Nathaniel placed Caroline’s anniversary note in a frame by his desk, where he would see it on busy days.

He opened the curtains in the sunroom and asked the gardener whether they could replant the flowerbeds in spring.

When Hannah and Sophie visited weeks later for a small lunch with Ruth, Sophie noticed a colorful quilt folded over the back of the couch.

“Did your wife make that?” she asked.

“She did.”

“She’s very good at colors.”

“She was.”

Sophie touched the edge with permission.