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Savich and Sherlock watched with interest as silence fell, as when the curtain first rises on a play Then Hildi was quickly at Rob’s side, touching his face and hugging hi forward to have him kiss her cheek She stood back and looked up at him "My beautiful boy, how I’ve missed you You must let me paint you, as I did your ht in your eyes, the way you tilt your head, just like your father" She smiled at Marsia "I fear even you, my dear, couldn’t capture those qualities in your ht" She stood quietly at Rob’s side, a fixed smile on her face Rob had probably warned her that prettyout of Aunt Hildi’s , she looked mildly amused

When Venus introduced Marsia to Veronica, Veronica stepped forward, took Marsia’s hand "I’ve read all about you, seen your sculptures at the Mianecki Gallery in Baltie piece named Hercules, copper and steel, I believe I could feel the power you gave him, the bold spirit A pleasure to meet you, Ms Gay"

"Thank you," Marsia said "He spoke to ave her a beautiful smile "Call me Veronica"

Veronica turned to Rob "Rob, I reer and fun I also remember you were always kind to me Welcome home" She shtly kissed her cheek "Thank you, Veronica" He said against her ear, "I’ve got to say you’re as beautiful as ever I was telling Savich and Sherlock that you were a very sweet fantasy frohed up at hi ht up"

Rob nodded "I remember how close you were to Grando She tellsto keep her safe except sleep next to her"

Veronica sent a smile toward Venus "I asked her if I could rown up well, Rob Venus knew you would; she never doubted you, only thought you’d gotten lost along the way, that you’d find your way back And you did"

Marsia turned to Savich "Rob told rand above the fireplace "I want you to know she was a great inspiration to me Did you inherit any of her incredible talent?"

Sherlock said, "Dillon whittles, beautiful pieces out of rosewood, etown"

"I should like to see theers and wondered" She held up her own hands Fine white scars scored her pal with a knife and wood"

Glynis sashayed up to Rob, past the woman at his side, took his face between her hands, and kissed hihtly touched his knuckles to her sain, too, Glynis" She tried to kiss hiain, but Rob was fast and took a quick step sideways, held her hands in front of hiave Glynis a friendly sot Rob nailed down because you’ve got quite a technique there"

Glynis nodded, chin up "Oh, that little thing? Rob didn’t kiss me back this tiave her a set that no one is seventeen now" She gave Alexander a speculative look "You’ve been unusually quiet Are you pleased to see your brother again?"

Alexander was still at his post against the fireplace ht hand, like he’d stepped off a page of GQ He recognized an unspoken order when he heard it "I’ that pleases you, Grandmother" He turned to Marsia, spoke in a s, Ms Gay Are you hoping to change it to Rasmussen?"

"My name has quite a history, Mr Rasmussen, as I’m sure yours does as well It’s a distinctive history, one I will tell you about if you’re interested" She gave hi look "I would like all of you to know that Rob has never traded on his name He built his construction business on his own hard work, and on the trust he’s earned That’s how I h his business"

Rob said, his voice easy, "I rereat job because I hoped I’d be cooking Marsia dinners one day on that Wolf range I talked her into Don’t look surprised, everyone, I like to cook I’?" Alexander said, sneer at full blooive this serious consideration "No training as a cook directly, but I’ll say the arht hot sauce and some onion to the pork ’n’ beans, and they’re not bad"

He turned back to his family, looked at each of them in turn as he had when he’d come in "I know this is difficult for you, here I’ve turned up out of the blue, and noe’re suddenly together, thanks to Grandet to see all of you again I’veht at his brother "What’s iether to help Savich and Sherlock find out who’s trying to kill Grande in his sneer "Indeed we should, little brother The trouble is that soht add you have your fortune tied up with this fa compared to Rasmussen Industries Isn’t it true you have no access to your trust fund while Grandmother is alive or until you’re thirty-five?"

Rob said matter-of-factly, "Yes, we all know that’s true That has helped me to focus my life in the meantime, on what’s really important to me Do you knohat I found out? I discovered I could make it on my own Have you ever wondered whether you could, Alexander?"