Katie thought about Peter’s family, his company, and what he was prepared to do to spend more time with her. For someone who had always valued her independence, who didn’t want to rely on anyone else, the sacrifices he was prepared to make were just as overwhelming as leaving the life she’d known in California.
“If I go back to Los Angeles, the writers in residence position and the contract with Plumridge Books will give me a steady income for the next twelve months.”
“And after that?”
“Hopefully, the publishing house will ask me to write more books.”
Diana placed her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher. “I hope they do. But, if they don’t, you’ll be back at square one, waitressing in your friend’s restaurant and trying to write as often as you can.” She checked her watch before giving Katie a hug. “I need to meet the Ackermans in the entryway. I’m sure whatever you decide to do will work out in the end.”
It wasn’t the end that Katie was worried about. It was how she would get there and how long it would take. It was expensive living in Los Angeles and, if there was one thing she’d realized a long time ago, it was that money didn’t grow on trees. Or in the pockets of waitresses.
* * *
Penny turnedher laptop around and Katie peered at the screen. “I can’t believe Grandma’s old wooden chest looks so good.”
“It took a lot longer than Chloe thought to restore it,” Barbara said from the far end of the sofa. Leaning forward, she pointed to the brass hinges. “Everything has been restored, right down to the lock and hinges.”
Chloe had sent them a selection of photos that were in the catalog for the exhibition at the Smithsonian. Katie couldn’t believe how amazing everything looked. Even her great-grandmother’s journals showed just how much care had been taken to preserve them.
“I’m glad we let the Smithsonian have everything in the chest.” Katie scrolled to the next image. “There’s no way we could have looked after each piece as well as they have.”
Barbara moved closer. “Is that the embroidered baby gown Grandma was wearing in the photo we found? The one in front of the steamboat in Polson?”
Penny frowned. “It looks like it. It’s beautiful.”
Katie sighed. “This all seems so surreal. Before Grandma died, we hardly knew anything about our great-grandparents. Now look at us.”
Charlie woofed from the doorway.
Barbara smiled. “Even Charlie agrees with you.”
Katie frowned. He must have rushed ahead and come inside using his doggy door.
Instead of flopping in the middle of the floor like he usually did, he barked again.
It was so unlike him that Katie got out of the sofa and walked toward him. “What’s wrong, boy?”
Turning toward the door, he looked over his wide shoulders to make sure she was following him.
“Something’s wrong,” she told her sisters.
Barbara picked up her cell phone. “I’ll call Diana.”
“I’ll get our hats and jackets.” Penny rushed toward the mudroom.
Charlie headed outside. Katie grabbed a spare jacket from the coat stand and the emergency kit they kept in a cupboard. She followed Charlie onto the veranda and carefully walked down the garden path toward the road. Usually, by this time of the evening, Penny, Barbara and Diana were at home with their husbands. But it had been so busy they’d decided to have a glass of wine together at the end of the day.
Diana had left the inn half an hour ago to take Charlie for a walk. It was cold and dark, but that was nothing new for this time of the year.
Penny and Barbara caught up to Katie just as she was stepping onto the sidewalk.
“Thank goodness she didn’t walk around the lake,” Barbara said as she held her cell phone to her ear. “Diana’s phone went straight to voicemail and Ethan isn’t answering his phone.”
“Try Theo’s,” Katie said quickly. “Diana said he was going to the gym with Ethan after work.” She kept glancing at Barbara, waiting for Theo to answer his phone.
“Nothing. I’ll call the gym.”
“Charlie’s leash isn’t attached to his harness,” Katie said as they hurried along the street. “Diana must have taken it off.”
