“I want to see the load-bearing test myself.”

“It holds thirty-two pounds before the glue joints give,” Lucas said proudly, scuffing his shoe against the stone step.

“We’ll bring the camera,” Margaret said, wiping a small tear from her cheek before it could freeze.

I closed the rear hatch of the SUV, checking the rubber seal around the frame to make sure no snow would melt into the luggage space.

Ethan stood five steps back by the carved stone pillar of the portico, his hands pushed deep into his coat pockets.