Kate looked where he was pointing. Through the dormer window, they could see Dani retrieving her suitcase from the driveway, struggling with it on the gravel.
“Yeah, how’d you know?”
“I remember her. You don't seem happy she's here.”
“It's complicated.”
“Family always is.” He turned from the window. “I should have estimates for you tomorrow. The basic repair might be as low as eight thousand.”
“Eight thousand might as well be eighty thousand right now.”
“We could work out payments. Or...” He hesitated. “I could use some help on other jobs. If you're interested in trade work.”
“I run an inn.”
“And ice fish. And probably do your own maintenance here. I'm betting you know your way around tools.”
Before Kate could respond, they heard raised voices from below. Dani's voice, sharp and defensive. Then Pop's, confused and agitated.
Kate was down the ladder in seconds, taking the stairs two at a time. She found them in the sunroom, Dani standing with her phone in her hand, Pop half-risen from his chair.
“She was here,” Pop said. “That woman. Elizabeth's mother. I saw her.”
“Nobody was here, Daddy,” Dani said, looking at her phone, distracted. “You were dreaming.”
“I don't dream in the daytime!” Pop's voice rose. “She was in the garden. Blue coat. Looking at the house like she owned it.”
Kate moved between them, gently pressing Pop back into his chair. “It's okay, Pop. I'll check the garden.”
“She wants the house,” Pop insisted. “Always wanted to take Elizabeth back. Now she wants to take the house.”
Kate looked at Dani, who had gone pale. “What's on your phone?”
“Nothing. Just...” Dani turned it so Kate could see. A text message:I'm in town. We should discuss arrangements.—L.W.
Kate's blood went cold. “L.W.?”
Dani nodded, miserable. “Lillian Whitfield.”
“Our grandmother,” Kate said slowly, “is in Kennebunkport?”
“I didn't know she was coming. I swear, Katie. She said she'd wait until…”
“Until what?”
Pop grabbed Kate's hand. “Don't let her in, Katie-girl. Promise me.”
“I promise, Pop.” Kate squeezed his hand, then turned to Dani. “Outside. Now.”
They went onto the back porch, closing the door behind them. The March wind picked up, smelling of snow.
“Keep your voice down. First of all, I’d appreciate it if you’d remember that Pop has early-onset Alzheimer’s. He’s not having a bad dream. I don’t need you to add to the confusion. As far as Lillian Whitfield is concerned, you’d better start talking or you can drive yourself back to New York right now,” Kate said.
Dani hugged herself, shivering in her thin designer sweater. “I've been seeing her. In New York. Just lunch, at first. She reached out three months ago.”
“Three months?” Kate's voice was dangerously quiet. “You've been seeing the woman who destroyed our mother for three months?”
“She didn't… it wasn't like that. She's different than we thought. She's old, Katie. And sick. And she…”
