Just shy of her sixtieth birthday, Gretchen Bremmer walked down the jetway and followed the signs to the lower level. Fit and trim, with a crop of short, sandy blond hair, a few strands turning gray, she looked like she played tennis every other day and hosted bridge club to take up the slack.

Neither was accurate.

She’d once had an active social life, mostly heading committees doing her part for charity. But since becoming a widow, all that had changed. She spent her days taking care of a sister she adored who was locked in a world of dementia and would never find her way out. With all her heart, Gretchen believed her sister deserved private care so she refused to pack her off to a home that specialized in long-term situations.

Her life had taken that turn, but Gretchen Bremmer was not a complainer.

She’d spent the last two years trying to stay in shape on the faint hope that one day she’d be able to run around after grandkids. With an only child and one who didn’t even date all that much, her prospects were looking mighty slim. That is, until Simon’s phone call. And now, here she was on California soil about to meet her granddaughter.

The skycap helped her roll her luggage through baggage claim and out the double doors to the curb. She tipped the porter with a ten-spot and texted Simon to let him know where she stood waiting. He texted back the make and model of the truck he’d bought since their last phone call. In subsequent efforts to get her here for a visit, she’d balked at riding on the back of a motorcycle. If she made the effort to visit, he promised he’d rent a car to haul her around for the duration. Still she’d stayed put in Newport.

But now she was here. And when she finally spotted the pickup, she got his attention in typical Gretchen fashion. She put her fingers between her teeth and let out a whistle.

Simon pulled to the curb, hopped out, wrapped her up in a quick bear hug, the only kind that TSA walking the beat allowed, before snatching up the oversized bag, and tossing it into the bed of the pickup. “What’ve you got in this thing? It weighs a ton.”

“I brought presents so be careful how you throw it around.”

“Stuff in here breaks? What did you bring, Mom?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see and be surprised.” She settled into the front seat as Merlin woofed in greeting. “How’s my big handsome boy doing?” she asked, scratching under his chin.

“I take it you don’t mean me. Hear that, Merlin? You get the handsome boy before I do.”

“Why on earth didn’t you buy one of those minivans instead of a truck?”

“Because I’m not driving around town in a minivan.”

She pivoted in her seat, angled where she could try and get a good look at the baby. “My God, Simon, she’s absolutely gorgeous. But you already knew that, didn’t you, baby girl?” She tugged on a little tennis shoe, grabbing hold of a toe. “Why is she facing backward like that? I’m not allowed to look at my grandchild?”

“State law,” Simon announced and turned in his seat to get Delaney’s attention. “What shall we call Grandma-ma, Delaney? Any ideas?”

“Ma-ma,” Delaney piped up, clapping her hands.

“She says that a lot, and Ma-ma’s not around,” Simon explained.

“That’s just so heartbreaking. My only grandchild is motherless.”

“I know. But if Amelia hadn’t had the accident, both of us would still be in the dark about Delaney’s existence. Think about that.”

“I have, all the way from Rhode Island. What a cruel thing to do to the father of her child.”

“You don’t know the half of it. But we’ll talk about it later. I know all Amelia’s secrets now because I had her investigated.”

From the back seat, Delaney sang out in a string of baby babble.

“She’s very vocal,” Gretchen said proudly. “That’s a good sign.”

“Yeah, if only I knew what she was trying to say. By my count she knows a handful of words. Bye, Ma-ma, yes, no, and I think something that sounds like ‘more.’ Oh, and the other day, she said Da-Da.”

“How thrilling. Maybe she’ll say it for me.”

“She understands other words and phrases, like ‘go get your shoes’ and it’s apparent she likes books.”

“Good, because her Nana brought her a few.”

“Nana?”

“That’s right, what’s wrong with Nana? I think it suits me. It’s better than Grandma-ma. What do you think, Delaney? You like Nana?”

But Delaney kept babbling in sing-song fashion.

“That’s okay, honey. You talk Daddy’s ear off. Payback. That’s what he did to your Nana when he was a little boy.”

“How about some lunch?”

“I’m famished. I still can’t get used to the airlines not feeding you anymore on a cross-country flight.”

Simon squeezed his mother’s hand. “We’ll get you fed and then get you settled in at home. We have lots to talk about.”

He took her to a sidewalk café along the boardwalk that Brent Cody had recommended where they could sit and look out with a view of the ocean and bring Merlin along.

“I can see why you like it here. It reminds me of early Newport,” she commented as she fed Delaney part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich off the kids’ menu.

