Written In The Heart. Judith Stacy

said, the grounds were magnificent. Brick walkways wound among palms and ferns and beds of blooming flowers. Water in a large fountain bubbled up, then cascaded down its three tiers.

      Under a shady, fruitless mulberry, Joey played. Brenna managed to keep up with him. Caroline saw them both laughing, and that made her smile.

      She wandered through the office again and stopped at a glass curio cabinet filled with delicate china figurines. Caroline opened the door for a closer look. There was a prancing horse, an old man with a fishing pole, a mother cradling a baby to her breast, a tiger, a clown. Of the two dozen or so in the collection, each was beautifully sculpted in intricate detail.

      On the other side of the cabinet were music boxes. Some were made of rich woods, others encrusted with gems, all fashioned in a variety of shapes. There were simple boxes, elaborate musical instruments, treasure chests.

      The collection was stunning. Their music must be lovely, as well. Caroline reached inside to open the lid on a tiny rosewood piano.

      “Don’t touch that.”

      Startled, she spun around. Stephen glared at her from the doorway. She felt like a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

      “I—I just wanted to hear the music,” Caroline said.

      He crossed the room, with the force of his presence causing her to move away.