“We weren’t aware that her birth mother had any living relatives,” Mom said quietly. She crossed her legs and started to shake her foot back and forth rhythmically, like she was keeping time. She did that when she was stressed or nervous. I scooted closer to her.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Mrs. Redmond asked, looking surprised. “Well then, this is probably very unexpected.” Her brow furrowed and she shook her head. “I’m sorry to spring this on you. Usually when people inherit an estate, they know it’s coming. This is a unique situation, isn’t it?”

“I’d have to agree,” Mo said.

Mrs. Redmond nodded. “I have limited background information, but if you didn’t know about Circe before now, am I right to assume you don’t know anything about this property at all?”

“This is news to us,” Mom said.

Mrs. Redmond sighed. “Well then, I’ll get right to it.” She pulled out a stack of papers and set them on the coffee table. “The estate is sizable, which is why I was brought in. It was left solely to you, Briseis.”

“So, it’s a house?” I asked. “Like, a big house?”

Mrs. Redmond laughed. “Yes. A large house. But there are also personal possessions and the land it all sits on. About forty acres.”

Mo gasped.

“Forty acres? How big is that?” I asked. “We measure things in city blocks around here.”

Mrs. Redmond thought for a moment. “Think a football field without the end zones. That’s about an acre.”

“And we’ve got forty?” My mind raced. That was a lot of land, and that probably meant a lot of living, growing things.

Mrs. Redmond nodded. I could feel my mom’s hand trembling on my leg.

“Where is it?” I asked.

“Upstate. Right outside of Rhinebeck.”

“And it’s mine?” I asked.

“It’s yours,” Mrs. Redmond said. “This is exciting, isn’t it? Like I said, most people are expecting something when it comes to wills and estates. But you all look genuinely shocked. Forgive me. It’s nice to not have to watch people argue over who gets what.”

Mo shrugged. “Sounds messy.”

“Legacies are a complicated thing,” Mrs. Redmond said. “Especially when something of value is involved.” She returned her attention to the stack of paperwork. “Everything was arranged before Miss Colchis passed away. We’re able to skip probate altogether if you have a legal guardian who can sign the paperwork for you. And when you turn eighteen, everything will be put in your name.” She handed me a large manila envelope. “I would ask that you keep an open mind when you go to see the place. Miss Colchis was an eccentric person. In the envelope are notes and keys that she asked be provided to you, Briseis.”

“What kind of notes?” I asked.