They wound around the front garden with its arching Japanese maple, with the formal roses perfuming the air, around the side with a flow of hydrangeas in heartbreaking blue, the Bloomerang lilacs that never gave up.

“I listened to one of your audiobooks on the flight from London to New York.”

“That would be the author’s book.”

As Hugh had with Lily, Aidan kissed her hand. “Not to me. You well deserved the Audie for that performance. You have a wonderful sense of character, of pacing the narrative. It takes serious skills to embody not just one character, but all.”

“I love the work. And my studio? It’s a great place to work. I love the cottage, and being able to walk up to hang with Grandpa, or prod him into the gym or pool. Both of which he enjoys a lot more than he lets on.”

“I wasn’t blowing smoke when I said he looks fit. He looked better when I left for London, but not like this. I swear, he’s shed years. You’ve given him a real lift, Catey.”

“We’ve given one to each other. Can you really stay awhile?”

“I’m ready for some time off. I may have to fly down to L.A. a few times, but I’m planning on staying for the summer.”

“The summer? Really?” Delighted, she leaned against him as they passed a small berm rioting with purple foxglove and wild thyme. “My happy quotient just spiked.”

“I need time with you, with Dad, with Lily.” He turned, looked back to the sea. “And time here.”

“It fills me. Ireland, it made me feel safe, and it soothed. New York charged me when I needed charging. Helped me feel capable, helped me grow up. And this? Sea, sky, hills, quiet? It fills me.”

“And do you feel safe?”

“Yes, and charged and soothed, all of it.”

Knowing him, knowing his worry, she rubbed his arm.

“Let’s get this out of the way because nothing is going to spoil this double homecoming. It upset me, her latest, but it didn’t send me into a panic. You already know I had to change my phone number and email because I sent you the new ones. It’s annoying, but so’s a paper cut.”

“A paper cut’s more than annoying when someone squeezes lemon juice on it. She excels at that.”

“I’m not going to say it didn’t take a couple of days to ease the sting. But she’s made so much noise about this foundation, and yes, I know she’s having a gala in a few weeks to add more splash, she’s boxed herself into doing some actual good. So there’s your lemonade.”

“It’s a wonder to me she ever managed to produce someone like you.”

“Sullivan genes are stronger than Dupont.”

“Mackintosh.”

“Sorry?”

“She changed her name at eighteen, legally, and went by Charlotte Dupont before that, but she was born Barbara Mackintosh.”

“Like the apple?” For some reason, it made her laugh. “Why didn’t I ever know that?”

“Didn’t seem relevant.”

“Well, Barb was downgraded to an occasional annoyance in my life long ago. As for the other, I do feel safe here. The police are investigating, and there are various theories we can talk about later. But I feel safe, and I feel happy, and I’ve got my dad for the summer.

“Now, I’ll bet Lily and Grandpa made it around to the bridge, and Lily’s sitting down with the view and a martini. We should join them.”

“I could use a beer.”

She took his hand again. “Let’s go get you one.”

After drinks, a light lunch, Cate went in with Lily to give father and son some time.

“You can keep me company while I unpack. I’ve pined for your company more than I pined for the emerald earring I lost last month.”

When they walked into the master suite, Lily aimed straight for the dressing room. Stopped, shook her head.

No suitcases in sight, and her makeup case along with her signature perfume already on the dressing table.

“I should’ve known. I told Consuela not to bother with this.”

“Bothering’s her religion.”

“Well, I’m not going to complain.” She shifted directions to the sitting area, took one corner of the couch, pointed Cate to the other. She gestured to the forest of lilies set around the room. “You?”

Cate sent her an arch look. “Your lover.”

Her eyes softened. “Knock me cold if I ever so much as think about taking a job that pulls me away for four months again.”

“I actually think I would. We did fine, and I enjoyed having Grandpa to myself for a while. But you leave a hole, G-Lil. A really big hole.”

“I’m selfish enough to like hearing that. And now that it’s just us girls.” Leaning forward, Lily rubbed her hands together. “Tell me all.”

“Where do you want me to start?”

“Girls.” Lily pointed to herself, then Cate. “With your lover, of course. Is he coming to the welcome-home dinner I know Consuela’s planning tonight?”

“We’ll feast on your favorite honey-baked ham with the brown sugar glaze—but don’t let on I told you.”

Lily copied Consuela’s locked lips gesture. “And Dillon?”

“I couldn’t budge him for dinner because he felt Grandpa and I should have that with you. And he added weight saying he should have dinner with his ladies and Red. But he’ll come by about nine. He doesn’t want me alone in the house until . . . well, until.”

“I know I feel better with him there. It’s just an extra precaution—with benefits.” With a heartfelt sigh, Lily toed off her shoes. “I know he makes you happy because I can see it. And with him staying with you at night, you’re taking him for a nice test drive.”

“G-Lil.” Cate lowered her head, shook it. “No wonder I’ve missed you.”

“And how’s the rest of the family? I need to get over there, have a gossip session with Maggie. There’s nothing like sitting around a farmhouse table drinking homemade wine and dishing the dirt.”

“They’re all great. Really busy. They hire people on, take on students—I guess you know that. Still, there’s so much work, all day, every day. It’s a really full life, and one of them’s always coming up with a way to add to it. Gram’s spinning wool. Yarn. Wool into yarn. On a spinning wheel.”

“I must’ve known that’s how it was done, but I can’t see it. I’m going to have to get her to show me. And Red’s fully recovered?”

“Back to surfing, fixing engines, making butter and cheese and whatever else Gram points him at.”

“No break, then, in the who, what, why, how of it all?”

“Not that I’ve heard, and I think they’d tell me. Dillon’s half—more than half convinced me Sparks stabbed himself to give his lawyer another angle on early release. If you take that out, consider Red was the police and somebody could’ve had a grudge, and the same could be said about the lawyer, that Denby made enemies in prison, the whole connected thing gets weaker.”

Lily rubbed Cate’s leg with her foot. “Who are you trying to convince, sweets? Me or yourself?”

“Both, maybe,” Cate admitted. “I know I have to live my life, be Cate and live it. That’s a lesson I’ve had to learn a few times, but I’ve got it solid now.”