“Mum!” Caitlin grabbed Liza so tightly she couldn’t breathe, and Alice did the same.

“We missed you.”

“And not because we can’t find anything when you’re not here.” Caitlin finally released her. “You look amazing. That dress is cute on you. Is it new? Come inside, we’ve made a surprise for you both.” She and Alice glanced at each other and then ushered their parents through to the kitchen.

The house was sparkling, and the kitchen table was loaded with plates of food. Tiny finger sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies—

Liza put her bag down. “You did all this?”

“We thought you’d be hungry after your journey. Alice did most of the cooking. I did the cleaning.” Caitlin looked nervous. “I did the mirrors and even cleaned behind the bed in your room. And we’re going to help get ready for France. Alice and I are going to do everything, so you can relax.”

“Ah—” Liza looked at Sean. “We need to talk to you about that.”

Caitlin’s face fell. “We’re not going to France?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Because it’s too much work for you?” Alice looked anxious. “Is it our fault?”

“It has nothing to do with you. And this is all wonderful, as is the tidy house. I’m touched. Goodness, it looks delicious.” Liza reached out and picked up a cupcake. Were her girls really capable of this? She’d underestimated them. Or maybe it was simply that she’d never given them the chance. “But we do have some bad news about France. They called yesterday—they had a burst pipe and the downstairs is flooded.”

“Oh no!” Alice slumped onto the nearest chair. “But it’s our special time away as a family. We wanted to spoil you, and—can we find somewhere else? Caitlin and I can do a search.”

“That was our first instinct, but then we had a different idea.” Liza took Sean’s hand. “We have another plan, which I hope you’ll be excited about. It’s not France.”

“Not France?” Caitlin caught her sister’s eye. “But whatever you think would be fun, works for us, Mum. We want family time, that’s all.”

Family.

Liza smiled. “We can guarantee you family time of the very best type.”

23

KATHLEEN

BARSTOW~SANTA MONICA

Kathleen stood on the pier at Santa Monica and stared across the waves.

She’d crossed prairie and desert, seen the Grand Canyon and the bright lights of Las Vegas, and now she was here, at her final destination.

She felt Martha’s hand close over hers.

“We made it, Kathleen, and I didn’t drive into a lamppost.”

Kathleen said nothing, but clung to her hand. She couldn’t find the words to describe everything she was feeling.

Josh took her other hand and they led her closer to the beach. “That’s the Pacific Ocean, Kathleen.”