Fall and winter gave place to spring and, in turn, spring passed it on to summer and, this year after year. The balsam firs were taller than the farmhouse windows, the garden flowers were trimmed each year to stop them from climbing further on the sides of the house. The paths were now covered in compacted sand, soil and river pebbles. Victor and the farmhands had built a nice pergola on stilts as part of the beach. A few years ago, they had replaced all the wire fences by barnwood. The stone walls were renovated making sure to use the same type of rocks not to harm the historic characteristics of the domain. Lee was now the team leader assistant. Victor’s health was fragile. The horses were older. Neve’s pony was now mostly a companion to the other animals. Neve had been in boarding school since her fifth grade. Yvonne was still coming around the farmhouse even though she did so less often. Her weight made it a little difficult to walk long distances and she needed to take care of Victor when he stayed home.
 
At sixty-seven, Maeva was not as energetic as she had once been. She still wrote but often did so in the lounge room in front of the big window. Stairs were more difficult to climb these days. The attic floor was hardly used. The first few years without Neve had been hard. Maeva sure had enjoyed seeing her grow and learn farm life. Neve loved to ride Sugar jr. as she had named her pony. Lee was always there to teach her and help her with her little tasks. Maeva was so thankful for the day she had brought Lee to the farm. He was the best thing that could happen to Neve. He became the big brother she didn’t have, the father she had lost and her life coach. But Neve had grown into a lovely young woman and, by age eleven, she already had a young lady body shape. For some reason, Maeva felt the relationship between the farmhand and her daughter was changing. She has been thinking about a better school for Neve than the neighborhood’s. The girl left for Oxford Academy for her sixth grade. At the beginning, she came for visits every other weekend and for all the official holidays. As the years went by, she became involved in different extracurricular activities and came home, less and less. When Maeva saw this, she asked Lee to take her there and she would spend time with Neve at meals or special outings. She noticed that Neve had passed her ‘Lee’ crush. She talked to him as usual but never gave him any extra attention. Gone was the little girl that idolized him. Lee took it hard. Maeva noticed but knew he had to understand. She wasn’t sure what had been in the boy’s mind. He was now a man, and he must know he had to go on with his life without Neve. What Neve was now sixteen and he was? What? Neve was three when he arrived and he had been eighteen. He was now thirty-one.
 


 
She reinstalled her metalsmithing workshop and decided to use the kitchen space of the basement that they never used anymore. She could sell her creations again. It would be easy for people to visit her workshop without setting foot in the main house. When she worked there, she opened the fireplace in the winter. She installed her melting oven in the bread oven over the fireplace. It was perfect. She kept the dining table but moved it against the wall and covered it with a thick stainless-steel plate.  She sent the chairs to storage but kept the rocking one to rest and ordered a comfortable office chair for her workbench.
 
More and more, she thought of going back home in Northern Quebec. She could come back to the farm whenever Neve wanted to come home. She got Gerald to start looking it over and see if renovation were needed. Naturally, she told him to be patient with the present renters. She didn’t need it right away. Maeva had brought up the topic with Neve, and she was fine with it. She had her own life that kept her busy. Sometimes Maeva felt that as soon as she had developed a more mature relationship with her daughter, she had sent her to boarding school.  She didn’t know how it happened, but it did. Now she was alone. She missed Neve. She missed Sky. This specific period was when they would have become a couple again. She could see Sky and her riding into the sunset.
 



For the first time in a long time, she remembered the safe in Sky’s study. After finding out he owned the club building, she had put everything away, as it was, and locked everything. The stick had returned to its previous shape easily and she simply laid it on the ladder, as it had been. She never returned in the study. In her own safe, of which Gerald had a key, she had put her will, the jewelry Sky gifted her, and a letter to her daughter which explained what was in her dad’s safe and how to access the study and the safe.
 
