“You enjoy that garden,” Sully said.

“It’s like having a produce stand in the yard.”

“And you never had a garden?” Sully asked.

“Oh, hell, Sully, I worked two jobs and was a single mother! I was a little panicked about Leigh’s college costs. First it was like pulling teeth to convince her she had to complete her education, then I couldn’t get her to stop.”

“How’d you afford all that college?”

“I saved ahead of her going, for one thing. Then there were loans, grants and scholarships for medical school. A few years ago we dispensed with the last of the loans. Between the two of us, we managed.” She laughed. “I’m a miser. You might as well know it.”

“I’m not,” Sully said. “I just have no cause to spend money.”

“Do you have anything saved?” she asked. “I don’t mean to pry but are you prepared for your old age?”

“In a way,” he said. “I have a little money put by, a little income, a little Social Security and a great big piece of prime Colorado real estate on a lake.”

She chuckled. “Well, there’s that. You’re probably worth a fortune.”

“Prolly,” he said. “You’re not flirting with me for my money, now are you?”

She put down her bowl of vegetables and brushed off her knees. “I thought I was clear—I have my own money. I’m not quite rich but I have no worries. And like you, I’ll work as long as I have the ability.”

“Store owners and writers... No built-in retirement there...”

“I hope you don’t have plans for tomorrow night,” she said. “Leigh and Rob are sneaking off. She said Rob wants to go to a restaurant in Denver and they’re going to stay overnight.”

He put a hand on his chest. “You thinking about bringing those polka dot pajamas out here?” he asked.

“I’ve given it some thought, since you’ve suggested it several times.”

“You know CPR?” he asked.

“Talk like that will change my mind for sure! The last thing I feel like doing is calling Maggie to explain that I killed her father!”

“You’re a little too comfortable with murder, if you ask me. I just finished that new book you gave me—that one about the mystery writer in the small northern California town.”

“Not me, you know. I was thinking of Angela Lansbury when I was writing it. Remember her series?”

“I don’t know,” Sully said. “What team does she play for?”

She picked up her bowl. “I know people must think we’re an unlikely pair, but you do make me laugh. I’ve been having such a good time. It’s been a long time since there was a gentleman in my world.”

“How long exactly?” he asked, walking with her into the house.

“I can hardly remember. I think it was five years. No, no, that was just a flirtation. He was too arrogant. Ten years, I guess. I realized I preferred the company of my women friends. And you?”

He snorted. “Forever,” he said.

“Anyone at all since your divorce?” she asked.

“Hmm. A lady from Leadville a long time back. Twenty years or more. She got tired of me pretty quick, married some widowed rancher, passed away a few years ago, way ahead of her time.”

“Have you been lonely?” she asked him.

“No. Times I wished Maggie was around. But there’s so many folks coming through here, so many like to just sit around the porch or store, I usually didn’t have time to get lonely. How about you?”

“Oh, sometimes. I usually plan a lot of trips to go to writers’ conferences or retreats where I’d see old friends. I visit my friends regularly. I found if I spent too much time completely alone I got less work done, not more. I could get distracted by too much quiet. But I’m getting quite a lot done here.”

“Want me to put that fish on the grill yet?”

“Not for another half hour,” she said. “How are your new hours working out?”

He’d begun working regular hours, starting at eight, leaving at six. Some of his regulars were surprised he wasn’t always in the store but they adapted. One brave soul asked him if he was feeling good. He asked why his hours had changed and Sully said, “Because I have a woman friend and we like to eat dinner together, just like the rest of the world does.”

To Helen he said, “I should’ve done it years ago.”

They puttered around making dinner together; Helen washed the stuff from the garden, Sully cut up the broccoli and wrapped it in foil along with a little olive oil, pepperoncinis, onions and mushrooms. Then, before heading to the grill with his fish and vegetables, he kissed her cheek. “Let’s think on how we can make tomorrow night’s dinner special.”

“Okay. We’ll talk about that.”

