I didn't tell my mother about the shoreline parcel until she asked why I'd been reading trust documents at the dinner table.
"Because I think there's a way to save Cedar House," I said.
"Is there?"
"Maybe. There's a piece of shoreline property the family doesn't use. If the foundation can sell it, the proceeds might cover the roof."
"Do you know if that's allowed?"
"Not yet."
"Does your father know?"
"He's looking into it."
My mother put her fork down. "June, I want the lodge to stay open. But I don't want you to turn this into a test of whether your father loves you."
"I haven't."
"Good. Because that's what Evelyn will try to make it."
I stiffened. "She doesn't get to decide what this means."
"No. But you do." My mother reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "You can f