“It does, doesn’t it? I want to introduce you around to the people I’ve met. I think you’ll like them.”

“And what about this Gilly? I want to meet her, too.”

“Don’t worry, you will. First things first. I want you to enjoy yourself while you’re here. You need a break from taking care of Lorraine.”

“It felt so weird leaving her behind this morning when the taxi drove away from the house. I got to the airport and almost had second thoughts about coming.”

“I knew you would. I wasn’t even sure you’d follow through until I got your text from the plane that you’d boarded.”

“It’s been such a tough two years, Simon. Everything I knew has changed. Your father’s not around to lean on so I’ve had to go my own way on a lot of things. It’s been rough without you there, too.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, but I just couldn’t stay back east. I couldn’t. After the Army I needed a completely different change of scenery. Nick and Cord persuaded me that to get a brand-new start, I’d be better off here. Starting my business from the B&B has been a leg up that I couldn’t have gotten back in Newport.”

“I know that. A good mother doesn’t hold her child back for selfish reasons.” She laughed and picked up her glass of tea. “At least, that’s what I tell myself.”

“Lorraine won’t always be around…”

She put a hand over his. “Let’s not go down that road just yet.”

“Then I’ll pay the bill and we can head home, home for now anyway. It’ll soon be time for Delaney’s nap.”

“I’d love to be the one to put her down and read her a story.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

On the drive back to the farm, mother and son caught up on family business and people they knew in common.

“You remember Elena Faris? She graduated the same year you did from Rogers.”

“I remember. Go Vikings.”

“Elena’s on her sixth marriage.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope. Her mother and I are still good friends. Elena’s gone to rehab so many times her mother can’t keep up.”

“Look, I know you said you didn’t want to talk about it, but…do you ever think about what’s going to happen when Lorraine…when it’s Lorraine’s time?”

“I think about it every day. Why?”

“Whenever it…happens, you’re welcome to move here.”

“Oh, Simon, as wonderful as that sounds, my life has always been back east. You know that. I’m living in the same house your father and I bought six months after you came along.” She let out a loud sigh. “But let me think about it. Because getting to be around this precious baby would be enough of a lure for me to start over. But at my age? And three thousand miles away in such a strange setting? That’s a scary proposition for me, sweetheart.”

“It’s not the other side of the moon, Mom.”

“I know that. The thing is, I have thought long and hard about selling the house on Cape Cod. No one in the family’s used it since you were there last, and that was two years ago. We rent it out during the summers, but that can be a headache. Tim Simonds, the caretaker, died last spring and I haven’t had anyone there who wants to take care of the place, do repairs, and collect the rent like he did.”

“A management company would do all that. I’d really hate to see you sell it.”

“Then for now I won’t. But sometimes I think Lorraine might be, I don’t know, more cognizant about her surroundings if she were on Nauset instead of Newport. We did practically grow up there. But then she fades away again without acknowledging me and I think there’s no point in moving her to the beach when she doesn’t even know who I am.”

“Mom, Lorraine will never get any better.”

“I know that, honey.”

“As long as you’re aware that the prognosis will never improve.” He paused, looking back at Delaney. “I’ve decided to buy a house.”

Gretchen smiled. “Why, Simon Graham Bremmer, I do believe you’re settling down for real. Do you need money for a down payment?”

“I make my own way, Mom. You know that. I’ve been putting money aside for twelve years now, saving every dollar. And these last two years with the business booming, I’ve managed to save quite a bit.”

Simon pulled down the long driveway to the caretaker’s cottage. “This place has been great for me. Nick wouldn’t even take much in rent. Delaney and I could live here like this for years, but it isn’t kid-friendly.”

She reached across the bench seat and cupped his face in her hands. “You are so like your father. Responsible but stubborn to the core. I’ve known it ever since you quit Brown and left for the Army. You’ve always been independent, fiercely so. But don’t forget you have family who care about your welfare and that baby back there.”

“I’ve never doubted for a minute I was loved.”

“That’s because you always have been, from the day we brought you home from the hospital.”

“Let’s get this little munchkin in for a nap.”

Gretchen watched her big, strong son reach into the back seat and pick up the tiny girl. Her heart soared with a mother’s pride.

After getting Delaney down, Gretchen stood at the baby’s door and lowered her voice. “I can’t believe I’m standing here watching my grandchild sleep.”

Simon kissed her cheek. “I had the same feeling the first night.”

