She laid a hand over his, squeezed. “I’m so proud of you.”

With her, maybe particularly with her, he couldn’t be less than honest. “I’m not here for the town.”

“I know. For some odd reason, it only makes me prouder that you’re here. You’re a good man, Gage. You are,” she said, with some heat when she saw the denial on his face. “You’ll never convince me otherwise. You’ve been the best of friends to my son. You’ve been the best of brothers. My door isn’t just open to you. This is your home, whenever you need it.”

He needed a moment to settle himself. “I love you.” He looked back into her eyes. “I guess that’s what I came here to say. I can’t remember my mother very well, but I remember you and Jo Barry. I guess that’s made the difference.”

“Oh. That’s done it.” So she cried a little as she got up to wrap her arms around him.

To make it two for two, Gage hit the nursery just outside of town. Figuring Joanne Barry would appreciate a plant even more than flowers, he found a flowering orchid that fit his bill. He drove out to the farm, and when he found no one at home, left the orchid on the big front porch with a note under the pot.

The gestures, the talk with Frannie had smoothed out the rough edges from his visit to the cemetery. He considered heading home and doing some solo research, but reminded himself-for better or worse-he was part of a team. His first choice was Fox, but when he drove by the office, Fox’s truck was no longer parked out front. In court, Gage assumed, or off meeting a client. With Cal at the bowling center, and the old man working there, that avenue simply wasn’t an option.

Gage swung around and made the turn toward the rental house. It appeared it would be ladies’ day for him.

Both Cybil’s and Quinn’s cars were out front. He walked into the house as he had that morning, without knocking. With coffee on his mind, he started back to the kitchen as Cybil appeared at the top of the steps.