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She put her hands on her hips. “What don’t I know?”

“I have a woman working for me. She’s been painting the parlor.”

“You hired someone?”

“Yes.”

“It’s about time. Finish your soup, then I’d like to see it.” She sat across from him. “Is this the woman with the special child?”

“He’s not…special.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes. I guess you do know everything.”

“Abe says—”

“Never listen to Abe, Mom.” He picked up his spoon.

“I’d like to meet her. But eat first.”

Milo ate half of the soup, then pushed the bowl away. “That’s all I can do.”

Allie picked up the bowl. When she reached for the bread he hadn’t finished, he picked it up. “I will finish that, though. Even on my deathbed, I’d still eat your bread.”

She put the soup in the refrigerator, then washed out Milo’s bowl and the two coffee cups in the sink. She turned to him as she was drying her hands. “Let’s go meet your handy woman.”

Wilda was on the floor painting the eight-inch baseboards along the bottom of the wall. When Milo cleared his throat, she looked over her shoulder, then stood when she saw Allie with him.

“Oh, hi.”

Allie smiled as she moved into the room. “Look at this room. It’s wonderful.”

“Thank you.”

Allie approached her. “I’m Allie, Milo’s mother.”

“So nice to meet you. I’m Wilda.”

Allie turned to Milo. “You should’ve hired her long ago.”

“She’s only been in town a few weeks, Mom.”

“Better late than never.” She smiled at Wilda. “Stay on him.”

“I’ll try.”

“You and your son should come to dinner sometime soon.”

Milo stepped toward her. “Mom, that’s…”

Wilda glanced at him. “That’s very kind of you. I’d like that.”

“Good. Now, I need to get back before the bus drops the grandkids off. John is watching Kai, but when the three older boys get there, it starts getting a little chaotic.”

“Say hi to Dad for me.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “You take care and eat the rest of that soup in a while.”