“Yes. Your brothers are both under contract, and even though they have kids, Gunnar and Bridget have made it very clear they want to travel and give their children a global education. Of course, with Bridget being pregnant, they most likely wouldn’t want to hop on a plane until the baby’s born. And I also need to decide about Gus and Cathleen.”

“What about them?”

“Over the past few days, they’ve proven to be the truest of guardians. I’m not sure I could leave Boston without at least offering them what I offered to you and your brothers.”

“It sounds like we could end up traveling with an entourage.”

“Do you mind?”

“Absolutely not. Gus and Cathleen are great. It also means I’ll still have my brothers around, and I can watch my nieces and nephews grow up, and I’m with you. That’s a win-win situation if ever I heard one,” Lisa said, taking a sip of wine. “But it sounds like a lot of guardians just to protect us. Don’t you think? I mean, we are daywalkers, after all.”

“I agree, but if you meant what you said about spending gobs of time in museums and the like, someone needs to run the gallery…or have you changed your mind.”

“Come to think of it, it’s not too many guardians. I’m good.”

A knock on the door brought both women to their feet, and while Lisa gathered their empty glasses, Bennett greeted Ruby at the door. “Come on in. We’re having some wine. Would you like some?”

“That would be great,” Ruby said, draping her coat over a chair. “And I hope I’m not too early.”

“Not at all,” Bennett said, smiling. “And you look beautiful.”

Given that Lisa was standing only a few feet away, Bennett’s comment took Ruby by surprise, and it showed on her face.

“Don’t worry,” Lisa said, handing Ruby some wine. “I have no problem with Bennett giving any woman a compliment. She can look all she wants. She just can’t touch.”

After everything they’d been through, a hint of awkwardness seemed to have come into the apartment when Ruby did, and now it was gone. They weren’t enemies, and they weren’t envious. They were simply three women…who had risen from the ashes.

***

Café 19 was as well known for its food as it was for its atmosphere. Linen tablecloths, crystal glassware, and waitstaff dressed in crisp white shirts, polished wingtips, and pressed trousers were the norm, and while they didn’t require reservations, they highly recommended them. With prices not for the faint of heart, they were accustomed to catering to tables of two or possibly three, so when Bennett called to ask about a table for five, the management was more than delighted to accommodate her request.