Page 7

Burke looked at the pile of boxes he’d filled. It wasn’t as large as it should be. As he packed his belongings, he realized that few of the things he owned meant much to him. Same with the items on the shelves and walls. They’d been put there by a decorator, and if he closed his eyes, he wasn’t sure he could describe any of them.

What would Fox say about that?

His grandfather would have approved of the fact that Burke didn’t waste money on things he didn’t care for. He’d also approve of the healthy bank accounts and Burke’s readiness to help his siblings financially.

He wouldn’t approve of Burke surrounding himself with objects that meant nothing to him. There wasn’t much to show for his time in Boston. Aside from his Bruins and Celtics jerseys and Red Sox ball caps, he didn’t have many mementos.

Burke could almost hear Fox telling him to get his ass to Vermont. According to the latest news from all his siblings, everything was going well. The newest arrivals, Esme and Wyatt, were settled and planned to expand one of the orchard’s cabins into a home. They’d built a greenhouse beside it to play with new varieties of plants and to grow cinnamon, of all things. Burke didn’t have a clue what a cinnamon plant looked like. Was it a bush or a tree? Maybe it grew underground like potatoes. He looked forward to finding out.

Joel’s visit had cemented Burke’s decision. It was time to leave Boston, time to close this chapter in his life and put Curt and his betrayal behind him. Instead of working on all his accounts and with the FBI forensic accountants, he would keep a dozen clients and leave the rest behind.

As he brought the first set of boxes down the elevator to the parking garage, he wondered how long his brain had been working on these next steps. He’d upgraded from a small sedan last year and traded it in for a powerful four-wheel-drive SUV. The electric Chevy Blazer was more vehicle than he needed for Boston.

It took him most of the afternoon to finish packing and fit the boxes into the Blazer. He could have called friends to help, but it felt too personal to share.

He’d failed to notice Curt’s betrayal. To Burke, sure, but to Curt’s father, his firm, and the clients.

How had he missed it? When he’d been a kid, he and Rissa had created games and mysteries for his younger siblings to play. Scavenger hunts where they had to find the smallest details in the forest. Missing Curt’s intentions was bigger than finding a bee snoozing in a flower or owl scat. Those had been good times; this was anything but.

Burke left the final box open. He’d pack the last-minute things in the morning and head out early.

It was too depressing to spend the evening in the echoing condo, so he headed to a nearby Irish pub where he could grab a meal and a Guinness. Knox told him the Saloon in Phail sold great Guinness, but he’d reserve judgment until he tried it for himself.

Which made him think of Sean Falcone and his military team. Sean’s wife ran the Saloon while the rest of the team held other jobs in and around Phail. There would be friends to connect with both at the farm and in the nearby town.

Burke chatted with the bartender and a few regulars as he finished his meal, but his mind was only half on the conversation. The other half was already planning his route to Vermont, taking into account the electric charging stations along the way.

He briefly considered texting his siblings to let them know about his arrival, but he didn’t. What if he changed his mind somewhere along the route?

Fox’s rumbly chuckle ran through his memory. You can fool a lot of people, Burke, but it’s more of a challenge to fool yourself—unless you’re a fool, of course.

Burke paid his bill with a smile. Was he a fool? Time to find out.

Chapter 3

I Have A Question

Rissa closed up the Murphy bed in the Q Lab and peeked out the window. Fat, fluffy flakes of snow drifted across the landscape.

“Well, Frizzle, you got your wish. More snow. The lazy kind that accumulates more quickly than it seems. Are you ready to explore the apple farm?”

It was Saturday, so she had the day off from her school visits, and she hadn’t booked any online homeschooling groups for the weekend.

Amber and Jolie had guided her to park the Q Lab beside a bright red barn edged in snow and looking like an advertisement. Lawson had exited the barn, drawn by the sound her engine made. He was a mechanic, and he insisted he would check it out today.

The previous night, she’d joined the Malssums in a family dinner with everyone on the farm. Lawson and Knox had recognized her instantly and greeted her with hugs. She’d met the rest of the group, and she wondered how many names she’d mess up before she got them all straight.

Which made it sound as if she planned to stay. Silly. She didn’t stay anywhere. Since she’d left the Carolinas behind, her job took her to different cities almost every week. December was far slower for in-person lessons, but she had a few online classes booked. One school board in Texas had hired her to do winter lessons with its students. She was glad Vermont already had snow. That would be fun for the kids to see. They wouldn’t be able to experience it personally, but she’d show them how fun it could be. Hopefully, the teachers would follow the instructions to make ice cubes early. Having those available for the kids to do some hands-on learning would be great.

Frizzle barked and bounced in place. She’d finished her morning meal and needed to head out. “Do you have the patience for the entire snowsuit this morning?”

Rissa sat down and pulled out the Yorkie’s warm Christmas suit and boots. She’d learned the hard way that Yorkie bladders were tiny. She kept a supply of pee pads for the dog in case an emergency, but her dainty friend preferred to do her business outside.

Frizzle cooperated with the suit, showing she needed to get outside quickly. No game-playing today.

She opened the door, and Frizzle bounced down the steps while Rissa slipped on her boots.

Outside, she put on her own coat while Frizzle pranced around. With their lifestyle, the dog was used to being in different places all the time, so she wasn’t particular about finding a spot to do her business.