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Eleanor scoffed, but the words lingered. Because, well, because it wasn’t an unfair point. There was a chance that at some point, the offers would become so generous that Danni might not be able to turn one down.

???

Dinner together at the farmhouse was a rare occasion, and Eleanor cooking was an even rarer occasion still. Danni sniffed at the air suspiciously as she came into the kitchen, pulling her boots off.

“Should I be worried?” she asked.

“The builders stopped early,” Eleanor said, face over a steaming saucepan. “Something about needing to dry damp plaster. So I thought we’d have a nutritious meal for once.” She looked up. “I can cook, you know.”

“So that expensive education was good for something then,” Danni said. To Eleanor’s credit, the food did smell good. Danni’s stomach rumbled as she pulled plates out of a cupboard.

“Sit down,” Eleanor said. “And don’t interfere.”

“Fine,” said Danni. She sat down at the kitchen table. “I was talking to Hector today about the letters. He said that developers play dirty and we should be careful.” She didn’t mention the part about her mother.

“Sadly, that’s probably true,” Eleanor said, putting a plate in front of Danni and then one on her own side of the table. “From what I’ve heard, these things can get messy. Which is ridiculous, because this is our land we’re talking about, nobody should be able to take it from us if we don’t want them to.”

“Hec says that we should consider the offers before things get worse,” said Danni.

“I’ve got Elizabeth on the problem,” Eleanor said. “I met with her for lunch today. She’s going to ask some questions. Perhaps she’ll know more.”

“Perhaps,” Danni said. She was tired, and she knew she didn’t sound chirpy and hopeful.

“I won’t be bullied,” Eleanor said.

“No,” said Danni. She sat up straighter. “No, neither will I. We stick together, yeah?”

“Absolutely.”

But Danni could see from the way that Eleanor was looking at her that she wasn’t so sure. She didn’t know if Eleanor was doubting her own commitment to the cause or Danni’s, and before she had a chance to say anything, Eleanor’s phone rang.

???

“Anything?” Eleanor said, picking up the phone the moment she saw Elizabeth’s name on the display.

“Nothing,” said Elizabeth. “I told you. Discretion, client confidentiality, all of that is important.” She paused.

“But…” Eleanor prompted.

Elizabeth sighed. “But nothing, not really. Just… Well, when I mentioned your name, my friend said something about keeping itin the family, which sounded odd. He wouldn’t explain himself, I think the words slipped out before he realized what he was saying.”

“What?” Eleanor asked.

“That’s all I’ve got,” said Elizabeth. “Some kind of family connection. But to be honest, Nor, you’re related to half the county, that doesn’t exactly narrow things down, does it?”

“No,” Eleanor said. She hung up and filled Danni in.

“Not helpful then?” Danni said.

“We’re not likely to find out much more, I don’t think,” Eleanor said. “We’ll just have to be careful, keep an eye on things, make sure that these people don’t start making more trouble. I honestly don’t see what else we can do.”

“No,” Danni said, and she yawned. “Sorry, long day.”

The rest of dinner was a silent affair, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Eleanor loaded the dishwasher as Danni showered and then made her way upstairs. On her way up, she cast a glance at the couch in the kitchen.

Just for a moment, she thought about giving Danni her bed back. Not that Danni had ever complained about sleeping on the couch. But the woman was obviously tired.

She hesitated, debating as she went upstairs to change into her pajamas. She closed the bedroom door just a little too loudly.