And then something occurred to her—she’d lost her father when she was only seven. She’d always longed for her father, for any father. The loss had devastated her! It was one of the many reasons she was so protective of Rosie—she didn’t want her hurt by a loss like that! In some convoluted way it seemed safer to raise Rosie alone rather than watch her little heart break with longing for a father she couldn’t have!

And maybe it was that same sense of loss that allowed her to be so cooperative with a man like Professor Hottie! He took charge; he made as many decisions for her as she would allow! And if Sean hadn’t come back into her life, who knows how far she would have let him go with his controlling, manipulative behavior.

He was right; she had been a child. She had allowed the whole thing to happen; she had no one to blame but herself. She hadn’t realized what was happening.

But she had never behaved that way with Sean; she had been strong, independent and convicted. And to his credit, Sean had never tried to control or manipulate her. He didn’t always bend to her desires, but neither did he act as if he owned her. It was with great relief that she realized that, even in the worst of times, they didn’t have that kind of relationship.

Oh, if they could ever get everything straight, she thought they had a chance of having the right kind of relationship. She almost laughed! As hard as things had been for them, they were healthy, well-adjusted people—unlike T.J.

When she got home, she found Sean in the kitchen. He was turning thick pork chops over in a marinade and Franci could hear Rosie in the bedroom playing.

Sean grinned at her. “How was your day, dear?” he asked, tilting his head in the direction of Rosie’s room.

“Surreal,” she said in a whisper. “Did you by any chance deal with that girl who’s been texting you night and day?”

“Didn’t I tell you? I finally got around to that a few days ago.”

“How’d it go?”

“As expected. I asked her not to text or call anymore because I was back with my old girlfriend and she told me to go to hell.”

“That’s all?”

“No. She said if she saw me again she’d kill me, and if she had a chance to loosen a few bolts on my airplane she’d do it. She called me some choice names and hung up. Why?”

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head, looking away.

“You had a meeting with him,” he said. “Let me guess, he listed my shortcomings even though he doesn’t know me.”

“How’d you know?”

Sean pulled her close and, on his way to whisper in her ear, he gently sucked on her lobe. “He doesn’t want to give you up, because you’re you. Now, let’s not talk about why. It makes me want to kill him.”

“I saw a side of him that’s always been there, but I completely overlooked it. It was very disturbing,” she said. “Guess what I just realized? You’re the devil I know…”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s stick with that.”

Maureen had gone home to Phoenix as planned. She only stayed in her condo for a week, during which time she gave away her houseplants, stopped the paper, forwarded her mail, closed up her condo and headed back, her trunk and backseat full of her essentials.

Maureen and Vivian had worked things out; Maureen was going back to Humboldt County for a rather long visit. She would stay through Thanksgiving—a good three weeks. Although she would make use of Vivian’s second bedroom, usually reserved for Rosie’s overnights, and having her own car would allow her to spend quality time with Rosie, and everyone else. This arrangement would also allow her to give them all their space. In fact, not being dependent on her sons or her new friend Vivian for transportation would enable her to come and go as she pleased. After all, Vivian had a man in her life and would surely appreciate time alone with him now and then.

Other than telling Luke and Sean that she’d be back for a visit and that she planned to stay through Thanksgiving, they didn’t know her plans. They would no doubt be secretly thrilled to learn she wouldn’t be staying with them! Vivian was a remarkable woman who wanted to assist Maureen in getting better acquainted with their mutual granddaughter, a gesture generous beyond belief. But as it turned out, different as they were, the women enjoyed each other’s company.

While she was headed north, driving through the Arizona desert, she decided to check in with all her sons. Of course, she only had to call one to do so. “You’re doing what?” Aiden demanded.

“Driving to Virgin River. So I’ll have a car while I’m there. And I’m staying with Rosie’s other grandma so I don’t become an annoying mother-in-law. I like Vivian. She’s too liberal, but very sincere.”

“Oh, God,” Aiden moaned into the phone. “How many hours is the drive?”

“Well, that all depends on how fast I go,” she said. “It’s very long. I plan on stopping off for the night.”

“Stopping off where?” he asked in frustration.

“Okay, I might be all done talking to you now, since you insist on treating me like I just got my learner’s permit.”

“All right,” he said, deliberately calming his voice. “Where do you suppose you’ll stay the night?”

“I don’t know. I left early, so I might make it all the way to Carson City. I’ve been there—nice little town. And Gardnerville is nearby. So is Reno and Lake Tahoe and—”

“How many hours of driving is that?” he asked.

“Many,” she said. “I wish you’d stop this. I’m a very good, confident driver. And I’ve lived alone for twelve years. I know how to be safe.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I would have come to Phoenix and driven you,” he said tiredly.

“Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun,” she said with a short laugh. “It would probably turn into elder abuse. Besides, it’s not practical. Someone—probably me—would have had to drive you back to Sacramento or at least Redding to catch a flight home.”

He sighed into the phone. “Do Luke and Sean know your plans yet?”

