May gasped with pleasure. “It’s so beautiful. This is the loveliest room I have ever had the privilege to stay in. Thank you so much, Amelia.” Dropping a suitcase, she turned to hug Amelia. “How can I ever thank you? You’ve saved my life.”

“Don’t thank me. I couldn’t have asked you without Hannah and Grace’s okay. May, sit a minute.” Amelia waved May toward the bed and took a seat in Grace’s glider rocker. Grace would have to give up her special breakfast place, but she would smile and act as if it didn’t matter. Guilt for inconveniencing Grace assailed Amelia.

“I want to warn you,” Amelia said. “Hannah’s going through a very hard time right now, so if she’s distant and unfriendly, it’s not your being here.”

“Oh, I am sorry. Is she not well?”

“She’s well enough. Zachary, Max’s prodigal son, has returned from India with his very pregnant wife. The baby’s due anyday now, and Max and his son don’t have a good relationship. Their being here has put a strain on everyone.”

May’s face grew sad. “I know how hard that is when family relations are strained, like my mother and me. I’ll stay out of Hannah’s way. Just tell me what time she gets up, and I won’t be in the kitchen or anywhere around.”

“Hannah’s an early riser and out of here by eight in the morning. I’ve cleared a shelf for you in the kitchen.” Amelia rose from the glider. “Well, let’s get the rest of your things from the porch.”

Soon May’s boxes, shopping bags, and suitcases sat randomly on the floor of the guest bedroom. “This is it,” she said. “I’ll shove these boxes under the bed and in the closet, get everything out of the way.”

“Another thing. Feel free to use the kitchen. We ladies used to take most of our meals together, but these days we don’t sit and eat together very often. Grace sometimes has lunch or dinner or both with her companion, Bob, who lives in the little cottage next door. I spend a lot of time with my granddaughter, Sadie, and her mother, Miriam. They just moved into the other cottage past Bob’s, and Hannah’s often at Max’s. Much of the time, you’ll be on your own.”

“I’ll be glad to grab a bite in town,” May said. “I usually have an Egg McMuffin in the mornings with coffee. I won’t put you to any trouble. Thank you for everything, Amelia. I just have to pay attention to Pastor Denny’s going and comings so as not to meet up with him.”

Amelia smoothed her slacks. “I have a photo shoot this morning. You make yourself at home, unpack, and settle in.”