A widowed businessman returns early to his quiet mansion, ready to confront the housekeeper, but what he sees changes everything

reliable gift.

It was Avery who said it, on a Saturday afternoon in January, with the matter-of-fact directness that had characterized her since she was old enough to form opinions.

The three of them were at the kitchen table — Lila helping with homework, Owen having come in from the study to get coffee and stayed because staying had become easier than continue reading …