Milly’s voice floated up from the floor. “Why can’t you and Dad just talk?”

Kelly was struggling to come to grips with that question herself. She flicked a glance at Charlotte, now a wide-eyed observer to the obvious conflict. “It’s not that easy sometimes when you’re a couple.”

“I thought it would be easier if one of you was a marriage counselor.” Milly’s comment hung in the air as she stared harder into her screen.

“No, it’s not easier. We’re both still people. But I would prefer it if we were all just honest with each other in our family.”

Milly’s eyes clouded.

“Actually, Milly, I haven’t seen your school report either.”

Milly snapped a look at her, and then she slid back up the wall and headed for the door.

Kelly watched her leave. How bad must her report be? And what was in the letter from Gramps? Even if it was personal, why wouldn’t Daniel share it with her? She shook herself out of her thoughts to see her mother-in-law studying her, eyes flicking between Milly’s back and Kelly’s confusion.

She rose from the recliner and put a hand on Kelly’s arm. “How are you three doing?”

“We’re busy, but so is everyone. Daniel’s business is flying.”

“I’m so proud of the success of his practice.”

“Well, he’s spending enough time there.” An opportunity presented itself, a chance to grill Charlotte about Daniel. “Does he ever mention work to you?”

“Sometimes he keeps me up-to-date.”

Kelly tried hard to keep her voice light, almost nonchalant. “Does he mention the staff at all?”

“Sometimes, but it’s more about the people he helps, isn’t it?”

Not really. Kelly pushed one more time. “Do the same names come up?”

“I don’t think so.” She peered at Kelly. “Love, if there’s anything you need to know, you just need to ask him yourself.” And with that she left the room.

Kelly felt her hackles rise in response to the condescension. It wasn’t that she’d been lectured about her marriage but that she had asked Daniel time and again. Yet he was a closed book. Or an angry open one.

Daniel reappeared in the doorway, rubbing his hands. “It’s just so final. The recliner, and that’s it. We’re not giving this away. It’s going in my study.” He moved past her to pick it up.

Kelly turned to leave behind the memory of Gramps’s favorite room, the job of packing him away almost complete. Why wouldn’t her husband talk about the letter?

“Kelly? What’s this?” Beneath the cushion he’d taken off was a photograph. Daniel picked it up and looked at it closely. “That’s a bank statement, isn’t it? Beyond Bank—never heard of them before.”

The blood drained from Kelly’s face. She had heard of them before.