“There are extra rooms in my cottage,” Carlotta said. “Perhaps they could stay with me, and they could perform in the evenings for room and board.”

“What does a magician and acrobat have to add?” Edna asked.

Max reached behind Ruth’s ear and out of nowhere produced a gold coin. April took a step back, set down her suitcase, and cartwheeled several times.

“They’re quite popular on the Maisy Adams,” Carlotta said. “They’ll not be any trouble.”

Ruth expected her mother to say no. She wasn’t fond of surprises and didn’t trust outsiders easily. Edna eyed Carlotta as if she were trying to peer behind the pleasant expression. “As long as they stay with you. And I’ll expect two shows a night, just like you.”

“That would be most acceptable,” Max said as he glanced toward a nodding April.

“Then we have a deal,” Edna said. “Carlotta can show you the cabin.”

Max nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Wheeler.”

“Call me Edna; everyone does.”

Carlotta eyed April, who seemed a shade paler since her acrobatic display. “Edna, would you mind if these two had a meal in the kitchen?”

Edna looked at the couple, and something in her expression softened. “Sure. There’s plenty to eat. Get yourself fed and rested up before the six o’clock show.”

“We appreciate that,” April said.

“I’ll take them to the kitchen,” Ruth said.

“I’ll do it,” Carlotta said.

Her tone didn’t invite questions or comments, so Ruth and her mother watched the trio walk back to the main building.

“I’ve never seen a magician before,” Ruth said.

“Neither have I.”

“Wonder why they came here?” Ruth asked.

“Something tells me Carlotta looks after them.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Some folks are better at it than others.”

“Like you,” Ruth said.

“I suppose so. Let’s hope they’re as they seem to be.”

“Who else would they be?”

“You would be surprised.”

CARLOTTA

“Why are you really here?” Carlotta asked Max as they entered the cottage. They’d eaten sandwiches and fruit in the kitchen, and April’s coloring was much improved.

April pulled off her scarf and relaxed her shoulders for the first time since she’d arrived. “Max got into a spot of trouble in Norfolk.”

“What did you do this time?” Carlotta asked.

“April makes it sound very dramatic,” Max said. “It wasn’t.”

“Out with it,” Carlotta said.

“I was in a friendly card game,” he said.

Carlotta shook her head. “The games are never friendly when you play with strangers.”

“That’s what I said,” April whispered.

“The other players thought I was cheating.” Max sounded offended.

Carlotta lifted a brow. “Were you?”

Max shrugged. “Technically, no.”

“I won’t ask what that means,” she said.