"We really can't. We can visit, lots. And they can visit us, too. Now that we're going to live down here, we can see them all the time. This is supposed to be an adventure, remember? If we try it, really try it, and we're not happy, we'll try something else. "
"People talk funny here," Gavin complained.
"No, just different. "
"And there's no snow. How are we supposed to build snowmen and go sledding if it's too stupid to snow?"
"You've got me there, but there'll be other things to do. " Had she seen her last white Christmas? Why hadn't she considered that before?
He jutted his chin out. "If she's mean, I'm not staying. "
"That's a deal. " Stella started the car, took a steadying breath, and continued down the drive.
Moments later she heard Luke's wondering: "It's big!"
No question about that, Stella mused, and wondered how her children saw it. Was it the sheer size of the three-storied structure that overwhelmed them? Or would they notice the details? The pale, pale yellow stone, the majestic columns, the charm of the entrance that was covered by the double stairway leading to the second floor and its pretty wraparound terrace?
Or would they just see the bulk of it - triple the size of their sweet house in Southfield?
"It's really old," she told them. "Over a hundred and fifty years old. And Ms. Harper's family's lived here always. "
"Is she a hundred and fifty?" Luke wanted to know and earned a snort and an elbow jab from his brother.
"Dummy. Then she'd be dead. And there'd be worms crawling all over her - "
"I have to remind you, polite, well-mannered, well-behaved boys don't call their brothers dummy. See all the lawn? Won't Parker love being taken for walks out here? And there's so much room for you to play. But you have to stay out of the gardens and flower beds, just like at home. Back in Michigan," she corrected herself. "And we'll have to ask Ms. Harper where you're allowed to go. "
"There's really big trees," Luke murmured. "Really big. "
"That one there? That's a sycamore, and I bet it's even older than the house. "
She pulled around the parking circle, admiring the use of Japanese red maple and golden mop cedar along with azaleas in the island.
She clipped on Parker's leash with hands that were a lot more steady than her heart rate. "Gavin, you take Parker. We'll come out for our things after we go in and see Ms. Harper. "
"Does she get to boss us?" he demanded.
"Yes. The sad and horrible fate of children is to be bossed by adults. And as she's paying my salary, she gets to boss me, too. We're all in the same boat. "
Gavin took Parker's leash when they got out. "I don't like her. "
"That's what I love about you, Gavin. " Stella ruffled his wavy blond hair. "Always thinking positive. Okay, here we go. " She took his hand, and Luke's, gave each a gentle squeeze. The four of them started toward the covered entry.
The doors, a double set painted the same pure and glossy white as the trim, burst open.
"At last!" David flung out his arms. "Men! I'm no longer outnumbered around here. "
"Gavin, Luke, this is Mr. - I'm sorry, David, I don't know your last name. "
"Wentworth. But let's keep it David. " He crouched down, looked the rapidly barking Parker in the eye. "What's your problem, buddy?"
In response, Parker planted his front paws on David's knee and lapped, with great excitement, at his face.
"That's more like it. Come on in. Roz'll be right along. She's upstairs on the phone, skinning some supplier over a delivery. "
They stepped into the wide foyer, where the boys simply stood and goggled.
"Pretty ritzy, huh?"