The twins had spent the morning at the Michaels bakery.
Arianne had driven them there early, the way she tried to do at least once every couple of weeks. Jessica had greeted them at the door with flour on her apron and tears in her eyes, the way she always did. Paul had let Lily help decorate a tray of cookies and had given Leo a small ball of dough to knead. The whale had sat on the counter, dusted with a fine layer of flour, watching over everything.
By the time they left, the twins were carrying a small box of pastries and a cake that Jessica had insisted they take. "For Joyce," she'd said, pressing it into Arianne's hands. "Tell her I said hello."
Now the cake sat on the passenger seat as Arianne pulled up to Joyce Monreau's estate. The house was warm and welcoming, just as Joyce herself was. Flowers in the front garden. A wreath on the door.
Julian's car was already in the drive.
Kyle met them at the door.