As he turned to go, she grabbed his arm. “If you need money for that house don’t be foolish enough to pass up my help.”

“Mom…”

She led him into the living room, dropping onto the sofa, tucking her legs under her to get comfortable. “Just listen for a minute. When your father died he left me without a financial worry in the world. Again, his trademark. No philandering or gambling away the life savings for Lowell Bremmer. These past two years, I’ve tried to keep the investments going, the ones he favored. But our family attorney is getting old, Simon. Jacob Pittman is pushing eighty. He recently stopped by and told me he’s decided to finally close his practice at the end of the year. He says he’ll continue being the estate attorney until then. But Simon, the day of his visit, Jacob couldn’t even remember how to get back outside to his car. It makes me worry.”

“That’s not good. Want me to research who can take his place?”

“I was hoping you’d do it. I hate to ask now that you’re so busy with Delaney, but someone has to make sure the investments don’t shrink.”

“Me?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s a big responsibility.”

“Like you’d shirk that. Look, I deal with Lorraine practically twenty-four-seven. This is the first time I’ve been out of Rhode Island in four years. That should tell you something. And at my age I’d rather make sure both of us have the money for our futures. Now there’s Delaney to think about. I can’t think of another person I trust more.”

“Okay. I’d be happy to take a look at the portfolio Dad put together.”

“Super. So if you want to get a house, I’d say let me help you.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too. What’s the place look like? Is there any way I can get to see it today?”

“See it? I insist you help me decorate it.”

“What about asking Gilly Grant to do that?”

“I suppose I could. But she has her hands full right now with her mother. I told you about Connie’s…weird behavior.”

Gretchen nodded. “Dealing with Lorraine, I’m used to weird behavior. Maybe her mother will improve after the shunt.”

“Let’s hope so. I could get Gilly’s input. You should see what she’s done with her little house. So yeah, why wouldn’t I ask a friend to give me some pointers?”

Gretchen stared at her son. “Is that all she is? A friend?”

Simon squinted into the afternoon sun streaming in a wide path through the kitchen patio door. “I don’t know what she is yet. She has her own set of problems.” He tried to think how to phrase it. “Why is it women think they’re overweight when they’re not?”

“Because the media and fashion magazines have been telling us for years how awful we are if we don’t wear a size two. My hairdresser, whom I’ve known for going on thirty-five years, still tries to talk me into keeping the gray out of my hair, thinks it makes me look old. I say, it makes me look wiser than everyone else.”

“You look great to me. You know I have to help Silas with the planting tomorrow. It’ll probably get very dusty around here, there’ll be a cloud surrounding this place.”

“Do you want me to take Delaney and go into town while you do that?”

“Would you mind?”

“Simon, stop trying to be so polite. I’m here to help you out. Just point me in the direction of how to do that and stop tiptoeing around.”

“Well then, I need to ask a favor. And it’s a big one. What do you say to babysitting Saturday night?”

“Now you’re talking. That’s why I traveled three thousand miles to try out my Nana skills. Please tell me you’re taking Gilly out for the evening.”

“That’s the plan. I’m not sure who she has watching Jayden, but when I offered you, she said she had it covered.”

 

 

Gilly not only had it covered, she’d shopped until her credit cards felt the burn. She’d left her mother and Jayden in the care of Emma Colter long enough to make a quick trip over to San Sebastian for new lingerie. She’d splurged on a cream-colored chemise that looked gorgeous, but it was the lace bustier and thong in silky black she thought might get Simon’s juices flowing the quickest. And for dinner and a movie, she’d bought a slinky, V-neck cocktail dress in black that should keep him interested before they got to the main event.

As she made the turn onto Ocean Street, Gilly braked and did a U-turn toward Ophelia’s place, wondering if the teacher was back home yet. She sent Ophelia a text to ask, pulling to the side of the road to wait for a reply. It came a few minutes later.

Yes, I’m back home.

Feel like company?

Sure.

The home where Ophelia lived was a tiny Arts and Crafts cottage about the size of a doll house that she rented from Logan. Built with cedar shingles and nestled under an umbrella of magnolias, it looked like it belonged in a storybook setting.

Gilly knocked on the bright yellow door and heard Ophelia twisting several locks on the other side before she finally opened it a crack with a chain still visible. “Hey, you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Ophelia said, sliding the chain back so she could let Gilly inside. As soon as Gilly got far enough in, Ophelia snapped the door shut and flipped all the locks again. “Logan installed extra ones. I don’t know how he found out, but he called Abby yesterday and said it was a done deal. And Isabella came by to bring me groceries, so I wouldn’t have to go to the store.”

