“Which couldn’t be further from the truth,” Edna insisted.

“I could tell immediately,” Jody said, looking at Edna with affection. “You have a beautiful home. But some of the stuff in your attic!” she joked.

“I have a sentimental streak a mile wide,” Edna explained to the Reillys.

“Mrs. Frawley wanted to keep her son’s first baby shoes. They were scuffed and curled up. A shoelace was missing.”

“Frankie was a very active child. Always tapping his feet. No wonder he became a musician. Maybe I shouldn’t have thrown those shoes out. He’s moving back.”

“He is?” Jody asked. “I thought he was married to the sea.”

“He found someone else to marry. I can’t wait to meet her. He just called a few minutes ago.”

“Frankie’s coming back?” Nora exclaimed. “You must be so pleased.”

“Let’s see if it happens.”

“I’d better get outside,” Jody said. “We’ll start to let people in soon. One of our girls just went upstairs to keep an eye on the bedrooms. I’ll be back in a few minutes to collect the money from people who buy things that are in the house.”

“My daughter’s bedroom door has a sign saying KEEP OUT?” Edna asked.

“Definitely.”

Edna rolled her eyes. “Karen seems to think that every little thing from her childhood should be saved. She needs a crash course from Jody and Jillian.”

Jody hurried outside.

Edna rubbed her hands together. “Ladies, how about a glass of iced tea?”

“Great,” Nora answered.

I want to get a look around. Maybe I can get some information from the girl upstairs, Regan thought. “If you don’t mind,” she said to Edna, “I’d love to see the second floor.”

“Of course,” Edna answered happily. “Are you interested in bedroom furniture?”

“My husband and I renovated a loft after we were married last year. We still need odds and ends.”

Nora started to say something then stopped herself. She realized her daughter would want to snoop around.

“We’ll be in the kitchen,” Edna said. “Go right up the steps.”

“Thank you.” Regan turned and went back to the vestibule. This is a beautiful home, she thought as she grabbed the banister and ascended the sweeping staircase. On her right was a collection of beach watercolors, all with price tags. The prices seemed reasonable.

A young girl was standing in the upstairs hallway. She looked about sixteen. “Hello,” she said sweetly. “My name is Autumn.”

“Hi, my name is Regan Reilly. My mother is a friend of Mrs. Frawley’s daughter. I just thought I’d look around for a second.”

“Sure. There are four bedrooms up here but one is off limits. The door is closed.”

“Mrs. Frawley has lovely things,” Regan said, making conversation.

“She does.”

“I met Dawn downstairs. This is the first time she’s worked at one of these sales. How about you?”

“My first, too.”

“Really?”