I watched it approach.
Vanessa climbed out first.
She wore a cream-colored coat, high-heeled boots, and oversized sunglasses.
Her parents followed.
Richard Vale was tall, broad, and silver-haired, with the carefully rehearsed smile of a man accustomed to controlling boardrooms.
Celeste wore a pearl necklace and carried a handbag with a gold clasp.
A fourth person emerged from the back seat.
A younger man carrying a tablet and a measuring case.
I recognized the situation immediately.
They hadn’t come to visit.
They had come to evaluate.
I stepped onto the porch.
Vanessa looked up.
“Well, this is certainly nicer than expected.”
She slowly removed her sunglasses.
“Not bad, Leah.
Not bad at all.”
Richard surveyed the roof, windows, and driveway.
“Your husband did quite a bit of work.”
Celeste looked disappointed.
“I pictured something much smaller.”
Vanessa smiled.
“We decided to make a weekend of it.
Mom wants to see the mountains, and Dad thought we should inspect the property.”
