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Dave gratefully thanked him. "I'll sure give it my best."

"I know you will," Adam nodded. "We have a lot of work ahead, so after you get settled into your bungalow, we'll get started."

The drive home was largely spent with Adam and Dave discussing music. They both seemed to know what the other was talking about, even though Charlie had to listen carefully to keep up with what they were saying. During the course of a lively debate over the use of the piano's damper pedal, Charlie fell asleep. She hadn't intended to, and felt a little embarrassed when Adam awakened her and she realized they were sitting in front of Villa Rosa's gates.

"I guess our talking put you to sleep," Adam mused with a smile, as Charlie straightened herself in her seat and tried to look aware of her surroundings.

It was early evening, and the sun had already dipped below the horizon, giving a dark cast to the cloudless skies overhead. Charlie glanced in the mirror, and saw Dave looking very much awake. He was getting his first glimpse of Villa Rosa, and clearly understood he was being granted access that few others had the privilege of obtaining.

As the SUV rolled inside the secure perimeter, the gates swung closed.

"Did I sleep through dinner?" inquired Charlie, when Adam had turned off the engine.

"No, we haven't eaten yet," he replied with a small yawn.

"Then I'll help Grandma and Mrs. Freemont get dinner on the table," announced Charlie, opening the passenger door and stepping outside into the cool air. "You might want to show Dave his bungalow, first."

As Adam took Dave to his new quarters, Charlie went inside the main house and found Vera in the kitchen, sipping tea with Mrs. Freemont.

The grandmother looked up and smiled as Charlie walked into the kitchen. "You look like you've had a long day," she observed.

"Dave is here," informed Charlie. "Adam is showing him where he's going to stay."

Mrs. Freemont didn't need any further prompting, and started the usual rustle of pots and pans as she began preparing dinner.

"What's he like?" wondered Vera, helping the housekeeper by getting food out of the refrigerator.

"He's all right, I guess," shrugged Charlie. "Dave doesn't remind me of the secretarial type, but Adam seems to like him."

"We're home!" Adam's voice announced from the next room.

"So I see!" smiled Vera, as Adam led Dave into the kitchen. "Will the others be joining us for dinner?"

"No, they're eating in tonight," answered Adam, referring to the bodyguards. "If you wanted more people at the table, Vera, you shouldn't have encouraged us to put those kitchens in the bungalows! Vera, this is Dave Walker. Dave, this is my wife's grandmother, Mrs. Overholt."

"Pleased to meet you," Dave politely nodded to the elderly woman. For some unexplainable reason, Vera didn't look as though she reciprocated the sentiment. She gazed at him with a watchful eye that made him feel as though he had broken into the place, and was about to be apprehended by the police for trespassing. Whatever she was thinking, the elderly woman kept it to herself.

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