“Good luck with whatever you decide,” Aidan told him. “I’ll admit that I don’t get it. Don’t you want to wake up in the same bed now and then?”

“I’m home enough. I like traveling around, seeing what’s going on in other places. People are interesting. Besides, who are you not to understand? You don’t want to be with the same woman more than a few days before moving on.”

“You’re right. We both have commitment issues. Just in different ways. Send me a postcard this time,” Aidan told him.

“Promise.”

When he and Aidan parted, Del knew that the rift had been mended. His brother was his friend again.

He started home, then changed his mind and walked by Maya’s place. Sure enough, her new flowers had turned a sickly yellow and were drooping. He didn’t know if she was overfeeding or overwatering. Either way, she was killing innocent plants.

He went by his place and got his truck, then drove to Plants for the Planet and bought replacements. With luck, he would get them in the ground and the dead ones gone before she noticed.

* * *

ELAINE’S TEMPORARY APARTMENT was small but cozy. It was a studio with a comfortable daybed. There was a dining alcove, a tiny kitchen that had all the basics and a small bathroom.

“It’s perfect for what I need,” Elaine said, stretched out on the couch, Sophie at her side. “When the princess here needs to do her thing, I can take her down to the small garden out back.”

Elaine motioned to the kitchen. “I have snacks and tea. So it’s working out.”

“It’s a good setup,” Maya admitted. “I’m impressed you’ve managed to keep it a secret.”

Elaine smiled. “I told the landlord it was a menopause thing. After that he didn’t want to know.”

Maya smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay. Tired.” Sophie rolled onto her back and Elaine rubbed the dog’s belly. “This one keeps me company. She’s always been more my dog rather than the family dog, but since I’ve started treatment, she hasn’t left my side.”

“She knows something is up.”

Maya studied her friend. Elaine had dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired. And thinner. “Are you losing weight?”

Elaine raised one shoulder. “Maybe a little. It’s hard to eat. I don’t feel nauseous, exactly, but I don’t feel great, either. It’s difficult to explain.”

“Can I tempt you with dinner at your favorite restaurant?” Maya asked, worried about how Elaine was going to get through the next few weeks of radiation. “You name the place.”

“You’re sweet, but I’m fine. I have my treatments, then I come here for a few hours. Mostly I nap. Then Sophie and I go home.”

Maya tried to hold in the words, but they refused to be suppressed. “You have to tell them.”

“I really don’t.”

“They’d want to know. They will want to know. Ceallach already suspects something is up. It’s going to come out. You’ll mention something or your doctor will call. You’re dealing with breast cancer. Your husband and sons want to be there for you.”

Elaine’s smile was both sad and knowing. “They couldn’t handle it. Ceallach is in the middle of a big commission. I can’t risk distracting him, so I told him it was a menopause thing, too. Who knew the change would come in so handy? As for my sons... I don’t want anyone to worry.”

“They would want to know. To help.”

“There’s nothing they can do. You and Sophie are all the support I need.”

Maya wasn’t sure that was true. She was also worried about what was going to happen when Del found out the truth. Because he would. They all would. While she could honestly say she was doing what her friend had asked, she couldn’t shake the sense of being in the wrong. At least where he was concerned. Del would want to know, and she suspected the rest of the Mitchell men would share his feelings.

“You’re not giving them enough credit,” she said firmly. “Trust in how much they love you.”

“I don’t doubt their feelings, but I know their limitations. I suppose it’s my fault. At least with the boys. I wasn’t a very good mother.”

Maya couldn’t believe it. She’d had a horrible mother, and by any comparison, Elaine had been extraordinary. “What are you talking about? You were a fantastic mother. You took care of them, loved them, supported them. They’re all lucky to have you as their mom.”

Elaine smiled. “You’re very sweet, but you’re giving me too much credit. I didn’t protect my sons from their father the way I should have. He’s a brilliant man, but difficult. There were times when I took his side instead of theirs.”

“You made choices. I’m sure some of them weren’t what you’d do now, but no one is perfect. You’re not giving yourself enough credit.” Maya wondered if that came from feeling run-down from the treatment. “They adore you. Even more important, they’re happy, kind, successful men you can be proud of. Don’t you dare forget that.”

Elaine smiled. “You’re very good to me.”

“And you’re good to me. You’re my friend and I love you.”

“I love you, too. Don’t tell the boys, but I always wanted a daughter. I was so happy when you started dating Del and we became friends. I appreciate that you never cut those ties.”