The garden was lovely in late summer, and easier to manage. There were fewer weeds yet no leaves to rake yet. It had been her parents' joy: a winding maze of trellised roses, espaliered fruit trees, a knot garden of kitchen herbs that was both beautiful and useful. Jayne felt a pang of bitterness that they could no longer enjoy it.

She sat for a moment in the late afternoon sun on the small bench where her mother had liked to read. She closed her eyes, but then became aware of someone else arriving in the strange unconscious way that feels like a sixth sense.

Opening her eyes she was startled to see the tall blond man from Caroline's funeral approaching.

"I beg your pardon, there was no answer at the front door, but I saw the side gate open."

He had a calm and pleas...

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