hours
earlier. Suziette wasn't answering her cell phone, and no one Aunt Julia called could tell her where
Suziette might be.
Ardin had hurried over to the house and, to appease her aunt, had called the police.
Three hours later two policemen arrived bearing bad news. A neighbor had been walking
his dog in the woods behind the houses and had discovered Suziette's body. Neither Ardin nor Aunt
Julia could explain why Suziette had gone to the clearing where a playground was to be erected
someday. It certainly was a well-hidden spot, Ardin had thought at the time, where two people
could meet and not be seen.
Now Ardin said, "Aunt Julia, you need to rest and not worry about looking after Leonie.
Why don't you let her stay with the Presleys for a day or two? Vivie said Michelle would love having
her best friend sleep over. Since the girls attend the same nursery school, the bus could pick her up
there."
Aunt Julia sniffed. "I can't send Leonie about like a wrapped parcel. Now that her poor
mother's gone, she needs a sense of home more than ever."
Ardin bit her lip to keep from pointing out that Leonie had a home and was desperate to go
there. Her aunt sighed and patted Ardin's hand.
"You're a good girl, Ardin, and I know you're trying to help. I'll think about Vivie's offer. It's
gotten so I don't know what to do. I'm tired. So very tired."
Ardin filled the kettle and set out cups and saucers. "Don't think about anything right now.
We'll have some tea, and then you'll go upstairs and rest. I'll stay with Leonie until you wake
up."
Aunt Julia flashed one of her warm smiles. "Would you do that? You're an angel,
Ardin."
"My pleasure. I'll call my mother to let her know I'll be stopping by this afternoon instead
of now."
* * * *
A long nap did wonders for Aunt Julia. She came downstairs while Ardin was coloring with
Leonie and insisted on preparing lunch from the platters of leftovers cramming the refrigerator.
Finally Ardin got up to leave. She was touched when Leonie hugged her tight.
"Now don't forget, Cousin Ardin. You promised to visit before you go home."
Such a vital, loving child, Ardin thought as she drove back to her mother's apartment. A
pang of sadness reverberated deep within her. She'd never have a daughter like Leonie. Nor a son.
She thrust back her shoulders and accelerated through a yellow light. No matter. It was all for the
best. She wasn't suited for family life. Her short, disastrous marriage to Corey had taught her that
lesson.
She was unlocking the door to the apartment, when Mrs. Katz, her mother's elderly
neighbor, called to her from across the hall. "Ardin, dear, I'll be right over. I've something for
you."
A moment later, Mrs. Katz appeared carrying a crystal vase filled with twelve red
roses.
"The roses arrived an hour ago. I promised the delivery fellow I'd give them to you just as
soon as you got home." She smiled, showing a dimple in her cheek. "They were so lovely, I couldn't
resist putting them in my favorite vase."
Puzzled, Ardin reached for the vase. "Are you sure they're for me?"
"That's what the envelope said. Oh! The card. Be back in a jiffy."
Ardin felt a surge of excitement as she set the vase on the dinette table. Mrs. Katz
reappeared and handed her a small envelope. She stood there expectantly, as if waiting for Ardin to
read its contents aloud.
"Thanks, Mrs. Katz," Ardin told her. "I'll bring back the vase as soon as I find something to
put the roses in."
She walked the old woman to the door and closed it firmly, before opening the sealed
message. The handwriting was large, sprawling and masculine:
Sorry I flew off the handle last night. Your news about Suziette's will was
one more shock on top of everything else. Still, that's no excuse for my
behavior. Let me make it up to you with dinner tonight. I'd like us to talk
before you leave Thornedale.
Always, Brett.
A grin spread across her face. No one had ever sent her a dozen roses before. Corey
had sprung for a bunch of