The gravel driveway was wet, the small white stones glistening under the carriage lamps.

The house was vast, its grey stone walls covered in dark ivy.

It had belonged to my family for eighty years before Carter convinced me to put his name on the deed.

Now, his name was gone.

I got out of the car and walked up the wide stone steps.

The front door opened before I could reach for my keys.

Clara stood in the hallway, holding June wrapped in a pink wool blanket.

The baby was awake, her large dark eyes looking around the high-ceilinged entry hall.

I took her from Clara’s arms, holding her close against my shoulder.

She smelled of baby powder and warm milk.

Her small hand reached out, her fingers brushing against my collarbone.

“You did it,” Clara said softly.

“We did it,” I corrected her.

Lydia stood in the doorway, her briefcase in her hand.

“I will leave you two,” she said.

“I need to prepare the corporate filings for tomorrow morning.”

“We need to officially change the registry of the board of directors.”