With no daughter left to raise, they had slowly and quietly grown apart, he with his ever-expanding businesses and she with her ever-widening social obligations. There had been no adultery, no fighting, no real animus of any kind. Their loss of intimacy having been more insidious than sudden, it was as if they had simply given up on loving each other. Then one day Adam had quietly left the house, and in her own way, Lucy understood.

Adam had enjoyed several relationships since then. But although Lucy had received many offers of companionship, she had chosen to remain alone. Chelsea had never known why, save for the possibility that her mother still lived in the past and was unable to move on. Or perhaps the men that Lucy had met since her divorce hadn’t been appealing enough, especially after having been married to a man as vibrant as Adam. In any event, unlike many children of divorce, Chelsea could honestly say that she still loved her mother and father equally. And for that much, at least, she felt lucky.

“So how was school this year?” Adam asked.

“Okay,” Chelsea answered. “Plus, I make really big bucks as an art teacher.”

“Speaking of which,” Adam said, “have you reconsidered my offer?”

Chelsea shook her head. “Thanks, Dad,” she answered. “But I really don’t want to work for you. I like my summers off too much.”

Adam chuckled quietly. “I know,” he said. “Even so, I’d be immensely happy to assign you absolutely no responsibilities and grossly overpay you for completely ignoring them.”

Chelsea smiled at her dad. Then she again remembered her grandmother’s letter, and she cautioned herself against mentioning it. Even so, she was brimming over with questions that Adam might be able to answer.

“It wouldn’t work out just now, anyway,” she added. “Shortly after the funeral, I’m going away for a few days.”

“Oh?” Adam asked. “Where to?”

“Apparently I’ve inherited Gram’s old cottage on Lake Evergreen. I need to go and see it, before deciding whether it’s worth keeping.”

It took a few moments, but Adam finally remembered. “Good Lord . . . ,” he said. “You’re quite right. I’d totally forgotten about that. And congratulations, I suppose . . .”

Chelsea’s eyebrows lifted questioningly. “You suppose?” she asked.

Adam nodded. “Well, yes,” he answered. “God only knows what kind of shape the place is in by now.”

“Allistaire says that it’s been well maintained over the years.”

“Could be,” Adam said. “I wouldn’t know.”

“So you were aware that I’d inherit it?” Chelsea asked.

“Sure,” Adam answered. “But it’s been so long now that I’d forgotten.”

“Did you ever go there?”

Adam shook his head.