“Few times, but mostly they were trailer houses, and that’s enough interrogation for today. Arrest me or I’m leaving.” He grinned.

“When you two get done arguing, I’ve got a question,” April said.

Nessa and Flynn both turned around to look at her.

“Is it all right if I put Nanny Lucy’s things in the coat closet in bags or boxes and store them in the garage?” April nodded toward a closet door to the left of the television. “I need a place for my things.”

“Sure,” Nessa told her. “Do what you need to do, and you can use half the dresser drawers in your old room if you want to or need them.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I can make do with the shelf in the closet. I’ll take care of that job when we get back from Paris.” April held up a pen and a piece of paper. “Are you ready to make that list?”

“Almost,” Nessa answered. “I’ve got a few more things to bring in.”

What is it about that bedroom that spooks April? What kind of memory would do that to a grown woman?

The same kind as being put in a dark pantry or sent to my room to pray for what seemed like eternity, she thought. How is it that I never realized April was so unhappy living here?

“Then I’ll get a few of Nanny Lucy’s old coats out of the closet while you do that,” April said. “I’ll put them in trash bags, and we can store them in the garage until we figure out what we want to do with them.”

Nessa nodded as she left the musty-smelling house, exiting into the scent of roses permeating the air outside. Grumbling under her breath about how her two cousins hadn’t offered to help her bring in the boxes, she hauled them in by herself and set them on the table and counters. “Thank you both for all the help.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.

“All you had to do was ask.” April carried two large bags out into the garage.

Nessa shot a dirty look her way. “I shouldn’t have to ask.”

“Did you help bring in our things?” Flynn asked as he passed through the kitchen and into the garage. He pulled on a rope and brought a ladder down from the opening in the ceiling to the attic. “I’m going up to see what I need up here, and if I do need anything, I will ask.”

“Oh, hush!” Nessa began to unload her boxes onto the table.