Free The Forever Stone by Gloria Repp Page A

What a good idea, Madeleine.”
    The skunk.
    “Not quite accurate,” she said. “Last night he arrived on my doorstep with ice cream and I decided that I needed to go do some research.” She smiled, making it a trivial thing, and immediately wished she hadn’t.
    “I’m not surprised—he’s always wanting to party.” Her aunt shrugged. “I’ve learned not to take him too seriously. Kent is useful for local information and he’s a charming date when he exerts himself, but that’s about all. I said they could come for supper, if that’s okay. I know you’ll think of something good.”
    She smiled at Madeleine and yawned. “I need a shower and a quick nap. Then I’ll help with the food.”
     
    Kent greeted her with his genial smile and was equally cordial to her aunt. Just as well. She had every intention of putting him in his place. Maybe he’d think twice before dropping in on her again.
    She wore the same jeans and blue sweatshirt she’d had on all day, but her aunt had changed into slacks and an attractive green sweater. Remi had dressed for the occasion too. His curly black hair shone, and his open-necked white shirt showed off a chain that glittered against his tan skin.
    Kent was pleasant, often humorous, and except for the occasional digression about his book, carried on an interesting conversation with her aunt. As the evening progressed, Madeleine began to wonder whether she’d misjudged him.
    Along with the ice cream, he’d brought them a gift—the game of Monopoly. She expected him to be a noisy, aggressive competitor, but he played silently, took wild chances, and looked wounded when he had a setback. Aunt Lin’s careful strategy put her into the lead, and she stayed there. Remi played well too, but he was kind, apologizing as he foreclosed on Madeleine’s houses and giving advice that kept her from going bankrupt.
    Finally Kent kicked back his chair and left the table. “I’ve had it,” he said. “Give Madeleine my properties. Looks like she could use them.”
    He strolled into the dining room and returned with the Cohansey jar. “The old glass stuff fascinates me,” he said. “I was right about this one. It’s a genuine antique.” He handed it to Remi. “What did they use it for?”
    Remi put down a handful of bills from the game. “Canning fruit,” he said. “Produced around 1850. Too bad the covers are missing.” He turned it over. “Hand made. See the pontil mark—that little scar?”
    Kent looked gratified. “You’re doing your homework, kid.”
    Remi glowed at the careless praise, and something about the expression on his face stung Madeleine. The “kid” must have a case of hero-worship.
    Kent started back to the dining room. “You’ve got a treasure trove, Lin, historically speaking. I’d like to make use of it for my book.”
    He glanced back at Remi. “Did we bring the camera?”
    “Always.” Remi pulled a small digital camera out of his shirt pocket.
    “Here,” Kent said. “Take some pictures of me holding this jar. Make sure the name shows clearly.”
    Kent beamed as Remi took the photos. “Now that I’m over my cold, I must say that the book is going well.”
    Aunt Lin was putting the game away. “How about researching some genuine New Jersey carrot cake to go along with the ice cream you brought?”
    “Great idea,” Kent said, and Remi looked appreciative.
    While Madeleine cut the cake, Kent began telling her about a place called Batsto. “It’s like a reconstructed village, with a museum,” he said, and described the farm buildings and restored mansion in careful detail.
    “We could go see it tomorrow,” Aunt Lin said.
    “They’ve got a pretty decent bookstore too,” Remi said.
    “I’d like that.” Madeleine took a spoonful of ice cream. “Do they have anything about duck decoys?”
    “Probably,” Kent said. “And if you’re interested in cemeteries, there’s an old one just down the road. I’ve found some good leads there