“God, I’m so grateful for you,” he said.

“Dios, I’m about to spend the night with a priest,” she said.

He laughed. “Not exactly. Ex-priest.” And then he thought, it was a very good run. In twenty years he’d done some good. He’d had some rewarding experiences. And when Beau heard about this new adventure he was going to mess his pants, for sure. “Wait till I tell my best friend.”

“I thought you had!”

“No, I told him I was moving in a new direction. He’s going through a nasty divorce and I apologized and told him he might need me and my head could be elsewhere. I spent the evening before mass with him and his family. He has a very nice woman in his life and his sons seem to be supportive and in a stable place. I haven’t told him about you yet, but I don’t think it will surprise him. When I finally catch up with him and tell him everything that’s going on, he’s going to flip. I should be sure you’re with me. It’s fun watching Beau freak out.”

It was early in the morning but still dark when they got to Lake Tahoe. Tim asked for a champagne breakfast to be sent to the room. Then they sat in their hotel robes with their room service breakfast, curtains open to catch the rising sun in a couple of hours. They clinked glasses, fed each other small bites of omelet and crepes between kisses.

And finally they tumbled onto the large bed and clumsily touched, caressed, kissed and eventually made love. When both of them were exhausted and satisfied, Angela gasped and said, “I think you’re lying about your chastity. That was excellent!”

“That’s the thing about love, sweetheart,” he said, brushing her thick dark hair away from her brow. “No practice required. It’s pretty natural.”

* * *

Angela slept in his arms, her head on his shoulder, one leg thrown over his hip. For the first time in a long time he felt at home, at peace. He had never strayed from his vows, though he’d felt the occasional temptation, as any man would. He had exercised a lot of denial and struggled with control—hormones, that’s all it was. It was when he saw Angela for the first time after telling His Excellence that he’d be leaving the priesthood, that’s when he felt something more. This wasn’t just hormones; it wasn’t just a man struggling with his God-given urge to mate. This was perfection.

He didn’t expect this to happen. He thought maybe someday he’d meet someone. He knew he was open to the idea when he was no longer a priest.

He toyed with her dark hair and she stirred against him. The right woman, a woman who shared his passion for being of service, a woman who shared his faith and his drive and his love for humanity. Angela had been doing God’s work for years and in her, he would find his way. Hopefully in him she would find her completeness.

He pulled her closer and his lips touched her brow. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “I hope I can make you as happy as you’ve made me,” she said.

“We’re a work in progress as a couple,” he said. “Every day will be a new canvas. If you just hold my hand, we’ll do the right things. Can we get married right away?”

“You in some hurry, Tim?” she asked.

“It’s my nature, I think. Once I decide, I take an oath. Don’t let me rush you if you need time to think it over.”

“Tim, I wouldn’t be here now, like this, if I were unsure. But I’d like to be married by a priest. It might be old-fashioned, but it’s how I roll.” She grinned and ran her fingers through the hair that fell over his ear. “Will we have a honeymoon, do you think?”

“Probably not a typical one. I still have things to clear out of the rectory and I’ll have to spend a little time there, but I’m not going to stay nights there anymore. Everyone has my cell phone number. If any of my old parishioners need reassurance, I can keep appointments at the church until January first. Then we move on.”

“Do you need my help with that?”

“No, there isn’t much. What I can’t pack I can donate or leave with my parents. I’m going to get us a hotel room in the city for a couple of weeks. We have people to see and a marriage license to get. When we’re not busy doing that, I want to spoil you a little. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long time before we can indulge in good restaurants or things like whirlpool tubs and big showers.”

“Good mattresses, fancy linens, hotel bathrobes...”

“If this ever becomes too much...”

“You’re following me, remember? I never preached in a big rich church or lived in a cushy little mansion like that rectory. How many times have you slept in your car?”

“Not that many,” he admitted, though there were a few times in the central valley when he’d given up his lodging to someone in need.

“It was the most wonderful Christmas morning of my life,” she said.

“Me, too,” he agreed. He tenderly touched her cheek. “Me, too.”

