Summer climbed in. “Hi, Dad.” So Bill was Dad now? She eyed his face for a reaction.
Bill didn’t even blink. “Hi, sweetheart. Enjoy the party?”
“True Echo Falls. Reminded me of your anniversary celebration. Getting painting ideas, so it was work, too.” Bill had embraced her from the very beginning, so it was no surprise he went with the change. Having his love and support was irreplaceable.
Helen cleared her throat. “Summer, I have three strong contenders for mural areas, but I want you to look at them. One of them, the wall texture might interfere. When would you like to go?”
“Oh, lovely. I’d like to go, too.” Lucille’s face flushed with pleasure.
“I wouldn’t mind watching the entire process either.” Bill turned away from traffic to get to the street he needed.
She suddenly had a committee to help make the decision. “Sounds like fun. I’m about to begin a remodel on my art studio, so it’ll be nice to have the mural location finalized. I’ll have a place to keep painting.”
“And when was a remodel on the table?” Bill turned again, taking another side street. The man was a master at avoiding Echo Falls choke points.
“Tom’s idea originally. Penny Gutherie was over today, and we refined what we want, so I imagine it’ll quickly go into construction.”
Lucille gave a small clap. “Why that’s marvelous, dear. Your grandparents would be thrilled you could use their space. They were so happy when you came to live with them and were safe in their space. Even after your grandmother died, Walter talked many times about protecting you.”
Summer tucked the small memory away to think about later. She paused. She always did that. Waited. Not anymore. “Could we meet at Clem’s in the morning and talk about my grandparents? Shoot, wait. I moved my morning breakfast with Gage Caldwell to tomorrow.”
“Oh, dear, two of my favorite people. I’d love to join you.” Lucille’s excitement infused her own.
“Sounds like a date. Ten?”
Helen slipped a hand through the seat and patted her shoulder. “Me, too?”
“Me, three?” Bill chimed in.
Summer three up her hands. “Sure. Why not.”
Helen loosened her coat. “We could squeeze in viewing the three sites after breakfast. Like eleven? It’ll give you time to consider which one you want before Penny tears apart your studio.”
“I’d like that. I’ll think about the project anyway. Might as well do it with dimensions and space options.”
“Our garage will always be available for you to store things in if you need to,” Bill added. He made the final turn and stopped in front of Mrs. Heigl’s house. Getting out, he opened her door.
Mrs. Heigl exited, then leaned back in the car. “I’ll see you at ten, Summer. Thank you for including me.”
She waved at the woman. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Bill shut the door and walked the teacher to her front door. Helen leaned back in her seat and grinned. “Oh what a day!”
Summer smiled. “Yes, it was. Merry Christmas, Mom.”
Her mother-in-law grinned. “Merry Christmas to you, too, honey.”
Chapter Eleven
Tom nursed a diet coke and contemplated the impromptu party. He should be in his office starting the paperwork on Santa, but he had no desire to figure out the wording.
Bret came to the break room door, went to the fridge, and pulled a drink, too. Neither seemed inclined to talk.
He forced himself to ask. “Coach Gutherie?”
Bret collapsed into a chair at the table. “Left for a family trip as soon as school let out. I called and talked to him. He’ll review his students and get back to me. Parker’s working through the car list. There’s ten in the county. Can you believe that?”
Tom shook his head. “Why does it feel like there have been more roadblocks than clues?”