Out from her wandering mind, she decided she would go riding today. Sugar was getting as old as she was, so they rode every other day now. Lee had become the official rider of Shadow since the horse had taken a liking to him, but when Neve was around Shadow was always ready to carry her on his back. It was like the horse could smell Sky in her. He was very sweet to her. She knew the horse would be hers if ever to came back home to stay. For now, she would ride Sugar and Lee would oblige her with riding Shadow. She had not seen Yvonne yet today. She made herself a tomato and cheese sandwich, sat down to eat and read the news on her tablet. Then, she changed into riding clothes and walked to the farm.
 
“Hey Lee, how are you?”, she asked. She saw that both Sugar and Shadow were ready.
 
“Good Mrs. Maeva. You look in grand form today.”, he said nicely.
 
“I am, I am. I’ve been feeling much better since I started riding again.”, she got on her horse without any trouble and rode out towards the open gate.
 
“How’s Sugar jr doing?”, she asked Lee.
 
“He’s good. He often stays at the barn. He fells in better company, I believe.”, he said. “The animals are all doing well but Neve’s visits are missed.”, he said. “Well, we all miss her, you know?”, he said.
 
“I know. Yvonne and I are desolate, believe me. But it is what’s best for Neve, and she is happy. You saw her. Right?”, she added.
 
“Yes, she is happy. And she will have a great education. It’s more important than the farm.”, he said.
 
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far Lee. There was a reason why I kept her on the farm until the fifth grade. She was able to be a child, to live free like all the farm children around here. Once you enter Oxford, you become a student of the world and you have responsibilities. The farm was and still is important. At the stage she is at, now, the farm is not in her thoughts. I am sure it will come back; I just don’t know when.”, Maeva was convinced of that. “How about you, Lee?”, she asked. They were riding side-by-side.
 
“What do you mean, Mrs. Maeva?”, he asked.
 
“How is your life here, Lee?”, she asked him.
 
“Great Mam.”, he answered quickly.
 
“I know you love it at the farm, Lee. It shows. But your life? Girlfriend, family?”
 
“I have my family right here.”, he answered. “I don’t need anything else.”, he smiled.
 
“Do you got out sometimes?”, Maeva asked.
 
“Yes, we do. We go to pubs and parties, and I made a couple of friends in the village and around.”, said Lee.
 
“How is it going at the guest house?”, she asked knowing her had moved once Neve was about 5 years old.
 
“It’s great. It’s my own house. I’m quite spoiled there. Victor and Yvonne are like my grand-parents.”, he said, happy.
 
“Well, it seems to be good. But aren’t you looking to have your own family one day?”, asked Maeva. That was her last question. Maybe she got him wrong and he wasn’t interested in women at all.
 
“I guess. Like anybody else. I didn’t find a girl I would want that now. Not yet.”, he said, pensive.
 
Maeva didn’t add anything, but her mind was racing. ‘Please, don’t wait for Neve. Please!’, she thought. Once Neve was eighteen, he would be thirty-four. Once she was thirty, he would be forty-six. She knew, there was nothing anyone could do to change someone’s fate. Well, you could, in fact, but you would have to pay the consequences, which could be way worse. She firmly believed that.
 
When they got back, Maeva took a nap. The fresh air had done her good but had also made her drowsy. Maeva could still feel her mutt at the edge of the bed. It was a habit. All their dogs had passed, one after the other. The mutt survived the other two and passed at fifteen years old. Now, she felt like getting another companion but though she would wait to rescue one from up north. There were so many of them without a home. She fell asleep thinking about all she had lost. Sky was omnipresent but his presence in her dreams was not always calming anymore as he was always linked to the safe and its content.


 
 
The next day, Yvonne was home when she returned from riding. Maeva went to her and gave her a hug, asking how Victor was doing. She felt Yvonne wiping her eyes before she turned to her.
 
“He is in pain. I don’t know how to help him.”, she said.
 
“Should I call the doctor?”, asked Maeva concerned.
 
“No, no. We saw the doctor last week. He said Victor had arthritis and he has medication for it. But…”, Yvonne stopped.
 
“It doesn’t seem to help?”, she knew how painful arthritis was. Hers was controlled, but it had taken time, and she still had flares.
 
