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She’d considered cutting back by closing the B&B on Mondays, but that meant raising rates. Still, the B&B was usually free of guests from morning checkout to afternoon check-in. Except for breakfast and the social hour, it was rare for Judith to provide anything more demanding than a Band-Aid or information about sightseeing tips.
    Still, she reflected, sitting up on one of the matching sofas by the fireplace, the August debacle with Joe’s ex-wife had been a huge physical and emotional drain. Maybe she hadn’t yet recovered. Getting to her feet, she realized that the house was remarkably quiet, considering that two young boys and their parents were in temporary residence. The grandfather clock in the living room informed her it was nine-twenty. The kids were probably tucked into their sleeping bags in the family quarters on the third floor.
    Judith went to the kitchen. The dishwasher’s green light was on, indicating it had finished its load. The counters were spik-and-span, as was the sink, the floor, and every other surface. The garbage and the recycling bins were empty except for fresh liners. Checking the fridge, she saw three slices of pizza covered in plastic wrap. Judith realized she was hungry. As she took out the pizza, she heard voices from the back stairs.
    â€œMa!” Mike called, coming down the hall with Justin Weevil.
    â€œYou okay?”
    Judith smiled as the two young men entered the kitchen. “Yes.” She hugged Justin. “Your uncle Willie…let’s face it. He shouldn’t have jumped off the roof when it’s so windy.” She looked at Mike. “Have you heard what happened?”
    Mike grinned. “Oh, yeah. Incredible. Or not, given Willieand his wild ways. Justy brought over one of his uncle’s old butt-kicking movies. Mac and Joe-Joe loved it, but they think Willie must still look like that, all buff and wrinkle-free. They want to see him in the hospital.”
    In spite of all the trouble Willie had caused, Judith felt sorry for him. “He really broke an arm and a leg?”
    â€œHe’ll be fine,” Justin said. “He’s broken just about everything over the course of his career. Even when he got older, he refused stunt doubles until one of the movie insurers balked and Uncle Willie had to let his stand-in do the stunts for the last live-action film he made. He still gets money from those old movies and cartoons. I hoped he’d mellow when he hit sixty, but it hasn’t happened.” Justin’s handsome face grew serious. “I shouldn’t have mentioned your B&B to him. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Pepper and make sure you get paid for their stay.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Judith said. “It’s a relief to have them gone. Did you stop by the hospital this evening?”
    Justin laughed. “Are you kidding? I keep my distance from that crazy old coot. So does Mom. She solved that problem by leaving town. She hasn’t spoken to her brother-in-law since she dumped my dad almost thirty years ago and moved here from Montana.”
    Judith was puzzled. “I thought Willie came to see his family.” Mike frowned at his mother. “Don’t get Justy started on that one.”
    â€œOh.” Judith was embarrassed. “I’m sorry, but…”
    Justin smiled ruefully. “No apology required. Mike’s heard me bitch about my uncle ever since we met. When I was a little kid growing up in Montana, Uncle Willie dissed the rest of his family, including my dad, unless he needed us for some self-serving reason. Back then, Willie was already well known for his daredevil stunts. My mom and dad and my sister and I hardly ever saw him unless he had to dump off his spoiled brats while he went off on one of his outrageous exploits. My cousin Ricky was my age, the oldest of the three kids, and he made my life hell. Hewas totally out of control. Mom tried to discipline the