"Papa Juan, are we really going to be putting all of those in the ground today?" Zena asked as she pointed to buckets of bulbs arranged on the center table in the greenhouse.

"All of them. We had a lot of damage to the bulbs this spring. We had a very industrious bunch of insects and diggers this last spring." Papa Juan was filling buckets with bone meal and fertilizer.

"I've never done much with bulbs. We didn't have much of a spring in Denver. I used lots of perennials though. I love hollyhocks, larkspur, lupines, and violets for the early bloom. Purples and blues are my favorite colors."

"Well we have plenty of violets along the pathways, along with pansies and of course, petunias. I'll start them in the greenhouse in mid February, so they are blooming by the time it's safe to take them outdoors."

"I had to get my annuals from the garden centers." Zena shrugged her shoulders. "The first time I put them in the ground too soon. We still get frosts in early June at times in Denver."

"We get frost almost to Memorial Day, but if you're careful, and harden your seedlings off in sheltered areas, like on one of the verandas, you can get them in the ground mid May."

"Here comes Lace. We'll meet you in the front by the fountain. You said we'd be draining it today too? What about the waterfall feature in the back?" Zena was halfway out the greenhouse door when she turned to see what he would say.

"I've got some help coming. Terry usually does the mowing for me, and Percy is a genius with the mechanicals. We're draining all the sprinklers too."

Zena nodded before she continued around the north wing. The greenhouse was up higher on the property on the hill looking down into the grand Gothic windows of the ballroom. You could see the road to town, and she recognized James Pemberton's SUV as it approached. She savored the little tingle she felt when Papa Juan told her Percy was going to be around to help with the mowing. It might be the last time they had to cut the lawns. She was hoping for a late frost. The roses were in full bloom and so were the taller perennials.

By the time she wandered down to the main circle drive where the rose garden grew, Lacey was already out of the car. She joined her twin in the middle of the roses on the crushed shale path between the bushes.

"Let's get the dead flowers out of here before Papa Juan puts us to work." Lacey was breaking spent flowers from the tips of their branches with practiced efficiency.

"Show me how you do that," Zena demanded. "I keep breaking the stems and getting caught on thorns."

"Watch, I'll show you in slow motion, and you copy me on the next dead flower."

"Wait a sec, I want to see where you put your fingers." She knelt down to peer up, before she went for the next set of brown petals.

"You have to give it a quick twist rather than tugging. Keep your fingers on the petals and the little green leaves at their base." Lacey said.

Zena tried it, imitating the quick wrist movement and grinned. "Got it. Bet we get this done before Percy and Terry get here."

"Hmm, Terry didn't say he was coming up here today. What's up?"

"We're bleeding the sprinklers."

"That's Percy's thing, but Terry isn't bad at that stuff either. Percy runs the lights and sets for the play every year." Lacey moved along the path to the next group of rose bushes.

"Before everyone gets here, what's up with Theodore? Dad said they can't seem to locate where he is in the system."

"I know, it's creepy. How could they lose a prisoner that dangerous?"

"Zee, I'm scared. What if he escaped?"

"Then we need to get the gates on the estate working, and we need to get some security up here. I'm terrified. Remember, Sara found out the wreckage is showing signs of explosive damages. I don't think Theodore is still in prison."

"I always thought it was a pity there were walls around the property," Lacey said, "but now? I think we need to put glass and spikes along the top. I'd build them taller and move in here with you."

"Maybe that would keep our squatter out of the attic. Dad had the cops out here, and they took the brush and comb set and the mirror with them. Fingerprints and hair. They'll try and identify from them. The girl left a bunch in the brush."

"My Dad went in to talk to yours. They'll probably deal with all of that."

"Look Lace, here come the guys." Zee could hear their motorcycles coming up the hill.

Her twin turned to watch the gates swing closed with a squealing, rusty groan. No sooner had they shut, than they started open again, jamming when there was only a five foot gap. The two motorcycles slowed to a crawl and eased through the narrow opening.

"We'll come back with a basket and get the deadheads later," Lacey said.

"Yeah, right now I want to know what's up. Let's go in and find our Dads."

"Not before we say hi to the guys." Lacey watched as Terry took his helmet off.

Zena walked over to Percy and reached up to undo the strap on his helmet. She barely waited for him to put it on the seat, before she wrapped her arms around him, waiting for the warmth of his embrace.

"What's wrong," he rumbled in her ear as pulled her into a hug, lifting her up closer to his face.

"Everything's falling apart." Zena lifted her lips. Percy's whisper of a kiss spoke of safety and home. Something she didn't think she would ever have again. Percy tugged her toward Terry where he had wrapped his arms around Lace.

"We have to talk. Our parents said to keep this to ourselves, but you need to know." Zee looked over at Lace's worried eyes.

"Lunchtime, okay?" Terry said. "We all have stuff to get done around here. At least there's some good news. I heard a rumor that your Dad is looking for horses."

"Yeah, I've never been up on one, but Dad says he'll teach me." Zee said.

"I'll help you too," Percy volunteered.

"What about you Lace? Do you want to learn?" Terry asked.

"Yeah. How big are the stables up here? I've seen the building back in the trees behind the west wing. It's set into the side of the hill, and we trim the ivy climbing on the south wall twice a year." Lace said.

"There's room for six horses and all their tack." Terry said. "Papa Juan asked us if we would take care of them. We can bring our horses up here for free board, in exchange."

"You know, I've always known you ride together, but I haven't been to one of your competitions. I haven't even met your horse, Terry. We have to fix that soon. I've been so busy with my own practice for gymnastics, I haven't paid attention." Lacey said.

"We've been working on some really great routines to music." Percy said. "I don't know if you have a riding ring or not. It might be there, hidden by overgrowth. I know the stable is pretty musty and dirty right now. It's another project to fix it up."

"Horses were never talked about while my mom was still alive. I wonder if what happened was why?" Zena said, thinking out loud.

"Ssh... Here comes the boss." Lacey warned them.

"Ah hah! My helpers are here." Papa Juan's voice was amused.

Zee giggled as Percy gave the silver haired Hispanic gardener an exaggerated bow. His voice held a glimmer of laughter when he said, "Your wish is our command."

"Si, hijos mios, (yes, my children) we have much to do. Mama Rosa is making burritos for lunch and we have only two hours to finish our tasks." Senor (Mr.) Chiccaro smiled as they nodded.

Time to get to work, Zena thought. Better than standing around letting her anxiety run rampant.