Page 106

As they drove, Sonya glanced over at Cleo. “I know you’re serious about coming to Boston with me, but are you really serious about standing in as my assistant for the Ryder presentation?”

“Absolutely. I can help set up the visuals, and if I run the video, you can focus on your pitch. It’s a good one.”

“I’ve refined it a little. I’d need to run it through with you again.And I have to ask Trey if he’d keep Yoda while we’re out of town. Or, if it’s easier for him, to just stay at the manor.”

“I think I’m going to see if Owen’ll take Pye, unless Trey’s going to stay. And even then, he’d be at work all day. She’s so clearly stuck on him. Owen, I mean.”

“Have I missed anything since my very awkward interruption in your studio?”

“No. It’s all under consideration.”

“He really is my favorite cousin.”

“That’s a low bar, Son.”

Sonya had to laugh. “He said the same thing.”

They stopped for flowers, rich purple tulips, then drove the climbing road just outside the town proper.

“We haven’t seen it in daylight,” Sonya said when the GPS announced they’d reached their destination. “What a beautiful house. It’s not as big and sprawling as the offices, but it has the same feel to it.”

“It’s really wonderful. Who doesn’t love a wraparound porch, especially with a turret over it?”

“I sure do.” She eased across the slate-gray, paved drive to pull up beside Trey’s truck.

“Trey’s here, and that’s Anna’s car. So we’re not too early.”

“I don’t see Owen’s truck, so we’re not too late either. I bet those azaleas are spectacular when they bloom.”

“Won’t be long now.”

They walked to the covered porch, rang the bell.

Anna’s husband, Seth, answered. “Sonya, good to see you. And you must be Cleo. Seth,” he said, and offered a hand. “Come on in.”

They’d kept the Victorian style inside with a graceful fireplace flanked by bookshelves in the living room and the gleam of honey-toned floors.

“Action’s back here,” Seth told them as he guided them through.

“The action smells delicious.”

He smiled at Cleo. “Wait till you taste Corrine’s glazed ham.”

They passed a manly-looking office where Sonya expected Deuceput in some hours, and a more feminine style with walls lined with photos where Corrine put in her time.

Voices as well as scents flowed back from a big, serious kitchen where the family gathered around a large island or sat at a table by a wall of glass that opened into an expansive garden.

Already early blooms showed their color.

Trey, dress shirt untucked over khakis, slid off a stool and leaned down to kiss her. The easy greeting with his family all around gave Sonya a little glow.

Corrine took a baking dish out of the lower of double wall ovens, and after setting it aside, came around the island to kiss Sonya, then Cleo on the cheek.

“Aren’t these gorgeous! And tulips mean spring. Thank you both.”

“Thanks for having us. Your home’s just beautiful.”

“We’re happy here.” She patted Sonya’s hand. “You’ve both met Deuce. He and Trey were just arguing baseball, so your arrival’s a reprieve.”