“Don’t ‘Mom’ me, Alice. Your time is valuable. Put a monetary value on it.”

“You never say that when I mind the girls.”

“That’s different. It’s family.”

“This from the woman who got an award for service to the bay community?” Alice laughed. “What happened to giving a helping hand?”

“I’ve seen too many of my friends become convenient cooks and cleaners for men who take the path of least resistance. Besides, I thought you said he was grumpy?”

“He is. That’s why I’m cooking with the kids while he’s out of the house.”

The corrosive worry that had been a part of Karen since Alice’s unexpected arrival into her arms all those years ago dug in. Her younger daughter was too kind. Too giving. Too open to be hurt. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Of what?”

“Of being used.”

Alice shot to her feet. “What’s wrong with you? You raised us to think of others and be involved in our community. Now you’re saying be selfish?”

“Sometimes it’s important to put yourself first.”

“And sometimes—No! Make that all times, you have to accept that your daughters are adults and capable of making their own decisions.” Alice jerkily pushed the chair under the table. “I think it’s time I moved out.”

Karen didn’t know if it was the tone of Alice’s voice or the way her eyes glittered, but the past rose in a rush, bringing with it a geyser of panic. “If you had a real job instead of these stop-gap ones, then you could afford to move out.”

“How I live my life is not your concern!”

Only Alice had it wrong. From day one, she’d always been Karen’s beautiful, ethereal concern.

Chapter Fourteen

June

Thursdays were Libby’s long days, but tonight she’d managed to leave the practice just after 7:00. She arrived home to find the girls bathed, fed and cuddled up on the couch with Nick. The rich aroma of oregano, wine and nutmeg permeated the kitchen, there was a bottle of merlot open and breathing on the counter and a huge bunch of purple irises were arranged majestically in a vase. Nick, who’d usually only ever bought her flowers on her birthday, had been buying her a bunch each week. She couldn’t deny he was working hard at showing he was committed to her and the girls, but an unbridgeable chasm continued to exist between them. It was keeping her in the guest room.

“Mommy!” Indi jumped up and ran to her. “Read me a story!”

“Give Mommy time to put her bags down.” Nick rose from the couch and kissed her on the cheek.

Libby automatically stiffened and his lips barely brushed her skin before he stepped back. Loss settled over her. Why couldn’t she control this instinct to recoil?

Nick lifted her computer bag from her shoulder. “Normal day?”