“But you can stay out in the garage room for only a few days, just until Julian wraps up his investor meetings.”

I looked down at the mug of ginger tea and watched thin white wisps of steam drift up off the surface.

“The garage has no baseboard heat,” I said flatly.

“Arthur took a small electric space heater out there this afternoon,” Martha said, with a quiet, comforting smile.

“It’ll keep you perfectly warm and peaceful while the business guests are here for Thanksgiving.”

“I see,” I said quietly.