Martin is an excellent provider; I’ll give him that much. I don’t have friends per se, but I’m finding I don’t need them. I like the quiet life that Kat and I enjoy.

In June, Kat turns six. Martin was away on the actual day of her birthday, but two days later he comes home with a dollhouse and a shiny red tricycle—both of which I had told him to get for her at the Emporium. The three of us attend the circus at the Mechanics’ Pavilion for her birthday and Kat has her first candy apple. As she watches clowns perform their comic stunts, I see the first true smile on her face.

One night in August after Kat is in bed, I set about making some chamomile tea for myself and Martin. A light rain is falling outside and it taps the windows and gables gently. As I’m pouring the cups, Martin steps into the kitchen.

“I made us some tea,” I say.

“Let’s have it here in the kitchen,” he replies. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

He doesn’t sound angry, but I am concerned nonetheless. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve done something he doesn’t approve of. I bring our cups to the butler’s table and we sit.

“I have a cousin who lives on my route, some miles from here,” he says. “Belinda is the daughter of the same aunt and uncle who raised me after my parents died. Like me, my cousin wanted nothing to do with her family after she moved west. For a long time Belinda didn’t even want to have contact with me. But I have been slowly rebuilding my relationship with her over the last few months.”

“That’s wonderful,” I say, much relieved. “I would love to meet her.”

Martin shakes his head. “It’s much too soon to even suggest that to her.”

“Oh.”

“She’s not had it easy in California, either. Her husband left her some years back for another woman. She’s had financial difficulties and I’ve been able to help her out a bit.”

“That’s so kind of you,” I say, and I mean it.

“Belinda’s always been very good with plants and herbal concoctions, and she’s come up with a tonic that stimulates hair growth for balding men. She’s very unsure about how to market her tonic, so I’m going to help her with that.”

“Oh. How?”

“I’m going to bring the bottles here to be properly cured. The tonic works best if it’s cellared first. She doesn’t have any kind of cellar at her place and we have the boiler room. I will take the finished tonic on my route, and when I’m not doing insurance business, I can take it to various stores and encourage the proprietors to carry it. Belinda would never be able to do this. She’s a very private person and stays close to home. If her tonic begins to sell, she won’t have to worry about her future.”