Set a second timer there.
“You saw the mirror. The one your father dreamed of.”
“I can’t say for absolute, but I believe I did absolutely. And I know I saw Astrid Poole’s murder, I saw Catherine die in a blizzard. I saw Marianne deliver twins and die. And each time, I saw Hester Dobbs.”
“Since you seem to have the cooking miraculously under control, I’m going to set the table.”
“The small one there. The dining room’s grand and glorious, but intimidating unless you’ve got a group.”
As they worked together, she told Winter about the night Trey saw Clover again. As she began, the tablet played “Whatta Man,” and made her laugh.
“She can’t help herself.”
“And that really doesn’t give you a chill?”
“Not anymore. I’m telling you all this because I don’t want you to freak if anything happens while you’re here. And because I want you to know I’ve got a handle on it. There’s a salad in the fridge.
“I hope this works, hope this works.”
She heated the skillet on low, dumped in the carefully measured lemon juice, added salt and pepper—no measurement given—then spread the drained pasta on a pretty platter.
“It smells terrific, Sonya.”
“It does smell good, and in about half a minute, we’ll find out if it worked. Did I thank you for letting me give Corrine Doyle the pot roast thing?”
“You did, and she sent me a very nice handwritten thank-you.”
“She did? That sounds like her. I’ve only met her once, but it sounds like her. Here goes.”
With the care of a diamond cutter and a rare gem, she ladled the scallops and sauce over the pasta. Added Parmesan and a sprinkle of chopped parsley and basil.
“Artistic eye. Presentation was never your problem. You could make a takeout meal look like dinner at a five-star. I want you to know I appreciate you making me dinner.”
At the table, Winter dished up a little salad, then the main. “And I’m going for the scallops first because I have to.”
After forking one in half, then half again, she wound a little angel hair with it. Sampled.
And sat back.
“Sonya, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
“Is it really?” Bypassing the salad, Sonya tried it herself. “Oh, it’s good. I didn’t overcook it. Bree put the fear of God in me on that.”
“Now, who’s Bree?”
“Oh, Trey’s ex—high school ex—and friend. She’s the head chef at the Lobster Cage. A really good restaurant in the village. It’s her recipe.”
“I want it. I’m making this the next time I have friends for dinner. Now tell me the rest. The ghostly rest.”
“It’s the clock—there’s a grandfather clock in the second parlor.”
Sonya told her.
“Sweetie, that’s terrifying. That’s Shirley Jackson territory. She burned your arm. Let me see it.”
“There’s nothing to see.” But to placate, Sonya shoved up the sleeve of her sweater. “I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t scary, or that I haven’t jumped out of my skin more than a few times, but—”
“You’re determined. I know your face.”
“It’s my house, Mom. It should’ve been Dad’s. He should’ve grown up here with his brother.”
“If he had, I might never have met him. We might not have had you.”
With a smile, Sonya shook her head. “Magic,” she reminded Winter. “You had magic. You’d have found each other, and this would still be my house. I’m going to have one more scallop because they’re really good. And I’m going to find those rings. Don’t ask me how, don’t have a clue. But I’m going to find them.”
“I could take a leave of absence, move up here for a few months.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Not because I wouldn’t love to have you, but because you have a life, a home, a career in Boston. I’m not letting some dead witch beat me.”
“Determined face,” Winter murmured. “It’s always a bride, a new wife or mother. You and Trey aren’t thinking about marriage, are you?”
“Mom, we’ve barely started dating.”
“And I know what dating means for a couple of unattached adults. Maybe he’ll spend the night more often.”
“I have the faithful Yoda and soon the fierce Cleo.”
“Which eases my mind. Some.”
“You’re still taking this better than I thought you might.”
“I remember your father’s dreams, how real they were to him. I guess I was predisposed to this.”
“What would Dad have done if, like Collin, he’d found out about his family history?”
“He’d have come here.” Winter said it without hesitation. “He’d have done exactly what you’re set on doing. He also had a determined face. So I’m going to do what I always did for him, always tried to do for you. I’m going to stand by your determination.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Sonya, you’re the most important thing in my life. Whatever’s here, you’re happy. I can see how happy you are. And energized. My energy girl lost some of that zip in Boston.”
“It wasn’t Boston.”
“I know, and I know you’ve got it back. Plus, to my genuine amazement, you’ve now cooked two very impressive meals, so I know you won’t rely on pizza and Chinese. Tomorrow, I’m going to show you how to make another meal.”
Before Sonya could protest, Winter held up a hand. And put Sonya’s determined face to shame. “You’ve got beef and seafood. I’ll show you how to make—as I once failed—a simple chicken dish.
“But now, let’s deal with these dishes. We can pour one more glass of wine and take it with us while you show me more of the house.”
“Yoda needs to go out. How about we take him for a walk, then come back for the dishes and the tour.”
“Your house, your rules.”
They enjoyed the breezy walk with the landscape lights glowing, the stars shimmering. When they rounded back, the kitchen was whistle clean.
“Well, my God!”
“I wanted you to see. If I don’t get to the cleanup right off, someone else does. Now, let me show you the solarium from inside.”
* * *
The weekend flew by, and with nothing more than what Sonya had come to feel was normal for the manor. Welcoming fires in the hearths, open cabinet doors.
Though the hands on the clock read three again, she heard nothing in the night, and no disturbances on the third floor.
She learned—maybe—how to make a chicken and potato dish in a single skillet, and pleased Winter.
And since the whole deal, start to finish, took under an hour, she thought she could handle it in a pinch.
At the door on Sunday afternoon, her bag at her feet, Winter embraced her daughter.
“Cleo will be here in a few days. Next time I visit, I bet I have her mom with me.”
“I hope so.”
“Your aunt misses you. Is it all right if I bring her up sometime?”
“I love Summer, you know that. Of course it is.”
“Good, that’s good. Tracie gets no points from me, but she did you a favor, Sonya. Because you’re happy.”
Taking Sonya’s shoulders, Winter rubbed gently. “As happy as I’ve seen you in way too long. And you were losing that zip before you booted Brandon to the curb.”