“I’ll do it.” Brook headed for the locked door with a CLOSED sign hanging in the window.

“Dr. Tipton called me. I’m sorry for your loss and Zed’s coming this quick.” He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. “I’ve known Zed my whole life. He was a good man. I am to hand this letter to Harper. You will see that it’s sealed, not only with tape but with a wax seal. Annie wanted to be sure that no one read it until Zed was gone, and I am meant only to deliver it and then leave. Again, I’m so sorry, and if you have any questions, I’ve been retained for one year to help you get through any legalities. Good day.”

He laid the letter on the table and eased the door shut behind him.

All four of them stared at the letter for a full minute before Harper finally picked it up. She turned the envelope around backward for them to see. “I bet this is either Granny’s or Uncle Zed’s thumbprint. I can’t break it.”

Tawny got up and went to the kitchen and returned with a steak knife. “Use it like a letter opener.”

Harper slipped it under the flap and carefully slit the top open, leaving the seal intact. “I’m not sure I can read this out loud.”

“We’ll each read part of it. It looks like it’s pretty long,” Dana said. “I wonder why she wanted you to have it first.”

“I’m sure she’ll tell us,” Tawny said.

“Okay, here goes.” Harper pulled several handwritten pages from the envelope and unfolded them.

My girls, if you are reading this, then Zed is gone. I can’t say as I’m sorry, because I want him with me. It breaks my heart to know that he is lonely without me. We’ve never been apart except for those years when he was away in the military, and I missed him so much then. I love you, Harper. I know life has not been an easy road for you, but I’m sending love and hopefully you will heal here at the lake. It has that effect on us.

Harper stopped reading. “Yes, Granny, it does, but I don’t know if it’s the lake that heals us or your spirit.”

It took a while, but she finally cleared her throat and went on.

We always thought Zed would go first with his heart troubles. But it looks more and more like I’m going to have to pave the way, and that’s why I’m writing this letter to you. I expect all three of you to be strong and to keep the resort going as long as you possibly can, like I told you in my letter before. Harper, you are going to be in charge of the kitchen. If he didn’t already give them to you, Zed wants you to have the recipes for the specials. Anyone can make burgers and hot dogs, so that’s not a problem. Anyone but me, that is—I can burn down a house trying to boil water.

Harper tried to giggle, but it came out a sob, and she laid the paper to the side until she could get control. She pulled a napkin from the dispenser and wiped her face.

Don’t worry, my lovely granddaughter, about running the café alone. I know that your sisters are going to pitch in and help you with your job, just as you will do the same for them. I’m hoping that Zed lived long enough to get y’all transitioned from sometimes sisters to a real family. Now give this to Dana and let me talk to her for a spell.

Without hesitating, she handed the pages across the table, and Dana began to read.

You were my first grandchild. I know my son didn’t do right by you. He was my only child and I loved him, but he was too much like his father. Seamus had a stubborn streak, and once he made up his mind—enough about that. You lived the story. You don’t need me to write it all down. I loved you from the first day that Lacy put you in my arms, and I appreciated her so much for letting me be a part of your life. I thought I couldn’t love anyone as much as I did you, but then Harper and Tawny came along and I found out that I could give them as much love as I did you and yet not take away a bit of your portion. Then Brook came along and she was the icing on the cake for this old soul.

Brook sniffled, and Dana laid the letter down and hugged her closely. Tawny stroked Brook on the back and Harper reached across the table to pat her on the head. The moment was filled with grief and love intermingled, but Harper wondered if they’d all be able to survive this new relationship without Zed.

Keeping one arm around her daughter, Dana held the pages flat with her other hand and kept reading.

You are going to keep running the store, but I want you to call someone to turn Zed’s apartment into the laundry room. That way you can help with the laundry during slow times in the café. Flora told me a year ago that she wanted to retire, but she stayed on because I was sick and we needed her, so I’m assuming that she’s probably gone by now. Now give this to Tawny.

Dana slid it across the table toward her youngest sister.

As I write this, I’m seeing a picture of you girls as little children. Dana was such a good babysitter and helped me by keeping you younger sisters busy in Zed’s apartment while I worked. It was pouring down rain and she stripped both you girls down to your underpants and then put on her little bikini. I looked out the store window and there you all three were, holding hands and dancing in the rain out front by the gas pumps. I hope that God lets us take memories like that into eternity with us, because it was a time when you were really sisters, and I love it so much.

Tears dripped on the page, and Tawny quickly grabbed a napkin and dabbed away the moisture before she went on.

I love you, Tawny. Your father wanted a son to carry on the Clancy name so badly, but I was elated when you were a girl. If you ever have children and are so inclined, you could name one of them Clancy. I think that would make him happy. I hope none of you ever have to endure the loss of a child.