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This is the longest driveway in the world! Seth complained

The farther they advanced, the less conventional the signs becaave way to Beware of 12 Gauge and Trespassers Will Be Persecuted

These signs are funny, Seth said

More like creepy, Kendraanother bend, the driveway reached a tall, wrought-iron fence topped with fleurs-de-lis The double gate stood open The fence extended off into the trees as far as Kendra could see in either direction Near the fence stood a final sign: Certain Death Awaits

Is Grandpa Sorenson paranoid? Kendra asked

The signs are a joke, Dad said He inherited this land I’m sure the fence caate, there was still no house in sight Just e spanning a creek and cli the house into view across a vast front lawn

The house was big, but not enorht-iron gate, Kendra had expected a castle or a mansion Constructed out of dark wood and stone, the house looked old but in good repair The grounds were arden blooes and a fish pond added character to the yard Behind the house loomed an immense brown barn, at least five stories tall, topped by a weather vane

I love it, Mo

You’ve never been here? Kendra asked

No Your father came here a couple of tio the extra e visitors, Dad said Me, Uncle Carl, Aunt Sophie-none of us have spent et it You kids are lucky

You’ll have a blast If nothing else, you can spend your ti in the pool

They pulled to a stop outside the garage

The front door opened and Grandpa Sorenson ee ears and a thin, older woot out of the car Kendra sat and watched

Grandpa had been clean-shaven at the funeral, but noore a stubbly white beard He was dressed in faded jeans, work boots, and a flannel shirt

Kendra studied the older woman She was not Grandma Sorenson Despite her white hair streaked with a few black strands, her face had an ageless quality Her alested a hint of Asian ancestry Short and slightly stooped, she retained an exotic beauty

Dad and the lankysuitcases and duffel bags You co, Kendra? Dad asked

Kendra opened the door and dropped to the gravel

Just place the things inside, Grandpa was telling Dad

Dale will take them up to the bedroom

Where’s Mo your Aunt Edna

In Missouri?

Edna’s dying

Kendra had barely ever heard of Aunt Edna, so the news did not mean much She looked up at the house She noticed that the s had bubbly glass Bird nests clung under the eaves

They all er bags Seth held a s and a cereal box The cereal box was his eht would coranola bars, coins, a squirt gun, a , a whistle

This is Lena, our housekeeper, Grandpa said The older worounds

Aren’t you pretty? Lena said to Kendra You must be around fourteen Lena had a faint accent that Kendra could not place

In October

An iron knocker hung on the front door, a squinting goblin with a ring in its es

Kendra entered the house Glossy wood floored the entry hall A wilting arrangement of flowers rested on a low table in a white ceramic vase A tall, brass coat rack stood off to one side beside a black bench with a high, carved back On the wall hung a painting of a fox hunt

Kendra could see into another roo covered most of the wooden floor

Like the house itself, the furnishings were antiquated but in good repair The couches and chairs werea historical site

Dale was heading up the stairs with sos

Lena excused herself and went to another rooushed I e had tiet back, Grandpa said

Thanks for letting the kids stay with you, Dad said

Our pleasure Don’t let ht schedule, Dad apologized

You kids be good and do whatever Grandpa Sorenson tells you, Moed Kendra and Seth

Kendra felt tears seeping into her eyes She fought them back Have a fun cruise

We’ll be back before you know it, Dad said, putting an ar Seth’s hair

Waving, Mom and Dad walked out the door Kendra went to the doorway and watched them cliht back tears again as the SUV vanished into the trees

Mo, relieved to be off by theest vacation of their oblets clinking

And here she stood, abandoned Kendra closed the door Seth, oblivious as ever, was exa the intricate pieces of a decorative chess set

Grandpa stood in the entry hall, watching Seth and looking politely uncomfortable

Leave the chess pieces alone, Kendra said They look expensive

Oh, he’s all right, Grandpa said By the way he said it, Kendra could tell he was relieved to see Seth setting the pieces down Shall I show you to your room?

They followed Grandpa up the stairs and down a carpeted hall to the foot of a narroooden staircase leading up to a white door Grandpa continued on up the creaking steps

We don’t often have guests, especially children, Grandpa said over his shoulder I think you’ll be most comfortable in the attic

He opened the door, and they entered after him

Braced for cobwebs and torture devices, Kendra was relieved to find that the attic was a cheerful playroo room had a pair of beds, shelves croith children’s books, freestanding wardrobes, tidy dressers, a unicorn rocking horse, e

Seth went straight for the chicken Cool! He poked a finger through the slender bars, trying to touch the orange-gold feathers

Careful, Seth, Kendra warned

He’ll be fine, Grandpa said Goldilocks is randured you kids wouldn’t one You’ll need to feed her, clean her cage, and collect her eggs