“Does he take his medication?”. Yvonne nodded he did. “Does he take painkillers when it gets too bad?”, this time Yvonne nodded no. “He has to.", said Maeva. “He has to break the pain cycle. Once you do that, you take control over it. It does not control you anymore. I know most people are wary of painkillers. They do have a bad rep, and with reason.”, Maeva hugged her again. “When the pain is too strong, it becomes like a fire in your body. Nothing helps and you need to numb the nerves. A painkiller will do it, sometimes acetaminophen in combination with ibuprofen work wonders. In my case, I needed something stronger, but I have not an once of addiction predisposition in me. It breaks the cycle; keep using the medication until you feel the storm has passed and, slowly come back to only acetaminophen. It had worked for me. Maybe I can go see him and convince him to try?”, Maeva asked.
 
“I don’t know… I came to prepare supper. You haven’t had a nicely prepared meal in a while Mrs. Maeva.”, said Yvonne. “And it also makes me feel better to get out a little.”, she turned around and started to prepare supper. Maeva understood she wasn’t to meddle anymore.
 
“I told you not to worry about me. I am fine and, you are not really an employee, here. You are my friend, my mom, my grandma, all mixed together. So, you are more important than a meal. OK?”, said Maeva. Yvonne smiled and continued prepping. Maeva went to her chair.
 
“I am going to write a little. I need to be done for the end of the month. I am so bad at this now. I want to write for the pleasure, not to be done by a certain date.”, she sat on her chair, extended her legs and brought her portable in front of her.  When Maeva said she was writing, Yvonne knew not to talk to her anymore unless something needed her immediate attention.
 
Maeva could see the farm activating itself from her window. Everyone was at their tasks. She saw Lee taking the Shetland pony out on the training ring and making him run some lapses. She then observed the small animals being gathered up to go back inside the barn. The bigger and more rambunctious ones where in the back, grazing in the field. It was all fenced up. But the chickens, rabbits, weasels, and the foxes never left the center of the farm in the front. They wandered a little but always quickly came back. Neve’s sheep was now kept in the back as she followed Maeva around and would end up scarring the horses in the stables. Maeva thought she should visit with her tomorrow. Then, her brain spewed a starting sentence, and she didn’t stop writing until her hands hurt.
 
When she was done, Yvonne had left. She went to the kitchen to eat. Yvonne had prepared a Quebec style shepherd’s pie. That’s the way Maeva made it. That was one of the recipes she taught Yvonne. She made it for Sky at her house in their beginnings, and Sky loved it. Neve, very much her father’s daughter, also loved the meal. She brought her meal in front of the window and watched the moon shining through the tree foliage and lines of vaporous gray clouds. She slightly opened the window. It had been so hot today. A breeze came through, not cold, but fresh enough for her to leave the window open. She ate listening for the sounds of the night; some howling, the omnipresent crickets and frogs, some bats echoing and the Grand Duke’s call. They had one who elected his home in one of the west forest trees. She really missed listening to the nature sounds in the summer. But she had to choose; being too hot or, nature sounds. When she went to sleep, she turned off the air conditioning in her room and opened the window as wide as she could.
 
She laid down, listening to every little sound and fell into a restful sleep.
 
 
 
 
 
The next day, Maeva received a call she never expected. Joe. She had not heard from him since forever.
 
“Hey Joe. How are you?”, said Maeva, not really knowing what to say to him.
 
“Good, good. I have to talk to you about something that happened that will affect Neve.”, he started. She didn’t say anything, just waited.
 
“Caroline passed away.”, he said.
 
“Caroline, the Caroline? I don’t see how it affects Neve.”, she said not happy at all with this phone call.
 
“Caroline has Neve in her will. She is named as the only heir.”, he said.
 
“Oh. How dare she?”, Maeva couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
 
“It doesn’t matter what you think about this. I am legally bound to let Neve know. And to invite her to the reading of the will.”, said Joe.
 
“She is a minor still, Joe.”, Maeva said.
 
“Yes, I know. You will need to accompagny her. It will be in downtown London, on  September fifth, at the office of Mr. Shawn Hausserhoff,  on third avenue.”, said Joe.
 
