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retrieved the casserole, set it on a pad on the table, then hunted down plates and silverware. Meg watched with amusement: Rachel had made herself right at home in Meg’s kitchen, just as her brother Seth had. Finally Rachel sat down and dished up, setting a laden plate in front of Meg. “There, eat. But you can keep talking. The big questions are, did he die here? And did he do it himself, or did someone else?”
    Meg forked up some food, chewed, and swallowed before answering. “Hey, this is great. Anyway, the ME didn’t or couldn’t say. The body was found with his face underwater.”
    Rachel looked stricken. “I’m sorry—is it too gross to talk about this while you’re eating? You can tell me to shut up if you want. So how’re Seth’s plans coming along?”
    Meg was grateful that Rachel had changed the subject. “You mean for the barn? I’d say just fine, except they seem to change all the time. But he appears to be enjoying the process. Tell me, how upset is he about losing the old space? He doesn’t say much.”
    “Seth doesn’t worry about the stuff he can’t change, and that’s history now. He’s really a glass-half-full type, you know? He’s happy that the town is going to get some new life. He’s excited about making this shift into renovation. And he loves to have new projects to work on. He’s got a lot of energy.”
    “So I’ve noticed. You keep pretty busy yourself, with the kids and the B and B.”
    “Maybe it just runs in the family. And you’d better get used to it, once the work in the orchard picks up. You came in at the slowest point, but just wait. You’ll see.”
    “I suppose I will. And I should probably try to get as much done as possible with the house before I get really busy.”
    “What’s your next project?”
    “I’m still thinking it over. There’s a lot of woodwork that needs to be stripped, but I’m waiting until I can open the windows to tackle that so I don’t asphyxiate myself. And I don’t want to wallpaper until I get the stripping done, because I don’t know what the wood will look like and whether I’ll have to paint it again. And I’ve been thinking about doing the floor in here.”
    Rachel looked down. “Not a bad idea. The stuff on it now has lived a hard life, and it was probably cheap to begin with. But they usually used glue that will outlive us all, so it won’t be easy to get it off.”
    “Noted,” Meg answered.
    Rachel checked her watch. “Well, I suppose I should get back and face the music. There are some cookies and some muffins in the basket, too. I don’t know any problem that some good carbohydrates and sugar can’t improve.”
    “Rachel, you’re a wonder, and I think I agree with you. Why don’t you leave the dishes and I’ll bring them back to you tomorrow? I’ve got a class in the morning anyway.”
    “Deal. If I’m not around, just leave the stuff by the back door.”
    Rachel grabbed her coat, and Meg held the door open for her. Watching her go, Meg marveled at her good luck: a neighbor like Seth, now a sort-of business partner, who came with a sister like Rachel.
    Before she shut the door she stood listening for a moment. The peepers were still going strong, and Meg could discern a range of voices. Spring was almost here; her new life was going to get a lot busier very quickly.

5

    Briona Stewart arrived just past three the next afternoon. When she rapped on the back door, Meg hurried to let her in. “Hi, Briona! Come on in. Have you got much stuff?” Meg looked past her to a dilapidated four-door sedan piled with boxes.
    “Not much. I’ve still got the dorm room, but I brought over what I don’t need right now. Uh, thanks for letting me use the room.” The words came out reluctantly.
    “Hey, with the pathetic salary I’m offering you, I’ll do whatever I can to sweeten the deal. Can I help you carry anything?”
    Briona shrugged. “I can handle it.” Without waiting for an answer, she went back to the