I looked up from my spreadsheet as my six-foot-tall, fifteen-year-old nephew bounded into the room. “Hey, Aunt Rylly. All of us got 100% on our report on Plate Tectonics. We wanted to thank you for your help. He and three other kids that I’d only met once crowded into my small home office. They set a vase of carnations on my desk.

Tommy Stoddard, a boy with pimples all over his face, grinned. “I’ve never gotten an A in anything before. I didn’t think I could do it, but I did. Thanks for helping us.”

I couldn’t help but grin. He was so enthusiastic now. He’d been a real pain in the neck and other places when Kohler was working with the group. The two girls nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you.” Their voices chimed in.

I looked at the carnations, red, pink, white and a deep burgundy. “Thank you for the flowers. I’m glad you guys did so well. I enjoyed working with you.”

They surged out of the office. Kohler stopped long enough to say, “I got some sandwiches and cake from Lynn downstairs. We’re doing math now. They want to improve their grades so I’ll tutor them as much as I can.”

I smiled at him. I wanted to warn him about biting off more than he could chew but I knew he wouldn’t appreciate the warning. Sometimes I walk a fine line between saying or doing too much or not enough. I never thought being a guardian, even of an extra special kid like Kohler, could be so difficult.

When I heard the kids go into the storage room which Kohler had fitted out as a mini-school room, I pulled out my phone to check my messages and make some phone calls. I looked at the screen and heaved a sigh of relief—no messages. I hate playing phone tag.

I tapped in a number. “Hey, Ben. It’s Rylly. Has everyone moved into their new homes?”

I could hear a laugh in his voice. “They have. I wish you could have been here. The kids were so excited that they could hardly sit still. The extra furniture you had sent from Goodwill was a real blessing. A lot of the kids haven’t had a real bed to sleep in. Now they even have sheets and pillowcases. Everyone said to tell you thanks.”

I felt a thrill of pleasure run down my spine. “I’m so glad. When do you think we can get started on the main house? I’d really like to get it ready to go by the end of September. It would be great if we could run some kind of special pre-grand opening during the holidays, just to work out the bugs.”

Ben’s voice was serious. “I have been thinking about that. If you really want to open that quickly, we should concentrate my workers on the grounds. It won’t look good if the house is open but the grounds are a muddy mess. What do you think?”

I gripped my hair with one hand. “I think you are right, but I really, really want to get going on the house.”

“We are. Staci has been working on the electrical for three weeks. Do you want to hire a crew to help her? She is very meticulous and has had the inspector check her work once a week since she is having to remove all the old wiring and then add more so you can have the lights and plugs you will need for the resort.”

“What do you think? How long will it take her to finish?”

He laughed. “The downstairs is nearly done. She’s finished all the rooms except the ones we are going to remodel. I’ve had a crew working on the kitchen area like we’d planned. She works there when they are ready for her then goes back to the other rooms when she’s done. I do have a couple of men to help pull down the lath and plaster. We’re trying to take it down in squares so it will be easy to put back but some of it is very damaged. That we’ll have to throw away.”

“I’d like to come out and see how things are coming along.” I looked at my watch. “I could leave in about fifteen minutes if that would work for you.”

“We should have plenty of time. Daylight savings time has added an extra hour of work time. I’ll ask Staci to stay until you get here although she probably would be here anyway.”

“Okay. I’m on my way.” I got to my feet, glorying in the fact that I didn’t have to use crutches or a walker, that I could get out of a chair without a fight and I didn’t have to hobble from room to room.

Kohler looked up as I walked into the storage room. “I’m going out to the island. Do you want to come?”

Kohler looked at his watch. “I probably should. You haven’t been on the island since your leg got better.” He looked at Tommy. “I think you can finish on your own. There are only three problems left.”

Tommy looked at me. “Could I come. Kohler’s been telling me about your island. It sounds cool.”

I scratched my neck. “Will your parents be okay if you come with us. It might be late when we get back.”

Tommy looked down at his feet. “My mom is dead and my dad couldn’t care less about me and my brother and sister.” He looked at Kohler. “Kohler is the first person who’s cared enough to help me in school.”

I looked at Kohler who nodded. “Sure then. I’m going to change into jeans, then I’ll be ready.”

Kohler grinned at me. “I’ll grab some snacks. I’m starving.”

It had only been an hour since he’d eaten, but then I thought maybe Tommy might be hungry.”

As I walked to my room, I wondered at the look Tommy had given Kohler. I don’t think he meant for me to see it, but I did and it made me nervous.