“I told them I’d be back for a long visit, but they might be in denial,” she said. She heard Aiden laugh. “It makes sense for me to stay with Vivian. I’ll be very busy, running between Rosie, and Luke and Shelby, and also hanging around with Vivian when neither of us has plans. I only want to be nearby to get to know Rosie better and I don’t want to be a burden to my sons.”

“You’re not a burden, Mom,” he said.

“Oh? Then why does my doing as I please make you yell?”

Aiden took a breath. “I want you to check in every few hours as long as you have a signal. I want to hear from you when you stop for the night—I want to know exactly where you are. Can we please agree to that?”

“I hope I live to see you at sixty-two. I’d like to hear firsthand just how you handle people pushing you around as though you’re some doddering old—”

“I didn’t do that! I’m just being cautious. It’s not your age, it’s your…your…You’re a woman out on the road alone, Mom! And if I remember my geography, from Las Vegas to Reno is a pretty lonely stretch of road.”

“I’ll lock my car doors so the wild mules don’t get me.”

“What do you mean, she’s too liberal? Rosie’s other grandmother?” Aiden asked.

“Oh, you know. A lovely woman, really. Very likable and with a wonderful sense of humor. Just…Her values are more on the relaxed side, if you know what I mean.”

“I wouldn’t dare guess,” Aiden muttered into the phone.

“For example, she’s not too worried about Sean and Francine making this whole event right and proper. She’d be happy as a clam if they’d at least get together romantically, as if that will solve their problems. Wasn’t that what got them into this mess? Not that I’m the least sorry about Rosie—she’s the most brilliant child! I’m so crazy about her! She reminds me a lot of Patrick when he was little—except for the princess dresses and high-heeled slippers.”

Aiden chuckled into the phone. “I take back everything I said, Mom. Maybe this is a good idea.”

Maureen got the impression Aiden hoped staying with liberal Viv would loosen her up. “Don’t get your hopes up, Aiden. I’m pretty firm in my convictions.”

“Yes, Mom. Understood.” He laughed a little more. “Call in a few hours. Please?”

“I’ll try. Now relax, Aiden. I’m listening to a book on tape and enjoying the ride.”

“I hope it’s not the Bible,” he said.

“It’s James Patterson—death and sex and everything.” And without another word, she hung up on him.

It was less than thirty minutes before her cell phone chimed. She glanced at the phone and saw it was Luke. She let him go to voice mail. Next was Sean, then Patrick and finally Colin. She smiled to herself; it was nice having all five boys in the United States. She let them all leave messages. She would entertain herself later by listening to them.

Really, she thought with amusement, how did they think she got to be this old without knowing anything? Pups. They were just pups.

As Maureen had fully expected, her sons welcomed her a little more warmly given the fact that she was staying with Vivian and not with them. But she was very surprised when Franci walked down the block to her mother’s house a couple of days after Maureen’s return. It was the afternoon, before Rosie was due home from day care. “Hi,” she said almost sheepishly, when Maureen opened the door.

“Franci! I thought you were working!”

“I was. I got off at eight this morning, had a nap and I thought I’d catch you before Sean brings Rosie home. I think maybe we should have a chat. Alone.”

“Of course,” Maureen said, and she braced herself to be lectured not to interfere, to be seen and not heard, to not get in the way of things. “Please,” she said, holding open the door. “Can I make you a cup of coffee or something?”

“No. I just wanted to say I’m sorry you missed so much time with Rosie. I wish it hadn’t been necessary.”

“Oh, Franci,” Maureen said before she could stop herself. “Was it necessary?”

Franci came inside the house. “I thought so, yes,” she said gently. “The Sean I knew four years ago and this Sean—really, they’re very different men. But that aside, most of it had to do with me. I loved him so much, I just couldn’t bear to have him know everything and still walk away. Even worse was the thought that he’d grudgingly man up and marry me, but hate his life.” She shook her head. “I didn’t know which way it would go, Maureen. I had to do the best I could with the facts at hand. I’m terribly sorry for what that cost you.”

Maureen took one of Franci’s hands. She smiled softly. “I wish it hadn’t gone the way it did, but I don’t blame you, Franci. And I’m so glad that’s in the past and we can all move forward now. You’ve done an amazing job with Rosie. She’s the most wonderful child.”

“Then you won’t hold it against me?” Franci asked.

“Of course not, darling,” she said, pulling her into an embrace. Maureen held her tightly. “Of course not! That boy of mine, however…” She pulled back and looked into Franci’s eyes. Maureen’s were dancing, laughter making little crinkle lines at the corners. “Is it too late to ground him?”

Franci laughed with her. “I think so,” she said.

“I’m glad he’s different. I guess he had some growing up to do. Maybe it was his fault, maybe it was mine. Maybe I let him get by with too much when he was a kid. Whatever, it’s too late for all that blaming. Right now there’s a family to mend. You and Sean are doing a very good job of that. I’m very proud of both of you.”