Page 11 of When Love Is Lost and Found

"Great," she says. “I'm glad you like it. Oh, and before I forget, Noah's playroom is just down the hall to the right. We set it up for play on one side and learning on the other. Jon went shopping and got toys, puzzles, and books. There's a table, a file cabinet filled with supplies, a bookshelf, a small desk, and a sofa. If you need anything else, just let us know."

"I will, thank you."

"Okay then, we'll meet you downstairs in an hour. Jon cooked dinner for everyone."

"Thank you. Mrs. Linder?"

"I think it's time you call me Elizabeth," she says with a smile.

"Elizabeth, you've been so kind to me. I don't even know what to say."

"You do a great job taking care of Noah. That's all the thanks we need. He loves you like a sister. We appreciate everything you do, and none of it has ever gone unnoticed."

***

After I put my clothes away and shower, I join the family downstairs.

I have never heard the Linders talk this much before.

"Tomorrow," begins Mrs. Linder, "I'm interviewing two people for housekeeper and three for the gardening job."

"They all come highly recommended," says Jon. "I'm sure you'll find the perfect candidates."

"We did find Shay after we thought we had exhausted all options," says Mr. Linder, shooting me a fatherly wink.

"I can't wait to get away for the weekend," says Mrs. Linder. "We haven't been to New York just to enjoy it in years."

"There are some good office spaces that I'd like to look at in the next couple of days," says Mr. Linder. "Two here and the other two in Cold Spring. I was hoping you'd come with me to help me make the final choice."

"Yes, of course," says Mrs. Linder, "I can't wait to see them."

"Is Cold Spring far away?" I ask.

"It's less than ten minutes from here," Mr. Linder responds.

"It's a small village next to the Hudson River," says Mrs. Linder. "It attracts weekend visitors from New York and tourists from out of state. "You can spend the entire day strolling Main Street, visiting all the quaint little shops along the way."

"Jon," says Mr. Linder, "you'll have to take Shay to Cold Spring and show her around."

"Oh, no," I say, feeling a rush of embarrassment land on my face. "Please, there's really no—."

"I would love to," says Jon before I can object, his dark eyes assessing me. I try to maintain a neutral expression but can't do anything about the blushing.

"Thank you," I say—more to end the conversation than to accept the invitation.

"I learned how to swim," Noah chimes in excitedly.

Thank you, Noah, for changing the subject. I smile, feeling the blush dissipate.

"Daddy is teaching me how to ride my bike, and Shay taught me how to write my name, the alphabet, and my numbers."

"That's great," says Jon. "I can't wait for you to show me everything you've learned."

I spend the rest of the time playing with my food, moving it around my plate, but not really eating. I'm listening to every word, though, wanting to learn more about Jon, my only connection to Jimmy's last days. Our conversation was interrupted earlier, and I'd like nothing more than to pick up where we left off. On second thought, I may take him up on his offer to take me to Cold Spring.

"I'll clean up the kitchen," says Jon, picking up his plate after dinner. "I'm sure you're all exhausted."

"All right," says Mrs. Linder, handing him her plate. "Thank you, Sweetheart."

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