He looked about the space a little. "She appears to have done a commendable job," he remarked, glancing at Becky. "Did she move every big item by herself?"

Abby said, "I helped."

"You must be really strong, wow."

She gave him a smile.

Becky said, "You're home early," into the silence.

He lowered himself on his butt and encircled his knees with his arms. "I wanted to talk to you, but I had some stuff to do here."

He smothered a sigh as her cheeks became ...