* * *

Cassie and Jeremy were very busy the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. This was the part of the world where they’d completed their undergrad work and there were still many friends in the area. Not to mention Jeremy’s parents, a married sister with a baby, an aunt and uncle. That gave Lauren plenty of free time, which she needed, but high on her list of priorities was getting her girls together for lunch. Just the girls, no boyfriends or extras.

Since she was fired the Friday before Christmas, she’d had a very interesting call from Sylvie Emerson. Sylvie had taken the liberty of talking about Lauren’s situation to her personal attorney, no names of course. “Call your attorney and tell her you want to contest your termination because they claimed no cause. Don’t take another job without talking to me—I have a couple of excellent ideas. But while you’re unemployed, ask your lawyer to push hard for a settlement. If you agreed to mediation, get it scheduled. Your husband has dragged this out for over six months in a no-fault state when you’re not contesting the laws. Push, Lauren. Then please talk to me.”

Lauren said that of course she would; she would appreciate any suggestions.

When she called Erica Slade, she had to leave a message. And, Lauren being Lauren, it was apologetic. “Erica, I’m so sorry to bother you during a holiday week, but I’ve had a few things come up and hope to discuss with you when you’re next available. I lost my job. They have no cause and it seems pretty suspicious, but I can’t figure out if there’s anyone to blame. And that’s even more reason I have to try to get this divorce settled. I have expenses, of course, that I was hoping to cover with my paycheck. I’m sorry to have to bother you.”

It wasn’t even an hour later when her phone rang. “Lauren, I’m a divorce attorney. You think I’m not used to holiday crises? I’m afraid it comes with the territory. Everyone loses their marbles at Christmastime. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the Super Bowl are also bad. I’m going to take a vacation in February. Now, tell me what’s happening.”

Their conversation was brief. Erica agreed to file a complaint contesting her termination and to start petitioning for either a mediation or date in family court ASAP. She requested the results of the audit she had asked for. “If he stalls anymore, I’ll petition the court. His lawyer knows he has to have a case to drag this out and he has no case. You’ve submitted all your statements and earnings records.”

That had occupied her, but that was not the reason she wanted to meet her daughters for lunch. Cassie and Jeremy were going to be returning to Boston on January second. It would probably be a long time before the three of them were together again. Lauren chose the neighborhood pub she enjoyed so often with Beau and she walked down the street with Cassie, though the weather was damp and cold.

“You know, Mom, you don’t have to send Beau home at night to protect me from your relationship. As long as I don’t hear screaming and spanking...”

“Cassie!” she said with a laugh.

“I’m just saying, I’m sure when I’m not in town, you have a much more interesting private relationship. I like Beau. He has a nice family. And I’m glad you found someone like him.”

“It’s a complete surprise,” Lauren said. “I wish I’d met him after the divorce was final, but at the rate we’re going...”

“When exactly did you meet him?” Cassie asked.

“Back in March. On the very day I put down a deposit on the house and asked my lawyer to have your father served right before my July first move-in date. I was prepared to stay with Beth but the landlord gave me the keys a few days early.”

“But he had nothing to do with—”

“Of course not,” she said. “He never made any such overtures. I ran into him the first day I shopped at Stohl’s and that’s the first time he told me he lived in the neighborhood. I had no idea. I invited him over for a glass of wine and he came back the next day, without being asked, to install new locks and that camera doorbell.” She was quiet a moment. “He helped me move some furniture, hang some shelves...and he kissed me four months later...”

“I wouldn’t say you’re rushing things,” Cassie said. “I made out with Jeremy on our first date! Made out like a rock star!”

“I’m trying to be sensible and cautious,” Lauren said. “And so is he. He’s going through a divorce, too. The difference is, he’s been separated over a year now. It should be over but...”

“But you both have spouses who won’t let it go?” Cassie said.

“And why?” she asked. “I don’t know what’s going on with Beau’s ex, but I do know she left him. And what’s up with mine? What does he want from me? All evidence suggests he despises me. Why doesn’t he want this over with?”

“He wants to win,” Cassie said.

“What would he win? A beaten-down, unhappy woman?”