Gilly dug in her purse. “I brought you something, too.” She handed off an envelope.

“Oh, my God. There must be five hundred dollars here.”

“We knew you missed work all week, so the staff took up a collection to help you offset your time off.”

Ophelia put her arms out for a hug. “Thank you. I’ll write them a note right now.”

The woman turned and ran into the kitchen, but Gilly recognized distress when she saw it and trailed after her. “If you’re afraid of staying here, I have a guest room.”

“No. You’ve done enough. I’ll be fine. Eastlyn went with the Santa Cruz police to pick him up. He’s been charged with assault. Of course, he didn’t stay in jail two minutes before his parents bailed him out. But Eastlyn also served the protection order. He’s not supposed to come near me.”

Gilly had seen the results from restraining orders. She considered them mostly useless, depending on the aggressor’s willingness to follow the law. Rob Ogilvie didn’t seem like the type to follow orders written on a piece of paper. But she didn’t share that view with Ophelia.

“I got an email from Dottie Whitcomb. She wanted to let everyone know that the deacon has hired a new pastor. He’ll be here first of next week.”

“That’s great.”

“Maybe I should leave.”

“Why on earth would you do that?”

“Look at me. I’ll be lucky if I’m ready to attend church on Sunday, let alone meet the new reverend. My face is still a mess. How can I go and look the parents in the eye, the same ones who trust me with their kids? I can’t even handle my own personal life.”

“Stop it. Your face is looking a lot better. And in two days it’ll look even less yellowish.” Gilly tried to think of anything to talk about except her bruised face. “Who is this guy they hired?”

“His name’s Seth Larrabee from South Dakota, or maybe it’s North. I just don’t want the new reverend to see me looking like this when he gets here.”

“Let’s try some makeup.”

“Did that already. Abby spent almost an hour applying that thick goop, only to watch me wash it all off because it made me look worse. It’s a myth that foundation covers purple. It doesn’t. Maybe I should just quit my job, pack up and try somewhere else, somewhere Rob can’t find me.”

“You shouldn’t have to run.”

“That’s just it. We both know a restraining order is a weak way to counter a guy like Rob.”

“You could stay with Abby.”

“Abby and Keegan both want me to move into the Rescue Center, where there’s a gate that’s locked at night to keep the animals inside if one should accidentally get out.”

“That sounds like a plan. So why don’t you?”

“Because this is my home and I shouldn’t have to leave it to stay safe.”

“No argument there. How about asking Eastlyn to sit out in front of your house?”

“She does that anyway.”

“But you still don’t feel safe. I get it. What do you want me to do?”

Ophelia pulled out a piece of paper from a drawer. “Here’s the information to get in touch with my parents. If anything should happen to me, just make sure you tell them that I tried to get away from Rob. Make sure they know. I’ve told Abby the same thing. And Keegan. I just want everyone to know that I did the best I could to get him out of my life.”

 

 

Ophelia’s fear and pain broke Gilly’s heart, maybe because she’d lived it once. After she arrived back home she brought it up to her mother.

As she peeled potatoes for dinner, she turned to Connie. “Did you ever feel that way when I was with Vaughn?”

“All the time. Are you finally admitting that he was abusive?”

“I guess I am.”

“I never could understand why you put up with it. You weren’t raised that way.”

Gilly wondered that, too. “I suppose I wanted a man in my life and was willing to compromise on certain things.”

“Compromise on him hitting you? I don’t understand that.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I’ll never do it again.”

Connie went over to the counter where Gilly stood. “Want me to help?” It was her way of mending fences and putting the conversation to an end.

“Do you feel like it?”

“I’d like to see if I can peel a potato.”

Gilly handed her the paring knife. “Would the peeler work better?”

“Maybe.”

Gilly watched her mother painstakingly use the knife to work her way around the spud. “Looks like you have it handled. Did Quentin talk to you yet?”

“If you’re asking if he let me go, the answer is yes. Well, sort of. Oh, it’s okay. He let me down easy enough, said I could work part-time there in the office, which I gladly accepted. But he’ll have to hire a nurse for the shots and other day to day routine stuff. But I know I might as well get ready for him to phase me out altogether, probably by the end of the year.”

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“At least I’m beginning to feel like my old self again,” Connie admitted as she began to slice and dice with pauses in between.

“Did you two discuss hours?”

