I think that won me a few brownie points as Paula grinned and nodded. Soon I was feasting on nectarines, an English muffin drenched in real butter, and coffee. I was also answering Paula’s detailed questions about my eating preferences.

“As I said, I’m not sure how long I’ll be here.”

“Oh, child, you’re changing up my cooking routine, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Mr. Sherman is a creature of habit. I make six meals each week. The next week, I clean out the refrigerator of all the leftovers he didn’t eat. I can almost guarantee which meals will be gone and which will be only partially eaten. Every week, I rotate the menu. If I throw in something new, I’ll find it untouched the next week. I love cooking; I’m even more thrilled to mix it up a bit.” She grinned my way. “Is that why you’re here? To mix it up.”

My muffin and fruit were gone. Apparently, I’d worked up an appetite last night. “I’m here because Mr. Sherman advertised for someone to write his memoir. I accepted the job.”

Her lips came together as she nodded. “He wants someone to write his story?”

“Yes. I mean, he’s an accomplished businessman from what I’ve read so far.”

“I see—a book about his business feats. I suppose there would be people wanting to read about how he has done all he has accomplished.”

“Sometimes these memoirs are more self-indulgent,” I said. “It’s more for the subject to get the satisfaction from telling their story.”

Paula was back to the stove. “He isn’t like that.”

“What do you mean?”

She adjusted the heat on a few of the burners and turned my way. “I suppose that’s for you to learn. No need to have your version of Mr. Sherman’s story tainted by an old woman’s observations.”

“How long have you known Donovan?”

“Long enough to know he’s a private man and it just doesn’t seem right that he would want to tell the world his secrets.”

“He has secrets?” I asked.

“Everyone has secrets. I suppose he wants this to be about Sherman and Madison Corporation. That would make sense.”

The more we spoke, the more curious I was to dive into the information Van had compiled for this memoir. “Did his business begin down in Madison?”

Paula shook her head. “Started right here.”

“Is Madison a family name, maybe his mother’s family name?”

“Sometimes there are questions that are better left unasked.”