“Need you ask?”

A message from Rich was waiting on her house phone. She returned his call. “You called?”

“I did. Since Nate is taking Loren and his mother out for dinner, you want to come out here since you’ll be all alone?”

“You think I can’t handle being alone?”

“And here I was trying to be nice. So much for nice. Will you please come out here? We’ll have chicken on the grill, veggies, garlic bread, and some kind of potatoes, I suppose. Then we can watch the sunset over the water and the moon come up. What do you think?”

“I think it sounds heavenly.”

“Whew, you scared me there for a moment. Oh, I get it, you were teasing me.”

“You got it. See you about…”

“Three, no four. I have some things I need to get done.”

“So do I, so I will see you then.” She set the receiver back in the stand and went to check on Loren, finding her in front of the bathroom mirror. “How are you doing?”

“About done. It didn’t wrinkle much. I’ll be wearing brand-new shoes, with heels no less.”

“Your espadrilles have heels so don’t worry about it. Relax, sweetheart, you’ll have a good time, Nate will see to that.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She tucked the steamer back in its place under the sink. “You going out to Rich’s?”

“At four so I will help you get ready if you need me.”

“I’d rather go there.”

“Now, now. Let’s go have ice cream. I’m having rocky road.”

“Me too.” Sir Charles padded down the stairs in front of them, and Juno met them in the kitchen, reminding them it was time to feed their furry-faced kids.

*  *  *

“Just think, when we’re married, we can have evenings like this all the time.” While the breeze had driven them inside, Rich and Roxie were seated on the love seat looking out over the lake.

She sat straight up to turn and stare at him. “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“It’s all a matter of time. When God gives you a gift, He’ll also say when to open it.”

“That is not a Bible verse.”

“Bet I can find one or many to support it.” He pulled her back with his arm around her shoulders. “I see our whole relationship as a series of mini miracles, starting with how we met, or rather, how you met my son. At just the right time. You realize Nate is in love with Loren?”

“I got that feeling. His eyes light up when she walks into the room.”

“And now he is making sure she meets his mother. First woman he has ever done that with. I tell you, it is only a matter of time.”

“Oh, look, the rim of the moon. How lovely.”

“Yes.”

She glanced at him. “You’re not looking at the rising moon.”