“It already is.”
Her eyes widened.
“Grandma Rose gave it to us?”
“To me,” I said. “But I think she knew I’d share.”
Noah walked to the window and looked out at the orchard.
“Can Grandpa come?”
I hesitated.
“Yes. When you want.”
“Can Tyler?”
Emma made a face, then thought about it.
“Maybe someday,” she said.
Noah nodded.
“Not Grandma Margaret yet.”
“No,” I said. “Not yet.”
Emma looked around.
“What do we do with it?”
I had no idea.
Then I saw the shelves. The fireplace. The little kitchen. The orchard beyond.
And suddenly, I could almost hear Grandma Rose laughing.
“We make it a place where every child who walks in knows there is something here for them.”
Emma’s face lit.
“Books?”
“Books.”
Noah said, “Pancakes?”
“Definitely pancakes.”
Emma touched her locket.
“And presents with everyone’s name.”
I swallowed hard.
“Yes,” I said. “Especially that.”
