Sometime later, Conor and Crystal arrived at the retirement facility to pick up Gertie, Joe and Nurse Kathy.

“Thank you for coming on your time off, Kathy. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m dying to see what you’re planning. My nosiness couldn’t stop me from coming.” Kathy’s laugh was so infectious, everyone else joined in.

“Where are you taking us, Mr. Dunne?” Gertie asked.

“Ah, Gertie, my old star. Can’t you call me Conor? After all, we did live together once.”

“Excuse me, young man, but that happens to be my lady you’re speaking to,” Joe said.

“Ah, it’s okay, Joe. We had a chaperone, didn’t we, Gertie?”

Gertie, Crystal and Kathy were too busy laughing to answer. All had tears running down their faces. Gertie finally recovered and gave Joe a hug before turning back to Conor.

“Conor Dunne, you are a naughty man.”

“But I made you laugh. Have you forgiven me yet?”

“The flowers and chocolates helped. But it’s not me that has to forgive you, it’s my granddaughter.”

“I thought you might put in a good word for me,” Conor said hopefully.

“Not a chance. I don’t want to be on my Emily’s bad side. You’re on your own, kiddo.”

“Might as well drop you back, then,” he joked.

“Conor Dunne, stop playing and tell us what you’re up to.”

“Nope, it’s a secret and we all know women can’t keep secrets.”

This time, it was Joe who answered. “You’re a brave young man saying that to my Gertie.”

Finally, they reached their destination. Conor directed Crystal to pull up outside a large home. He jumped out to help Gertie, Joe and Kathy out of the car.

“Well, what do you think?” he asked them.

“Conor you’re like a child with a new toy. It’s lovely, but why are you so excited? Is it for you and Emily?” Gertie asked.

“All this? I know you want great grandchildren but how many are you after?” Conor teased.

“Then tell us why we’re here. I don’t have much time for jokes at my age.”

“Well, Joe, I was thinking. Wouldn’t it be much nicer to spend your time in a house like this? All of you,” Conor said, unable to contain his excitement. He wanted them to be as excited as he was, but they were all looking at him rather blankly.

“You mean all the patients at Flower Meadows?” Nurse Kathy asked, a worried look on her face.

“Well, all those who want to come live here.”

“But what about staff? Some of us need medical assistance,” Joe asked, blushing slightly.

“I have a plan for that, too.” Conor stared at Nurse Kathy, making Gertie and Joe look at her, too. Crystal stood with a huge smile on her face. She’d obviously guessed what he planned.

“What you all looking at me for? I haven’t a clue what Mr. Dunne is up to,” Nurse Kathy said.

“Well, I was thinking that small house over there would make a cute home, wouldn’t it? I mean the area is nice and it would be great for kids to have a beach to play on, don’t you think? And the local schools are good, too. I checked.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying? I’d never be able to rent a place like that.” Nurse Kathy shook her head, but Conor had seen the gleam in her eye. He could tell she loved the house.

“You wouldn’t be renting. You would own it.”

Nurse Kathy gave him a look, suggesting he belonged in an entirely different type of facility. Putting her hands on her hips, she addressed him severely as if speaking to a naughty child. “Me? Are you stark raving mad? Don’t you know how much I get paid? No nurse I know of could afford to buy a house like that.”

“That is a real pity and a horrible sign of our times, Kathy, and if I could change things for nurses in general, I would. But in the meantime, maybe I can change things for you. And your family. You have given all your time and care to other folks so now it’s your turn.”

“But why? When? How? Oh, I am all confused.”

“Why don’t we go in and sit down? I asked a friend of mine, John Baker, to meet us here. He has some experience in retirement villages and is willing to help me.”

Conor ushered all of them into the bigger house. The whole thing gave him such a rush. Better than signing any business deal.

“Now, sit down and have some cool water. See that view?”

“Conor, it’s fabulous.” Gertie looked from the ocean to him with tears in her eyes.

“I want you to see that first thing every morning and last thing every night. I want you to have all you should have, Gertie. And you, Joe, and all the rest of your friends.”

“Really?” Joe said, looking stunned.

“Yes, really.” Conor knew he was grinning like the Cheshire Cat but he couldn’t help it. As soon as he saw this house for sale, he knew it would fit the project festering in his mind since he had first visited Emily’s grandmother at the retirement facility. He was so glad these people loved it as much as he did.

“But we can’t afford a place like this,” Gertie said.

“That’s the best part. You can. I would charge a small fee, less than you are paying now, but the money would go into a fund for the upkeep of the property. Now, Nurse Kathy, I want you to go home and discuss this with your children. My idea is for you to take over management of this home. You would have one hundred percent control. You hire and fire. No more horrible nurses, they could all be angels like you and the nurses I came across when I was in the E.R.”

“Really?” Kathy looked around her. “I think I must be dreaming. Pinch me, Gertie.”

“Well, if you’re dreaming, then I’m right there with you. I can’t believe this,” Gertie said.

Joe stood up and put his hand out to shake Conor’s. “Thank you, Mr. Dunne. We would love to accept on behalf of all the residents of Flower Meadows. Nurse Kathy will have to make her own decision.”

Conor shook Joe’s hand. Crystal hugged him close whispering how proud she was of him, and then the door opened and John walked in.

“Everyone, this is John Baker. He has a history of developing upscale retirement homes and villages. His people will soon have this old house looking like a palace for you guys, but with the hospital facilities you all need. He’ll show you around in a minute. Gertie, I think you might like the pool best.”

Gertie stood and walked over to Conor. He expected her to shake his hand, but instead she pulled him into a tight bear hug.

“Your grandmother would be so proud of you today, Conor, darling.”

This time, it was his eyes that filled with tears. “I think she would like it, Gertie.”

Embarrassed to be so emotional in front of everyone, Conor made an excuse to go back to his car. When he returned fully composed, he saw John with a set of plans, Joe beside him, both of them in deep conversation. Crystal was waiting for him. There was no sign of Nurse Kathy or Gertie.

“I phoned the agent and they accepted my offer. It’s officially ours,” Conor announced.

Joe clapped. John gave him a slap on the back before re-taking his seat.

“I’m going to leave Crystal to bring you home, if that’s all right. I have someone I need to see.”

“Good luck, young man. If Emily is anything like her grandmother, she is a bit too stubborn for her own good. But she is also worth her weight in gold.”

“She sure is, Joe. See you later.”

Conor almost skipped back to the cab he’d called for. He smiled at the thought of Jude Ryan’s face when he saw how much this project would cost and the lack of financial returns. Then he remembered he’d fired Jude Ryan and grinned even wider. He felt like his life was finally on track, with just one more giant detail to sort out.