“Of course, Grace,” she said. “I’d like to see your store. Now tell me about this man. Does he know you’re very wealthy?”

Grace sighed. Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day. “Until yesterday neither of us knew I even had the potential to be wealthy. Apparently Troy found out first. I read your letter this morning.”

“You must have known that I—”

“Number one, you and I have barely spoken in five years and when we did, it didn’t go well and, number two, I have always thought of you as...” Her voice trailed off and, unexpectedly, tears gathered in her eyes.

“Thought of me as what, Grace?” Winnie asked.

“I’m twenty-eight. You’re fifty-one. I thought you’d live forever. To at least ninety-five.”

“I thought I’d live through at least two face-lifts,” Winnie said sourly. “I haven’t even had my first yet!”

Grace let go a huff of laughter, but she had to wipe her eyes.

“I was planning to be the best preserved ninety-year-old in the city,” Winnie said. “Just tell me about your young man, Grace.”

Grace took a deep breath, wiped her eyes and carried on. “The woman I bought the shop from became my best friend—Iris. She’s a high school counselor and she’s married to the sheriff’s deputy in charge of the substation in our little town. I met Troy through Iris—he’s a high school history teacher. He makes light of it, as if it’s just something he does to fill the days and finance his adventures—he loves everything from river rafting to skiing to rock climbing. I think he’s into every sport but figure skating and surfing. But when Iris talks about Troy’s teaching she describes him as the most dedicated teacher she knows. He doesn’t just teach them history, he keeps an eye on them, paying close attention to any issues that need intervention. He watches for signs of abuse, bullying, drug and alcohol use, any problems teenagers might have. Iris says Troy would make an outstanding guidance counselor—his instincts are right on. There are students whose lives are changed because of Troy’s skills as an educator.”

“You had good teachers,” Winnie said defensively.

“Probably, but it’s not the teachers I think about when I look back and examine the choices I’ve made, when I think about the opportunities and accomplishments. It’s the coaches. I’ve had two of the best.”

* * *

Grace called Troy’s cell and asked him if he’d join her and her mother for lunch at one of the resort restaurants. He was pleased to do that and he showed up at the cottage to push Winnie’s wheelchair.

Winnie might not be ready to admit it, but Troy charmed her. He made her laugh and her eyes twinkled. If there was a sweeter, kinder and funnier man, Grace had never met him. And he was completely sincere, Grace felt that in her heart.

On the way back to Thunder Point, she asked him what he would do if money were no object. “Grace, that is such a remote possibility for me, I’ve never even thought about it. I have no idea. Probably something fun and irresponsible.”

“But you’re the most responsible person I know. You work hard, you save, you measure every penny.”

“That’s because in my life, money has always been hard to come by. I learned to be careful at an early age.”

Grace and Troy were back in Thunder Point by three, but Grace didn’t open the shop. Instead, she made and returned a few phone calls, and then she went upstairs to her apartment and got on the laptop, researching ALS. At six, Troy showed up with crab cakes and salad from Cliff’s and a bottle of wine. They talked about all she’d learned in just a few hours of research, how much more she should know, including the need for genetic testing.

“I’m going to do a little more reading tonight,” Grace said.

“Would this be a good night for me to spend at my place?” he asked.

“Can you stay? I’m not going to read all night. And tomorrow I’m going to work in the shop in the morning and in the afternoon I’m going to close the shop and drive over to Eugene to pick up Mikhail. He’s going to stay at the resort with my mother for two or three days.”

“And what will you be doing? Will you spend the evening with them?”

“Maybe part of the evening, but I think it would be best if I let them catch up. Would you like to join us?”

“I don’t think so. But I hope I’ll meet him before he leaves. Why don’t you let me keep the shop open till five or so. I can sell what you have on hand, then I’m due to help Cooper for the next couple of nights.”

“Troy, did you plan to go somewhere? Is my sudden crisis keeping you from doing something fun with your spring break?”

“You think I’d run out on you now? Gracie, I think the way you handle this is one of the most important things you’ll ever do.”

“Because?” she asked, but she knew. She just wanted him to put it into words for her.

“Because you have this one chance to get things right between the two of you. And you should take it.”

“Right,” she agreed. “I hope I don’t really screw it up. And I hope I don’t mess things up with you, because you’re pretty important to me.”

“I’m a big boy, Gracie. Don’t worry about me. I’ll stick with you while you go through this.”

“And after I’m through it?” she asked.

“After? You might be living an entirely different life. Let’s see what all this means. I gather there’s a fortune involved. And not a small one.”

“Troy, that doesn’t matter. You can’t imagine that it would matter.”

“You can’t say that yet. That’s one of those questions that will have to be answered when it’s not just talk, when it’s real. But for now, while you try to sort all this out, you can count on me.”

* * *

That had such an ominous sound, Grace was a little nervous. Concerned enough that she didn’t sleep all that well.

When he took her in his arms, everything felt the same—easy and delicious and perfect. But she suspected that Troy, like just about anyone would be, was a bit intimidated by Winnie and her money. Money that she wished to confer on Grace but only after Grace jumped through all the right hoops. What Troy didn’t understand and couldn’t until it was, as he said, real was that Grace had been happier since she’d been on her own than ever before. And she’d been happier with Troy than she thought possible.

Once she was alone in her shop, when Troy was off doing his own thing, she placed a call to Ray Anne Dysart. Everyone knew Ray Anne was the person to contact for real estate needs. She wasn’t sure how to phrase her request exactly. She asked Ray Anne if she had time to stop by Pretty Petals this morning. She wanted to talk about property for rent or sale.

Ray Anne walked in not too long after, and with her was a pretty blonde woman. “Hi,” Grace said with a smile.

“Grace, meet my niece, Ginger. Not really my niece, but almost. My cousin Dickie is like a brother to me and this is his daughter. Ginger is staying with me for a while.” After the brief introductions, Ray Anne was all business. “How can I help you? Ready for a little more space than your darling loft?”