The house smelled like roast chicken and rosemary when Kara walked in. Jon was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, trying not to burn the potatoes. Nancy was setting the table.
“They’re here,” Nancy said softly. Jon dropped the spoon. “Okay.”
Kara squeezed his hand. “You’ve got this.”
The door opened.
Eleanor Marsh walked in first. Same sharp eyes. Pearls. Carrying a pie. Thomas Marsh followed with his cane, but he was smiling.
“Kara,” Eleanor said. “Hello, dear.” Kara smiled back. “Mrs. Marsh. Mr. Marsh. Please, come in.”
“Eleanor,” Eleanor said. “Thomas.”
“Dinner smells amazing,” Thomas said, looking at Jon. “You cook this?” “I tried,” Jon said. “Nancy did most of it.”
They sat. White tablecloth. Lily’s photo on the sideboard. For the first 10 minutes it was small talk. The res
