The Final Appraisal at the Lake House Before the Family Reckoning

hand remained steady in mine.

“I am telling you,” I said, “that I love Ruth Bellamy.”

Claire gasped.

Diane sat back as if pushed.

Mark laughed once.

A hard, empty sound.

“You cannot be serious.”

“At my age, serious is one of the few things I have time for.”

Diane stood.

“This is exactly why we are concerned.”

“No,” Ruth said.

Everyone looked at her.

She did not continue reading …