He barked out a laugh. “Yeah, right. Come on, Alice, think about it. Picture Libby’s reaction when I reject what she’ll consider Jess’s thoughtful gift?”

“She might surprise you.”

“And pigs might fly.”

Chapter Six

March

Hilary van den Berg popped her head around the classroom door. Karen’s long-time friend was now the chairperson at the University of the Third Age—or U3A as all the members called it. The moment Karen had retired, Hilary had roped her in as a volunteer tutor.

“Have you got a minute?”

Karen paused in clearing away the remnants of the wine and cheese her French conversation students had enjoyed. Recently, she’d been wondering if she should just give in and drop the word conversation from the course entirely and call it, “English Chat with French wine and cheese.”

“Bien sûr.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Hilary plonked her behind on the table next to Karen. “How’s Alice? I can’t decide if that serve she gave the Chamber of Commerce in the Gazette about business putting tourism dollars ahead of the environment is a sign she’s feeling more positive about life or the reverse?”

Karen stifled a sigh. She’d already been accosted by Henry Liu about the same article. “We do have a problem with the amount of cheap plastic that’s sold in town and then dumped on the beach and in the lakes.”

“At least she’s channeling her disappointment and anger into something worthwhile.”

Karen huffed. “I’d be happier if she was back in Melbourne. I’m furious with Lawrence and the Cahills. It was Alice who took their dingy art catalog from a small affair to a beautiful glossy magazine. It was the first time in her life she was leading not following. Now, she’s lost her confidence and you know Alice …”

Hilary nodded, understanding written all over her face. “I know you still worry about her, but look how far she’s come since she was a little girl with a squint and a wobbly gait.”

“Those were the easy fixes.” Karen’s mind slid to the terrifying months when Alice was fourteen, withdrawn and refusing to go to school. A time Karen watched her like a hawk, constantly fearful Alice might hurt herself.

“You’ve had a tough time recently with both twins having their hearts broken in different ways. It puts my worries about Dan ever meeting a nice girl in perspective. But dear Lord, I deserve grandchildren. I don’t suppose we can match him up with Alice?”

“Unlikely. They’ve known each other since they were kids and Alice isn’t really Dan’s type,” Karen said diplomatically. She was very fond of Dan but he wasn’t right for Alice. He worked hard and played hard and charmed his way through life—usually with young willowy model types ten years his junior. “But Alice’s started dating again, so I’m trying to take that as a good sign instead of another reason not to return to her life in Melbourne. I just wish she’d get a job that uses her talents.”