“Third avenue? What’s the exact address?”, she asked. Third avenue was where the club building was.
 
“I believe you know exactly where it is. You’ve been in that area before.”, he hung up.
 
Maeva was dumbfounded. He knew? He knew she had been in the building. But he never said anything. Never brought it up. Simply stopped talking to her. Some things,  she preferred compartmenting in her mind. She had that special place she reserved for the ugliest of the ugly. She has taken a look at what she had photographed after she returned to the UK. She didn’t have much, but just enough to have strong suspicions. A list of male names with dates of birth indicating them as minors. A folder with photographs. All titled with long numbers. She had taken a few pictures of some files she had opened quickly on the computer. Naked boys, young boys. The other photographs she had taken, were of invoices for laundry, accessories such as lubricants and prophylactics, rental receipts and land lines invoices. She deleted everything that was on her computer that day and decided to destroy her hard drive. She knew how to install another. She hid the USB key and hid the information as far away in her mind as she could. For awhile, she wondered what she could do about it. Time went by. She couldn’t see how it would be related to Sky’s disappearance, unless the times he was drugged were warnings. Maybe he didn’t abide by those warnings. It could have been. And what was Joe's involvement?

 
 
 
Now, Caroline was back. Even passed away she found a way to insert herself in their lives. Maeva called Gerald.
 
“Maeva.  It’s been such a long time. I thought you ditched me!”, he laughed.
 
“I would never do that. I am much more loyal than you think.”, she also laughed.
 
“So, I guess you’ve been fine. I received the contract with the boarding school and the one for the security placed around Neve. You did a good job, Maeva. What can I do for you today?”, he asked.
 
‘Well, a skeleton just came out of the closet.”, she said. “Caroline passed away and named Neve as an heir. Neve has to be at the hearing on September 5th.”, said Maeva.
 
“She is a minor, so you need to go with her. Maeva, a will reading is legally required by law, but no one is legally obliged to be present. You can attend, or not, either of you. Neve does not have to accept what is given to her as an inheritance. She can refuse. She might want to know what it is before refusing. And she can absolutely do that.”, he said.
 
“Can you attend?”, she asked.
 
“The will reading? Yes, if she retains me as her attorney. I would ask her to do that herself.”, he said.
 
“It is Joe that called. I am sure he called her already. Can you call Neve for me? Tell her I talked to you and that I will provide her with the money she needs to retain you.”, she asked.
 
“OK. Yes, I can. I will pass over the money thing. I will tell her to call you for money matters, OK?”, he said.
 
“OK.”, she said. “, she is permitted only a certain number of calls per day.”, she added.
 
“OK. Maeva. I will take care of it.”, he hung up.
 
Maeva wondered what that woman wanted. September 5th was not too far. In two weeks. Maeva heard about this sooner than she thought. Neve called her at the end of the week.
 
“Hello Baby.”, Maeva was so happy to hear her voice.
 
“How are you, Mom?”, asked Neve.
 
“I’m great. But how are you, Baby? I miss you so much.”, Maeva said.
 
“I miss you to Mom. But can you please not call me Baby anymore, ok? I’m calling about the will thing.”, said Neve.
 
“OK. I will be careful, Darling. What about it?”, asked Maeva.
 
“Well, it’s OK Mom. I retained Gerald as my attorney. You do not need to be there. He will protect my interest. But, how should I pay him? Do I have access to my trust fund?”, she asked.
 
“Sorry Darling, you don’t, but I will transfer money in your bank account, and you can use that to pay him. Just let me know how much you need. But, I want to be there, I’d like to be there to support you. “, insisted Maeva.
 
“No. It’s OK Mom. There is no need for you to be in that situation. I will let you know everything and will tell Gerald that he also can tell you whatever you want to know. OK? Oh, and I wanted to let you know I will be home for Thanksgiving, if that is OK with you?”, said Neve.
 
“Well, yes. It is always OK with me. This is your home. No need to ask. Just come whenever you want.”, said Maeva.
 
“I know, but I don’t want to be intrusive. You must have your own life? Any boyfriend yet?”, Neve asked playfully.
 
