“Yes. Like I said, I had a summer virus. It happens. I’m still recovering, but I’m getting my strength back. It’s just the party.”

He rose and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. We’ll get this thing managed. Then you’ll feel better.”

They walked through the house to the big kitchen. There he found a pad of paper. When they were both seated at the stools by the island, he looked at her.

“What’s the party going to be like? Big? Small?”

She gave a soft laugh. “It’s your father, Del, and he’s turning sixty next week.”

Del nodded. “Big, then. Half the town and everyone he’s ever met?”

“Pretty much.”

“Great. How much is planned?”

She went over the details. There was already a caterer, along with a bar service. The out-of-town guests had been invited and they all had reservations at various hotels around town. The twins would be driving home in a couple of days.

Ceallach’s assistant was handling the various art pieces that would be flown in to be displayed. The press would be there.

“You didn’t want to have it somewhere else?” Del asked. “Like the resort or the convention center?”

“Your father wants his party here. We’ll have tents in case of bad weather. I just have to get the house cleaned and prepared for the twins. Also, we’ll be having a family dinner.” The tremor returned to her voice.

He touched her arm. “Mom, listen. I’ll get in a cleaning service to take care of the house. As for the family dinner, let’s get it catered. That way you can spend more time with the twins and less time cooking. You know they love the food at Angelo’s. I’ll order from there and pick it up.”

“I don’t know. I should be cooking.”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

“Let me think about it.” She seemed to be fighting tears. “I have a guest list in the bedroom. Let me go get that.”

He waited until she’d left, Sophie at her heels, then pulled out his cell and dialed.

“Hey,” he said when Maya answered. “Are you free? Something’s going on with my mom and I need your help.”

He couldn’t deny the relief he felt at the sound of her voice when she said, “I’ll be right there.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“YOU SHOULD HAVE called me,” Maya said firmly from the chair by Elaine’s bed. “I told you I want to be here for you.”

“I know. I would have. I just kind of lost it and turned to Del. I have no idea why.”

Because he was back in town, Maya thought. Because he’d always been there for his mom, taking care of things when she couldn’t. Looking after his brothers, the family business. Being responsible.

Elaine relaxed on the bed, Sophie stretched out next to her. She stroked the beagle and looked at Maya.

“I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

“I think Del was more freaked than worried.” Maya had come as soon as she’d gotten his call. Together she and Elaine had reassured him that his mother would be fine after a nap.

Now she drew in a breath. “Elaine, you have to tell them. This isn’t right. I don’t like keeping this secret. I mean it. I love you, but this is wrong.”

Tears filled Elaine’s eyes. “Maya, please. I can’t. Not a week before Ceallach’s birthday. Don’t make me. After the party, we’ll talk. I promise.”

Meaning she and Elaine would talk. Not that Elaine would tell her family. Maya didn’t understand. Ceallach and her sons loved her. Sure the news would be upsetting, but they would rally around her. Give her support. That was a good thing. Being fussed over had a way of raising a person’s spirits.

“Has it occurred to you that part of the reason you’re feeling so overwhelmed is how much you’re having to do on your own?” she asked. “Not just the party, but Elaine, you’re dealing with breast cancer. You’re getting radiation. You have to tell them.”

“I will. Later. Help me get through the party. You have to understand why that’s important.”

Honest to God, she didn’t understand, but there was no point in going there. “I love you,” she told her friend. “How can I help?”

* * *

AN HOUR LATER, Maya and Del went over the to-do list.

“She has most of the party organized,” he said. “I’ve got a cleaning service coming in tomorrow. How did you get her to agree to have the family dinner catered?”

Maya thought back to conversation with Elaine and the other woman’s stubborn refusal to share something as important as her diagnosis and treatment with her family. “She owes me.”

“I’m glad.” Del made a few more notes. “Dellina has confirmed everything else. The tents, the food. The twins will be here in a few days and then we’ll be in party mode.”

Maya flipped through the guest list. Excluding those coming locally, most were names she didn’t recognize. Notes after some of them helped. Minister of Culture, France, had a way of clarifying who someone was.

“Your dad’s a big deal,” she murmured, noting a former United States vice president on the list and a couple of big-time actors. Not Jonny Blaze, she thought with a smile. Madeline would be disappointed.

“Always has been.”

She looked at Del. “What?”

“I didn’t know how big the party was. There are five hundred people on the guest list. Mom shouldn’t have tried to handle this on her own.”