Another wince twisted Jethro’s face, but he continued. “And, if so, do they last, and what happens when they’re over and both people have to continue living in such close quarters?”

Della glanced at Rosemary for permission to speak, because while she understood Clay and Jethro’s concerns and that they were coming from a place of love, she could also understand why Rosemary was bristling over her sons’ interference in her autonomy. And she was team Ray and Rosemary all the way.

Pursing her lips, Rosemary nodded at Della to speak.

“It’s more common than you think,” Della said. As far as she knew, it was currently only Ray and Rosemary at the Credence old folks’ home, but she’d done a lot of reading about geriatric relationships in residential care facilities since Ray and Rosemary’s assignation. “And how long they last and behaviors after they end are the same as in the general population.”

In other words, some cases ended well and people moved on, and some cases didn’t. Neither Forbes son seemed particularly comforted by Della’s words.

“Don’t you think…” Clay paused, looking at his mother as if he was trying to find a delicate way to say whatever he was trying to say before returning his attention back to Della. “They’re too old?”

“We’re old, Clay,” Rosemary snapped, her brows beetled together. “Not dead.”

Della chose her words carefully, wanting to be persuasive, not combative. “Well…it’s really not any of my business. If you’re after my opinion, then I would say no. Age shouldn’t come into what two consenting adults choose to do in the privacy of their own homes. And also, Ray Carmody is the nicest, sweetest, most gentle guy you’ll ever meet, and he treats your mother like a queen. He’s not taking advantage of her. He doesn’t have any agenda. They’re just simply…enjoying each other’s company, and I, for one, think it’s wonderful.”

Rosemary delivered a squeeze to Della’s thigh under the table, and she squeezed back.

“But what if it were to turn serious and they were to get married?”

Della didn’t see why that would matter and was about to say so when Rosemary’s laugh cut her off. “Clay…darling. I’m not marrying the man. I’m just using him for sex.”

Della felt the double wince of the two Forbes men all the way down to her toes. It was funny, though, seeing these two grown men discomforted by their elderly mother’s sex life.

“Which means he’s using you, too,” Clay said, tight-lipped.

“I sincerely hope so,” Rosemary confirmed. “Every night,” she added under her breath so just Della could hear, causing her to bite on the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.

“Mom.” Clay gave her a stern look. “I’m trying to be serious.”