“That cannot be possible, Darling. Your father can never be replaced.”, said Maeva.
 
“I know that. I am not talking about replacing him. Only a companion. Somebody to care for you.”, Neve suggested softly. She worried about her mom.
 
“Well, that did not happen yet. But I would hope you have someone in your life.”, Maeva said.
 
“Well, Mom. I might bring someone home for Thanksgiving, if we are still together, that is.”, said Neve.
 
“What a beautiful surprise that would be. Is he cute? He can’t be as handsome as you father, but is he?”, asked Maeva.
 
“I am not looking to fancy a cute looking guy. I am looking for a kind and intelligent one.”, she said.
 
“Well said, Darling. Well said.”, Maeva felt bad. At least Neve knew better than to dwell on superficial beauty. Maeva knew she idolized Sky way too much.
 

 
 
The next day, she rode to the guest house and found the couple in good spirits. Once she announced Neve was coming home for Thanksgiving, everyone had something to propose to make Neve’s visit memorable. Maeva planned along with them and made notes of things she needed to order. Yvonne and Victor would take care of the invitations and the hotel accommodations for those who would be travelling. Maeva knew she had been talked into a bigger celebration than she planned, but they seemed so happy to participate. She rode back home her head full of plans and her phone full of notes. Some things needed to be ordered and reserved right away so she got going with that.
 
 
The following days went by, busy with writing, planning Thanksgiving and working in her workshop. Still, everyday, her afternoons were reserved for riding Sugar. She had gotten into the habit of getting off the horse and walking around with it in the meadows. The horse always followed her. She never needed to hold on to the leach. She often laid down, just to look at the sky through the branches. The horse would stay close and munched on the grass, sometimes he nudged her. She took this as the horse wanted to go back and always responded. Sometimes, she would not guide him at all. She would let the bridle loose and Sugar would slowly walk back home, to its stall. Sometimes, she went to the beach. It was now so easy to be close to it. She didn’t even need to descend the tricky path to the shore. When he was still fit, Victor and Lee had made a huge deck on pillars. The deck even advanced into the sea. She would lounge about on the beach chairs and looked at the sea birds and sea creatures moving about on the shore and in the clear salt water. She would often glance over quickly at the cliffs thinking about how Sky might have fallen. For Maeva, it was still the hypothesis that made the most sense. It broke her heart to think she might never know. With this in mind, she felt she could now be free to go to her Lake House, the house Sky had gifted her and that she never ever lived in. She was not worried anymore that he would come home while she was away. And if he ever would, the staff would be here. The farm would keep on working and staying alive. The animals would be taken care of, and the land would remain, waiting for Neve and for who ever elected domicile on it. Maeva would come back. Wherever her daughter was, she would be.
 
 
 
Neve called her mom on the eve of September 6th. She was calling to give her some news about the meeting she had that day. According to the notary reading the will, Caroline never had any other children. She caught that word “other” and asked what she meant by that. He said apart from her. Neve said she wasn’t Caroline’s child. He asked her to sit and read the will. Everything Caroline had, she bestowed to Neve. She also left her an official birth certificate. It showed a baby girl born on the same date as Neve and at the exact same time. The mother was Caroline Fitzgerald and the father was marked as Skylord F. Hawthorne. Even the baby’s weight was the same, as well as the delivery doctor’s name. Gerald, who was there with Neve and who knew about the kidnapping event, told Neve about it. Neve was confused and upset. Why had her mother not said a word about it? Gerald had slowly convinced her that this was just Caroline’s last attempt to destroy their happiness.  Neve ended the conversation with the fact that she and Gerald were on their way to the domain.
 
Neve’s room was ready, but Maeva needed to put the sheets on the bed of the guest room. Usually, Yvonne did that, but she would not bother her right now. Maeva could do it. She did text her that she would be needed for the next few days, for meals, if she could handle it. She didn’t need to feel obliged.
 
Maeva thought she should go back to see what she had left untouched at the bottom of Sky’s safe. There must be something to clarify this matter.