* * *

Leigh realized she’d been a little moody for a couple of weeks and there was really no explaining it. She was counting on her little escape with Rob to set her right, starting with the drive. They talked all the way to Denver. He told her all about discovering this little Portuguese restaurant, getting to know the immigrant chef and his family, becoming an admirer. He tried to get there twice a year but made it at least once. He usually went alone but occasionally took the boys.

They held hands as he updated her on Maia. She’d been home now two weeks, and while she still had her recovery issues, Finn was obviously more relaxed. He spent a couple of hours with her every day. Her head was shaved for the incision so she parted it on the other side and covered the scar with her long, beautiful hair. She was still fatigued, probably as much from the hours of anesthesia as from the procedure. Her doctors said they were very pleased with her progress.

Leigh was so relaxed by the sound of his voice, by his gentle way of telling her everything happening in his world, she began to doze. She suddenly snapped awake. “Oh God, I’m so sorry,” she said.

He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Sometimes I just go on and on.”

“No. I was listening and your voice just lulled me. I love your voice. Plus, I spent much of the day at the clinic catching up on paperwork since it was closed and quiet. Paperwork always makes me tired, probably because it’s so boring! I was so excited about tonight I might’ve peaked too soon. I promise to stay awake the rest of the way and through dinner,” she said.

“Go ahead and have a little nap,” he said. “You’re in good hands. And I’ll make sure you get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

“Oh, I know you will,” she said.

Their dinner was lovely; the chef was welcoming and excited to host them. The resort where they stayed was lovely, too. There was less talking and their usual wonderful lovemaking. Leigh was in heaven and definitely not moody. She curled up against him and admitted to herself she was so happy. This, she thought, was good enough. She could be satisfied to have this lovely man in her life, even with all his complications, for years.

She laughed softly against his chest.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“It’s really not funny,” she said. “I was just thinking, you’re the perfect guy for me. I’m very happy. I think you meet all my needs. I hope I do the same for you.”

“Oh-ho,” he said, pulling her closer. “And then some.”

* * *

Helen felt the bed dip and she opened one eye. Sully was shuffling off to the bathroom. She glanced at the clock. It was almost six and she sat up.

He came back to the bedroom. “Oh, Helen, you don’t have to wake up yet. Sleep in. I’ll make you some breakfast when you’re up for real.”

“I’m ready to get up. I have things on my mind.”

He sat on the edge of the bed. “Let’s get it out,” he said, like a man expecting the worst.

“Last night was lovely and I slept so well. I’m not good at sleeping with anyone but I slept very well.”

“I get up a lot,” he said.

“Twice,” she said. “I took advantage and got up myself.”

“And I snore.”

“I only had to put a hand on your back and you quieted at once,” she said. “The real question is, how did you sleep?”

“I’m not sure,” he said. “I feel better than I have in about forty years and I’m sure not tired. You stay so still when you sleep, I thought about putting a little mirror under your nose to see if you were breathing.”

Helen laughed. “I don’t thrash around much. But I have that issue with getting hot on and off.”

“I was aware of that,” he said. “Helen, I’m not a young man, but you knew that.”

“You’re actually perfect for your age,” she said. “I felt so comfortable with you. Sully, I had a good time.”

“Will you ever stay over again?” he asked.

“I imagine so,” she said.

“If Rob and Leigh have another getaway?”

“I’m sixty-two and she’s thirty-four. I should think that by now we can be honest with each other. I have no criticism of her sharing a night with her gentleman friend. We’re all responsible adults.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “We don’t have to be worried about birth control, do we?” And they both laughed. “I wish, mostly for your sake, I could have met you when I was younger.”

“Don’t,” she said. “We manage just fine at our ages. It may not look very pretty, but it obviously still works.”

“Whew,” he said, a shudder running through him. “I’ll be honest with you—I wasn’t sure it would.”

“Do you suppose we could have a walk this morning?” she asked.

“I have to have a cup of coffee first,” he said. “Old dogs—new tricks.”

“Okay, I’ll be patient.”