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“Temporarily… until Granny’s house is repaired and inspected.”

Henrietta’s face softened into a radiant, relieved smile. “You say that now. Just wait until you see the changes I’ve made. You’re going to want to start unpacking before the first suitcase even makes it upstairs.”

I smiled. “If it has your touch, I’m pretty sure that I’m going to love it.”

Henrietta’s smile widened. “Good. Because I may have gone a little overboard with the recent changes.”

“A little?”

She gave me an innocent look that told me everything I needed to know.

“What? You know I’d been itching to get my hands on that place for years. Caspian had money, but that did not mean that son of mine had decorating sense.”

I chuckled lightly. “Well, then I’m sure it’s beautiful.”

Henrietta laughed, a genuine, easy sound that wiped the years of fatigue from her features, and pressed the keys into my hand, closing my fingers over the cold metal.

“Caspian would be so glad you’re coming home,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” I replied in a solemn tone.

If only he knew, I wanted to add, but the words stayed lodged in my throat.

Henrietta gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “And before you start worrying about what y’all need to bring, don’t. After that fire, the last thing any of you need to be doing is dragging smoke-damaged furniture and boxes across town. The house is fully furnished, every bedroom is ready, the kitchen has everything you need, and there are fresh linens, towels, all of it. Bring whatever personal items you need for now. The rest can stay put until the insurance company and contractors sort everything out.”

I let out a relieved breath. “That actually makes things a lot easier.”

“That’s the point.” She smiled. “So when do you plan to move in?”

“I guess tomorrow afternoon, after checkout,” I told her.

“Sounds good.” Henrietta pushed away from the windowsill and adjusted her purse on her shoulder.

There was one thing I had been itching to ask Henrietta for six years, and if I was seriously considering moving my son into Caspian’s house, I needed an answer.

“Henrietta, whatever happened to Caspian’s business?”

Her expression didn’t change.

“I mean, he was a boss… a big one. When somebody in his position disappears for that long, doesn’t somebody eventually take over?” I hesitated before continuing. “I’m only asking because if Kaidence and I are going to be staying in that house, I need to know there isn’t anybody out there who still has some old issue with Caspian and decides his family is the next best target.”

Just saying it made my stomach tighten.

“I know it’s been six years, but I’m sure Caspian had a few enemies. I wasn’t stupid about the life he lived, even if I stayed out of the details. Yes, we need somewhere to stay, and that house makes sense, but not at the expense of putting my son, Granny, or Willow in danger because somebody decides reopening an old problem sounds like a good idea.”

I expected sympathy… maybe hesitation. Instead, Henrietta gave me the calmest, most reassuring smile.

“Sweetie, if there is one thing you do not have to worry about, it is somebody coming after you or Kaidence because of my son. You’re right. Caspian did have enemies. Any man who reaches the level he did is going to make some along the way. But whatever business remained after he disappeared was handled. There was no war left hanging in the streets, no unfinished fight waiting six years for the perfect opportunity to reach you through that house.”

“How do you know that?”

Henrietta’s smile barely moved. “Because I made it my business to know.”

That answer raised about five more questions.

She continued before I could ask any of them. “And anybody who ever dealt with Caspian knew one thing clearly: whatever issue they had with him stayed with him. You, Kaidence, and the rest of your family were never part of that world. Nobody has bothered you in six years, and moving into his house is not going to suddenly change that. So trust me when I say, y’all will be just fine. I would never suggest you moving there if I believed otherwise.”

The certainty in her voice should have settled me.