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the cots and bedding from both front rooms. Emma peeked into each room and smiled at the well-appointed parlors they had become once again. Instead of going through the dining room into the kitchen, which was under Mother Garrett’s control, she poked her head into the library, where the heavy scent of leather from the two new wing chairs added to the already strong masculine flavor of the dark-paneled room.
    The sound of Ditty’s footsteps overhead as she tackled one of the smaller guest rooms reassured Emma the young woman was still hard at work. Before she rejoined her, however, Emma wanted to check on Widow Leonard and Reverend Glenn, who had both been relegated to the side patio for the day to keep them from having to move from room to room while the others cleaned.
    First, though, Emma stopped in the kitchen where she found Mother Garrett sitting at the kitchen table breaking up yesterday’s bread. ‘‘Is that bread pudding for supper?’’
    ‘‘That and some beef saved from dinner. I’m keeping it simple tonight, because the way you’ve all been working, I doubt a single one of you will have the energy left to eat. Except for Liesel,’’ she added. ‘‘I’ve set some succotash aside for her, and I just sent her upstairs to help, in case you’re wondering where she is.’’
    Mother Garrett paused to mop her brow. ‘‘I don’t know how you feel about it, but I almost wish we’d get the rain back, or at least a cooler day. Why is it nature invariably makes up for a few days of rain with more sun than we need?’’
    Emma wrinkled her nose. ‘‘More rain? Please! Let us dry out first.’’ She loosened her collar and rubbed away the sweat at the base of her neck. ‘‘It does feel overly warm today, but that’s probably because we’ve all been working so hard. The sun today is really a blessing. We’re able to open all the windows downstairs and air out the rooms.’’
    ‘‘And use the patio. Liesel took out something cool to drink for Frances and Reverend Glenn a while ago. There’s a pitcher of raspberry shrub sitting in the sink. Be a dear, won’t you, and see if they’d care for more? Just be careful when you go out to the patio. The mongrel is out there, too. Don’t trip over him. And you might think about sitting down for a few minutes to have a glass yourself. You’re looking flushed,’’ she noted and took a sip from her own glass.
    Emma retrieved the pitcher filled with the refreshing drink and took a glass from the cupboard, but Mother Garrett caught her elbow for a moment as she passed by her. ‘‘We haven’t had any time alone together since earlier today, but I wanted to tell you that you did right fine this morning with the Leonard boys.’’
    Emma paused and chuckled. ‘‘They’re hardly boys, Mother Garrett. They’re as old as I am. But thank you.’’
    ‘‘You only managed to get Frances a little more time. You know that, don’t you?’’
    ‘‘I do. Today was much too hectic, but I thought I’d go to see Zachary Breckenwith tomorrow.’’
    A cocked brow. ‘‘You’re expecting enough trouble you need to see your lawyer?’’
    ‘‘I expect to be prepared, just in case,’’ Emma replied before she continued on her way. She was not as confident or as prepared to meet with her lawyer as she had led Mother Garrett to believe. In truth, she had much preferred dealing with the late Alexander Breckenwith rather than his nephew, who had come to Candlewood to assist his dying uncle with his law practice some five years ago. He had remained after his uncle’s death because his newly widowed aunt, Elizabeth, simply refused to move to New York City with him.
    In addition to providing legal assistance, the late Alexander Breckenwith had been a trusted friend and advisor to Emma’s mother and later to Emma. Unfortunately, his nephew was far more likely to challenge Emma than abide by her instructions. She had locked horns with him more than once but never