Chapter 34

“In a little Methodist church not too far from the farm.”

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah. David, I’m sorry I had to spend so much money to do this.”

“Hush. It had to be done, and you can’t get cheap flights on a moment’s notice.”

“True, but it did make a dent in my Visa availability.”

“That’s what it’s there for—emergencies.”

“There you go, then. This certainly qualifies.”

Near Mason City, IAKevin

WE PULLED UP IN Grandma’s yard a little before ten, and David said, “No cars in the driveway.”

“Good. That means everyone has gone home.”

The porch light came on, and Grandma walked out onto the porch.

“I’ll get the bags,” David said. “You go ahead.”

I walked up the steps and gave Grandma a hug.

“Kevin. You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”

“Hello, Mrs. Simpson,” David said a minute later. “I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.”

“Thank you for coming, David.”

“I told him it would take the two of us to keep my siblings from stripping the house bare.”