A tense undercurrent had flowed throughout the evening that was at odds with the polite exchange of pleasantries. Apparently, no one was willing to share what was really on their minds. Working off some of her stress, Lily cut the tube of cookie dough and placed heaping mounds on the sheet and slipped it into the oven. She could almost taste the chocolate-chip cookies. Lily double-checked the lock on the door and plopped on the couch, picking up the remote. Maybe she could find some light romantic comedy to take her mind off everything. Relaxing in this quaint home had reminded her of the early days when she had moved into the carriage house right after her mother had died. Sweet Edna had made the horrible transition a little bit easier for her. In a way, it seemed odd Edna had been the one to offer comfort since she had replaced Lily’s mother as the O’Reillys’ housekeeper. The O’Reillys had provided Lily lodging and an education, but Edna provided the mothering she needed after her mother had died.
