“Even the version that threw a baseball through the neighbor's window?”
“Even that one. Though I'm still not happy about the forty-seven lawns you had to mow to pay for it.”
Christopher laughed and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mom. I'll see you in a few days.”
“Drive safe. And call me when you stop for the night.”
“You'll be in the RV. You might not have signal.”
“Then I'll call you back when I do. Just let me know you're safe.”
“I will. I promise.”
He hugged her once more, then stepped back. “This is strange, isn't it? Saying goodbye at this house, knowing we'll see each other on Captiva in less than a week.”
“Strange,” Maggie agreed. “But good, strange. The best kind of strange.”
Christopher did one final walk-through of the empty house, checking that nothing had been left behind. Then he climbed into the car, Becca already buckled in with Eloise babbling in her car seat and pulled out of the driveway.
The family waved from the yard until the car turned the corner and disappeared from sight.
Beth wiped her eyes. “I should get back to the farm. Gabriel's probably ready to hand me the twins and run for the hills.”
“You're okay to drive?” Maggie asked.
“I'm fine. Emily's waiting for me. She said she'd have lunch ready.” Beth hugged her mother, then each of her sisters, then Grandma Sarah and Chelsea. “Drive safe, all of you. And Mom, call me when you get to Florida.”
“I will.”
“I mean it. Don't make me worry.”
“When have I ever made you worry?”
“Do you want the list alphabetically or chronologically?”
Beth climbed into her car and backed out of the driveway, waving once before she disappeared down the street.
Lauren turned to Michael. “Before you go, can I ask a favor? I'd like to stop by my old office. See Nell and Brian. I won't be long.”
“Sure,” Michael said. “I've got time.”
“You don't mind waiting?”
“I'll grab a coffee somewhere. Take as long as you need.”
Lauren looked at Maggie. “I want to tell them about the house listing in person. Make sure they know what's happening. And honestly, I just want to see the place one more time.”
“Of course,” Maggie said. “Go. We'll be here when you get back.”
Lauren grabbed her purse and climbed into Michael's SUV. They pulled away from the curb, leaving the four women standing in front of the empty house.
“Well,” Grandma Sarah said, surveying the group. “We've got one more night here. I suggest we make the most of it.”
“What did you have in mind?” Chelsea asked.
“Pizza. Wine. And stories about this house that Maggie has never told anyone.”
“I've told you everything, Mother.”
