Xavier didn''t pursue the topic any further. As they neared the main road leading into the old part of town, he nced over and suggested, "How about we stop for a coffee? Take a little break?"


    Eleanor checked the time and shook her head with a polite smile. "I''ve still got some work to finish. Rain check?"


    He nodded, not pressing the matter.


    The car turned onto a tree-lined avenue, dappled sunlight flickering across the windshield. Xavier nced sideways at Eleanor and noticed she was gazing out the window, lost in thought.


    "What''s on your mind?" he asked quietly. He genuinely wondered what went on inside her head-what mattered to her, what she held dear.


    Eleanor blinked and smiled,ing back to herself. "Nothing, really. Just daydreaming."


    He drove her the rest of the way home. As she got out, Eleanor turned and gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks for the ride."


    Xavier watched as she walked through the gate into her yard, his eyes lingering with a trace of disappointment. Still, he allowed himself a wry smile. All things considered, today had gone well. He''d taught her the basics of golf; it was a brief connection, but for now, that was enough.


    Once inside, Eleanor set down her bag and headed upstairs to tackle her work. Downstairs, Joslyn had already tidied up the house and the garden until everything was spotless. Not wanting to disturb Eleanor, Joslyn took Princess, the family''s beloved golden retriever, out for a walk.


    Goodwin Manor.


    A white convertible pulled up in the driveway. Serena climbed out, coffee in hand, and shut the car door with a casual flick of her wrist before heading inside.


    "Wee home, Miss," the housekeeper greeted her with a warm smile.


    "Thanks! Where''s my grandmother?" Serena asked as she slipped off her jacket. "She''s in her collection room, as usual."


    Serena''s lips curled into a slight grin. She made her way toward the collection room—a sprawling space filled with Magdalen''s most treasured antiques and curiosities, her greatest passion.


    On most days, Magdalen could be found there, lovingly polishing her finds with a soft cloth.


    "Grandma, cleaning your treasures again?" Serena teased, watching her grandmother, reading sses perched on her nose, carefully buffing a porcin


    vase.


    "These are precious, you know," Magdalen replied, not looking up as she continued her careful work.


    Serena plopped down beside her. “Grandma, I have something to tell you-but promise you won''t get mad!"


    Magdalen paused, looking at her granddaughter in surprise. "What is it?"


    "Mrs. Ellington, the mayor''s wife, hosted a charity auction today. Vanessa was invited and spotted a Ming dynasty vase-she wanted to bid on it for you. But guess what? Eleanor swooped in and snatched it away at thest minute." Magdalen stopped polishing, her gaze sharpening on Serena. "Is that true?"


    Serena''s face was full of indignation. "Of course it''s true! Vanessa told me herself. Eleanor waspletely out of line-Vanessa went as high as six hundred thousand, but Eleanor deliberately pushed the price up to a million. She obviously didn''t want Vanessa to win it for you."


    Magdalen resumed polishing her vase, if anything more tenderly than before.


    "And that''s not all," Serena continued, her annoyance mounting. "Vanessa said Eleanor was fawning all over Mrs. Ellington. For all we know, she bought that vase just to give it to Mildred. See, Grandma? You always treat Eleanor like your own granddaughter, but when she gets her hands on something special, she never thinks of giving it to you."