need. Something that will entice Vera to stay. I’ll use the schoolhouse. I’ll move the whole building onto the property, then turn it into a work zone. All Vera’s books and papers will be there. It’ll make her want to stay.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea. You can get Mike involved. I think she owns that house now.”

“Perfect.” Kelly smiled in contentment. She had a plan!

In the year and a half since then, Kelly had pretty much gutted her childhood home. It had been a bit sad when she tore out the kitchen where Nella and Forey used to cook so many wonderful dishes. To compensate, she kept the big oak table the women had used.

Forey was the one who encouraged Kelly. She was now in her nineties and as bossy and feisty as ever. “Tear it all out!” Forey said. “Open it up. Don’t isolate the cook.”

That’s just what Kelly had done. She’d made the separated living and dining rooms into one big area and had furnished it all in the modern way of grays and white.

“I don’t know what you youngsters have against color.” Forey was frowning.

“Don’t worry,” Kelly replied. “I’ve been receiving papers and art objects from Vera since 1974. Everything is in storage units. There are magnificent things in there—African masks, Persian rugs, Chinese embroideries...and my favorite, a cannibal fork from Fiji. You and I are going to fill this house with her treasures.”

Forey smiled. “That sounds good.”