“Mid-day. That way you and I aren’t in such a rush like before. I agreed to five hours a day from ten to three. That way you no longer have to drop Jayden at daycare.”

“Sounds great. Is that enough money for you to live on, though?”

“Your pop left me in good shape. And I’ve put a little money aside in savings. I think I’ll be fine.”

Relieved to hear that, Gilly huffed out a breath and broached another slippery topic. “Would you like to meet Simon’s mother while she’s here in town?”

“If you plan on dating him, I suppose I should.”

Gilly figured that was the closest thing she’d get to a détente and took it, smiling as she turned on the burner to boil the potatoes.

 

 

While Delaney played with a new set of blocks Gretchen had brought, Simon made dinner, a simple stir-fry with beef tips and veggies. While he stood at the stove, his phone dinged with a text from Gilly.

Sneaking this in but I think my mom has finally turned a corner. I think we should set something up for her to meet yours.

Really? How’d you manage that?

Nothing I did. She’s slowly getting back to normal. Fingers crossed. Maybe get the moms together tomorrow night?

Sure. But I’m nervous about being around your mom.

Come on. Big tough guy like you afraid of my mother? I don’t think so.

She scares me.

Buck up. We’ll do dinner at my house.

Fine. But make sure she’s not armed.

Very funny. Not. Gotta go.

See, you’re scared of her too.

Hahaha. On second thought…

When his mother caught him texting and beaming into his phone, she peered over his shoulder. “You’re grinning like a teenager again. Brings back memories of when you dated Paige Brookings all through high school.”

“Jeez, I haven’t thought of Paige in years. She dumped me right before senior prom. I still have no idea why. Maybe don’t bring that up tomorrow night at dinner, though.”

Gretchen did a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m not kidding. Connie dislikes me.”

Gretchen waved him off. “Leave it to me. By the time we get out of there, she’ll be your biggest fan.”

“If only. Personally, I think that’s overly optimistic. You don’t know this woman.”

“That’s the point.” She scanned the food simmering in the pan. “You’ve become quite the cook. I don’t remember you doing this sort of thing when you were home on leave.”

“You get hungry, you learn to cook. Pelican Pointe doesn’t have any fast food joints. You come in late off the water, starving, and you’re forced to fend for yourself.”

Gretchen watched him plate the food and went to herd Delaney into the kitchen. The toddler didn’t want to leave her blocks. “Time to eat.”

“No!” Delaney screamed when Nana tried to pick her up and turned red with temper. She tried pushing out of Gretchen’s arms. “No!”

Simon and his mother exchanged looks. “There’s that little girl who’s been hiding from grandma, uh Nana, since she got here. You’re showing Nana your dark side.”

Simon finally got her to calm down and settled into her high chair. “I hope she doesn’t act this way in front of Connie tomorrow night.”

Gretchen’s brow crinkled with concern. “You really want this woman to like you. Normally you wouldn’t give a hang one way or the other.”

“It just bugs me that she was so hostile to me, us, Delaney and me, after only meeting us one time. I’m not sure a medical procedure will correct that. It’s like she didn’t approve of us or something.”

“Hmm, that old saying like mother, like daughter?”

“Well, it’s there in the back of my head…somewhere…that Gilly could one day be like that.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Hey, you weren’t there the day I took Delaney to see the doctor and met Connie in the parking lot. It was like instant loathing. Here I’ve got a kid in my arms who clearly doesn’t feel well, and this nurse is annoyed I showed up at all. I have to admit, Gilly was the opposite. The night I sought out help at the hospital, Gilly was like, ‘what can I do to help?’ She listened. She immediately went into action. Not her mother. I honestly think if it had been up to her, Connie would’ve kicked me and Delaney to the curb that day.”

“Simon, are you sure you aren’t overreacting? That sounds awfully harsh for the staff of a local clinic.”

“I don’t think I am. And Gilly admitted her mother’s been…unpredictable. And don’t forget Quentin is having reservations about his decision to hire her. So no, I don’t think I’m exaggerating.”

That night after supper and the dishes were done, Delaney fell asleep on the floor using Merlin for a pillow.

“Look at that,” Gretchen said. “We need a picture.”

Simon obliged using his camera phone and then scooped the baby up to carry her to bed. “Want to lay her down?”

“You know I do. Look at you, being a daddy. I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“I’m kind of proud of me, too. Never in a million years did I think I’d ever be left with a baby.”

“Just goes to show how life takes twists and turns you never expect.”