Her smile was like the gentle breeze, teasing the blossoms of an apple tree as if ice had suddenly


    met the fierce ze of the midsummer sun.


    Watching Anthea in profile, Carole felt an inexplicable sense of calm washing over her.


    At those words, the curly-haired woman showed a look of speechlessness in her eyes.


    Gosh, the young folks these days were bold. Their talk was like daydreaming, blowing their


    trumpets without giving their brains a moment to catch up.


    Could a ce like this make a go of it?


    It was a pipe dream!


    "Listen, sweetheart, don''t take this the wrong way, but turning a profit will be tough with a location


    like this. Tough! I''d advise you to bail before you''ve even opened your doors. Otherwise, you''re in


    for a world of hurt and tears."


    Anthea smiled faintly. "Thank you for the heads up, ma''am. I get where you''reing from, but I


    have confidence. I''m sure we can make it work."


    When seeing her good intentions weren''t getting through, the curly-haired woman figured there was


    no point in pressing further. After all, it wasn''t her who would be taking the hit. "You''re young and


    optimistic, and that''s fine. I''ve said my piece. Take it or leave it. I''ve got my fires to tend to, so I''ll


    leave you to it."


    After the woman left, Carole voiced her concerns with worry. "Ann, are you sure we can pull this


    off?"


    Nanson put an arm around her shoulder. "Carole, we must have faith in Ann! Ann is brilliant! She''s a


    whiz at stocks and a guru at financial nning. Running a small restaurant will be a piece of cake


    for her. Don''t sweat it."


    Nanson was all-in when it came to Anthea.


    If Anthea imed the moon was made of cheese, he''d probably believe her!


    Anthea chuckled. "Uncle Nanson is right, Mom. Trust me, and I''ll make our business thrive!


    Besides, we''ve got everything set up. Are we going to chicken out now?"


    Carole finally cracked a smile, letting go of her worries. "Fine, I''ll take your word for it."


    Every beginning was hard, but with their family banding together, she was sure they''d make each


    day better than thest.


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    **


    In the Christensen family, the servant brought over the medicine to Karen.


    The brew was a bitter bomb.


    It packed a punch, ten times the bitterness of any medicine she''d ever tasted. Barely a sip down


    and Karen couldn''t help but spit it right out.


    "Karen, what''s wrong?" Adah was startled.


    Karen frowned. "This medicine is just too bitter!"


    Adah suggested. "Karen, maybe we should call Dr. Lyons back. If the medicine''s too bitter, you


    shouldn''t take it."


    "A bitter pill is often good medicine. Fetch me some candied fruit," Karen instructed.


    Still worried, Adah insisted, "Are you sure we shouldn''t call Dr. Lyons?"


    "No need," Karen waved her off.


    Sighing, Adah went to get her mother-inw some candied fruit.


    With the sweet treat to chase it, Karen bravely finished the bitter medicine.


    Adah added, "Karen, you must tell us immediately if you feel unwell. Don''t just bear it." Karen''s


    chronic condition required medication to keep in check, and stopping Dr. Lyons'' prescriptions had


    Adah genuinely concerned.


    "I will." Karen nodded. "I''m heading upstairs to rest. You should get some sleep, too."


    "Okay."


    Adah was ate riser. Typically, Karen would be up and about long before her. But this morning,


    Karen was nowhere to be seen.


    Adah''s brow furrowed as she turned to a servant. "Where''s Lady Karen?"


    The servant replied, "It seems she hasn''t gotten up yet."


    "Not up yet?" Adah nced at the clock. It was well past nine. Something didn''t feel right.


    Her mind went back to the medicine Karen had taken the night before.


    A chill ran through her. Could something have happened to Karen?