Natalie could tell by the look on his face they both knew the answer to that question. Connie had been resentful ever since the reading of her father’s will. The farm went to Milt, who had worked it all his life, that had not been a surprise, but Connie, who had received a parcel of well-performing shares, had muttered about unequal divisions. Milt was to continue to support his mother. Olive had a decent nest egg put away of her own that had remained untouched when the unit in town was purchased, which the farm had also funded, as it did her car and household bills. When Olive went, Connie would also inherit her mother’s money but Connie hadn’t felt that was fair.

“It’s best to talk about these things so you’re not lumbered with problems when I’m gone. Look at the worry we had over your father’s funeral.”

Clem had left no instructions regarding his burial wishes and it had been a three-way tussle between Olive and her two children over the details. It had been a difficult time and Natalie had kept out of it, simply making cups of tea and providing food when needed. Connie had insisted Clem should be cremated and his ashes scattered on the property. Milt had said he should be buried in the town cemetery. And Olive, submerged in grief and lost for ideas or words of her own, had eventually gone with a compromise. Connie hadn’t been happy but conceded for her mother’s sake. There’d been a well-attended celebration of Clem’s life, overflowing their little local church, after which a cremation had taken place and the ashes more recently interred at a private family gathering in a plot purchased in the town cemetery.

“You made it clear you are to be cremated and your ashes put with Dad’s.” Milt was struggling to remain composed. He hadn’t dealt well with the haggling after his father’s death, which had been enough without the worry of what to do with his remains.

“I did.”

“Have you changed your mind?”

“No.” Once more Olive shifted in her chair. “Not about that.”

“Would you like a cup of tea, Olive?” Natalie could see this was causing discomfort for her mother-in-law. Whatever this was.

“Thank you.” Olive flashed a brief smile and Natalie stood, relieved to be excused from the tension at the table.

“Mum, just spit it out, whatever it is that Connie has been meddling in.” Milt would not be distracted now.

“When I go…”

Natalie glanced back. Olive was stumbling over her words now. Perhaps it was this talk of dying.

“Connie thinks she should have the unit.”

“What in the blazes for? She wouldn’t use it.”

“I assume she’d sell it.”

“The unit that’s being paid for by the farm?” Milt shook his head.