Joanna threw herself into a chair and buried her head in her hands. “Oh, this is just great!”

“Relax, Joanna. You aren’t the first to be intruded upon by the press, and you won’t be the last. Trust me, when we do release photos, there’ll be a lot of reporters wearing egg on their faces.”

Joanna looked up. She appreciated the compliment, but it didn’t show in her expression. “So, I guess going shopping is out of the question, too?”

“Shopping?” Evelyn said. “Don’t tell me I’ve forgotten something else.”

“No, but I thought I’d get a couple of new books, and Dad needs some pajamas.”

“Crap!” Fran blurted. “Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap!”

Joanna cocked back her head and then began to giggle. “What is wrong with you?”

“Oh, it’s been bloody crazy at work and somewhere on my desk is a list of things I still needed to do concerning the deal you and Addison made. I’m sure in there somewhere was a requisition for a mobile, and possibly even a computer.”

“Don’t worry about a mobile, Fran. I don’t have anyone to call, and as far as a computer, it’s not so much about shopping as it is about just getting out of the house.”

“Unfortunately, I’m afraid you can’t do that right now. Until things calm down, you have to stay here.”

“I know,” Joanna said with a sigh.

“I’ve got an idea,” Evelyn said. “Why don’t you use my laptop to at least order a few books and some pajamas for your father? Then, once the coast is clear, you’ll be able to get to the shops for whatever else you’d like.”

“That’ll work,” Joanna said, smiling.

“Good! Then it’s settled.”

“Speaking of settling, how’s your father adjusting? Everything okay?” Fran asked.

“He’s doing all right. At first, when he woke up in the morning it was a bit hectic, but he’s been writing down a few notes to help jog his memory and putting them in places where he’ll see them when he wakes up, so he’s doing much better. The nurses are wonderful, and he absolutely adores his television.”

“So the decision to become Mrs. Kane was a good one?”

“I don’t know. I’m not Mrs. Kane yet,” Joanna said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Actually, that’s the reason I’m here,” Fran said. “I’ve arranged for the registrar to come to the house on the thirtieth to perform the ceremony. He’ll be here at nine, and Evelyn and I can act as witnesses.”

“Wow! No moss grows on you,” Joanna said with a laugh. “What is that? Exactly twenty-eight days?”

“Actually, it’s twenty-nine, but you knew we had a deadline to meet and Addison’s birthday is on the fourth.”

“I know. I’m just kidding.”