“I’m so sorry. Mel and I were just catching up.” Bethany rose and extended both hands, taking Val’s in a warm, interlocking grasp. She did the same with Gwen. “So good to see you both again. I hope you’re hungry. I have pan-seared salmon being prepared for lunch, with a vegan choice if necessary?” she ended in a question.

“Salmon is fine for both of us,” Val answered for herself and Gwen. Gwen nodded.

“Great! the hors d’oeuvres should be ready in a few minutes.” Bethany held up a bottle of wine. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Unfortunately, we have to get back to work when we’re done,” Val said.

“Iced tea, soda?” Bethany tried again.

“Iced tea for me,” Gwen answered.

“Make that two,” Val added.

“Louise, can you get two glasses of iced tea. Please bring the pitcher as well,” Bethany asked.

Louise nodded and turned away to fulfill the request.

Melinda crossed her legs and picked up a glass of white wine that sat before her. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us this afternoon,” she addressed Val and Gwen and then nodded her glass towards Bethany. “And a thank you to you Bethany, for the offer of lunch.”

“Yes, thank you, Bethany,” Gwen said.

“My pleasure.” Bethany filled her glass with wine.

“You have a beautiful home,” Gwen said.

“Now it’s my turn to say thank you. I have a dual master’s degree in art history and fine arts, concentrating on painting and sculpting. I designed everything in here and made that Warhol knockoff myself.” Bethany pointed to the Marilyn Monroe painting above the fireplace.

“Wow, I’m impressed,” Gwen said, getting a little closer for a better look. “This is fantastic.”

Bethany gave a modest smile.

“You’re certainly talented,” Val said, admiring the painting and then walking over to the windows to glance outside at Lake Erie, frozen in time. Thick ice covered the shoreline but the water broke free about a hundred yards out. Waves rocked back and forth as the wind gusted, loose snow from piled drifts blew in a frenzied haze, creating clouds of white, momentarily obscuring Val’s view before it settled. “You definitely know how to complement your home with the outside. Balance it, that is.”